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MediaAlpha Announces Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2024 Financial Results

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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.

Positive
  • 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
Negative
  • 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 123%. The transformation from a $56.6M loss in 2023 to $22.1M net income in 2024 demonstrates impressive operational leverage.

The Property & Casualty vertical's extraordinary 639% growth reflects both market share gains and favorable industry conditions, particularly in auto insurance where carrier profitability has improved. However, this growth comes with notable trade-offs: margin compression is evident in both gross margin (down 2.7% points) and Contribution Margin (down 4.3% points), suggesting aggressive pricing strategies to capture market share.

Three critical factors warrant investor attention: 1) The Health vertical's 8% Q4 decline and projected high-teens decrease signals challenges in diversification efforts, 2) The $7.0M FTC settlement reserve indicates regulatory scrutiny that could impact future operations, and 3) Q1 2025 guidance suggesting high single-digit sequential decline in P&C Transaction Value points to potential growth moderation.

The company's Q1 2025 outlook, projecting Transaction Value of $415M to $440M, reflects a maturing growth trajectory. While still impressive at 95% YoY growth, the sequential decline and margin pressure suggest the company is entering a new phase where maintaining market leadership may require continued investment in competitive pricing and operational efficiency.

Exceeds Fourth Quarter Guidance with Revenue Growth of 157% and Transaction Value Growth of 202%; Delivers Record Transaction Value of $401 million in Property & Casualty Vertical

Full-Year 2024 Revenue Grew 123% to $865 million; Transaction Value Grew 151% to $1.5 billion, Driven by Robust Volume and Pricing

Full-Year 2024 Net Income Significantly Improved to $22.1 million; Record Adjusted EBITDA(1)of $96.1 million

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 of 157% year over year;
  • Transaction Value of $499.2 million, an increase of 202% year over year;
    • Transaction Value from Property & Casualty of $401 million, an increase of 639% year over year;
    • Transaction Value from Health of $90 million, a decrease of 8% year over year;
  • Gross margin of 16.3%, compared with 19.0% in the fourth quarter of 2023;
  • Contribution Margin(1) of 17.1%, compared with 21.4% 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 of 123% year over year;
  • Transaction Value of $1.5 billion, an increase of 151% year over year;
    • Transaction Value from Property & Casualty of $1.2 billion, an increase of 325% year over year;
    • Transaction Value from Health of $270 million, an increase of 4% year over year;
  • Gross margin of 16.6%, compared with 17.2% in 2023;
  • Contribution Margin(1) of 17.9%, compared with 20.1% 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 170% year-over-year growth in P&C Transaction Value, representing a high single-digit sequential decline as pricing moderates from fourth quarter levels, offset in part by rising volumes. In its Health vertical, the Company expects Transaction Value to decline by a high-teens percentage year over year as conditions in under-65 continue to soften.

For the first quarter of 2025, MediaAlpha currently expects the following:

  • Transaction Value of $415 million to $440 million, representing a 95% year-over-year increase at the midpoint of the guidance range;
  • Revenue of $225 million to $245 million, representing a 86% year-over-year increase at the midpoint of the guidance range;
  • Adjusted EBITDA of $24.5 million to $26.5 million, representing a 77% 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 $1.5 billion in spend on brand, comparison, and metasearch sites across property & casualty insurance, health insurance, life insurance, and other industries. For more information, please visit www.mediaalpha.com

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 $1,005 and $537, respectively 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, $0.01 par value - 1.0 billion shares authorized; 55.5 million and 47.4 million shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively 555   474 
Class B common stock, $0.01 par value - 100 million shares authorized; 11.6 million and 18.1 million shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively 116   181 
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value - 50 million shares authorized; 0 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023     
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 $1.2 million of legal and accounting fees incurred by us in connection with resale registration statements filed with the SEC. Transaction expenses for the three months and year ended December 31, 2023 consist of $0.1 million and $0.6 million, respectively, of legal and accounting fees incurred by us in connection with the amendment to the 2021 Credit Facilities, the tender offer filed by the Company's largest shareholder in May 2023, and a resale registration statement filed with the SEC.
(2) Contract settlement consists of $1.7 million of income for the year ended December 31, 2024 recorded in connection with a one-time contract termination fee received from one of our Supply Partners in the Health and Life insurance verticals that ceased operations during the year ended December 31, 2024.
(3) Changes in TRA related liability for the three months and year ended December 31, 2024 consist of a $7.0 million charge to increase the TRA liability as a result of remeasuring the non-current portion of the liability to the amount of payment under the agreement considered to be probable. Changes in TRA related liability for the year ended December 31, 2023 consist of immaterial expense.
(4) Legal expenses of $8.9 million and $11.1 million for the three months and year ended December 31, 2024, respectively, consist of a $7.0 million loss reserve established in connection with the FTC Matter and legal fees incurred in connection with such matter. Legal expenses of $0.9 million and $4.3 million for the three months and year ended December 31, 2023, respectively, consist of legal fees incurred in connection with the FTC Matter and costs associated with a legal settlement unrelated to our core operations.
(5) Reduction in force costs for the year ended December 31, 2023 consist of $1.2 million of severance benefits provided to the terminated employees in connection with the RIF Plan. Additionally, equity-based compensation expense includes $0.3 million of charges related to the RIF Plan for the year ended December 31, 2023.
   

FAQ

What was MediaAlpha's (MAX) revenue growth in Q4 2024?

MediaAlpha's revenue grew 157% year-over-year to $300.6 million in Q4 2024.

How much did MediaAlpha's (MAX) Property & Casualty segment grow in 2024?

MediaAlpha's Property & Casualty Transaction Value grew 325% to $1.2 billion in 2024.

What is MediaAlpha's (MAX) projected Transaction Value for Q1 2025?

MediaAlpha projects Transaction Value of $415-440 million for Q1 2025, representing a 95% year-over-year increase at the midpoint.

How much did MediaAlpha (MAX) improve its net income in 2024?

MediaAlpha improved from a net loss of $56.6 million in 2023 to a net income of $22.1 million in 2024.

What is the size of MediaAlpha's (MAX) FTC settlement reserve?

MediaAlpha has recorded a $7.0 million reserve related to ongoing FTC settlement discussions.

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