MediaAlpha Announces Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2024 Financial Results
MediaAlpha (NYSE: MAX) reported strong financial results for Q4 and full year 2024. Q4 revenue grew 157% to $300.6 million, with Transaction Value up 202% to $499.2 million. The Property & Casualty vertical showed exceptional performance, with Transaction Value increasing 639% to $401 million.
Full-year 2024 results included revenue growth of 123% to $864.7 million and Transaction Value growth of 151% to $1.5 billion. The company achieved net income of $22.1 million, compared to a net loss of $56.6 million in 2023. Adjusted EBITDA reached a record $96.1 million.
For Q1 2025, MediaAlpha projects Transaction Value of $415-440 million (95% YoY increase), revenue of $225-245 million (86% YoY increase), and Adjusted EBITDA of $24.5-26.5 million (77% YoY increase). The company noted a $7.0 million reserve related to ongoing FTC settlement discussions.
MediaAlpha (NYSE: MAX) ha riportato risultati finanziari solidi per il quarto trimestre e per l'intero anno 2024. I ricavi del quarto trimestre sono aumentati del 157% raggiungendo $300,6 milioni, con un valore delle transazioni aumentato del 202% a $499,2 milioni. Il settore Proprietà e Infortuni ha mostrato una performance eccezionale, con un valore delle transazioni in crescita del 639% a $401 milioni.
I risultati dell'intero anno 2024 hanno incluso una crescita dei ricavi del 123% a $864,7 milioni e una crescita del valore delle transazioni del 151% a $1,5 miliardi. L'azienda ha ottenuto un utile netto di $22,1 milioni, rispetto a una perdita netta di $56,6 milioni nel 2023. L'EBITDA rettificato ha raggiunto un record di $96,1 milioni.
Per il primo trimestre del 2025, MediaAlpha prevede un valore delle transazioni di $415-440 milioni (aumento del 95% su base annua), ricavi di $225-245 milioni (aumento dell'86% su base annua) e un EBITDA rettificato di $24,5-26,5 milioni (aumento del 77% su base annua). L'azienda ha segnalato una riserva di $7,0 milioni relativa alle attuali discussioni di risoluzione con la FTC.
MediaAlpha (NYSE: MAX) reportó resultados financieros sólidos para el cuarto trimestre y el año completo 2024. Los ingresos del cuarto trimestre crecieron un 157% alcanzando $300.6 millones, con un valor de transacción que aumentó un 202% a $499.2 millones. El sector de Propiedades y Accidentes mostró un rendimiento excepcional, con un valor de transacción que aumentó un 639% a $401 millones.
Los resultados del año completo 2024 incluyeron un crecimiento de ingresos del 123% a $864.7 millones y un crecimiento del valor de transacción del 151% a $1.5 mil millones. La compañía logró un ingreso neto de $22.1 millones, en comparación con una pérdida neta de $56.6 millones en 2023. El EBITDA ajustado alcanzó un récord de $96.1 millones.
Para el primer trimestre de 2025, MediaAlpha proyecta un valor de transacción de $415-440 millones (aumento del 95% interanual), ingresos de $225-245 millones (aumento del 86% interanual) y un EBITDA ajustado de $24.5-26.5 millones (aumento del 77% interanual). La compañía señaló una reserva de $7.0 millones relacionada con las discusiones en curso sobre el acuerdo con la FTC.
미디어알파 (NYSE: MAX)는 2024년 4분기 및 전체 연도에 대한 강력한 재무 결과를 보고했습니다. 4분기 수익은 157% 증가하여 3억 6백만 달러에 달했으며, 거래 가치는 202% 증가하여 4억 9천 9백 20만 달러에 이르렀습니다. 재산 및 사고 부문은 거래 가치가 639% 증가하여 4억 1천만 달러에 달하는 뛰어난 성과를 보였습니다.
2024년 전체 연도 결과에는 수익이 123% 증가하여 8억 6천 4백 70만 달러에 이르고, 거래 가치가 151% 증가하여 15억 달러에 이르는 성장이 포함되었습니다. 회사는 2023년 5천 6백 60만 달러의 순손실에 비해 2천 2백 10만 달러의 순이익을 달성했습니다. 조정된 EBITDA는 9천 6백 10만 달러로 기록을 세웠습니다.
2025년 1분기 동안 미디어알파는 4억 1천 5백만에서 4억 4천 40만 달러의 거래 가치(전년 대비 95% 증가), 2억 2천 5백만에서 2억 4천 5백만 달러의 수익(전년 대비 86% 증가), 그리고 2천 4백 50만에서 2천 6백 50만 달러의 조정된 EBITDA(전년 대비 77% 증가)를 예상하고 있습니다. 회사는 진행 중인 FTC 합의 논의와 관련하여 700만 달러의 준비금을 언급했습니다.
MediaAlpha (NYSE: MAX) a annoncé des résultats financiers solides pour le quatrième trimestre et l'année entière 2024. Les revenus du quatrième trimestre ont augmenté de 157% pour atteindre 300,6 millions de dollars, avec une valeur des transactions en hausse de 202% à 499,2 millions de dollars. Le secteur des biens et accidents a montré une performance exceptionnelle, avec une valeur des transactions augmentant de 639% à 401 millions de dollars.
Les résultats de l'année 2024 comprenaient une croissance des revenus de 123% à 864,7 millions de dollars et une croissance de la valeur des transactions de 151% à 1,5 milliard de dollars. L'entreprise a réalisé un bénéfice net de 22,1 millions de dollars, contre une perte nette de 56,6 millions de dollars en 2023. L'EBITDA ajusté a atteint un niveau record de 96,1 millions de dollars.
Pour le premier trimestre 2025, MediaAlpha prévoit une valeur des transactions de 415 à 440 millions de dollars (augmentation de 95% par rapport à l'année précédente), des revenus de 225 à 245 millions de dollars (augmentation de 86% par rapport à l'année précédente) et un EBITDA ajusté de 24,5 à 26,5 millions de dollars (augmentation de 77% par rapport à l'année précédente). L'entreprise a noté une réserve de 7,0 millions de dollars liée aux discussions en cours sur un règlement avec la FTC.
MediaAlpha (NYSE: MAX) berichtete über starke Finanzergebnisse für das 4. Quartal und das gesamte Jahr 2024. Der Umsatz im 4. Quartal stieg um 157% auf 300,6 Millionen Dollar, während der Transaktionswert um 202% auf 499,2 Millionen Dollar zunahm. Der Bereich Sach- und Unfallversicherung zeigte eine außergewöhnliche Leistung, mit einem Anstieg des Transaktionswerts um 639% auf 401 Millionen Dollar.
Die Ergebnisse für das gesamte Jahr 2024 umfassten ein Umsatzwachstum von 123% auf 864,7 Millionen Dollar und ein Wachstum des Transaktionswerts von 151% auf 1,5 Milliarden Dollar. Das Unternehmen erzielte einen Nettogewinn von 22,1 Millionen Dollar, verglichen mit einem Nettoverlust von 56,6 Millionen Dollar im Jahr 2023. Das bereinigte EBITDA erreichte einen Rekordwert von 96,1 Millionen Dollar.
Für das 1. Quartal 2025 prognostiziert MediaAlpha einen Transaktionswert von 415-440 Millionen Dollar (95% Anstieg im Jahresvergleich), einen Umsatz von 225-245 Millionen Dollar (86% Anstieg im Jahresvergleich) und ein bereinigtes EBITDA von 24,5-26,5 Millionen Dollar (77% Anstieg im Jahresvergleich). Das Unternehmen wies auf eine Rückstellung von 7,0 Millionen Dollar hin, die im Zusammenhang mit laufenden FTC-Vergleichsgesprächen steht.
- Q4 revenue growth of 157% to $300.6 million
- Property & Casualty Transaction Value surge of 639% YoY to $401 million
- Full-year net income improvement from -$56.6M to +$22.1M
- Record Adjusted EBITDA of $96.1 million for 2024
- Strong Q1 2025 guidance with 95% Transaction Value growth
- Health vertical Transaction Value declined 8% YoY in Q4
- Gross margin decreased from 19.0% to 16.3% in Q4
- Contribution Margin declined from 21.4% to 17.1% in Q4
- $7.0 million reserve recorded for FTC settlement
- Expected high-teens decline in Health vertical for Q1 2025
Insights
MediaAlpha's Q4 and FY2024 results reveal a company capitalizing on a robust insurance market cycle, with standout metrics including Transaction Value soaring 202% to $499.2M in Q4 and full-year revenue reaching $864.7M, up
The Property & Casualty vertical's extraordinary
Three critical factors warrant investor attention: 1) The Health vertical's
The company's Q1 2025 outlook, projecting Transaction Value of
Exceeds Fourth Quarter Guidance with Revenue Growth of
Full-Year 2024 Revenue Grew
Full-Year 2024 Net Income Significantly Improved to
LOS ANGELES, Feb. 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MediaAlpha, Inc. (NYSE: MAX) ("MediaAlpha" or the "Company") today announced its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2024.
“Our fourth quarter financial results surpassed our expectations, closing out a year of record-breaking performance,” said MediaAlpha co-founder and CEO Steve Yi. “Our Property & Casualty insurance vertical reached new highs, fueled by favorable trends in the auto insurance sector, including improving profitability and continued robust advertising spend by our key auto carrier partners, and we made meaningful market share gains driven by our leading marketplace model. As we look ahead, we remain confident that our commitment to our partnerships and industry leading scale and efficiency will drive long-term sustainable growth and shareholder value creation.”
Fourth Quarter 2024 Financial Results
- Revenue of
$300.6 million , an increase of157% year over year; - Transaction Value of
$499.2 million , an increase of202% year over year;- Transaction Value from Property & Casualty of
$401 million , an increase of639% year over year; - Transaction Value from Health of
$90 million , a decrease of8% year over year;
- Transaction Value from Property & Casualty of
- Gross margin of
16.3% , compared with19.0% in the fourth quarter of 2023; - Contribution Margin(1) of
17.1% , compared with21.4% in the fourth quarter of 2023; - Net income of
$7.3 million , compared with a net loss of$3.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2023; and - Adjusted EBITDA(1) of
$36.7 million , compared with$12.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2023. - Additionally, the Company remains in active settlement discussions with the FTC and has recorded a
$7.0 million reserve related to this matter in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
Full Year 2024 Financial Results
- Revenue of
$864.7 million , an increase of123% year over year; - Transaction Value of
$1.5 billion , an increase of151% year over year;- Transaction Value from Property & Casualty of
$1.2 billion , an increase of325% year over year; - Transaction Value from Health of
$270 million , an increase of4% year over year;
- Transaction Value from Property & Casualty of
- Gross margin of
16.6% , compared with17.2% in 2023; - Contribution Margin(1) of
17.9% , compared with20.1% in 2023; - Net income of
$22.1 million , compared with a net loss of$56.6 million in 2023; and - Adjusted EBITDA(1) of
$96.1 million , compared with$27.1 million in 2023.
(1) A reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP financial measures has been provided at the end of this press release. An explanation of these measures is also included below under the heading “Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”
Financial Outlook
MediaAlpha's guidance for the first quarter of 2025 reflects approximately
For the first quarter of 2025, MediaAlpha currently expects the following:
- Transaction Value of
$415 million to$440 million , representing a95% year-over-year increase at the midpoint of the guidance range; - Revenue of
$225 million to$245 million , representing a86% year-over-year increase at the midpoint of the guidance range; - Adjusted EBITDA of
$24.5 million to$26.5 million , representing a77% year-over-year increase at the midpoint of the guidance range. The Company expects Contribution less Adjusted EBITDA to be approximately$0.5 -$1.0 million higher than in the fourth quarter of 2024.
With respect to the Company’s projections of Adjusted EBITDA and Contribution under “Financial Outlook,” MediaAlpha is not providing a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net income (loss), or of Contribution to gross profit, because the Company is unable to predict with reasonable certainty the reconciling items that may affect the corresponding GAAP measures without unreasonable effort. These reconciling items are uncertain, depend on various factors and could significantly impact, either individually or in the aggregate, the corresponding GAAP measures for the applicable period.
For a detailed explanation of the Company’s non-GAAP measures, please refer to the appendix section of this press release.
Conference Call Information
MediaAlpha will host a Q&A conference call today to discuss the Company's fourth quarter and full year 2024 results and its financial outlook for the first quarter of 2025 at 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time (5:00 p.m. Eastern Time). A live audio webcast of the call will be available on the MediaAlpha Investor Relations website at https://investors.mediaalpha.com. To register for the webcast, click here. Participants may also dial-in, toll-free, at (800) 715-9871 or (646) 307-1963, with passcode 2616289. An audio replay of the conference call will be available following the call and available on the MediaAlpha Investor Relations website at https://investors.mediaalpha.com.
The Company has also posted a letter to shareholders on its investor relations website. MediaAlpha has used, and intends to continue to use, its investor relations website at https://investors.mediaalpha.com as a means of disclosing material nonpublic information and for complying with its disclosure obligations under Regulation FD.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including without limitation our expectation that our commitment to our partnerships and industry leading scale and efficiency will drive long-term sustainable growth and shareholder value creation, and our financial outlook for the first quarter of 2025. These forward-looking statements reflect our current views with respect to, among other things, future events and our financial performance. These statements are often, but not always, made through the use of words or phrases such as “may,” “should,” “could,” “predict,” “potential,” “believe,” “will likely result,” “expect,” “continue,” “will,” “anticipate,” “seek,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “projection,” “would,” and “outlook,” or the negative version of those words or other comparable words or phrases of a future or forward-looking nature. These forward-looking statements are not historical facts, and are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about our industry, management’s beliefs and certain assumptions made by management, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and beyond our control. Accordingly, we caution you that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, assumptions and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable as of the date made, actual results may prove to be materially different from the results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements.
There are or will be important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those indicated in these forward-looking statements, including those more fully described in MediaAlpha’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), including the Form 10-K as of and for the year ended December 31, 2024 to be filed on February 24, 2025. These factors should not be construed as exhaustive. MediaAlpha disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that occur after the date of this press release.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Operating Metrics
This press release includes Adjusted EBITDA and Contribution Margin, which are non-GAAP financial measures. The Company also presents Transaction Value, which is an operating metric not presented in accordance with GAAP. See the appendix for definitions of Adjusted EBITDA, Contribution, Contribution Margin and Transaction Value, as well as reconciliations to the corresponding GAAP financial metrics, as applicable.
We present Transaction Value, Adjusted EBITDA, Contribution, and Contribution Margin because they are used extensively by our management and board of directors to manage our operating performance, including evaluating our operational performance against budget and assessing our overall operating efficiency and operating leverage. Accordingly, we believe that Transaction Value, Adjusted EBITDA and Contribution Margin provide useful information to investors and others in understanding and evaluating our operating results in the same manner as our management team and board of directors. Each of Transaction Value, Adjusted EBITDA and Contribution Margin has limitations as a financial measure and investors should not consider it in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP.
About MediaAlpha
We believe we are the insurance industry’s leading programmatic customer acquisition platform. With more than 1,200 active partners, excluding our agent partners, we connect insurance carriers with online shoppers and generated nearly 119 million Consumer Referrals in 2024. Our programmatic advertising technology over the last twelve months powered
Contacts:
Investors
Denise Garcia
Hayflower Partners
Denise@HayflowerPartners.com
MediaAlpha, Inc. and subsidiaries | |||||||
Consolidated Balance Sheets | |||||||
(In thousands, except share data and per share amounts) | |||||||
As of December 31, | |||||||
2024 (unaudited) | 2023 | ||||||
Assets | |||||||
Current assets | |||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 43,266 | $ | 17,271 | |||
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for credit losses of | 142,932 | 53,773 | |||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 3,711 | 3,529 | |||||
Total current assets | $ | 189,909 | $ | 74,573 | |||
Intangible assets, net | 19,985 | 26,015 | |||||
Goodwill | 47,739 | 47,739 | |||||
Other assets | 4,814 | 5,598 | |||||
Total assets | $ | 262,447 | $ | 153,925 | |||
Liabilities and stockholders' deficit | |||||||
Current liabilities | |||||||
Accounts payable | 105,563 | 56,279 | |||||
Accrued expenses | 18,542 | 11,588 | |||||
Current portion of long-term debt | 8,849 | 11,854 | |||||
Total current liabilities | $ | 132,954 | $ | 79,721 | |||
Long-term debt, net of current portion | 153,596 | 162,445 | |||||
Liabilities under tax receivables agreement, net of current portion | 7,006 | — | |||||
Other long-term liabilities | 15,123 | 6,184 | |||||
Total liabilities | $ | 308,679 | $ | 248,350 | |||
Commitments and contingencies | |||||||
Stockholders’ deficit | |||||||
Class A common stock, | 555 | 474 | |||||
Class B common stock, | 116 | 181 | |||||
Preferred stock, | — | — | |||||
Additional paid-in capital | 507,640 | 511,613 | |||||
Accumulated deficit | (505,933 | ) | (522,562 | ) | |||
Total stockholders’ equity (deficit) attributable to MediaAlpha, Inc. | $ | 2,378 | $ | (10,294 | ) | ||
Non-controlling interests | (48,610 | ) | (84,131 | ) | |||
Total stockholders' deficit | $ | (46,232 | ) | $ | (94,425 | ) | |
Total liabilities and stockholders’ deficit | $ | 262,447 | $ | 153,925 | |||
MediaAlpha, Inc. and subsidiaries | ||||||
Consolidated Statements of Operations | ||||||
(In thousands, except share data and per share amounts) | ||||||
Year ended December 31, | ||||||
2024 (unaudited) | 2023 | |||||
Revenue | $ | 864,704 | $ | 388,149 | ||
Cost and operating expenses | ||||||
Cost of revenue | 721,131 | 321,437 | ||||
Sales and marketing | 24,725 | 25,432 | ||||
Product development | 19,764 | 18,458 | ||||
General and administrative | 56,359 | 62,746 | ||||
Total cost and operating expenses | 821,979 | 428,073 | ||||
Income (loss) from operations | 42,725 | (39,924 | ) | |||
Other expense, net | 4,872 | 1,779 | ||||
Interest expense | 14,351 | 15,315 | ||||
Total other expense, net | 19,223 | 17,094 | ||||
Income (loss) before income taxes | 23,502 | (57,018 | ) | |||
Income tax expense (benefit) | 1,384 | (463 | ) | |||
Net income (loss) | $ | 22,118 | $ | (56,555 | ) | |
Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest | 5,489 | (16,135 | ) | |||
Net income (loss) attributable to MediaAlpha, Inc. | $ | 16,629 | $ | (40,420 | ) | |
Net income (loss) per share of Class A common stock | ||||||
-Basic and diluted | $ | 0.31 | $ | (0.89 | ) | |
Weighted average shares of Class A common stock outstanding | ||||||
-Basic and diluted | 53,043,576 | 45,573,416 | ||||
MediaAlpha, Inc. and subsidiaries | ||||||
Consolidated Statements of Operations | ||||||
(In thousands, except share data and per share amounts) | ||||||
Three months ended December 31, | ||||||
2024 (unaudited) | 2023 (unaudited) | |||||
Revenue | $ | 300,648 | $ | 117,174 | ||
Cost and operating expenses | ||||||
Cost of revenue | 251,666 | 94,892 | ||||
Sales and marketing | 6,117 | 5,630 | ||||
Product development | 5,021 | 3,933 | ||||
General and administrative | 19,592 | 12,273 | ||||
Total cost and operating expenses | 282,396 | 116,728 | ||||
Income from operations | 18,252 | 446 | ||||
Other expense, net | 6,843 | 614 | ||||
Interest expense | 3,193 | 3,918 | ||||
Total other expense, net | 10,036 | 4,532 | ||||
Income (loss) before income taxes | 8,216 | (4,086 | ) | |||
Income tax expense (benefit) | 915 | (793 | ) | |||
Net income (loss) | $ | 7,301 | $ | (3,293 | ) | |
Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest | 2,661 | (927 | ) | |||
Net income (loss) attributable to MediaAlpha, Inc. | $ | 4,640 | $ | (2,366 | ) | |
Net income (loss) per share of Class A common stock | ||||||
-Basic and diluted | $ | 0.08 | $ | (0.05 | ) | |
Weighted average shares of Class A common stock outstanding | ||||||
-Basic and diluted | 55,277,134 | 46,991,824 | ||||
MediaAlpha, Inc. and subsidiaries | |||||||
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows | |||||||
(In thousands) | |||||||
Year ended December 31, | |||||||
2024 (unaudited) | 2023 | ||||||
Cash Flows from operating activities | |||||||
Net income (loss) | $ | 22,118 | $ | (56,555 | ) | ||
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities: | |||||||
Equity-based compensation expense | 34,083 | 53,321 | |||||
Non-cash lease expense | 803 | 695 | |||||
Depreciation expense on property and equipment | 252 | 353 | |||||
Amortization of intangible assets | 6,430 | 6,917 | |||||
Amortization of deferred debt issuance costs | 755 | 793 | |||||
Impairment of cost method investment | — | 1,406 | |||||
Credit losses | 497 | 5 | |||||
Tax receivables agreement liability related adjustments | 7,006 | 6 | |||||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | |||||||
Accounts receivable | (89,656 | ) | 6,220 | ||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | (244 | ) | 2,287 | ||||
Other assets | 500 | 500 | |||||
Accounts payable | 49,284 | 2,287 | |||||
Accrued expenses | 14,044 | 1,996 | |||||
Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 45,872 | $ | 20,231 | |||
Cash flows from investing activities | |||||||
Purchases of property and equipment | (254 | ) | (73 | ) | |||
Acquisition of intangible assets | (400 | ) | — | ||||
Net cash (used in) investing activities | $ | (654 | ) | $ | (73 | ) | |
Cash flows from financing activities | |||||||
Payments made for / proceeds received from: | |||||||
Repayments on long-term debt | (12,547 | ) | (9,500 | ) | |||
Payments pursuant to tax receivables agreement | — | (2,822 | ) | ||||
Shares withheld for taxes on vesting of restricted stock units | (6,308 | ) | (3,721 | ) | |||
Contributions from QLH’s members | 854 | 1,464 | |||||
Distributions | (1,222 | ) | (2,850 | ) | |||
Net cash (used in) financing activities | $ | (19,223 | ) | $ | (17,429 | ) | |
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents | 25,995 | 2,729 | |||||
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period | 17,271 | 14,542 | |||||
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period | $ | 43,266 | $ | 17,271 |
Key business and operating metrics and Non-GAAP financial measures
Transaction Value
We define “Transaction Value” as the total gross dollars transacted by our partners on our platform. Transaction Value is an operating metric not presented in accordance with GAAP, and is a driver of revenue based on the economic relationships we have with our partners. Our partners use our platform to transact via Open and Private Marketplace transactions. In our Open Marketplace model, revenue recognized represents the fees paid by our Demand Partners for Consumer Referrals sold and is equal to the Transaction Value and revenue share payments to our Supply Partners represent costs of revenue. In our Private Marketplace model, revenue recognized represents a platform fee billed to the Demand Partner or Supply Partner based on an agreed-upon percentage of the Transaction Value for the Consumer Referrals transacted, and accordingly there are no associated costs of revenue. We utilize Transaction Value to assess the overall level of transaction activity through our platform. We believe it is useful to investors to assess the overall level of activity on our platform and to better understand the sources of our revenue across our different transaction models and verticals.
The following table presents Transaction Value by platform model for the three months and full years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023:
Three months ended December 31, | Full year ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||
(dollars in thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||||
Open Marketplace transactions | $ | 294,655 | $ | 115,162 | $ | 841,604 | $ | 378,730 | ||||||||
Percentage of total Transaction Value | 59.0 | % | 69.6 | % | 56.4 | % | 63.8 | % | ||||||||
Private Marketplace transactions | 204,514 | 50,184 | 650,256 | 214,708 | ||||||||||||
Percentage of total Transaction Value | 41.0 | % | 30.4 | % | 43.6 | % | 36.2 | % | ||||||||
Total Transaction Value | $ | 499,169 | $ | 165,346 | $ | 1,491,860 | $ | 593,438 |
The following table presents Transaction Value by vertical for the three months and full years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023:
Three months ended December 31, | Full year ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||
(dollars in thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||||
Property & Casualty insurance | $ | 400,976 | $ | 54,247 | $ | 1,178,497 | $ | 277,552 | ||||||||
Percentage of total Transaction Value | 80.3 | % | 32.8 | % | 79.0 | % | 46.8 | % | ||||||||
Health insurance | 90,305 | 98,372 | 270,285 | 259,822 | ||||||||||||
Percentage of total Transaction Value | 18.1 | % | 59.5 | % | 18.1 | % | 43.8 | % | ||||||||
Life insurance | 6,278 | 8,015 | 30,662 | 34,057 | ||||||||||||
Percentage of total Transaction Value | 1.3 | % | 4.8 | % | 2.1 | % | 5.7 | % | ||||||||
Other(1) | 1,610 | 4,712 | 12,416 | 22,007 | ||||||||||||
Percentage of total Transaction Value | 0.3 | % | 2.9 | % | 0.8 | % | 3.7 | % | ||||||||
Total Transaction Value | $ | 499,169 | $ | 165,346 | $ | 1,491,860 | $ | 593,438 |
(1) Our other verticals include Travel and Consumer Finance.
Contribution and Contribution Margin
We define “Contribution” as revenue less revenue share payments and online advertising costs, or, as reported in our consolidated statements of operations, revenue less cost of revenue (i.e., gross profit), as adjusted to exclude the following items from cost of revenue: equity-based compensation; salaries, wages, and related costs; internet and hosting costs; amortization; depreciation; other services; and merchant-related fees. We define “Contribution Margin” as Contribution expressed as a percentage of revenue for the same period. Contribution and Contribution Margin are non-GAAP financial measures that we present to supplement the financial information we present on a GAAP basis. We use Contribution and Contribution Margin to measure the return on our relationships with our Supply Partners (excluding certain fixed costs), the financial return on and efficacy of our online advertising costs to drive consumers to our proprietary websites, and our operating leverage. We do not use Contribution and Contribution Margin as measures of overall profitability. We present Contribution and Contribution Margin because they are used by our management and board of directors to manage our operating performance, including evaluating our operational performance against budget and assessing our overall operating efficiency and operating leverage. For example, if Contribution increases and our headcount costs and other operating expenses remain steady, our Adjusted EBITDA and operating leverage increase. If Contribution Margin decreases, we may choose to re-evaluate and re-negotiate our revenue share agreements with our Supply Partners, to make optimization and pricing changes with respect to our bids for keywords from primary traffic acquisition sources, or to change our overall cost structure with respect to headcount, fixed costs and other costs. Other companies may calculate Contribution and Contribution Margin differently than we do. Contribution and Contribution Margin have their limitations as analytical tools, and you should not consider them in isolation or as substitutes for analysis of our results presented in accordance with GAAP.
The following table reconciles Contribution with gross profit, the most directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP, for the three months and full years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023:
Three months ended December 31, | Full year ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||
(in thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||||
Revenue | $ | 300,648 | $ | 117,174 | $ | 864,704 | $ | 388,149 | ||||||||
Less cost of revenue | (251,666 | ) | (94,892 | ) | (721,131 | ) | (321,437 | ) | ||||||||
Gross profit | $ | 48,982 | $ | 22,282 | $ | 143,573 | $ | 66,712 | ||||||||
Adjusted to exclude the following (as related to cost of revenue): | ||||||||||||||||
Equity-based compensation | 372 | 916 | 3,026 | 3,875 | ||||||||||||
Salaries, wages, and related | 913 | 850 | 3,387 | 3,682 | ||||||||||||
Internet and hosting | 168 | 161 | 570 | 579 | ||||||||||||
Depreciation | 6 | 8 | 21 | 38 | ||||||||||||
Other expenses | 257 | 179 | 796 | 692 | ||||||||||||
Other services | 729 | 696 | 2,737 | 2,491 | ||||||||||||
Merchant-related fees | 89 | 18 | 306 | 32 | ||||||||||||
Contribution | $ | 51,516 | $ | 25,110 | $ | 154,416 | $ | 78,101 | ||||||||
Gross Margin | 16.3 | % | 19.0 | % | 16.6 | % | 17.2 | % | ||||||||
Contribution Margin | 17.1 | % | 21.4 | % | 17.9 | % | 20.1 | % |
Adjusted EBITDA
We define “Adjusted EBITDA” as net income (loss) excluding interest expense, income tax expense (benefit), depreciation expense on property and equipment, amortization of intangible assets, as well as equity-based compensation expense and certain other adjustments as listed in the table below. Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure that we present to supplement the financial information we present on a GAAP basis. We monitor and present Adjusted EBITDA because it is a key measure used by our management to understand and evaluate our operating performance, to establish budgets and to develop operational goals for managing our business. We believe that Adjusted EBITDA helps identify underlying trends in our business that could otherwise be masked by the effect of the expenses that we exclude in the calculations of Adjusted EBITDA. Accordingly, we believe that Adjusted EBITDA provides useful information to investors and others in understanding and evaluating our operating results, enhancing the overall understanding of our past performance and future prospects. In addition, presenting Adjusted EBITDA provides investors with a metric to evaluate the capital efficiency of our business.
Adjusted EBITDA is not presented in accordance with GAAP and should not be considered in isolation of, or as an alternative to, measures presented in accordance with GAAP. There are a number of limitations related to the use of Adjusted EBITDA rather than net income, which is the most directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP. These limitations include the fact that Adjusted EBITDA excludes interest expense on debt, income tax expense (benefit), equity-based compensation expense, depreciation and amortization, and certain other adjustments that we consider to be useful to investors and others in understanding and evaluating our operating results. In addition, other companies may use other measures to evaluate their performance, including different definitions of “Adjusted EBITDA,” which could reduce the usefulness of our Adjusted EBITDA as a tool for comparison.
The following table reconciles Adjusted EBITDA with net income (loss), the most directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP, for the three months and full years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023:
Three months ended December 31, | Full year ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||
(in thousands) | 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||
Net income (loss) | $ | 7,301 | $ | (3,293 | ) | $ | 22,118 | $ | (56,555 | ) | |||||
Equity-based compensation expense | 7,631 | 9,378 | 34,083 | 53,321 | |||||||||||
Interest expense | 3,193 | 3,918 | 14,351 | 15,315 | |||||||||||
Income tax expense (benefit) | 915 | (793 | ) | 1,384 | (463 | ) | |||||||||
Depreciation expense on property and equipment | 61 | 78 | 252 | 353 | |||||||||||
Amortization of intangible assets | 1,603 | 1,729 | 6,430 | 6,917 | |||||||||||
Transaction expenses(1) | — | 88 | 1,172 | 641 | |||||||||||
Impairment of cost method investment | — | — | — | 1,406 | |||||||||||
Contract Settlement(2) | — | — | (1,725 | ) | — | ||||||||||
Changes in TRA related liability(3) | 7,006 | — | 7,006 | 6 | |||||||||||
Changes in Tax Indemnification Receivable | 34 | 687 | (52 | ) | 639 | ||||||||||
Settlement of federal and state income tax refunds | — | 2 | — | 5 | |||||||||||
Legal expenses(4) | 8,937 | 885 | 11,092 | 4,303 | |||||||||||
Reduction in force costs (5) | — | — | — | 1,233 | |||||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 36,681 | $ | 12,679 | $ | 96,111 | $ | 27,121 |
(1) | Transaction expenses for the year ended December 31, 2024 consist of | |
(2) | Contract settlement consists of | |
(3) | Changes in TRA related liability for the three months and year ended December 31, 2024 consist of a | |
(4) | Legal expenses of | |
(5) | Reduction in force costs for the year ended December 31, 2023 consist of | |
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