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Cardlytics Inc (CDLX)
NASDAQ:CDLX
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Cardlytics (CDLX) AI Stock Analysis

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CDLX

Cardlytics

(NASDAQ:CDLX)

Rating:45Neutral
Price Target:
$2.00
▲(6.38%Upside)
Cardlytics is experiencing significant financial difficulties with negative profit margins and high leverage. Despite some technical stability, the valuation is challenging with a negative P/E ratio and volatile beta. While there are strategic expansions and partnerships, financial instability and market uncertainties remain key concerns.
Positive Factors
Balance Sheet
The balance sheet update was constructive and gives more confidence that there is enough runway for CDLX to execute on its turnaround.
Financial Performance
CDLX's 1Q results beat Street numbers on the top and bottom line, as new pipeline conversions and better execution resulted in a solid quarter.
Pricing Model Adoption
The adoption of engagement-based pricing increased to 61% of advertisers, up from 51% last quarter, with 90%+ new brands adopting this model in Q4, showing improved visibility.
Negative Factors
Contract Uncertainty
The bigger question mark concerns the relationship with Bank of America, as the current contract is set to lapse.
Price Target Adjustment
The target price is lowered to $3 due to broader multiple compression in the space, despite maintaining a Hold rating.
Revenue Outlook
Mgmt’s Q1 outlook was muted and mgmt commentary for the remainder of FY25 suggests to us a more gradual billings rebound than we had previously expected.

Cardlytics (CDLX) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Cardlytics Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionCardlytics (CDLX) is a digital advertising platform that operates within the fintech sector. It specializes in providing purchase intelligence and data-driven marketing solutions. The company partners with financial institutions to provide targeted, data-based marketing campaigns, leveraging consumer purchase data to deliver personalized advertising to customers within their banking platforms.
How the Company Makes MoneyCardlytics makes money primarily through its card-linked marketing platform, which generates revenue by charging marketers for accessing its services. The company partners with banks and other financial institutions to access anonymized purchase data, which is used to create targeted advertising campaigns for businesses looking to reach specific consumer segments. Cardlytics earns revenue through a combination of fees for ad placements and performance-based pricing models, where they receive a share of the sales generated from the campaigns. Significant partnerships with major banks enhance their data reach and audience targeting capabilities, further contributing to their revenue.

Cardlytics Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:May 07, 2025
(Q1-2025)
|
% Change Since: -12.96%|
Next Earnings Date:Aug 06, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Neutral
The earnings call revealed a mixed performance for Cardlytics. While there were significant achievements in expanding partnerships and maintaining strong consumer spending, there were also notable challenges such as declines in billings and revenue, particularly in the travel category. The strategic move to expand beyond financial institutions shows potential, but macroeconomic uncertainties and a workforce reduction indicate caution.
Q1-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Strong Consumer Spending Rebound
Despite initial softness in February, consumer spending rebounded in March and grew steadily in April, driven by growth in categories like auto, home improvement, e-commerce, and apparel.
Successful Launch of Cardlytics Rewards Platform
Cardlytics signed its first non-FI partner agreement with a leading digital sports platform for the Cardlytics Rewards Platform, marking a significant expansion beyond financial institutions.
Expansion in the U.K. Market
Revenue in the U.K. grew by 8.6%, driven by higher billings and increased supply, with 15 new brands signing on in categories like travel, entertainment, and restaurants.
High Engagement with Insights Portal
There was a 77% sequential increase in advertisers using the Insights portal in Q1, contributing directly to high-value renewals.
Increased Supply and Engagement
Cardlytics launched with a new large FI partner and a neobank, seeing strong engagement and high redemption rates.
New Chief Business Officer
Rory Mitchell joined as the new Chief Business Officer, bringing over 15 years of experience in Commerce Media.
Negative Updates
Decline in Total Billings and Revenue
Total billings decreased by 7.3% to $97.6 million, and revenue decreased by 8.4% to $61.9 million, driven by lower top line billings and category mix of advertisers.
Reduced Travel Category Revenue
There was a decline in the travel category as budgets shrank from a few key accounts, contributing to overall revenue decrease.
Adjusted EBITDA Loss
Adjusted EBITDA was negative $4.4 million, a decline of $4.6 million compared to the previous year.
15% Workforce Reduction
A 15% reduction in the workforce was implemented, translating to $16 million in annualized savings.
Non-renewal of Bank of America Agreement
Cardlytics will not be renewing its current agreement with Bank of America, though the impact is expected to be non-material.
Company Guidance
During the Cardlytics Inc. Q1 2025 earnings call, the company provided guidance for Q2 2025, projecting billings between $100 million and $108 million, revenue between $61 million and $67 million, adjusted contribution between $32.5 million and $36.5 million, and adjusted EBITDA ranging from negative $4 million to positive $1 million. The call highlighted a 12% increase in monthly qualified users (MQUs) to 214.9 million, largely driven by the introduction of a new large financial institution partner. The company is focusing on diversifying supply, growing Bridg, and optimizing its network while maintaining a disciplined approach to expense management. Despite macroeconomic uncertainties, Cardlytics is leveraging its data capabilities to support advertisers, with particular strength seen in everyday spend categories and specialty retail.

Cardlytics Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Cardlytics is facing considerable financial challenges with declining revenues and persistent losses. The company has a high debt-to-equity ratio, negative profit margins, and negative equity returns, highlighting significant financial risks. Despite improvements in operating cash flow, the need to address profitability and manage debt effectively remains crucial.
Income Statement
40
Negative
Cardlytics has experienced declining revenue over the recent period, with a revenue decrease of 2.05% from the previous year. The company's gross profit margin remains relatively stable at 42.68% for TTM (Trailing-Twelve-Months), but net profit margin is significantly negative at -65.43%, indicating ongoing challenges in achieving profitability. EBIT and EBITDA margins are also negative, highlighting operational inefficiencies.
Balance Sheet
35
Negative
The company exhibits a high debt-to-equity ratio of 3.44, indicating significant leverage and potential risk if revenues continue to decline. Return on equity is negative at -278.25% due to ongoing net losses. The equity ratio is low at 17.36%, suggesting limited equity cushion and a reliance on liabilities for financing.
Cash Flow
45
Neutral
While Cardlytics has managed to improve its operating cash flow, turning positive in the TTM period, free cash flow remains negative. The free cash flow to net income ratio is low, indicating limited conversion of accounting profits to cash. The operating cash flow to net income ratio is positive but reflects the company's struggle to generate cash consistently.
BreakdownDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue278.30M309.20M298.54M267.12M186.89M
Gross Profit120.89M130.38M112.63M103.34M63.27M
EBITDA-152.53M-99.00M-418.98M-89.91M-39.51M
Net Income-189.30M-134.70M-465.26M-128.56M-58.47M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets392.71M574.14M691.24M1.26B422.54M
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments65.59M91.83M121.91M233.47M293.24M
Total Debt221.65M266.11M235.26M197.23M188.12M
Total Liabilities322.72M439.35M479.63M573.10M265.35M
Stockholders Equity69.99M134.80M211.60M690.70M157.19M
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow-28.12M-12.58M-67.39M-51.09M-17.71M
Operating Cash Flow-8.82M-185.00K-53.90M-38.52M-7.60M
Investing Cash Flow-18.75M-10.06M-15.76M-506.69M-10.12M
Financing Cash Flow1.44M-20.03M-39.99M486.00M206.43M

Cardlytics Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Negative
Last Price1.88
Price Trends
50DMA
1.88
Positive
100DMA
1.86
Positive
200DMA
2.70
Negative
Market Momentum
MACD
0.09
Positive
RSI
45.94
Neutral
STOCH
16.57
Positive
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For CDLX, the sentiment is Negative. The current price of 1.88 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 2.05, above the 50-day MA of 1.88, and below the 200-day MA of 2.70, indicating a neutral trend. The MACD of 0.09 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 45.94 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 16.57 is Positive, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Negative sentiment for CDLX.

Cardlytics Risk Analysis

Cardlytics disclosed 56 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Cardlytics reported the most risks in the "Finance & Corporate" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

Cardlytics Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (55)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
71
Outperform
$697.49M12.519.10%7.70%-2.69%61.73%
61
Neutral
$84.51M-16.55%-2.67%21.65%
60
Neutral
$70.23M-34.39%18.20%50.08%
55
Neutral
HK$63.09B-0.94-4.02%5.55%-3.40%-16.18%
54
Neutral
$112.01M74.55%11.61%-0.16%57.03%
45
Neutral
$98.70M-135.48%-12.77%19.71%
45
Neutral
$43.41M-123.16%-15.07%33.40%
* Communication Services Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
CDLX
Cardlytics
1.88
-5.22
-73.52%
DLX
Deluxe
15.59
-2.75
-14.99%
INUV
Inuvo
4.86
1.95
67.01%
MCHX
Marchex
1.92
0.11
6.08%
FLNT
Fluent
2.10
-0.62
-22.79%
TSQ
Townsquare Media
6.85
-2.89
-29.67%

Cardlytics Corporate Events

Business Operations and Strategy
Cardlytics Extends Agreement with JPMorgan Chase
Neutral
Jul 8, 2025

On July 7, 2025, Cardlytics, Inc. announced the extension of its Master Agreement with JPMorgan Chase Bank until November 18, 2028, through a Fourth Amendment. This amendment includes changes to Supplier Billings Share, Incentive Bonus, and Quality Credits, with a notable reduction in Supplier Billings Share starting January 1, 2026, although it remains higher than the level before the Third Amendment.

The most recent analyst rating on (CDLX) stock is a Hold with a $4.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Cardlytics stock, see the CDLX Stock Forecast page.

Shareholder MeetingsBusiness Operations and Strategy
Cardlytics Annual Meeting Approves Key Proposals
Neutral
May 20, 2025

On May 20, 2025, Cardlytics held its Annual Meeting where stockholders voted on several key proposals. The election of three board nominees, the ratification of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the independent auditor, the approval of the 2025 Equity Incentive Plan, and the advisory approval of executive compensation were all passed with majority votes. This meeting reflects the company’s ongoing governance and strategic planning efforts, potentially impacting its operational and financial strategies moving forward.

The most recent analyst rating on (CDLX) stock is a Hold with a $4.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Cardlytics stock, see the CDLX Stock Forecast page.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Jul 30, 2025