Ziff Davis (ZD) Q1 2025 Earnings
How Did ZD Stock React to Q1 2025 Earnings?
S&P 500 over the same 30 days: +6.73%.
Did ZD Beat Earnings? Q1 2025 Results
No. Ziff Davis reported Q1 2025 earnings of $1.14 a share on May 8, 2025, missing the $1.25 consensus estimate by 8.6%. Revenue was $328.6M against a $322.8M estimate.
Ziff Davis opened 2025 on a stronger-than-expected footing, with CEO Vivek Shah acknowledging the quarter exceeded internal targets even as the earnings picture remained nuanced. The digital media company posted Q1 2025 revenue of $328.64 million, up 4.5% year-over-year, powered by a 12.3% surge in advertising and performance marketing revenues to $175.00 million — a standout in an environment where <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2026/02/26/one-quarter-ago-zoom-beat-by-148-this-quarter-it-missed/">revenue consistency has been elusive</a> across tech-adjacent names. Adjusted diluted EPS slipped 10.2% to $1.14 from $1.27 a year ago, reflecting margin pressure as Adjusted EBITDA edged down 0.6% to $100.18 million, with margins contracting to 30.5%. The Technology & Shopping segment led growth at 17.9%, while Cybersecurity & Martech remained a drag, declining 10.8% to $67.31 million. GAAP net income more than doubled to $24.24 million, aided by the absence of prior-year investment losses. Ziff Davis reaffirmed full-year 2025 guidance, targeting revenue of $1.44 billion to $1.50 billion and Adjusted diluted EPS of $6.64 to $7.28, implying roughly 5% midpoint growth across key metrics.
- Advertising and performance marketing revenue grew 12.3% YoY to $175M
- Technology & Shopping segment led growth at 17.9% YoY
- Health & Wellness segment revenue grew 7.3% with improved advertising retention rate of 94.9%
- GAAP net income benefited from absence of prior-year investment losses and gains from equity method investments
- Subscription and licensing revenue declined 2.0% YoY
- Organic revenue declined 3% while total revenue grew 4.5%, indicating acquisition contribution
“We are pleased with our overall first quarter performance, which surpassed our internal targets. The combination of accelerating revenue growth, a healthy M&A cadence, and our active share buyback program has us optimistic about our prospects for the balance of the year.”
Ziff Davis CEO, on the earnings call
What Was Ziff Davis's Outlook in Q1 2025?
Ziff Davis reaffirmed its fiscal year 2025 guidance: Revenues of $1,442M to $1,502M (midpoint ~5.0% YoY growth), Adjusted EBITDA of $505M to $542M (midpoint ~6.0% YoY growth), and Adjusted diluted EPS of $6.64 to $7.28 (midpoint ~5.1% YoY growth). The anticipated adjusted effective tax rate for 2025 is between 23.25% and 25.25%.
ZD YoY Financials
ZD Revenue by Segment
Figures from SEC filings and company reports. Not investment advice.