How Should You Play The Trade Desk Stock Going Into Q1 Earnings?

Core Viewpoint - The Trade Desk, Inc. (TTD) is expected to report a decline in earnings and revenues for Q1 2025, with challenges arising from competitive pressures and macroeconomic uncertainties [1][5][17]. Financial Performance - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for TTD's earnings in Q1 2025 is 25 cents, down from 26 cents in the same quarter last year, with a revenue estimate of $574.3 million, indicating a 16.9% year-over-year decline [1]. - TTD anticipates revenues of at least $575 million, reflecting a 17% year-over-year growth, despite challenges from the previous leap year and reduced political ad spending [2]. Earnings Surprise History - TTD has consistently beaten the Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings in the past four quarters, with an average earnings surprise of 7.68% [2]. Market Position and Competition - The digital advertising industry remains highly competitive, with major players like Alphabet and Amazon exerting pressure on TTD's market position [5][17]. - TTD's stock has declined by 58.1% over the past six months, underperforming both the Internet Services industry and the S&P 500 composite [10]. Strategic Initiatives - TTD is focusing on international expansion, reorganization, and structural improvements to enhance internal effectiveness and scalability [9]. - The company is advancing its support for UID2, a privacy-centric identity solution, which is expected to improve digital advertising relevance and user control [8]. Valuation Metrics - TTD's stock is considered expensive, trading at a forward 12-month Price/Sales ratio of 9.08X, compared to the industry's 4.89X [14]. Investment Considerations - Given the negative Earnings ESP and Zacks Rank 5, it is suggested that investors consider offloading TTD stock from their portfolios [4][18].