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The Trade Desk vs. PubMatic: Which Ad-Tech Stock Is the Better Pick?
ZACKS· 2025-06-20 15:20
Core Insights - The Trade Desk (TTD) and PubMatic (PUBM) are key players in the programmatic advertising ecosystem, with TTD as a demand-side platform (DSP) and PUBM as a sell-side platform (SSP) [1][2] The Case for TTD - TTD is optimistic about its market growth due to strong execution in connected TV (CTV), retail media, international expansion, and the integration of Sincera's data insights [3][4] - The Kokai platform has achieved 66% client adoption ahead of schedule, delivering significant cost efficiencies with a 24% lower cost per conversion and 20% lower cost per acquisition [4] - TTD reported first-quarter revenues of $616 million, a 25% year-over-year increase, with adjusted EBITDA of $208 million (34% margin) [5] - CTV accounted for 40% of digital spend, while customer retention exceeded 95% [5] - However, TTD faces challenges from macroeconomic uncertainties and competition from major players like Alphabet and Amazon, which could impact revenue growth [6][7] The Case for PUBM - PUBM's underlying business grew 21% year-over-year in Q1 2025, driven by growth in CTV and Supply Path Optimization (SPO) [8][10] - CTV revenues surged 50% year-over-year, although total sales fell 4% due to a shift from a large DSP client [8][11] - PUBM is investing in technologies like Activate for SPO and Convert for commerce media, and is expanding its international presence, particularly in India, Europe, Australia, and Japan [12] - Despite strong growth in CTV, PUBM's revenues declined 4% year-over-year, raising concerns about its competitive position [13] Share Performance and Valuation - Year-to-date, PUBM and TTD have lost 24.7% and 41.6% respectively, amid macroeconomic uncertainties [14] - TTD is considered overvalued with a forward P/E ratio of 10.87X, while PUBM has a lower ratio of 1.74X, indicating a more favorable valuation [16][17] Analyst Estimates - Analysts have made significant downward revisions for PUBM's earnings estimates, while TTD has seen relatively lower revisions [18][19] - Both companies currently hold a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold) [20] Conclusion - TTD is positioned as a stronger investment case due to its leading DSP role and innovation, while PUBM's potential is tempered by revenue declines and estimate revisions [21][23]
The Trade Desk Repurchases $386M Stock: A Smart Capital Move?
ZACKS· 2025-06-19 14:26
Core Insights - The Trade Desk, Inc. (TTD) utilized $386 million in cash for share buybacks in Q1 2025, supported by a strong balance sheet and consistent cash flow [1][10] - TTD's balance sheet showed approximately $1.7 billion in cash and equivalents with no debt, and a total repurchase authorization of $1 billion [2][10] - The company is optimistic about future growth opportunities in connected TV, retail media, and international expansion, emphasizing a balanced cost structure [3] Financial Performance - Operating cash flow for Q1 2025 was $291 million, while free cash flow was $230 million, indicating that buybacks exceeded cash generation for the quarter [1][10] - TTD anticipates Q2 2025 revenues of at least $682 million, reflecting a 17% year-over-year growth, assuming stable macroeconomic conditions [5][10] - Adjusted EBITDA for Q2 is expected to be around $259 million [5] Strategic Initiatives - TTD continues to innovate in advertising with new partnerships and product launches, including an expanded partnership with HOY and the introduction of Deal Desk within its Kokai platform [4] - The company plans to continue opportunistic buybacks to offset dilution from employee stock grants [6] Market Position - TTD's shares have decreased by 29.5% over the past year, contrasting with the Zacks Internet -Services industry's growth of 0.6% [9] - The company trades at a forward price-to-sales ratio of 10.88X, which is higher than the industry average of 5.18X [11]
Criteo Debuts Auction-Based Display Ads to Help Clients Unlock More Value in Retail Media
Prnewswire· 2025-06-17 08:00
Core Insights - Criteo has launched its Auction-Based Display technology, enhancing programmatic flexibility in retail media environments and driving industry advancement [1][5] - The new technology is designed to meet the unique dynamics of retail environments, providing retailers with biddable trading options and flexible pricing [2][3] - This innovation allows advertisers to execute standardized campaigns across various ad formats, optimizing multi-retailer campaigns more efficiently [4] Company Overview - Criteo is a global platform that connects the commerce ecosystem, leveraging AI to access over $1 trillion in annual commerce sales [6] - The company provides technology, tools, and insights necessary for brands, agencies, retailers, and media owners to drive performance and growth [6] Industry Context - The retail media landscape is evolving, with increasing demand for highly relevant and timely ads, which Criteo's technology addresses through real-time bidding and advanced ad relevancy controls [3][5] - By complementing existing reservation-based deals with auction-based buying, retailers can unlock new monetization opportunities and access national media budgets [2]
Instacart and Pinterest to Launch New Retail Media Collaboration
Prnewswire· 2025-06-16 07:00
Core Insights - Instacart and Pinterest are collaborating to enhance advertising campaigns by utilizing first-party data to connect brands with high-intent audiences [1][2] - The partnership will allow Pinterest ads to become directly shoppable via Instacart, enabling users to purchase products quickly [3][4] Group 1: Partnership Details - The initial phase of the partnership will enable select brands to target Instacart's first-party audience segments based on real-world retail purchase behavior [2] - A future phase will introduce closed-loop measurement to link Pinterest ads to actual product sales across Instacart's marketplace of over 1,800 retailers [2] Group 2: Advertising Capabilities - Brands will be able to leverage Instacart's retail media data to reach Pinterest users at the moment of intent, transforming ads into shoppable experiences [4][5] - This collaboration aims to bridge the gap between inspiration and action for millions of Pinterest users, allowing for quick purchases [4][5] Group 3: Instacart's Ecosystem - Instacart operates with over 7,000 active brands and 1,800 retail partners, simplifying advertising strategies across fragmented retail networks [6] - The Instacart advertising ecosystem includes various platforms where consumers make shopping decisions, enhancing the overall shopping experience [5][6] Group 4: Company Backgrounds - Instacart partners with nearly 100,000 stores across North America, facilitating online shopping, delivery, and pickup services [7] - Pinterest is a visual search and discovery platform with over half a billion monthly active users, focusing on inspiration and shopping [9]
零售媒体站上十字路口:从野蛮生长走向效果验证
Jing Ji Guan Cha Bao· 2025-06-15 15:05
Core Insights - Retail media is transitioning from rapid growth to a focus on measurable effectiveness, indicating a pivotal moment in the industry [1] - The global advertising expenditure for retail media is projected to reach $169 billion by 2025, growing over 15% year-on-year, despite rising skepticism regarding ad pricing and effectiveness [2] - Cannes Lions has recognized retail media's significance by introducing dedicated awards, highlighting its role in enhancing brand relevance and driving business outcomes [3] Group 1: Industry Growth and Challenges - Retail media has been a bright spot in the advertising sector, with Cannes Lions acknowledging its rising status and predicting that retail media ad spending will surpass traditional television by 2026 [3] - Advertisers are increasingly demanding quick responses and concrete return data from retail media platforms, reflecting a shift in expectations [2] - The industry is facing challenges such as high ad prices, fragmented evaluation systems, and the need for better tracking of conversions amid global economic uncertainties [2] Group 2: Evolution and Technological Integration - Retail media is moving from conceptual acceptance to practical validation, with advertisers focusing on specific outcomes like conversion rates and efficient processes [4] - The concept of "data clean rooms" is gaining traction as a critical tool for enhancing collaboration between brands and retailers [4] - Leading retailers are already implementing advanced solutions, such as Walgreens' partnership with LiveRamp to launch a Clean Room solution [4] Group 3: Strategic Approaches and Market Dynamics - Some retailers are rushing into external advertising without solidifying their internal capabilities, which could undermine their effectiveness [6] - European retailers are adopting a more cautious approach, prioritizing the development of their channels before expanding external collaborations [6] - As retail media budgets grow, advertisers are reclaiming control, demanding simpler purchasing processes and clearer return metrics [7][8] Group 4: Future Outlook - The competitive landscape of retail media is shifting from rapid platform development to a focus on actual business results and data utilization [8] - By the second half of 2025, the industry will need to assess whether continued investment in retail media is justified based on its effectiveness [8] - Success will depend on achieving a true loop between flexibility, transparency, and business outcomes [8]
Criteo (CRTO) FY Conference Transcript
2025-05-14 19:20
Summary of Criteo Conference Call Company Overview - **Company**: Criteo - **Industry**: E-commerce, Digital Marketing, Media Monetization - **CEO**: Michael Komosinski, who joined earlier this year, previously held leadership roles at Dentsu and Merkel [2][3] Key Points and Arguments Competitive Advantages - Criteo is an independent ad tech player, providing value on both supply and demand sides of retail media [9] - The company has an unmatched supply footprint due to its early market entry with the Commerce Yield monetization platform [10] - Criteo's strategy focuses on reaccelerating growth, improving durability, and enhancing performance media execution [12] Growth Strategy - The company aims to identify white space in product segments and develop products rapidly to achieve consistent results [13] - Near-term opportunities include expanding product offerings in performance media and retail media, such as on-site video and native advertising [14][15] - Long-term goals involve advancements in technology for more efficient retail supply purchasing [15] Market Trends - The advertising industry is moving towards AI-driven automated marketing platforms, with Criteo's Commerce Go tool driving significant campaign volume growth [23][24] - The company reported a 45% quarter-on-quarter growth in its Commerce Audience segment [19] - Social media integrations, particularly with Meta, have shown a 40% sequential growth in 1Q [21] Financial Performance - Criteo maintains a 25% adjusted EBITDA margin guide, with a commitment to growth investments despite a lower revenue base [43] - The company is focused on organic growth and opportunistic M&A to accelerate its roadmap [46] Challenges and Risks - There are signs of softer macro trends affecting client spending, particularly in discretionary categories [41] - The company has reduced scope with its largest client, but believes this situation is unique and not likely to spread [38][40] Future Outlook - Criteo sees a $50 billion serviceable available market (SAM) by 2027 in retail media [29] - The company is optimistic about the integration with Microsoft advertising and expects to make announcements regarding this in the near future [33][34] Additional Important Content - The CEO emphasized the importance of execution and reliability in delivering consistent results to investors [12] - Criteo's focus on AI and data assets positions it well for future developments in the agentic shopping experience [27][28] - The company continues to repurchase shares as part of its capital allocation strategy, balancing growth investments with shareholder returns [46][47]
URW presents ‘A Platform for Growth’ 2025-28 business plan
Globenewswire· 2025-05-14 06:15
Core Viewpoint - URW has unveiled its 2025-28 business plan titled 'A Platform for Growth', targeting annual EBITDA growth of 5.80-6.60% during this period [1][2]. Financial Targets - The company aims for a Net Debt to EBITDA ratio of approximately 8.0x and a Loan-to-Value ratio of around 40% by 2028 [2][23]. - URW plans to distribute at least €3.1 billion in cumulative shareholder distributions from fiscal years 2025 to 2028, with a proposed distribution of €4.50 per share for fiscal year 2025, representing a 30% increase from 2024 [2][26]. Growth Drivers - The growth strategy is supported by dominant flagship retail assets in high-income markets in Europe and the US, which are expected to drive strong organic growth above indexation [3][10]. - Retail media expansion through Westfield Rise is anticipated to contribute significantly, with net income projected to reach €180 million by 2028, a 56% increase compared to 2024 [5][13]. - New licensing business revenues are expected to reach €25-35 million in annualized EBITDA by 2028, enhancing the Westfield brand's international presence [4][16]. Capital Allocation and Project Deliveries - URW has planned disposals of €2.2 billion in 2025 and early 2026, with €1 billion already secured, which will support disciplined capital allocation and cover capex requirements [5][17]. - Annual capex is projected to normalize at approximately €600 million from 2026 onwards, funded through organic cash flow generation [5][18]. Rental Income and Market Position - The company targets like-for-like Net Rental Income (NRI) growth of 260-330 basis points above indexation from 2025 to 2028, driven by increased footfall, sales intensity, and market share gains [8][10]. - URW's flagship Westfield destinations outperform peers in sales intensity by 26%, benefiting from prime locations and high customer traffic of over 900 million visits annually [9][28]. Deleveraging Strategy - By 2028, URW aims to reduce its Net Debt/EBITDA ratio to approximately 8.0x from 9.5x in 2024, supported by planned disposals and disciplined capital allocation [23][24].
VTEX(VTEX) - 2025 Q1 - Earnings Call Transcript
2025-05-06 21:32
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Subscription revenue grew 15% in FX neutral terms in Q1 2025, reaching $52.6 million compared to $50.4 million in Q1 2024, a 4% increase in U.S. dollars [25][30] - Gross profit reached $41 million, a 22% growth in FX neutral terms, with a 3.7 percentage points margin increase year over year [5][30] - Non-GAAP operating income increased to $5.3 million, an 85% growth year over year, with a 4.2 percentage points margin increase [5][30] - Non-GAAP net income for Q1 2025 was $5.3 million, more than doubling year over year, with a 10% margin [29][30] - Free cash flow reached $6.6 million, compared to $1.6 million in the same quarter of the prior year, achieving a free cash flow margin of 12% [29][30] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Non-GAAP subscription gross margin reached 79%, up 191 basis points year over year, reflecting operational efficiency improvements [26][30] - Total gross margin rose to 76%, up 371 basis points year over year, driven by a lower mix of services revenue [26][30] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - GMV for the quarter reached $4.3 billion, growing 8% year over year in U.S. dollars and 17% on an FX neutral basis [25][30] - The company continues to expand its presence in various markets, including new customer launches in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Spain, Mexico, and the U.S. [7][8] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on expanding its product suite and enhancing operational efficiency through AI and automation [6][43] - A strategic emphasis is placed on B2B commerce and retail media, with the acquisition of Newpeo to enhance retail advertising capabilities [13][30] - The company aims to evolve from a single platform to a comprehensive suite of commerce products, reinforcing its position as a trusted partner for global enterprises [12][30] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's profitable growth trajectory despite macroeconomic volatility [30][54] - The company is targeting FX neutral year-over-year subscription revenue growth of 12.5% to 15.5% for Q2 2025 and 14% to 17% for the full year [30][54] - Management highlighted the importance of maintaining a disciplined approach to cost and expenses while focusing on customer value [57][30] Other Important Information - The company repurchased 2.7 million Class A common shares at an average price of $5.56 per share, totaling $15 million [29][30] - The company was recognized as a customer choice in the 2025 Gartner Voice of Customers for Digital Commerce report for the second consecutive year [11][12] Q&A Session Summary Question: Comment on subscription gross profit and sustainability of gains - Management noted a 190 basis point improvement in subscription gross margin, attributing gains to customer support optimization and the maturity of the partner ecosystem [35][36] Question: Areas seeing headcount reduction - Management indicated stability in headcount with minor changes primarily in the support area, not reflecting a trend [38] Question: Increase in R&D expenses - Management explained the increase in R&D expenses as a strategic investment in product development and innovation, particularly in B2B and retail media [42][43] Question: Update on U.S. expansion - Management confirmed ongoing momentum in U.S. sales, focusing on high-value enterprise customers and building durable relationships [46][47] Question: Macro situation in the U.S. and IT budgets - Management highlighted the company's resilience amid macroeconomic volatility, noting that enterprises are reassessing their technology infrastructure for cost efficiency [52][54] Question: Subscription revenue build-up by geography and category - Management provided qualitative insights, indicating Brazil's contribution to growth through new customer implementations [65] Question: Economics of retail media business - Management expressed confidence in the retail media business, emphasizing the connection between publishers and advertisers, and the rapid growth of the advertiser network post-acquisition [68][69]
Direct Digital Holdings(DRCT) - 2025 Q1 - Earnings Call Transcript
2025-05-06 21:00
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Consolidated revenue for Q1 2025 was $8,200,000, a decrease of $14,100,000 compared to $22,300,000 in Q1 2024 [17] - Sell side revenue was $2,000,000 in Q1 2025, down from $16,500,000 in Q1 2024, primarily due to a decrease in impression inventory [17][18] - Buy side revenue increased approximately 6% to $6,100,000 compared to Q1 2024, driven by a $1,200,000 increase in spending from new verticals [18] - Gross profit decreased to $2,400,000 in Q1 2025 from $5,000,000 in the prior year, but gross margin improved to 29% from 22% [18] - Operating expenses were $6,300,000, a decrease of 19% or $1,500,000 compared to $7,800,000 in Q1 2024 [19] - Net loss for Q1 2025 was $5,900,000, or a loss per share of $0.35, compared to a net loss of $3,800,000 or a loss of $0.22 per share in Q1 2024 [19] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The buy side segment generated $6,100,000 in revenue, reflecting a 6% increase year-over-year [6][18] - Sell side revenue remained consistent at $2,000,000 compared to $2,700,000 in the previous quarter, indicating a stable performance despite previous disruptions [7] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company continues to face challenges from a market discredited blog post that disrupted its supply side platform, Colossus SSP, affecting relationships with partners and advertisers [8][18] - The company is working to restore volumes to pre-disruption levels, with expectations for improvement in the second half of 2025 [9][14] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on scaling its buy side solution and rebuilding its sell side business to drive consolidated revenue growth [6] - Initiatives include revenue optimization efforts, cost-saving measures, and the unification of buy side platforms to better serve small to mid-sized clients [10][12] - The company maintains a revenue guidance of $90,000,000 to $110,000,000 for the full year 2025, anticipating growth from both buy side and sell side segments [14][21] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledges significant challenges in 2024 but believes the company is well-positioned with a revitalized model and strong demand for its services [14] - The second half of 2025 is expected to deliver strong gains as new direct sell side partners come online [14][21] Other Important Information - The company reduced operating expenses by nearly $1,500,000 or approximately 19% compared to the first quarter of 2024 [10] - Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the quarter were $1,800,000, up from $1,400,000 at the end of 2024 [20] Q&A Session Summary Question: Insights on sell side customer spending recovery - Management is focusing on direct connections with DSP partners to drive revenue growth and expects reclamation of lost business in the second half of the year [26][27] Question: Cost-cutting initiatives and expected savings - Operating expenses were down 19%, with staff reductions contributing to ongoing savings [31] Question: Integration ramp-up with DSPs and market outlook - Integration timelines vary by partner, with expected impacts from these integrations anticipated in Q3 and Q4 of 2025 [39]
VTEX(VTEX) - 2025 Q1 - Earnings Call Transcript
2025-05-06 20:30
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Subscription revenue grew 15% in FX neutral terms in Q1 2025, reaching $52.6 million compared to $50.4 million in Q1 2024, a 4% increase in U.S. dollars [26] - Gross profit reached $41 million, a 22% growth in FX neutral terms, with a 3.7 percentage points margin increase year over year [5] - Non-GAAP operating income increased to $5.3 million, an 85% growth year over year, with a 4.2 percentage points margin increase [5][29] - Non-GAAP net income reached $5.3 million in Q1 2025, more than doubling year over year, with a 5.2 percentage points improvement in margin [30] - Free cash flow was $6.6 million, compared to $1.6 million in the same quarter of the prior year, achieving a free cash flow margin of 12% [29] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Non-GAAP subscription gross margin reached 79%, up 191 basis points year over year, reflecting operational efficiency improvements [27] - Total gross margin rose to 76%, up 371 basis points year over year, driven by a lower mix of services revenue and subscription gross margin gains [27] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - GMV for the quarter reached $4.3 billion, growing 8% year over year in U.S. dollars and 17% on an FX neutral basis [26] - The company successfully brought several new customers live across various regions, including Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Spain, Mexico, and the U.S. [7][8] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on building a future where intelligent agents evolve into digital workers, managing core workflows autonomously [6] - The strategy includes doubling down on high-impact product bets, particularly in B2B commerce and retail media, with the acquisition of Newpeo to enhance retail advertising capabilities [14] - The company aims to solidify its position as a trusted, scalable, and innovation-driven platform for global enterprises [13] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the sustainability of the profitable growth strategy despite ongoing macroeconomic volatility [4] - The company is targeting FX neutral year-over-year subscription revenue growth of 12.5% to 15.5% for Q2 2025 and 14% to 17% for the full year 2025 [31] - Management acknowledged the challenges posed by macroeconomic conditions but emphasized the company's resilience and adaptability [56] Other Important Information - The company repurchased 2.7 million Class A common shares at an average price of $5.56 per share, totaling $15 million [29] - The company was recognized as a customer choice in the 2025 Gartner Voice of Customers for Digital Commerce report for the second consecutive year [12] Q&A Session Summary Question: Comment on subscription gross profit and sustainability of gains - Management noted a 190 basis point improvement in subscription gross margin, attributing gains to customer support optimization and the maturity of the partner ecosystem [38] Question: Areas seeing headcount reduction - Management indicated stability in headcount with minor changes, primarily in the support area, but not indicative of a trend [40] Question: Increase in R&D expenses - Management explained the increase in R&D expenses as a strategic investment in product development and innovation, particularly in B2B and retail media [46] Question: Update on U.S. expansion - Management confirmed ongoing momentum in the U.S. market, focusing on high-value enterprise customers and building durable relationships [50] Question: Macro situation in the U.S. and IT budgets - Management highlighted the company's resilience amid macroeconomic volatility, noting that enterprises are reassessing their technology infrastructure for cost efficiency [56] Question: Subscription revenue build-up by geography and category - Management provided qualitative insights, indicating that Brazil is contributing to growth through new customer implementations [68] Question: Economics of the retail ads media business - Management expressed confidence in the retail media business, emphasizing the connection between publishers and advertisers and the rapid growth of the advertiser network [72]