The Trade Desk Slumps 68% in the Past Year: How to Approach the Stock?

Core Viewpoint - The Trade Desk (TTD) has experienced a significant decline of 68.1% over the past year, contrasting sharply with the 58.5% growth in the Zacks Internet Services industry and gains of 25.9% and 19.5% in the Zacks Computer & Technology sector and S&P 500 composite, respectively [1][6][23] Company Performance - TTD's stock performance has lagged behind its peers, attributed to company-specific challenges such as rising costs, slowing revenue growth, macroeconomic volatility, and increased competition from major players like Amazon and independent ad-tech firms [5][6][23] - Despite the decline, TTD maintains a strong cash position of $1.4 billion with no debt, and has initiated a $500 million stock buyback program, indicating financial stability [6][17][18] Long-Term Growth Potential - TTD is positioned to benefit from the shift towards an open internet, where it serves as a buyer's platform, contrasting with walled-garden platforms that monetize their own content [7][8] - The transition to biddable connected TV (CTV) is gaining momentum, with expectations that it will become the default buying model, offering advertisers greater flexibility and control [8] - The rise of retail media networks is favorable for TTD, as retailers increasingly partner with the company to leverage retail data for precise targeting and attribution [9] Competitive Advantages - TTD's AI platforms, such as Kokai, enhance its competitive edge, with 85% of clients using it as their default experience, leading to improved performance metrics [12][14] - Initiatives like OpenPath and OpenAds strengthen TTD's ecosystem by improving transparency and efficiency in the advertising supply chain [15] Market Opportunities - Approximately 60% of TTD's total addressable market lies outside the United States, with international business currently representing about 13% of total revenues, indicating significant growth potential [16] - TTD's valuation is competitive, trading at a price/book multiple of 7.19X compared to the industry's 7.8X, suggesting potential for upside as the market stabilizes [19][22] Investment Outlook - TTD is currently rated as a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy), with the recent slump viewed as a reset in expectations rather than a fundamental issue with the business model, positioning it as a potential buying opportunity for investors [23][24]