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MediaAlpha Announces First Quarter 2025 Financial Results

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MediaAlpha reported exceptional Q1 2025 financial results, with revenue surging 109% to $264.3 million and Transaction Value growing 116% to $473.1 million. The company's Property & Casualty vertical achieved record performance, up 200% year-over-year to $407 million, while Health segment declined 17% to $58 million.

Despite strong top-line growth, the company posted a net loss of $(2.3) million, compared to $(1.5) million in Q1 2024. Adjusted EBITDA reached $29.4 million, doubling from $14.4 million last year. Gross margin decreased to 15.8% from 18.7% year-over-year.

Looking ahead to Q2 2025, MediaAlpha projects Transaction Value between $470-495 million, representing 50% growth, and revenue of $235-255 million, up 37%. The company plans to exit its Travel segment by Q2 end and has recorded a $12 million total reserve related to ongoing FTC settlement discussions.

MediaAlpha ha riportato risultati finanziari eccezionali nel primo trimestre 2025, con ricavi in crescita del 109% a 264,3 milioni di dollari e un valore delle transazioni aumentato del 116% a 473,1 milioni di dollari. Il settore Property & Casualty dell'azienda ha raggiunto una performance record, salendo del 200% su base annua a 407 milioni di dollari, mentre il segmento Health è diminuito del 17% a 58 milioni di dollari.

Nonostante una forte crescita del fatturato, l'azienda ha registrato una perdita netta di 2,3 milioni di dollari, rispetto a 1,5 milioni di dollari nel primo trimestre 2024. L'EBITDA rettificato ha raggiunto 29,4 milioni di dollari, raddoppiando rispetto ai 14,4 milioni dell'anno precedente. Il margine lordo è calato al 15,8% dal 18,7% anno su anno.

Guardando al secondo trimestre 2025, MediaAlpha prevede un valore delle transazioni compreso tra 470 e 495 milioni di dollari, con una crescita del 50%, e ricavi tra 235 e 255 milioni di dollari, in aumento del 37%. L'azienda intende uscire dal segmento Travel entro la fine del secondo trimestre e ha accantonato una riserva totale di 12 milioni di dollari relativa alle trattative in corso con la FTC per la risoluzione della controversia.

MediaAlpha informó resultados financieros excepcionales en el primer trimestre de 2025, con ingresos que aumentaron un 109% hasta 264,3 millones de dólares y un Valor de Transacción que creció un 116% hasta 473,1 millones de dólares. El vertical de Property & Casualty de la compañía alcanzó un rendimiento récord, aumentando un 200% interanual a 407 millones de dólares, mientras que el segmento de Salud disminuyó un 17% hasta 58 millones de dólares.

A pesar del fuerte crecimiento en ingresos, la empresa registró una pérdida neta de 2,3 millones de dólares, comparado con 1,5 millones en el primer trimestre de 2024. El EBITDA ajustado alcanzó 29,4 millones de dólares, duplicándose desde los 14,4 millones del año pasado. El margen bruto disminuyó al 15,8% desde el 18,7% interanual.

De cara al segundo trimestre de 2025, MediaAlpha proyecta un Valor de Transacción entre 470 y 495 millones de dólares, representando un crecimiento del 50%, y unos ingresos de 235 a 255 millones de dólares, un aumento del 37%. La compañía planea salir de su segmento de Viajes para finales del segundo trimestre y ha registrado una reserva total de 12 millones de dólares relacionada con las negociaciones en curso con la FTC para la resolución del acuerdo.

MediaAlpha는 2025년 1분기에 뛰어난 재무 실적을 보고했으며, 매출은 109% 증가한 2억 6,430만 달러, 거래 가치는 116% 증가한 4억 7,310만 달러를 기록했습니다. 회사의 Property & Casualty 부문은 전년 대비 200% 증가한 4억 700만 달러로 기록적인 성과를 달성한 반면, 헬스 부문은 17% 감소한 5,800만 달러를 기록했습니다.

강력한 매출 성장에도 불구하고, 회사는 2024년 1분기 150만 달러 손실에 비해 230만 달러 순손실을 기록했습니다. 조정 EBITDA는 2,940만 달러로 작년 1,440만 달러에서 두 배로 증가했습니다. 총 마진은 전년 대비 18.7%에서 15.8%로 감소했습니다.

2025년 2분기를 전망하며, MediaAlpha는 거래 가치를 4억 7,000만 달러에서 4억 9,500만 달러 사이로 예상하며 50% 성장을 의미하고, 매출은 2억 3,500만 달러에서 2억 5,500만 달러 사이로 37% 증가할 것으로 예상합니다. 회사는 2분기 말까지 여행 부문에서 철수할 계획이며, FTC와의 진행 중인 합의 논의와 관련해 총 1,200만 달러의 준비금을 기록했습니다.

MediaAlpha a annoncé des résultats financiers exceptionnels pour le premier trimestre 2025, avec un chiffre d'affaires en hausse de 109 % à 264,3 millions de dollars et une valeur des transactions en croissance de 116 % à 473,1 millions de dollars. Le secteur Property & Casualty de l'entreprise a atteint une performance record, en hausse de 200 % sur un an à 407 millions de dollars, tandis que le segment Santé a diminué de 17 % à 58 millions de dollars.

Malgré une forte croissance du chiffre d'affaires, la société a enregistré une perte nette de 2,3 millions de dollars, contre 1,5 million de dollars au premier trimestre 2024. L'EBITDA ajusté a atteint 29,4 millions de dollars, doublant par rapport à 14,4 millions l'année précédente. La marge brute a diminué à 15,8 % contre 18,7 % sur un an.

Pour le deuxième trimestre 2025, MediaAlpha prévoit une valeur des transactions comprise entre 470 et 495 millions de dollars, soit une croissance de 50 %, et un chiffre d'affaires de 235 à 255 millions de dollars, en hausse de 37 %. La société prévoit de sortir de son segment Voyage d'ici la fin du deuxième trimestre et a constitué une réserve totale de 12 millions de dollars liée aux discussions en cours avec la FTC concernant le règlement.

MediaAlpha meldete außergewöhnliche Finanzergebnisse für das erste Quartal 2025, mit einem Umsatzanstieg von 109 % auf 264,3 Millionen US-Dollar und einem Transaktionswert, der um 116 % auf 473,1 Millionen US-Dollar wuchs. Die Property & Casualty-Sparte des Unternehmens erreichte eine Rekordleistung mit einem Anstieg von 200 % im Jahresvergleich auf 407 Millionen US-Dollar, während der Gesundheitsbereich um 17 % auf 58 Millionen US-Dollar zurückging.

Trotz des starken Umsatzwachstums verzeichnete das Unternehmen einen Nettoverlust von 2,3 Millionen US-Dollar im Vergleich zu 1,5 Millionen US-Dollar im ersten Quartal 2024. Das bereinigte EBITDA erreichte 29,4 Millionen US-Dollar und verdoppelte sich damit gegenüber 14,4 Millionen US-Dollar im Vorjahr. Die Bruttomarge sank von 18,7 % auf 15,8 % im Jahresvergleich.

Für das zweite Quartal 2025 prognostiziert MediaAlpha einen Transaktionswert zwischen 470 und 495 Millionen US-Dollar, was einem Wachstum von 50 % entspricht, und einen Umsatz von 235 bis 255 Millionen US-Dollar, was einem Anstieg von 37 % entspricht. Das Unternehmen plant, sein Reisegeschäft bis Ende des zweiten Quartals zu beenden und hat eine Gesamtreserve von 12 Millionen US-Dollar im Zusammenhang mit laufenden FTC-Vergleichsverhandlungen gebildet.

Positive
  • Revenue grew 109% YoY to $264.3M in Q1
  • Transaction Value surged 116% YoY to $473.1M
  • P&C insurance vertical Transaction Value up 200% YoY to $407M
  • Adjusted EBITDA doubled to $29.4M from $14.4M YoY
  • Strong Q2 guidance with Transaction Value expected to grow 50% YoY
Negative
  • Net loss widened to $2.3M from $1.5M YoY
  • Gross margin declined to 15.8% from 18.7% YoY
  • Contribution margin dropped to 16.6% from 21.9% YoY
  • Health insurance vertical down 17% YoY to $58M
  • Additional $5M FTC settlement reserve, total now $12M
  • Exiting Travel business segment by Q2 end

Insights

MediaAlpha's Q1 shows exceptional 109% revenue growth and 104% Adjusted EBITDA growth, beating guidance despite slight margin compression and a small net loss.

MediaAlpha delivered remarkable Q1 2025 results, significantly exceeding expectations with revenue surging 109% year-over-year to $264.3 million and Transaction Value climbing 116% to $473.1 million. The company's P&C insurance vertical was the primary growth driver, with Transaction Value skyrocketing 200% to $407 million.

While the top-line growth is impressive, there's some margin compression with gross margin declining from 18.7% to 15.8% and Contribution Margin decreasing from 21.9% to 16.6%. Despite this, Adjusted EBITDA doubled to $29.4 million from $14.4 million a year ago, showcasing significant operational leverage as the business scales.

The company reported a modest net loss of $2.3 million, slightly higher than the $1.5 million loss in Q1 2024, and set aside an additional $5 million reserve for ongoing FTC settlement discussions (total reserve now $12 million).

Looking ahead, MediaAlpha provided robust Q2 guidance expecting Transaction Value between $470-495 million (50% YoY growth at midpoint) and Adjusted EBITDA between $25-27 million (39% YoY increase). The company's strategic focus is evident in its decision to exit the underperforming Travel vertical by the end of Q2 while continuing to capitalize on the strength in P&C insurance.

MediaAlpha's P&C insurance vertical delivers extraordinary 200% growth while strategically reducing exposure to underperforming health insurance segments.

MediaAlpha's Q1 results reveal a strategic transformation focused on high-performing insurance segments. The Property & Casualty vertical achieved a significant milestone, exceeding $400 million in quarterly Transaction Value for the first time with an extraordinary 200% year-over-year growth to $407 million. This exceptional performance stems from strong carrier profitability and high platform engagement during a favorable insurance pricing cycle.

Meanwhile, the Health insurance vertical shows a contrasting picture with Transaction Value declining 17% year-over-year to $58 million. Management indicates this decline will accelerate to 25-30% in Q2, primarily due to strategic scaling back of under-65 health insurance segments while Medicare remains stable.

The company's Q2 guidance projects continued strength in P&C with expected growth of 65-75% year-over-year, despite noting potential headwinds from automotive tariffs that could impact claims costs later in 2025. This indicates confidence in near-term carrier spending despite looming cost pressures.

MediaAlpha's platform model appears particularly effective in the current P&C market environment, where carriers are actively investing in customer acquisition. The strategic focus on their highest-performing vertical demonstrates management's willingness to allocate resources where returns are strongest, as further evidenced by their decision to exit the Travel vertical entirely by the end of Q2.

Exceeds First Quarter Guidance with Revenue Growth of 109% and Transaction Value Growth of 116%; Delivers Record Transaction Value of $407 million in Property & Casualty Vertical

First Quarter Net Loss of $(2.3) million; Adjusted EBITDA(1)of $29.4 million

LOS ANGELES, April 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MediaAlpha, Inc. (NYSE: MAX) ("MediaAlpha" or the "Company"), today announced its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2025.

“We had a record first quarter, beating expectations across the board, thanks largely to the continued strength in our P&C insurance vertical,” said MediaAlpha co-founder and CEO Steve Yi. “Transaction Value more than doubled year over year, and for the first time ever, we delivered over $100 million of Adjusted EBITDA over a trailing twelve month period. Looking ahead, we believe our unmatched scale, extensive partner network, and superior data capabilities will further differentiate us from competitors and enable us to drive long-term profitable growth and shareholder value.”

First Quarter 2025 Financial Results

  • Revenue of $264.3 million, an increase of 109% year over year;
  • Transaction Value of $473.1 million, an increase of 116% year over year;
    • Transaction Value from Property & Casualty up 200% year over year to $407 million
    • Transaction Value from Health down 17% year over year to $58 million
  • Gross margin of 15.8%, compared with 18.7% in the first quarter of 2024;
  • Contribution Margin(1) of 16.6%, compared with 21.9% in the first quarter of 2024;
  • Net loss was $(2.3) million, compared with a net loss of $(1.5) million in the first quarter of 2024; and
  • Adjusted EBITDA(1) was $29.4 million, compared with $14.4 million in the first quarter of 2024.
  • Additionally, the Company remains in active settlement discussions with the FTC and has recorded an additional $5.0 million reserve related to this matter in accordance with U.S. GAAP, bringing the total reserve to $12.0 million as of March 31, 2025.

(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

Our guidance for the second quarter of 2025 reflects a continuation of the recent trends in customer acquisition spending that we have seen in our P&C insurance vertical. Although automotive tariff developments could introduce some upward pressure on claims costs later in the year, we expect Transaction Value in our P&C insurance vertical to grow 65% - 75% year over year in the second quarter, supported by strong carrier profitability and high engagement on our platform. We expect second quarter Transaction Value in our Health insurance vertical to be down 25% - 30% year over year as stable trends in Medicare are more than offset by a significant decline in under-65 as we scale back parts of that business. We expect our decision to exit Travel by the end of the second quarter to have an immaterial impact on our consolidated results.

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

  • Transaction Value between $470 million - $495 million, representing a 50% year-over-year increase at the midpoint of the guidance range;
  • Revenue between $235 million - $255 million, representing a 37% year-over-year increase at the midpoint of the guidance range;
  • Adjusted EBITDA between $25.0 million and $27.0 million, representing a 39% year-over-year increase at the midpoint of the guidance range. We are projecting Contribution less Adjusted EBITDA to be approximately $0.5 - $1.0 million higher than in Q1 2025.

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 first quarter 2025 results and its financial outlook for the second 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 belief that our unmatched scale, extensive partner network, and superior data capabilities will further differentiate us from competitors and enable us to drive long-term profitable growth and shareholder value, and our financial outlook for the second 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 filed on February 24, 2025 and the Form 10-Q to be filed on April 30, 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, Contribution, 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 $1.7 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
(Unaudited; in thousands, except share data and per share amounts)
    
 March 31,
2025
 December 31,
2024
Assets   
Current assets   
Cash and cash equivalents$63,561  $43,266 
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for credit losses of $913 and $1,005, respectively 114,846   142,932 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 4,058   3,711 
Total current assets 182,465   189,909 
Intangible assets, net 5,125   19,985 
Goodwill 47,739   47,739 
Other assets 4,654   4,814 
Total assets$239,983  $262,447 
Liabilities and stockholders' deficit   
Current liabilities   
Accounts payable$82,354  $105,563 
Accrued expenses 18,203   18,542 
Current portion of long-term debt 8,859   8,849 
Total current liabilities 109,416   132,954 
Long-term debt, net of current portion 151,375   153,596 
Liabilities under tax receivables agreement, net of current portion    7,006 
Other long-term liabilities 20,376   15,123 
Total liabilities$281,167  $308,679 
Commitments and contingencies   
Stockholders' deficit   
Class A common stock, $0.01 par value - 1.0 billion shares authorized; 55.9 million and 55.5 million shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively 559   555 
Class B common stock, $0.01 par value - 100 million shares authorized; 11.6 million and 11.6 million shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively 116   116 
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value - 50 million shares authorized; 0 shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024     
Additional paid-in capital 515,125   507,640 
Accumulated deficit (507,881)  (505,933)
Total stockholders' equity attributable to MediaAlpha, Inc.$7,919  $2,378 
Non-controlling interests (49,103)  (48,610)
Total stockholders' deficit$(41,184) $(46,232)
Total liabilities and stockholders' deficit$239,983  $262,447 
        


MediaAlpha, Inc. and subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Unaudited; in thousands, except share data and per share amounts)
  
 Three Months Ended
March 31,
  2025   2024 
Revenue$264,309  $126,649 
Costs and operating expenses   
Cost of revenue 222,670   102,969 
Sales and marketing 5,626   5,796 
Product development 4,886   4,363 
General and administrative 17,595   11,149 
Write-off of intangible assets 13,416    
Total costs and operating expenses 264,193   124,277 
Income from operations 116   2,372 
Other income, net (456)  (9)
Interest expense 2,955   3,845 
Total other expense, net 2,499   3,836 
(Loss) before income taxes (2,383)  (1,464)
Income tax (benefit) expense (49)  27 
Net (loss)$(2,334) $(1,491)
Net (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest (386)  (378)
Net (loss) attributable to MediaAlpha, Inc.$(1,948) $(1,113)
Net (loss) per share of Class A common stock   
-Basic and diluted$(0.04) $(0.02)
Weighted average shares of Class A common stock outstanding   
-Basic and diluted 55,632,321   48,574,448 
        


MediaAlpha, Inc. and subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited; in thousands)
  
 Three Months Ended
March 31,
  2025   2024 
Cash flows from operating activities   
Net (loss)$(2,334) $(1,491)
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:   
Equity-based compensation expense 7,024   8,634 
Non-cash lease expense 227   196 
Depreciation expense on property and equipment 62   61 
Amortization of intangible assets 1,444   1,609 
Amortization of deferred debt issuance costs 180   191 
Write-off of intangible assets 13,416    
Credit losses (95)  (82)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:   
Accounts receivable 28,181   (3,640)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets (363)  (147)
Other assets 125   125 
Accounts payable (23,209)  (2,693)
Accrued expenses (957)  (1,085)
Net cash provided by operating activities$23,701  $1,678 
Cash flows from investing activities   
Purchases of property and equipment (57)  (34)
Net cash (used in) investing activities$(57) $(34)
Cash flows from financing activities   
Repayments on long-term debt (2,375)  (2,375)
Distributions to non-controlling interests (107)  (113)
Shares withheld for taxes on vesting of restricted stock units (867)  (1,956)
Net cash (used in) financing activities$(3,349) $(4,444)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 20,295   (2,800)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 43,266   17,271 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period$63,561  $14,471 
        

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 ended March 31, 2025 and 2024:

  Three Months Ended
March 31,
(dollars in thousands)  2025   2024 
Open Marketplace transactions $258,419  $122,429 
Percentage of total Transaction Value  54.6%  55.9%
Private Marketplace transactions  214,682   96,677 
Percentage of total Transaction Value  45.4%  44.1%
Total Transaction Value $473,101  $219,106 
         

The following table presents Transaction Value by vertical for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024:

  Three Months Ended
March 31,
(dollars in thousands)  2025   2024 
Property & Casualty insurance $406,847  $135,494 
Percentage of total Transaction Value  86.0%  61.8%
Health insurance  57,679   69,087 
Percentage of total Transaction Value  12.2%  31.5%
Life insurance  6,956   10,237 
Percentage of total Transaction Value  1.5%  4.7%
Other(1)  1,619   4,288 
Percentage of total Transaction Value  0.3%  2.0%
Total Transaction Value $473,101  $219,106 
         

(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 ended March 31, 2025 and 2024:

  Three Months Ended
March 31,
(in thousands)  2025   2024 
Revenue $264,309  $126,649 
Less cost of revenue  (222,670)  (102,969)
Gross profit $41,639  $23,680 
Adjusted to exclude the following (as related to cost of revenue):    
Equity-based compensation  294   1,857 
Salaries, wages, and related  816   908 
Internet and hosting  171   131 
Other expenses  202   203 
Depreciation  6   5 
Other services  712   828 
Merchant-related fees  142   64 
Contribution $43,982  $27,676 
Gross margin  15.8%  18.7%
Contribution Margin  16.6%  21.9%
         

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 (loss), the most directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP, for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024:

  Three Months Ended
March 31,
(in thousands)  2025   2024 
Net (loss) $(2,334) $(1,491)
Equity-based compensation expense  7,024   8,634 
Interest expense  2,955   3,845 
Income tax (benefit) expense  (49)  27 
Depreciation expense on property and equipment  62   61 
Amortization of intangible assets  1,444   1,609 
Transaction expenses(1)     658 
Write-off of intangible assets(2)  13,416    
Changes in Tax Indemnification Receivable  (21)  (1)
Legal expenses(3)  6,879   1,077 
Adjusted EBITDA $29,376  $14,419 
         


(1)Transaction expenses consist of $0.7 million of legal and accounting fees incurred by us for the three months ended March 31, 2024 in connection with resale registration statements filed with the SEC.
(2)Write-off of intangible assets for the three months ended March 31, 2025 consist of a charge of $13.4 million related to the write-off of customer relationships and trademarks, trade names, and domain names intangible assets acquired as part of the acquisition of Customer Helper Team, LLC.
(3)Legal expenses of $6.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025, consist of a $5.0 million increase to the loss reserve established in connection with the FTC Matter and legal fees and costs incurred in connection with such matter. Legal expenses of $1.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, consist of legal fees incurred in connection with the FTC Matter.

FAQ

How much did MediaAlpha (MAX) revenue grow in Q1 2025?

MediaAlpha's revenue grew 109% year over year in Q1 2025, reaching $264.3 million, exceeding their first quarter guidance.

What was MediaAlpha's (MAX) Property & Casualty performance in Q1 2025?

MediaAlpha's Property & Casualty Transaction Value grew 200% year over year to $407 million in Q1 2025, marking a record performance in this vertical.

What is MediaAlpha's (MAX) Q2 2025 revenue guidance?

MediaAlpha expects Q2 2025 revenue between $235-255 million, representing a 37% year-over-year increase at the guidance range midpoint.

Why did MediaAlpha (MAX) increase its FTC reserve in Q1 2025?

MediaAlpha recorded an additional $5.0 million FTC reserve, bringing the total to $12.0 million, due to ongoing settlement discussions with the FTC.

What caused MediaAlpha's (MAX) Health insurance vertical decline in Q1 2025?

MediaAlpha's Health insurance Transaction Value declined 17% year over year to $58 million in Q1 2025, with expected further decline in Q2 due to scaling back under-65 business.

What is MediaAlpha's (MAX) projected Adjusted EBITDA for Q2 2025?

MediaAlpha projects Q2 2025 Adjusted EBITDA between $25.0-27.0 million, representing a 39% year-over-year increase at the midpoint.
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