DoubleVerify (NYSE:DV) Q4 2025 Earnings call February 26, 2026 04:30 PM ET Company ParticipantsAlex Vegliante - Vice President, Global Investment ResearchBrian Pitz - Managing Director, Equity ResearchBrinlea Johnson - Managing PartnerMark Zagorski - CEOMatt Condon - Director Equity ResearchMatthew Swanson - Director, Equity ResearchNicola Allais - CFOTim Noel - Senior Database DeveloperYoussef Squali - Managing Director, Head of Internet and Digital Media ResearchConference Call ParticipantsLaura Martin - ...

Core Viewpoint - Netflix has shown strong operational performance in Q4 2025, surpassing earnings estimates and achieving significant subscriber growth, despite facing challenges such as foreign exchange fluctuations and acquisition costs [2][3][4]. Financial Performance - Q4 2025 earnings were reported at 56 cents per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 1.82% and reflecting a 30.2% increase year-over-year [2]. - Revenues for the quarter reached $12.05 billion, an 18% year-over-year increase, driven by membership growth, higher subscription pricing, and increased advertising revenues [2][3]. - Operating income was $2.96 billion, up 30% year-over-year, with an operating margin of 24.5%, slightly above forecasts [4]. Subscriber Growth - Netflix crossed the milestone of 325 million paid memberships during Q4 2025, contributing to a global audience nearing one billion [3][7]. - The second half of 2025 saw members watching 96 billion hours of content, a 2% increase year-over-year, driven by original programming [7]. Content Performance - The final season of "Stranger Things" generated 120 million views, significantly boosting engagement [8]. - Other successful releases included "Nobody Wants This S2" (31 million views) and "Emily in Paris S5" (41 million views) [9]. Advertising Revenue - Advertising revenues grew more than 2.5 times compared to 2024, exceeding $1.5 billion in 2025 [15]. - Netflix is enhancing its advertising technology capabilities, including testing AI tools for custom ad creation [16]. Acquisition Strategy - Netflix announced plans to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery for an all-cash transaction valued at $27.75 per share, with an increased bridge facility commitment of $42.2 billion to support the acquisition [20][21]. - The acquisition is expected to enhance Netflix's content library and provide more personalized subscription options [22]. Financial Outlook - For Q1 2026, Netflix expects revenues of $12.16 billion, indicating a 15.3% year-over-year growth [24]. - Full-year 2026 revenue is projected between $50.7 billion and $51.7 billion, representing 12% to 14% growth [25]. - The company anticipates generating free cash flow of approximately $11 billion in 2026 [27]. Market Sentiment - Estimates for Netflix have trended downward recently, with a consensus estimate shift of -5.04% [28]. - The stock currently holds a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold), indicating an expectation of in-line returns in the coming months [30].

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Revenue for Q4 2025 grew 6% year-over-year to $137.1 million, while Contribution ex-TAC increased 19% year-over-year to $65.2 million, significantly outpacing revenue growth [20][21] - Adjusted EBITDA reached $24.3 million, a 53% increase compared to last year, resulting in an Adjusted EBITDA margin of 37% of Contribution ex-TAC [20][25] - For the full year 2025, revenue was $439.9 million, with Contribution ex-TAC at $203.4 million and Adjusted EBITDA of $45.2 million, reflecting a 22% ex-TAC margin [21][22] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - CTV revenue grew 59% in Q4 and 42% for the full year, reaching $62.1 million, driven by the shift from traditional TV to connected TV advertising [22] - Digital out-of-home revenue increased 28% in Q4 and 36% for the full year to $94.9 million, supported by an expanded global footprint [22] - Retail media revenue rose 42% in Q4 and 36% for the full year, more than doubling market growth, indicating strong integration with retail partners [22] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Advertising solutions revenue increased by 7% year-over-year in Q4, with CTV and digital out-of-home accounting for 44% of revenue in Q4 and 36% for the full year 2025 [23] - Web revenue declined 17% year-over-year in Q4 and 13% for the full year, attributed to the shutdown of low-margin activities and a shift in user behavior [23][24] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company has redefined its mission and strategy, focusing on the Perion One platform as a centralized solution for marketers, integrating technologies and expanding partnerships [3][4] - The introduction of Outmax, an AI-native execution agent, aims to optimize marketing activities across various channels, enhancing performance and efficiency [4][6] - By 2028, the company expects Perion One to represent the majority of its business, with a target of at least 25% CAGR for Perion One performance spend and 20% for Contribution ex-TAC [15][31] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's growth trajectory, citing strong performance in key growth engines and a disciplined operating model [17][19] - The company anticipates continued market share gains in rapidly expanding verticals, supported by the shift towards performance advertising [22][31] - The outlook for 2026 includes a Contribution ex-TAC of $215 million-$235 million and Adjusted EBITDA of $50 million-$54 million, reflecting a strong foundation for future growth [29] Other Important Information - The company has expanded its share repurchase program to $200 million, reflecting confidence in its long-term value proposition and cash generation ability [19][28] - The balance sheet remains strong with $313 million in cash, providing financial flexibility for investments and potential M&A opportunities [27] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you walk us through the 2026 guidance assumptions? - Management indicated that the guidance reflects expectations of a gradual decline in search and legacy activities, with a sharper increase in Perion One contributions [36][40] Question: What are the implications of the Amazon DSP integration for 2026? - The integration is expected to open significant opportunities, with strong customer demand for dynamic content optimization through Amazon [45][46] Question: What barriers exist for marketers adopting Outmax? - Adoption has been strong, with performance driving increased budgets, indicating a positive reception among advertisers [53] Question: Can you discuss the fundamentals behind the web revenue decline? - The decline is attributed to the shutdown of low-margin activities and a shift in user behavior towards other platforms [68] Question: What underpins confidence in achieving the 28% EBITDA margin by 2028? - Confidence stems from efficiency measures already implemented and ongoing investments in automation and AI tools [60]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a fourth quarter revenue growth of 36% year-over-year, with full year revenue also increasing by 36% [3][15] - Fourth quarter gross margins improved to 82%, up 530 basis points, while full year gross margins increased to 77%, up 560 basis points year-over-year [16][19] - Adjusted EBITDA for the fourth quarter was $28.1 million, up from $20.7 million in Q4 of 2024, representing a 36% increase [19] - The company achieved positive net income of $34.5 million for the fourth quarter, with a GAAP EPS of $0.47, while reporting a net loss of $6.4 million for the full year [18][19] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The core Performance TV (PTV) business improved gross margins by over 300 basis points, contributing to the overall margin improvements [16] - The number of active PTV customers grew to 3,632, representing a 63% increase year-over-year [16][18] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company generated over $18 billion in revenue for its customers in 2025, indicating strong market demand for connected TV advertising [6] - The expansion rate, measuring the spend of current customers compared to the previous year, remained well above 115%, showing continued customer investment [18] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to democratize television advertising, focusing on small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) and leveraging performance marketing [3][12] - Continued investment in AI technology, including tools like QuickFrame AI, is a key part of the strategy to enhance customer experience and drive performance [8][26] - The company is focused on moving down-market to capture more SMB opportunities, which is seen as a significant growth area [17][25] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's momentum and the underlying health of the business, anticipating continued growth in the performance television market [20][23] - The company expects Q1 2026 revenue in the range of $71.3 million to $73.3 million, representing a 22.3% year-over-year growth at the midpoint [21][22] Other Important Information - The company ended the quarter with $210 million in cash and cash equivalents, with no borrowings outstanding, indicating a strong balance sheet [20] - The company plans to continue investing strategically in sales and marketing, as well as technology and development, to support future revenue growth [20][48] Q&A Session Summary Question: How does the company plan to continue driving growth? - Management highlighted the focus on the Performance TV market, moving down-market towards smaller businesses, and AI initiatives as key growth drivers [25] Question: What are the characteristics of new customers? - New customers are primarily small- and mid-sized businesses in e-commerce and travel, with a growing number of performance agencies also joining [29] Question: Can you provide insights on QuickFrame AI? - QuickFrame AI has seen strong adoption, enabling customers to create TV commercials faster and at lower costs, with ongoing improvements based on user feedback [37] Question: What are the benefits of adding more sales force? - The new sales hires are focused on both mid-sized and small businesses, aiming to drive future revenue growth [41] Question: How does the company measure attribution in CTV? - The company utilizes Verified Visits and an Identity Graph to provide comprehensive attribution measurement, connecting viewing data across devices [61] Question: What is the long-term target for margins? - The long-term target for gross margin is 75%-80%, and for Adjusted EBITDA margin, it is 35%-40% [76]

Core Viewpoint - The Trade Desk is a high-quality company in ad tech, but its investment potential is debated as competitive pressures increase going into 2026 [1] Reasons to Buy - The business remains fundamentally strong with revenue growth in the high teens and customer retention exceeding 95% in 2025, indicating continued advertiser reliance on the platform [3][4] - The growth of connected TV (CTV) and retail media provides long-term tailwinds as advertisers shift budgets to data-driven channels, positioning The Trade Desk to benefit from this structural market growth [4] - The AI-powered platform Kokai is gaining traction, leading to lower acquisition costs and improved engagement, which could provide a competitive advantage if it continues to deliver ROI [5][6] Reasons to Stay Cautious - Competition has intensified with Amazon's advertising business gaining traction, particularly through its partnership with Netflix, which poses risks to The Trade Desk's premium supply access [10][11] - The company's history of flawless execution has been disrupted, with a streak of beating revenue expectations ending in late 2024, leading to increased volatility and investor skepticism [12][13] - The stock carries a premium valuation with a P/E ratio of 46, requiring strong growth and stable margins to justify the price, which is uncertain given the current competitive landscape [16][18]

Summary of Key Points from the Conference Call Industry Overview - The report focuses on the US-based Internet and interactive entertainment industry, outlining 10 key themes for 2026 and identifying focus stocks for investment going forward [2][6]. Core Themes for 2026 1. **AI as a Transformative Technology**: AI is expected to significantly impact consumer computing habits, advertising landscapes, and cloud computing revenues. The rise of generative AI and its applications will be crucial [5][7]. 2. **Blurring Lines Between Advertising and Commerce**: The integration of social commerce and retail media is anticipated to create new growth opportunities [5][6]. 3. **Impact of AI on Advertising**: AI's influence on advertising strategies and monetization models will be a key focus area [5][6]. 4. **AI Investment Cycle**: The evolution of capital expenditures (capex) and free cash flow in relation to AI development will be critical for companies [5][6]. 5. **Competitive Dynamics in Local Commerce**: The rise of local commerce initiatives is expected to reshape competitive dynamics in the industry [5][6]. 6. **Future of Mobility Networks**: Developments in autonomous vehicles (AVs) and their adoption will be significant [5][6]. 7. **Evolution of Interactive Entertainment**: Changes in the interactive entertainment landscape will be closely monitored [5][6]. 8. **Transition to Spatial Computing**: A long-term shift from desktop and mobile computing to spatial computing and mixed reality is anticipated [5][6]. 9. **Health and Wellness Market Opportunity**: The growth potential in health and wellness sectors will be explored [5][6]. 10. **Balancing Growth and Investments**: Companies will need to manage growth investments while maintaining margins and capital returns [5][6]. Regulatory Environment - The global regulatory framework is highlighted as a potential factor affecting stock performance, although it is not articulated as a primary theme for 2026 due to a relatively stable regulatory environment observed in recent months [2][6]. Consumer Behavior Insights - The digital consumer remains stable and strong, particularly those valuing convenience in digital services. This stability has led to consistent digital advertising trends, especially in performance-based outcomes [8][9]. Investment Opportunities - **Mega Cap Stocks**: Amazon (AMZN) and Meta (META) are identified as having positive risk/reward profiles due to their alignment with AI themes and operational efficiencies [9][11]. - **Large Cap Stocks**: Dash (DASH), Uber (UBER), and Roblox (RBLX) are noted for their exposure to local commerce and interactive entertainment growth [14]. - **SMID Cap Stocks**: Companies like Peloton (PTON), Opra (OPRA), and Genius Brands (GENI) are highlighted for compelling risk/reward opportunities [14]. Market Sentiment and Valuation - Recent stock price resets have created attractive risk/reward opportunities for investors, despite concerns regarding AI investments and consumer health [8][9]. Conclusion - The report emphasizes the importance of AI and evolving consumer behaviors as central themes for investment strategies in 2026, while also identifying specific companies that are well-positioned to capitalize on these trends [2][5][9].

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Revenue for Q3 2025 was $110.5 million, representing an 8% year-over-year growth [15] - Contribution ex-TAC was $51 million, up 7% year-over-year, maintaining a healthy 46% margin [15][20] - Adjusted EBITDA increased 63% year-over-year to $12.1 million, reflecting improved operational leverage [14][20] - Non-GAAP net income was $12.5 million, resulting in a non-GAAP diluted earnings per share of $0.28, a 22% year-over-year increase [21] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - CTV revenue grew 75% year-over-year, driven by demand for advanced formats [17] - Retail media revenue increased by 40% year-over-year, reflecting strong momentum in this vertical [18] - Digital out-of-home revenue rose 26% year-over-year, now accounting for 22% of total revenue [18][19] - Web revenue declined by 11% year-over-year due to lower advertiser appetite for standard display and video formats [19] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The retail media market in the US is projected to be a $60 billion opportunity, growing at double-digit annual rates [8] - CTV and digital out-of-home channels combined represented 37% of total revenue, up from 28% in the same quarter last year [18] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on becoming the platform of choice for modern CMOs, unifying media, data, and outcomes through the Perion One strategy [5][6] - New products like Outmax and Soda are designed to enhance performance-driven advertising and optimize monetization for publishers [4][10] - The company is expanding its share repurchase program to $200 million, reflecting confidence in long-term value [3][15] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in sustaining growth and profitability, supported by operational efficiency and scalable technology [15][24] - The company aims to capture more market share in 2026 and beyond, with expectations for continued strong performance from core growth engines [27][30] Other Important Information - The company has a strong cash position of $315 million, providing financial flexibility for growth and capital allocation [22] - The share buyback program has repurchased a cumulative total of 10.4 million shares for $94.2 million, underscoring confidence in long-term value [22][23] Q&A Session Summary Question: What are the drivers behind the CTV strength in Q3? - Management noted that performance CTV and the new algorithm, Outmax, are performing well, contributing to significant growth [26] Question: Why is the Q4 guidance range wide? - Management indicated that the quarter is trending in line with expectations and expressed confidence in meeting guidance during the holiday season [27] Question: How does the company view the web business decline? - Management clarified that the web business decline was primarily due to strategic decisions made earlier in the year, and they expect a potential return to growth in the future [38] Question: How is the company using AI internally? - Management stated that AI is increasingly integrated into R&D and operations, aiming to reduce manual work and enhance efficiency [40] Question: What is the potential of Soda and the Digital Out-of-Home Player? - Management explained that these products are designed to be integrated into the tech stack of inventory owners, increasing predictability and visibility into revenue streams [42]

Q3 2025 Financial Performance - Revenue increased by 8% year-over-year to $110.5 million[48] - Contribution ex-TAC increased by 7% year-over-year[17] - Adjusted EBITDA increased significantly by 63% year-over-year[17, 46] to $12.1 million[48] - Non-GAAP Net Income was $12.5 million[48] - Diluted Non-GAAP EPS reached $0.28, an 8% year-over-year increase[48] Growth Engines Momentum - CTV revenue grew substantially by 75% year-over-year[17, 45, 50], reaching $16.6 million[63] - Retail Media revenue increased by 40% year-over-year[45, 55] - DOOH revenue increased by 26% year-over-year[45, 52, 63], reaching $24.1 million[63] Capital Allocation - The company expanded its share repurchase program by $75 million, bringing the total to $200 million, pending regulatory approval[17] - The implied return of the $75 million buyback expansion is 18%, with an aggregate implied return of 49% for the total $200 million plan, based on a market cap of $410 million[90] Strategic Initiatives - Strategic partnership with Albertsons Media Collective to expand into the $60 billion Retail Media market, growing at approximately 15% CAGR[24]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Revenue for Q3 2025 was $85.6 million, representing a 7% year-over-year increase and a 10% quarter-over-quarter increase, exceeding the midpoint of guidance [32] - Contribution XTAC totaled $53 million, up 12% year-over-year and 10% sequentially, reaching the high end of guidance [32] - Adjusted EBITDA for Q3 was $16 million, growing 9% year-over-year and 42% sequentially, with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 30% [38] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Excluding political ad spend from the prior year, Q3 revenue increased 19% year-over-year, and contribution XTAC increased 22% year-over-year on a pro forma basis [33] - CTV accounted for a record high of 46% of total platform spend, with nearly half running through Direct Access premium publishers [36] - Revenue attached to the Iris ID more than doubled sequentially versus the prior quarter, indicating strong demand for contextually targeted campaigns [15] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Spend across emerging digital channels, including CTV, streaming audio, and digital out of home, represented approximately 56% of total platform spend in Q3, up from 50% in 2024 and 43% in 2023 [36] - The majority of leading streaming services have joined the Direct Access program, enhancing the platform's capabilities [12] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to maintain its dominant position in the mid-market while expanding up-market with major U.S. advertisers and down-market to performance advertisers [23] - The launch of AI Decisioning is expected to enhance the self-service capabilities of the platform, making it more accessible for SMBs and direct-to-consumer e-commerce companies [29] - The partnership with Molson Coors highlights the company's ability to attract major U.S. brands seeking data-driven campaigns [25] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the underlying performance of the business, with expectations for accelerating growth in 2026 driven by new client onboarding [44] - The company anticipates significant EBITDA margin expansion in 2026, supported by improved operational efficiencies and the integration of recent acquisitions [44] Other Important Information - The company ended Q3 with $161 million in cash and cash equivalents, no debt, and full access to a $75 million credit facility [39] - The share repurchase program has returned $59.6 million to shareholders since its launch, signaling confidence in long-term value [40] Q&A Session Summary Question: What is the difference with the third AI product launching in Q4? - Management indicated that AI Decisioning will complete the Viant AI suite, enabling full self-driving capabilities for ad campaigns, reducing the need for human intervention [51][52] Question: Is the 600 basis point headwind from a merger client a one-time issue? - Management clarified that the headwind is primarily from a seasonal client and will not significantly impact other quarters [48] Question: How does the company plan to grow awareness among SMB advertisers? - The strategy includes channel partnerships and a self-service sign-up flow to attract direct-to-consumer e-commerce companies [58][60] Question: What is the expected incremental spend from the Molson Coors partnership? - While specific figures cannot be disclosed, management expects the partnership to scale over time, contributing to the $250 million incremental spend pipeline [62] Question: How does the competitive environment look with companies like Amazon and Google? - Management noted that competition remains consistent, with Viant's objective buy-side approach differentiating it from competitors who have conflicts of interest [64][66]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Trade Desk reported Q3 2025 revenue of $739 million, representing an 18% year-over-year growth, and a 22% growth when excluding political spend from the previous year [40][41] - Adjusted EBITDA for Q3 was approximately $317 million, or about 43% of revenue [40] - Adjusted net income for the quarter was $221 million, or $0.45 per diluted share [42] - Free cash flow was $155 million in Q3, with a strong cash and liquidity position of about $1.4 billion at the end of the quarter [43] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Connected TV (CTV) remains the largest and fastest-growing channel, representing around 50% of the business in Q3 [40] - Mobile accounted for a low 30% share, display for a low double-digit share, and audio for around 5% [40] - The Trade Desk's focus on retail media is seeing rapid scaling and strong adoption across various verticals [5] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - North America represented 87% of the business, while international markets accounted for about 13% [41] - Growth in international markets, particularly EMEA and APAC, is outpacing growth in North America [41] - Strong growth was noted in verticals such as medical health, automotive, and technology [41] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on leading the open internet and enhancing operational efficiency through new leadership and structural changes [33][57] - Investments in AI and automation are aimed at improving campaign performance and operational productivity [19][58] - The Trade Desk is committed to building a more data-driven culture and enhancing client relationships through joint business plans (JBPs) [15][60] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the potential of the open internet and the shift towards programmatic advertising [30] - The company anticipates continued growth in CTV and audio channels, driven by premium content and authenticated audiences [40][41] - The Trade Desk expects Q4 revenue to be at least $840 million, with an estimated growth of approximately 18.5% year-over-year when excluding political ad spend [44] Other Important Information - The company has repurchased nearly $2 billion in stock since the beginning of its repurchase program, effectively offsetting dilution [43] - The introduction of new products and upgrades, such as Audience Unlimited and trading modes, is expected to drive future growth [28][29] Q&A Session Summary Question: Clarification on Amazon as a competitor - Management clarified that while Amazon is a significant player in advertising, their focus is primarily on owned and operated inventory, which differs from The Trade Desk's emphasis on the open internet [46][49] Question: Areas for impact as new CFO - The new CFO highlighted the importance of disciplined resource allocation and a metrics-driven approach to drive growth and efficiency [52][53] Question: Broader advertising trends for 2026 - Management noted that the open internet is gaining importance, and the company is well-positioned to capitalize on this trend through its restructuring efforts [62]