Key Takeaways ROKU is trading at 42.86X cash flow, above the industry average of 34.28X, reflecting a premium valuation. Subscription growth, Apple and Amazon deals, and AI-powered features are boosting ROKU's engagement. ROKU holds $2.26B in cash with no long-term debt, supporting innovation and meeting working capital needs.Roku (ROKU) shares are trading at a premium, as suggested by a Value Score of D. In terms of the price-to-cash flow ratio, ROKU is currently trading at 42.86X, above the Zacks  Broad ...

Core Insights - Roku and Paramount Global are competing in the ad-supported streaming market, with Roku showing stronger growth and performance compared to Paramount Global [1][2] Roku's Performance - Roku's ad-supported streaming business saw a 17% year-over-year revenue growth, reaching $881 million, driven by video advertising and streaming services distribution [3] - The Roku Channel became the 2 app on the Roku platform in the U.S. by engagement, with streaming hours increasing by 84% year over year [4] - Roku's advertising capabilities have improved through integrations with platforms like Adobe, and it has made TV advertising more accessible to small businesses via its self-service Roku Ads Manager [5][6] Paramount Global's Performance - Paramount's ad-supported streaming ecosystem showed mixed results, with Paramount+ global watch time per user increasing by 17% year over year, while Pluto TV achieved a 26% year-over-year increase in global viewing time [7] - The company is investing in premium originals and franchise extensions to enhance monetization, supported by expanding ARPU and lower churn [8] - However, direct-to-consumer advertising revenues declined by 9% year over year, primarily due to increased supply in digital video inventory affecting pricing, especially for Pluto TV [9][10] Stock Performance and Valuation - Roku's shares have returned 21.1% over the past month, outperforming both the Zacks Consumer Discretionary sector and the S&P 500 index [11] - In contrast, Paramount's shares gained only 8.8% over the same period, indicating underperformance [12] - Roku's price-to-cash flow ratio stands at 33.89X, significantly higher than Paramount's 11.92X, reflecting greater investor confidence in Roku's growth potential [13] Earnings Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Roku's 2025 loss is 17 cents per share, with a projected revenue of $4.54 billion, indicating a year-over-year growth of 10.37% [16] - Conversely, Paramount's 2025 earnings estimate is $1.31 per share, revised downward by 19.63%, with projected revenues of $28.43 billion, suggesting a year-over-year decline of 2.67% [17] Investment Outlook - Roku is positioned as a stronger investment opportunity for 2025, with robust platform growth, innovative advertising tools, and increased engagement on The Roku Channel [18] - Paramount Global faces short-term challenges in digital advertising, with declining DTC ad revenues and market oversupply impacting sentiment [19] - Roku currently holds a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy), while Paramount has a Zacks Rank 5 (Strong Sell) [20]

Core Viewpoint - Roku is expected to report first-quarter 2025 results with total net revenues projected at $1.005 billion, reflecting a 14% year-over-year increase, driven by strong Platform revenue growth of 16% [1][8] Revenue Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for first-quarter revenues is set at $1 billion, indicating a year-over-year growth of 13.96% [2] - The consensus estimate for Devices revenues is $127 million, while Platform revenues are expected to reach $877 million [13] Earnings Expectations - Roku anticipates a total gross profit of $450 million and adjusted EBITDA of $55 million for the first quarter [1] - The consensus mark for loss is estimated at 20 cents per share, representing a year-over-year growth of 42.86% [2] Earnings Surprise History - In the last reported quarter, Roku achieved an earnings surprise of 45.45%, with an average surprise of 55.07% over the trailing four quarters [5] Factors Influencing Results - Platform growth remains robust, with management estimating a 16% year-over-year increase, supported by streaming services distribution and advertising activities [8] - However, Devices revenues and gross profit were impacted by increased seasonal discounting, leading to excess inventory and slight pressure on gross margins [7][10] Competitive Landscape - Roku faces intensified competition in the advertising space as major players like Netflix, Warner Bros. Discovery, and Disney expand their ad-supported streaming offerings [11] - The absence of political advertising compared to the previous quarter may have also tempered advertising momentum [8] International Expansion - Roku's international growth into markets such as Mexico, Canada, and the United Kingdom is expected to drive user growth, although immediate revenue impact is limited as the focus is on scaling [12] Valuation Metrics - Roku currently trades at a price-to-cash flow ratio of 43.86X, significantly higher than the industry average of 31.54X, indicating high growth expectations but an unattractive valuation for value investors [18] Investment Considerations - While Roku shows strong platform fundamentals and user engagement, caution is advised due to elevated inventory levels, margin pressures, and competitive challenges in the ad-supported streaming market [21][22]