Ziff Davis (ZD) Stock News

VIPRE Advanced Security has achieved the prestigious Advanced+ award in AV-Comparatives' March 2025 Malware Protection Test, demonstrating superior performance among 19 leading security products. The test evaluated protection against 10,030 malware samples on Windows 11.

Key performance metrics include:

• 98.7% detection rate in online and offline scenarios
• 99.93% overall protection rate during execution testing
• Among the lowest false positive rates of tested products

VIPRE's technology also powers security features across Ziff Davis (ZD) products, including IPVanish's Threat Protection, Link Checker, and QR Code Checker. The company plans to further integrate these security capabilities into IPVanish's platform throughout 2025.

IPVanish, a leading VPN service provider, has successfully completed an independent audit by Schellman, validating its strict no-log policy. The audit confirms that IPVanish does not collect, store, or monitor user activity, including browsing history, login IP addresses, search queries, app usage, file transfers, or streaming activity.

Key audit findings demonstrate that IPVanish maintains:

• No logging of internet activity or customer traffic
• No metadata retention related to VPN traffic, DNS queries, or user IPs
• No network traffic inspection
• No logging of connected services
• Consistent privacy standards across all servers

Additionally, IPVanish has launched a Trust Center featuring a Transparency Report and introduced new security tools, including a built-in Link Checker for VPN apps and a QR Code Checker for mobile devices, complementing its existing Threat Protection feature.

Ziff Davis (NASDAQ: ZD) has announced the completion of two strategic acquisitions in Q1 2025. The company acquired an equity stake in theSkimm, a Health and Wellness company based in the USA, and purchased the assets of Maxroll, a Gaming and Entertainment business from the Netherlands.

These acquisitions are aimed at expanding Ziff Davis' global customer base, accessing new markets, and broadening its product portfolio. The company did not disclose the financial terms of either acquisition and stated that these transactions are not expected to have a material financial impact.

Boingo Wireless, the largest operator of airport wireless networks in the U.S., has received recognition from Ookla for delivering industry-leading wireless performance at major airports nationwide. The analysis highlights Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) as having one of the highest-performing wireless networks among U.S. airports.

Boingo's neutral host solutions integrate 5G and Wi-Fi technologies into an intelligent, secure platform serving over 130 major airports globally. At PHX, Boingo's Wi-Fi 6 network stands out as one of the fastest and most reliable airport networks in the U.S., supporting over 50 million annual passengers.

The company's technology combines 5G, DAS, Wi-Fi 6/6E/7, and Passpoint technologies to enhance travel efficiency, streamline airport operations, and ensure reliable public safety communications.

Ziff Davis (NASDAQ: ZD) subsidiary Everyday Health Group has acquired theSkimm, a leading digital media brand focused on millennial and Gen Z female readers. Founded in 2012 by Danielle Weisberg and Carly Zakin, theSkimm has evolved from an email newsletter into a comprehensive media platform.

The acquisition includes multiple products: Daily Skimm, Daily Skimm: Weekend, Skimm Money, Skimm Your Life, Skimm Well newsletters, The SKM Report for B2B marketers, and podcasts including '9 to 5ish with theSkimm' and 'WellPlayed sports'.

This strategic move aims to enhance Everyday Health Group's presence in the women's health and wellness sector, leveraging theSkimm's engaged audience base. The co-founders will continue their roles with the company, with Wolfson Partners serving as theSkimm's financial advisor for the transaction.

RetailMeNot, a Ziff Davis (ZD) company, launches its third annual Spring Savecation from March 6-10, 2025, offering exclusive travel deals and cash back opportunities. The event features premium offers from major retailers including Away, Viator, Sephora, Expedia, and H&M.

Highlights include Away's 20% off Softside Bigger Carry-on, Booking.com's 20% cash back, Expedia's 8% off hotels plus 8% cash back, and Viator's $25 off $250 spend with 14% cash back. The promotion allows customers to stack deals and cash back offers across 3,800+ brands.

New this year, RetailMeNot partners with Viator for a Las Vegas getaway contest, including Coldplay concert tickets, flights, accommodations, and city adventures. According to RetailMeNot's retail insights, 54% of travelers plan to research and book their trips by March's end, making this promotion timely for cost-conscious travelers.

HEAVY.AI and Ookla have announced a strategic partnership to transform network analytics through GPU-accelerated capabilities. The collaboration integrates HEAVY.AI's high-performance analytics platform with Ookla's network intelligence solutions, enabling real-time processing of multi-terabyte datasets.

The partnership focuses on three key areas:

• Infrastructure investment optimization through AI-driven analytics
• Enhanced consumer experience via real-time insights
• Accelerated network diagnostics processing billions of data points

This integration aims to help telecommunications providers, enterprises, and government agencies improve network performance optimization and decision-making. The solution is immediately available for organizations requiring real-time network insights, offering geospatial analytics and visualization tools customized for specific network intelligence needs.

Ziff Davis (NASDAQ: ZD) reported its unaudited financial results for Q4 and the full year ending December 31, 2024. Q4 2024 revenues rose by 5.9% to $412.8 million from $389.9 million in Q4 2023. However, income from operations decreased to $78.5 million from $80.7 million in the same period. Net income increased by 1.0% to $64.1 million, and net income per diluted share rose to $1.43 from $1.29.

Adjusted EBITDA for Q4 increased by 2.5% to $171.8 million, while adjusted net income increased by 3.0% to $110.2 million. Adjusted diluted EPS for Q4 rose by 10.7% to $2.58. Net cash from operating activities was $158.2 million, and free cash flow was $131.1 million. Ziff Davis ended Q4 with $664.1 million in cash and investments.

For the full year 2024, revenues increased by 2.8% to $1.40 billion. Income from operations decreased to $113.6 million, impacted by an $85.3 million goodwill impairment. Net income surged by 51.9% to $63.0 million, and net income per diluted share increased to $1.42. Adjusted EBITDA for the year rose by 2.3% to $493.5 million, and adjusted net income increased by 2.5% to $294.5 million. Adjusted diluted EPS for 2024 was $6.62, up 6.9%. Net cash from operating activities was $390.3 million, and free cash flow was $283.7 million. The company spent $225.4 million on acquisitions and $185.2 million on share repurchases in 2024.

Ziff Davis (NASDAQ: ZD) has scheduled its Fourth Quarter and Year-End 2024 Earnings release for February 24, 2025, at 6:00 PM ET. The company will host a live audio webcast earnings call the following day, February 25, 2025, at 8:30 AM ET.

The earnings call will be hosted by CEO Vivek Shah and CFO Bret Richter. Presentation materials will be available on ziffdavis.com and filed with the SEC via Form 8-K. Interested parties can access the call through the company's website or by dialing (844) 985-2014.

Questions for the earnings call can be submitted via email to investor@ziffdavis.com before or during the webcast. For those unable to attend live, the audio recording and presentation materials will be archived on the company's website.