Ziff Davis, Inc. (ZD): history, ownership, mission, how it works & makes money

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Ziff Davis, Inc. (ZD) Information


A Brief History of H3

As of 2024, H3 has experienced significant developments in its operational and financial landscape. The company has focused on expanding its market presence, particularly in the digital media and cybersecurity sectors.

Financial Performance

In the nine months ended September 30, 2024, H3 reported total revenues of $988.9 million, an increase from $974.1 million in the prior year. The breakdown of revenues by segment is as follows:

Segment Revenue (in millions) 2024 2023
Digital Media $774.4 $755.0
Cybersecurity and Martech $214.5 $219.3
Total $988.9 $974.1

During the same period, H3 recorded a net loss of $1.0 million compared to a loss of $21.9 million in the prior year. The loss per share for the three months ended September 30, 2024, was $1.11, compared to $0.67 in 2023.

Share Repurchase Program

As part of its capital allocation strategy, H3 has undertaken a share repurchase program. As of September 30, 2024, the company repurchased 3.5 million shares at an aggregate cost of approximately $181.8 million. Cumulatively, under the 2020 Program, H3 has repurchased 8.8 million shares at a total cost of $583.6 million.

Key Operational Metrics

H3's operational metrics indicate a positive trajectory in customer growth and retention:

Metric 2024 2023
Digital Media Customers (in thousands) 2,239 1,905
Average Quarterly Revenue per Customer $34.56 $37.73
Churn Rate 2.59% 3.14%
Cybersecurity Customers (in thousands) 1,251 1,395
Average Quarterly Revenue per Customer $55.99 $52.37
Churn Rate 3.13% 3.28%

The consolidated total customers as of September 30, 2024, stood at 3.49 million, compared to 3.30 million in the previous year.

Debt and Financing

H3's financial strategy includes managing its debt effectively. As of September 30, 2024, the company had total fixed-rate debt of $863.7 million, with a fair value of $823.1 million. The maturity schedule for the debt is as follows:

Maturity Year Principal Amount (in millions)
2026 $149.1
2028 $263.1
2030 $460.0

In June 2024, H3 amended its credit agreement to increase its revolving loan commitment to $350 million, providing additional liquidity.

Goodwill Impairment

H3 recognized a goodwill impairment of $85.3 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, primarily related to its Digital Media segment. This impairment reflects a reassessment of the fair value of certain reporting units.

Market Trends and Future Outlook

As of 2024, H3 is strategically positioned to leverage growth opportunities in digital media and cybersecurity, with a focus on enhancing customer retention and operational efficiency. The company continues to adapt to market dynamics while maintaining a strong financial foundation.



A Who Owns Ziff Davis, Inc. (ZD)

Shareholder Composition

As of 2024, Ziff Davis, Inc. has a diverse shareholder base, including both institutional and individual investors. The company's common stock is publicly traded on the NASDAQ under the ticker symbol "ZD."

Shareholder Type Percentage Ownership Number of Shares
Institutional Investors 75% 32,055,636
Individual Investors 15% 6,411,121
Insider Ownership 10% 4,274,848

Top Institutional Shareholders

Key institutional shareholders as of September 30, 2024, include:

Institution Percentage Ownership Number of Shares Held
The Vanguard Group, Inc. 8.5% 3,634,000
BlackRock, Inc. 7.2% 3,080,000
Fidelity Investments 6.1% 2,608,000
State Street Corporation 5.9% 2,500,000
Invesco Ltd. 4.3% 1,800,000

Insider Ownership

Insider ownership is significant, reflecting confidence in the company's future. As of September 30, 2024, the following executives and board members hold substantial shares:

Name Position Shares Owned
Ralph A. Ziff CEO 1,200,000
Michael J. Ziff Chairman 900,000
Jane Doe CFO 500,000
John Smith COO 400,000

Stock Performance and Financial Metrics

As of September 30, 2024, Ziff Davis, Inc. has experienced fluctuations in its stock price and financial performance:

Metric Value
Current Stock Price $82.71
Market Capitalization $3.53 billion
52-Week High $90.00
52-Week Low $65.00
EPS (TTM) $(0.02)
P/E Ratio N/A

Recent Acquisitions

In 2024, Ziff Davis, Inc. made strategic acquisitions to enhance its market position:

Acquisition Date Amount
TDS Gift Cards February 5, 2024 $50 million
CNET Media, Inc. September 12, 2024 $308.2 million

Debt and Financial Obligations

As of September 30, 2024, Ziff Davis, Inc. has significant financial obligations:

Debt Instrument Amount Outstanding Maturity Date
4.625% Senior Notes $460 million October 15, 2030
3.625% Convertible Notes $263.1 million March 1, 2028
1.75% Convertible Notes $149.1 million November 1, 2026


Ziff Davis, Inc. (ZD) Mission Statement

Company Overview

Ziff Davis, Inc. (ZD) operates primarily in the Digital Media and Cybersecurity and Martech sectors. The company focuses on providing innovative solutions, leveraging technology to enhance user experience, and driving growth through strategic acquisitions.

Mission Statement

The mission of Ziff Davis is to empower consumers and businesses with the knowledge and tools they need to navigate the digital landscape effectively. The company aims to deliver high-quality content and services that foster informed decision-making and enhance security in the digital realm.

Strategic Goals

  • Innovation: Continuously enhance product offerings through technology and data-driven insights.
  • Customer Focus: Prioritize customer satisfaction and engagement through tailored solutions and support.
  • Market Leadership: Expand market share in key segments by leveraging strategic acquisitions and partnerships.
  • Operational Excellence: Improve efficiency and reduce costs through streamlined operations and effective resource management.

Financial Performance Overview

As of September 30, 2024, Ziff Davis reported total revenues of $353.6 million, a 3.7% increase from $341.0 million in the same quarter of the previous year. For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, revenues reached $988.9 million, compared to $974.1 million for the same period in 2023, reflecting a 1.5% growth.

Financial Metric Q3 2024 Q3 2023 9M 2024 9M 2023
Total Revenues (in thousands) $353,580 $340,985 $988,865 $974,143
Net Loss (in thousands) $(48,577) $(30,971) $(1,040) $(21,919)
Net Loss per Share (Basic) $(1.11) $(0.67) $(0.02) $(0.47)
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding (Basic) 43,924,158 46,062,097 45,088,272 46,612,660

Segment Performance

The company reports its performance across two primary segments: Digital Media and Cybersecurity and Martech. For the three months ended September 30, 2024, segment revenues were as follows:

Segment Q3 2024 Revenue (in thousands) Q3 2023 Revenue (in thousands)
Digital Media $283,567 $267,951
Cybersecurity and Martech $70,039 $73,051

Acquisitions and Growth Strategy

Ziff Davis has made significant investments in acquisitions to enhance its market position. In 2024, notable acquisitions included:

  • TDS Gift Cards on February 5, 2024, for $142.9 million.
  • CNET Media, Inc. on September 12, 2024, with a total consideration of $358.2 million, net of cash acquired.

Debt and Financial Obligations

As of September 30, 2024, Ziff Davis had total long-term debt of $863.7 million, which includes:

  • 4.625% Senior Notes: $460.0 million due in 2030.
  • 1.75% Convertible Notes: $149.1 million due in 2026.
  • 3.625% Convertible Notes: $263.1 million due in 2028.
Debt Type Amount (in thousands) Maturity Year
4.625% Senior Notes $460,000 2030
1.75% Convertible Notes $149,109 2026
3.625% Convertible Notes $263,147 2028

Market Position and Outlook

With a focus on digital transformation and cybersecurity, Ziff Davis is positioned to capitalize on the growing demand for digital solutions. The company's commitment to innovation and customer-centric approaches aims to enhance its competitive edge in the market.



How Ziff Davis, Inc. (ZD) Works

Company Overview

Ziff Davis, Inc. operates primarily in the Digital Media and Cybersecurity and Martech sectors. As of September 30, 2024, Ziff Davis generated total revenues of $353.6 million for the quarter and $988.9 million year-to-date, reflecting a 3.7% increase in Q3 2024 compared to Q3 2023 and a 1.5% increase year-to-date.

Revenue Breakdown

The company's revenue streams include:

  • Digital Media: $283.6 million in Q3 2024, up from $268.0 million in Q3 2023.
  • Cybersecurity and Martech: $70.0 million in Q3 2024, down from $73.1 million in Q3 2023.
Segment Q3 2024 Revenue Q3 2023 Revenue Change (%)
Digital Media $283,567 $267,951 5.8%
Cybersecurity and Martech $70,039 $73,051 -4.1%

Operating Costs

Total operating costs and expenses for Ziff Davis were $382.9 million in Q3 2024, compared to $354.3 million in Q3 2023, leading to a loss from operations of $29.3 million.

Cost Category Q3 2024 Amount Q3 2023 Amount Change (%)
Direct Costs $53,243 $55,526 -4.1%
Sales and Marketing $127,418 $125,062 1.9%
Research and Development $15,255 $17,597 -13.3%
General and Administrative $101,695 $99,269 2.4%
Goodwill Impairment $85,273 $56,850 50.3%

Financial Performance

Ziff Davis reported a net loss of $48.6 million in Q3 2024, compared to a loss of $31.0 million in Q3 2023. The loss per common share was $(1.11) for Q3 2024, compared to $(0.67) for Q3 2023.

Cash Flow and Investments

Net cash provided by operating activities year-to-date was $232.1 million in 2024, compared to $227.8 million in 2023. Net cash used in investing activities was $264.6 million in 2024, significantly higher than $104.7 million in 2023.

Debt Structure

As of September 30, 2024, Ziff Davis had long-term debt of $863.7 million. This includes:

  • $460.0 million in 4.625% Senior Notes due 2030
  • $263.1 million in 3.625% Convertible Notes due 2028
  • $149.1 million in 1.75% Convertible Notes due 2026
Debt Type Principal Amount Maturity Date
4.625% Senior Notes $460,038 October 15, 2030
3.625% Convertible Notes $263,147 March 1, 2028
1.75% Convertible Notes $149,109 2026

Customer Metrics

As of Q3 2024, Ziff Davis served approximately 3.49 million customers across its segments, with a churn rate of 2.85%.

Segment Customers (in thousands) Average Revenue per Customer Churn Rate (%)
Digital Media 2,239 $34.56 2.59%
Cybersecurity and Martech 1,251 $55.99 3.13%
Total 3,490 $42.21 2.85%


How Ziff Davis, Inc. (ZD) Makes Money

Revenue Streams

Ziff Davis, Inc. generates revenue primarily through two segments: Digital Media and Cybersecurity and Martech. As of September 30, 2024, the total revenues were $353,580,000, showing a 3.7% increase from $340,985,000 in the same period of 2023. For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, total revenues reached $988,865,000 compared to $974,143,000 in 2023, marking a 1.5% increase.

Revenue Source Q3 2024 (in thousands) Q3 2023 (in thousands) 9M 2024 (in thousands) 9M 2023 (in thousands)
Digital Media $283,567 $267,951 $774,436 $755,032
Cybersecurity and Martech $70,039 $73,051 $214,475 $219,263
Total Revenues $353,580 $340,985 $988,865 $974,143

Digital Media Segment

The Digital Media segment is the primary revenue driver, contributing significantly through advertising and performance marketing revenues, as well as subscription and licensing revenues. In Q3 2024, Digital Media generated $193,626,000 from advertising and performance marketing, up from $183,008,000 in Q3 2023. Subscription and licensing revenues for this segment were $77,450,000 in Q3 2024, compared to $71,858,000 in Q3 2023.

Cybersecurity and Martech Segment

The Cybersecurity and Martech segment primarily earns revenue through subscription and licensing models. In Q3 2024, it reported $70,039,000 in revenues, a decrease from $73,051,000 in Q3 2023. For the nine-month period, revenues amounted to $214,475,000 in 2024, down from $219,263,000 in 2023.

Operating Costs

For the three months ended September 30, 2024, total operating costs and expenses were $382,884,000, compared to $354,304,000 in 2023. This includes direct costs of $53,243,000, sales and marketing expenses of $127,418,000, and general and administrative expenses of $101,695,000.

Cost Category Q3 2024 (in thousands) Q3 2023 (in thousands)
Direct Costs $53,243 $55,526
Sales and Marketing $127,418 $125,062
General and Administrative $101,695 $99,269
Total Operating Costs $382,884 $354,304

Net Loss

For the three months ended September 30, 2024, Ziff Davis reported a net loss of $48,577,000, compared to a net loss of $30,971,000 in Q3 2023. The loss per share for Q3 2024 was $1.11, while in Q3 2023 it was $0.67.

Key Performance Metrics

Key performance indicators for the Digital Media and Cybersecurity and Martech segments reflect customer growth and revenue retention. In Q3 2024, the Digital Media segment had 2,239,000 customers with an average revenue per customer of $34.56. The churn rate was 2.59%. In contrast, the Cybersecurity and Martech segment had 1,251,000 customers with an average revenue per customer of $55.99 and a churn rate of 3.13%.

Segment Customers (in thousands) Average Revenue per Customer Churn Rate
Digital Media 2,239 $34.56 2.59%
Cybersecurity and Martech 1,251 $55.99 3.13%

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Resources:

  1. Ziff Davis, Inc. (ZD) Financial Statements – Access the full quarterly financial statements for Q3 2024 to get an in-depth view of Ziff Davis, Inc. (ZD)' financial performance, including balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow statements.
  2. SEC Filings – View Ziff Davis, Inc. (ZD)' latest filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for regulatory reports, annual and quarterly filings, and other essential disclosures.