Zacks.com users have recently been watching The Trade Desk (TTD) quite a bit. Thus, it is worth knowing the facts that could determine the stock's prospects.
After posting what was likely its worst earnings report ever in Q4 2024, Trade Desk NASDAQ: TTD roared back with a vengeance in Q1 2025. The communication services company's final report for 2024 saw it miss internal expectations on revenue for the first time in 33 quarters.
The Trade Desk is a market leader in programmatic advertising, and continues to take market share in the industry. Antitrust actions against Google and Meta are creating a more favorable competitive environment, potentially accelerating TTD's market share gains. Recent share price volatility was driven by a rare earnings miss and conservative guidance, but Q1 results exceeded expectations, reaffirming the business outlook.
The recommendations of Wall Street analysts are often relied on by investors when deciding whether to buy, sell, or hold a stock. Media reports about these brokerage-firm-employed (or sell-side) analysts changing their ratings often affect a stock's price.
The Trade Desk's ongoing transition with Kokai has already delivered robust FQ1'25 performance and promising FQ2'25 guidance, with it signaling its improved ad monetization. These may be significantly aided by the potential opening up of walled gardens to open Internet, with it potentially driving TTD's renewed DSP growth prospects. Even so, readers may want to closely monitor TTD's future performance, especially given AppLovin, APP's entry into the CTV/ e-commerce advertising market.
Zacks.com users have recently been watching The Trade Desk (TTD) quite a bit. Thus, it is worth knowing the facts that could determine the stock's prospects.
The Trade Desk's stock has surged 45% since March, driven by strong Q1 2025 earnings and 25% year-over-year revenue growth. My DCF model indicates TTD is priced for over 25% revenue growth, but maintaining this rate is challenging despite significant market opportunities. TTD's AI-enabled platform Kokai and UID2 solution position it well in the competitive digital ad market, but competition from giants like Google remains intense.
Despite strong first-quarter results, TTD faces significant headwinds from macroeconomic uncertainty, rising costs and fierce competition.
The Trade Desk fell more than 60% on a Q4 2024 revenue miss. The company quickly regained more than 60% from the lows amidst great Q1 2025 financial results. TTD's business model is highly scalable with strong growth drivers like AI, CTV, and increasing TAM, supported by a solid balance sheet.
The Trade Desk's Q1 earnings beat expectations, driven by accelerated Kokai platform adoption and organizational updates, leading to the stock exceeding my previous PT and outperforming the S&P 500. Management is optimistic about gaining market share due to favorable court rulings against Google and Meta, enhancing a fairer and more competitive open internet. Despite macroeconomic headwinds, The Trade Desk's innovative products and JBPs position it to navigate challenges, with a reiterated "buy" rating and a price target of $86.
The Trade Desk demonstrated remarkable resilience amidst ad market uncertainties, with a 25% YoY revenue growth and a nearly 20% stock surge post-earnings. TTD's strategic focus on programmatic advertising and CTV aligns with the shift from Linear TV, offering transparency and data advantages outside walled gardens. TTD's growth prospects remain robust, potentially benefiting from Google's regulatory challenges.
The Trade Desk's first-quarter results indicate past issues for the ad-tech firm were “transitory,” analysts say.