Tearsheet

Ziff Davis (ZD)


Market Price (12/4/2025): $35.46 | Market Cap: $1.4 Bil
Sector: Communication Services | Industry: Advertising

Ziff Davis (ZD)


Market Price (12/4/2025): $35.46
Market Cap: $1.4 Bil
Sector: Communication Services
Industry: Advertising

Investment Highlights Why It Matters Which of these 2 stories sounds closer for this stock?

1. Generates cash flow

The stock generated 4% or more of the share price (called cash flow yield), and shows moderate 10-15% or more growth.

2. Riding a trend

Think Tesla during the pandemic of 2020 when EVs were riding a cultural high, or Nvidia in the current AI boom, or even Figma. These companies don’t have enough yield, or, enough growth, or both - however - they are riding a trend. They have momentum. These can be more volatile - they don’t have the floor of strong cash flow


0 Attractive yield
Total YieldTotal Yield = Earnings Yield + Dividend Yield, Earnings Yield = Net Income / Market Cap Dividend Yield = Total Dividends / Market Cap is 7.2%, ERPEquity Risk Premium (ERP) = Total Yield - Risk Free Rate, Reflects the premium above risk free assets offered by the investment. is 3.0%, FCF Yield is 17%
Weak multi-year price returns
2Y Excs Rtn is -94%, 3Y Excs Rtn is -132%
 
1 Attractive cash flow generation
CFO/Rev LTMCash Flow from Operations / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is 26%, FCF/Rev LTMFree Cash Flow / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is 18%
Meaningful short interest
Short Interest % of Basic SharesShort Interest % of Basic Shares = (Short Interest Quantity) / (Basic Shares Outstanding). A high fraction of short interest can indicate potential risk of a short squeeze. is 11%
 
2 Low stock price volatility
Vol 12M is 50%
  
3 Megatrend and thematic drivers
Megatrends include Digital Content & Streaming, Digital Advertising, and Digital Health & Telemedicine. Themes include Gaming Content & Platforms, Show more.
  
0 Attractive yield
Total YieldTotal Yield = Earnings Yield + Dividend Yield, Earnings Yield = Net Income / Market Cap Dividend Yield = Total Dividends / Market Cap is 7.2%, ERPEquity Risk Premium (ERP) = Total Yield - Risk Free Rate, Reflects the premium above risk free assets offered by the investment. is 3.0%, FCF Yield is 17%
1 Attractive cash flow generation
CFO/Rev LTMCash Flow from Operations / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is 26%, FCF/Rev LTMFree Cash Flow / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is 18%
2 Low stock price volatility
Vol 12M is 50%
3 Megatrend and thematic drivers
Megatrends include Digital Content & Streaming, Digital Advertising, and Digital Health & Telemedicine. Themes include Gaming Content & Platforms, Show more.
4 Weak multi-year price returns
2Y Excs Rtn is -94%, 3Y Excs Rtn is -132%
5 Meaningful short interest
Short Interest % of Basic SharesShort Interest % of Basic Shares = (Short Interest Quantity) / (Basic Shares Outstanding). A high fraction of short interest can indicate potential risk of a short squeeze. is 11%

Valuation, Metrics & Events

ZD Stock


Why The Stock Moved


Qualitative Assessment

AI Generated Analysis | Feedback

The requested time period for Ziff Davis (ZD) stock movement, from August 31, 2025, to December 4, 2025, is in the future. Therefore, I cannot provide factual information regarding specific stock performance or explanatory factors for this period. However, some search results provide analyst forecasts and news releases that are dated in the future, which reflect *expectations* or *scheduled announcements*, rather than actual events or stock movements. For example, Ziff Davis reported unaudited financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2024, on February 24, 2025, and provided 2025 guidance at that time. Additionally, Ziff Davis announced its third-quarter 2025 financial results on November 6, 2025. Here are some general points based on available forward-looking information: 1. Ziff Davis reported strong full-year 2024 financial results, returning to revenue, adjusted diluted EPS, and free cash flow growth, and provided 2025 guidance, indicating a positive outlook moving into 2025.

2. Analyst consensus forecasts for Ziff Davis's earnings per share (EPS) for fiscal year ending December 2025 have seen a slight decrease over the past month.

Show more

Stock Movement Drivers

Return vs. Risk


Price Returns Compared

 202020212022202320242025Total [1]
Returns
ZD Return4%29%-29%-15%-19%-39%-60%
Peers Return52%113%-16%34%21%24%451%
S&P 500 Return16%27%-19%24%23%16%112%

Monthly Win Rates [3]
ZD Win Rate42%67%25%42%42%30% 
Peers Win Rate52%54%46%46%52%52% 
S&P 500 Win Rate58%75%42%67%75%70% 

Max Drawdowns [4]
ZD Max Drawdown-42%-3%-38%-26%-41%-46% 
Peers Max Drawdown-33%-3%-39%-31%-34%-36% 
S&P 500 Max Drawdown-31%-1%-25%-1%-2%-15% 


[1] Cumulative total returns since the beginning of 2020
[2] Peers: GSAT, TDS, CALX, CCOI, EVON.
[3] Win Rate = % of calendar months in which monthly returns were positive
[4] Max drawdown represents maximum peak-to-trough decline within a year
[5] 2025 data is for the year up to 12/3/2025 (YTD)

How Low Can It Go

Unique KeyEventZDS&P 500
2022 Inflation Shock2022 Inflation Shock  
2022 Inflation Shock% Loss% Loss-56.2%-25.4%
2022 Inflation Shock% Gain to Breakeven% Gain to Breakeven128.1%34.1%
2022 Inflation ShockTime to BreakevenTime to BreakevenNot Fully Recovered days464 days
2020 Covid Pandemic2020 Covid Pandemic  
2020 Covid Pandemic% Loss% Loss-47.5%-33.9%
2020 Covid Pandemic% Gain to Breakeven% Gain to Breakeven90.3%51.3%
2020 Covid PandemicTime to BreakevenTime to Breakeven183 days148 days
2018 Correction2018 Correction  
2018 Correction% Loss% Loss-28.1%-19.8%
2018 Correction% Gain to Breakeven% Gain to Breakeven39.0%24.7%
2018 CorrectionTime to BreakevenTime to Breakeven212 days120 days
2008 Global Financial Crisis2008 Global Financial Crisis  
2008 Global Financial Crisis% Loss% Loss-63.1%-56.8%
2008 Global Financial Crisis% Gain to Breakeven% Gain to Breakeven171.0%131.3%
2008 Global Financial CrisisTime to BreakevenTime to Breakeven1569 days1480 days

Compare to GSAT, TDS, CALX, CCOI, EVON


In The Past

Ziff Davis's stock fell -56.2% during the 2022 Inflation Shock from a high on 11/9/2021. A -56.2% loss requires a 128.1% gain to breakeven.

Preserve Wealth

Limiting losses and compounding gains is essential to preserving wealth over time.

Asset Allocation

Actively managed asset allocation strategies protect wealth. Learn more.

About Ziff Davis (ZD)

Better Bets than Ziff Davis (ZD)

Trade Ideas

Select past ideas related to ZD. For more, see Trefis Trade Ideas.

Unique KeyDateTickerCompanyCategoryTrade Strategy6M Fwd Rtn12M Fwd Rtn12M Max DD
PINS_11302025_Monopoly_xInd_xCD_Getting_Cheaper11302025PINSPinterestMonopolyMY | Getting CheaperMonopoly-Like with P/S Decline
Large cap with monopoly-like margins or cash flow generation and getting cheaper based on P/S multiple
4.9%4.9%0.0%
TMUS_11212025_Monopoly_xInd_xCD_Getting_Cheaper11212025TMUST-Mobile USMonopolyMY | Getting CheaperMonopoly-Like with P/S Decline
Large cap with monopoly-like margins or cash flow generation and getting cheaper based on P/S multiple
0.0%0.0%-1.2%
Z_11212025_Monopoly_xInd_xCD_Getting_Cheaper11212025ZZillowMonopolyMY | Getting CheaperMonopoly-Like with P/S Decline
Large cap with monopoly-like margins or cash flow generation and getting cheaper based on P/S multiple
6.8%6.8%0.0%
IRDM_11072025_Dip_Buyer_High_CFO_Margins_ExInd_DE11072025IRDMIridium CommunicationsDip BuyDB | CFO/Rev | Low D/EDip Buy with High Cash Flow Margins
Buying dips for companies with significant cash flows from operations and reasonable debt / market cap
2.1%2.1%-5.6%
TTD_10032025_Dip_Buyer_High_CFO_Margins_ExInd_DE10032025TTDTrade DeskDip BuyDB | CFO/Rev | Low D/EDip Buy with High Cash Flow Margins
Buying dips for companies with significant cash flows from operations and reasonable debt / market cap
-25.1%-25.1%-25.6%
ZD_4302025_Dip_Buyer_High_CFO_Margins_ExInd_DE04302025ZDZiff DavisDip BuyDB | CFO/Rev | Low D/EDip Buy with High Cash Flow Margins
Buying dips for companies with significant cash flows from operations and reasonable debt / market cap
14.2%21.4%-1.1%
ZD_12312022_Dip_Buyer_FCFYield12312022ZDZiff DavisDip BuyDB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High Margin
Buying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin
-11.4%-15.1%-26.3%
ZD_4302022_Dip_Buyer_FCFYield04302022ZDZiff DavisDip BuyDB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High Margin
Buying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin
-11.1%-17.2%-22.5%
Unique KeyDateTickerCompanyCategoryTrade Strategy6M Fwd Rtn12M Fwd Rtn12M Max DD
PINS_11302025_Monopoly_xInd_xCD_Getting_Cheaper11302025PINSPinterestMonopolyMY | Getting CheaperMonopoly-Like with P/S Decline
Large cap with monopoly-like margins or cash flow generation and getting cheaper based on P/S multiple
4.9%4.9%0.0%
TMUS_11212025_Monopoly_xInd_xCD_Getting_Cheaper11212025TMUST-Mobile USMonopolyMY | Getting CheaperMonopoly-Like with P/S Decline
Large cap with monopoly-like margins or cash flow generation and getting cheaper based on P/S multiple
0.0%0.0%-1.2%
Z_11212025_Monopoly_xInd_xCD_Getting_Cheaper11212025ZZillowMonopolyMY | Getting CheaperMonopoly-Like with P/S Decline
Large cap with monopoly-like margins or cash flow generation and getting cheaper based on P/S multiple
6.8%6.8%0.0%
IRDM_11072025_Dip_Buyer_High_CFO_Margins_ExInd_DE11072025IRDMIridium CommunicationsDip BuyDB | CFO/Rev | Low D/EDip Buy with High Cash Flow Margins
Buying dips for companies with significant cash flows from operations and reasonable debt / market cap
2.1%2.1%-5.6%
TTD_10032025_Dip_Buyer_High_CFO_Margins_ExInd_DE10032025TTDTrade DeskDip BuyDB | CFO/Rev | Low D/EDip Buy with High Cash Flow Margins
Buying dips for companies with significant cash flows from operations and reasonable debt / market cap
-25.1%-25.1%-25.6%
ZD_4302025_Dip_Buyer_High_CFO_Margins_ExInd_DE04302025ZDZiff DavisDip BuyDB | CFO/Rev | Low D/EDip Buy with High Cash Flow Margins
Buying dips for companies with significant cash flows from operations and reasonable debt / market cap
14.2%21.4%-1.1%
ZD_12312022_Dip_Buyer_FCFYield12312022ZDZiff DavisDip BuyDB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High Margin
Buying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin
-11.4%-15.1%-26.3%
ZD_4302022_Dip_Buyer_FCFYield04302022ZDZiff DavisDip BuyDB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High Margin
Buying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin
-11.1%-17.2%-22.5%

Recent Active Movers

Recent Active Movers

More From Trefis

Peer Comparisons for Ziff Davis

Peers to compare with:

Financials

ZDGSATTDSCALXCCOIEVONMedian
NameZiff Dav.Globalst.Telephon.Calix Cogent C.EvoNexus  
Mkt Price35.8465.1639.3254.3519.59-39.32
Mkt Cap1.58.34.63.50.9-3.5
Rev LTM1,4572626,611869988-988
Op Inc LTM17611291-35-126-11
FCF LTM261283-12672-187-72
FCF 3Y Avg21470-6347-151-47
CFO LTM3747867828810-374
CFO 3Y Avg3233301,0376513-323

Growth & Margins

ZDGSATTDSCALXCCOIEVONMedian
NameZiff Dav.Globalst.Telephon.Calix Cogent C.EvoNexus  
Rev Chg LTM5.7%8.5%59.7%-8.8%-6.5%-5.7%
Rev Chg 3Y Avg1.3%24.1%11.7%7.4%20.1%-11.7%
Rev Chg Q2.9%2.1%-5.8%22.1%-5.9%-2.1%
QoQ Delta Rev Chg LTM0.7%0.6%-0.3%5.3%-1.5%-0.6%
Op Mgn LTM12.0%4.1%4.4%-4.1%-12.7%-4.1%
Op Mgn 3Y Avg13.8%0.7%3.3%0.2%-11.8%-0.7%
QoQ Delta Op Mgn LTM-2.0%0.2%0.1%1.6%3.5%-0.2%
CFO/Rev LTM25.7%299.9%11.8%10.1%1.0%-11.8%
CFO/Rev 3Y Avg23.0%130.1%20.8%7.0%2.2%-20.8%
FCF/Rev LTM17.9%108.0%-1.9%8.2%-18.9%-8.2%
FCF/Rev 3Y Avg15.2%25.1%-0.9%5.2%-14.8%-5.2%

Valuation

ZDGSATTDSCALXCCOIEVONMedian
NameZiff Dav.Globalst.Telephon.Calix Cogent C.EvoNexus  
Mkt Cap1.58.34.63.50.9-3.5
P/S1.117.60.74.61.8-1.8
P/EBIT9.6429.98.4-112.1-19.4-8.4
P/E13.9-97.6-79.7-147.3-9.4--79.7
P/CFO4.15.95.845.0183.6-5.9
Total Yield7.2%-1.0%0.7%-0.7%0.1%-0.1%
Dividend Yield0.0%0.0%1.9%0.0%10.7%-0.0%
FCF Yield 3Y Avg10.9%1.0%-2.2%1.5%-5.9%-1.0%
D/E0.60.10.30.01.5-0.3
Net D/E0.20.00.1-0.11.4-0.1

Returns

ZDGSATTDSCALXCCOIEVONMedian
NameZiff Dav.Globalst.Telephon.Calix Cogent C.EvoNexus  
1M Rtn5.4%29.3%-0.7%-19.2%-51.9%--0.7%
3M Rtn-3.7%115.4%-3.3%-7.3%-45.7%--3.7%
6M Rtn9.6%232.1%16.5%15.0%-57.6%-15.0%
12M Rtn-39.7%106.9%15.0%62.2%-74.1%-15.0%
3Y Rtn-61.6%132.3%317.1%-24.9%-59.2%--24.9%
1M Excs Rtn5.5%29.4%-0.6%-19.1%-51.9%--0.6%
3M Excs Rtn-9.4%107.0%-5.6%-16.3%-51.8%--9.4%
6M Excs Rtn-5.1%217.4%1.8%0.3%-72.4%-0.3%
12M Excs Rtn-52.6%109.2%2.0%53.5%-88.1%-2.0%
3Y Excs Rtn-132.5%58.3%267.0%-90.5%-132.3%--90.5%

Financials

Segment Financials

Revenue by Segment

$ Mil20242023202220212020
Health & Wellness362    
Technology & Shopping331    
Cybersecurity and Martech291313   
Connectivity212    
Gaming & Entertainment169    
Corporate00  0
Digital Media 1,079  711
Elimination of inter-segment revenues -1  -0
Cloud Services    662
Total1,3641,391  1,372


Operating Income by Segment
$ Mil20242023202220212020
Connectivity71    
Health & Wellness64    
Gaming & Entertainment57    
Cybersecurity and Martech4350   
Technology & Shopping-50    
Corporate-52-50  -48
Digital Media 199  77
Cloud Services    248
Total133199  277


Price Behavior

Short Interest

Short Interest: As Of Date11142025
Short Interest: Shares Quantity4,337,871
Short Interest: % Change Since 10312025-8.2%
Average Daily Volume769,357
Days-to-Cover Short Interest5.64
Basic Shares Quantity40,558,629
Short % of Basic Shares10.7%

SEC Filings

Expand for More

Report DateFiling DateFiling
93020251107202510-Q 9/30/2025
6302025807202510-Q 6/30/2025
3312025509202510-Q 3/31/2025
12312024225202510-K 12/31/2024
93020241108202410-Q 9/30/2024
6302024808202410-Q 6/30/2024
3312024509202410-Q 3/31/2024
12312023226202410-K 12/31/2023
93020231109202310-Q 9/30/2023
6302023804202310-Q 6/30/2023
3312023510202310-Q 3/31/2023
12312022301202310-K 12/31/2022
93020221109202210-Q 9/30/2022
6302022809202210-Q 6/30/2022
3312022510202210-Q 3/31/2022
12312021315202210-K 12/31/2021