TTD Stock Crashes Post Q2 Earnings: Stay Invested or Make an Exit?

Core Insights - The Trade Desk (TTD) stock has dropped 39.8% after Q2 2025 earnings release, despite revenues increasing 19% year-over-year to $694 million, surpassing expectations [1][11] - Connected TV (CTV) remains the fastest-growing channel, supported by partnerships with major media players [1][4] Financial Performance - Adjusted EBITDA for Q2 was $271 million, up from $242 million year-over-year, while adjusted EPS was 41 cents, slightly missing estimates but improving from 39 cents in the previous year [2] - Free cash flow stood at $117 million [2] - For Q3 2025, TTD anticipates revenues of at least $717 million, indicating a 14% year-over-year growth [9] Growth Drivers - Increasing digital spending in CTV and retail media are key growth drivers, with CTV accounting for a high-40s percentage of overall business [4][5] - Over 70% of clients are utilizing the Kokai platform, which has shown significant improvements in ad targeting efficiency [6][11] - International expansion and innovations like OpenPath and Deal Desk are expected to enhance market positioning [7][8] Competitive Landscape - TTD faces intense competition in the ad tech space, particularly from giants like Alphabet and Amazon, which dominate the market with their first-party data [13] - The reliance on CTV for growth poses risks, as increased competition in this segment could impact overall performance [14] Cost and Profitability Concerns - Total operating costs surged 17.8% year-over-year to $577.3 million, raising concerns about profitability if revenue growth does not keep pace [15] - Macroeconomic uncertainty may affect advertising budgets, particularly for large global brands [12] Market Positioning - TTD has underperformed compared to peers, with a 29.5% decline in stock value over the past month [18] - The stock is trading at a premium valuation, with a forward price/sales ratio of 8.23X compared to the industry average of 5.46X [21] Investment Outlook - Despite recent stock declines, strong CTV growth and expanding Kokai adoption support long-term prospects [22] - Investors are advised to retain TTD stock for now, while new investors may consider waiting for a more favorable entry point [23]