The Trade Desk(TTD) The Motley Fool·2025-03-23 08:14Core Viewpoint - The recent market sell-off has created attractive buying opportunities for long-term investors, particularly in growth stocks like The Trade Desk, which has seen significant price declines despite its long-term potential [1][2]. Company Overview - The Trade Desk operates in the programmatic advertising platform sector, assisting ad buyers in placing ads effectively across various media, including podcasts, videos, and connected TV [3][4]. Recent Performance - The Trade Desk experienced a significant decline in stock price, approximately 60% down from its all-time high, following a disappointing Q4 earnings report where revenue fell short of projections [5][8]. - In Q4, The Trade Desk reported revenue of 756 million, and projected a revenue of $575 million for Q1, indicating a 17% growth slowdown [5][6]. Management Insights - Management acknowledged execution mistakes during Q4, attributing some challenges to a platform transition from Solimar to Kokai, expected to complete by 2025 [6]. - CEO Jeff Green expressed confidence in the long-term market potential despite short-term execution issues, likening the situation to a championship team facing challenges in a specific game [6][7]. Market Opportunity - The shift towards streaming services presents a substantial opportunity for programmatic advertising, allowing targeted ads to replace traditional broad-reaching advertisements [4]. - The Trade Desk's long-term growth potential remains strong, with expectations to capture a significant market share despite current valuation concerns [9][10]. Investment Perspective - The current stock price presents a rare buying opportunity, as The Trade Desk has lost its premium valuation, making it more attractive for long-term investors [8][10]. - A forward earnings valuation of 30 times is considered a better price compared to previous months, suggesting potential for growth into this valuation [9].