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Quinstreet (QNST)
NASDAQ:QNST

Quinstreet (QNST) AI Stock Analysis

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QNST

Quinstreet

(NASDAQ:QNST)

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Neutral 69 (OpenAI - 4o)
Rating:69Neutral
Price Target:
$15.50
▲(7.19% Upside)
QuinStreet's overall stock score reflects strong financial performance and positive earnings call sentiment, bolstered by strategic acquisitions. However, high valuation metrics and neutral technical indicators temper the score, indicating a balanced outlook with potential for growth contingent on operational improvements and market conditions.
Positive Factors
Revenue Growth
Record revenue achievement indicates strong market demand and effective business strategies, supporting long-term growth prospects.
Strategic Acquisition
The acquisition of HomeBuddy enhances QuinStreet's platform and market reach, potentially boosting revenue and profitability sustainably.
Cash Flow Strength
Strong cash flow growth indicates efficient cash generation, providing financial flexibility for strategic investments and growth initiatives.
Negative Factors
Operational Efficiency
Low EBIT and EBITDA margins highlight potential inefficiencies, which could hinder profitability and require strategic focus to improve.
Financial Services Segment Decline
Decline in a major revenue segment suggests challenges in maintaining growth, potentially impacting overall revenue stability.
Tariff Uncertainty
Tariff uncertainties could limit growth in key segments, affecting revenue potential and requiring strategic adjustments.

Quinstreet (QNST) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Quinstreet Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionQuinStreet, Inc., an online performance marketing company, provides customer acquisition services for its clients in the United States and internationally. The company offers online marketing services, such as qualified clicks, leads, calls, applications, and customers through its websites or third-party publishers. It serves financial and home services industries. The company was incorporated in 1999 and is headquartered in Foster City, California.
How the Company Makes MoneyQuinstreet generates revenue primarily through performance-based marketing, where it earns commissions for successfully generating leads or conversions for its clients. This model includes pay-per-click (PPC) advertising, where clients pay for clicks on their ads, and pay-per-lead (PPL) arrangements, where clients compensate Quinstreet for each lead generated. Additionally, the company may engage in partnerships with advertisers and affiliate marketing programs, further diversifying its income streams. Quinstreet's ability to leverage its proprietary technology and data analytics enhances its effectiveness in targeting and converting leads, significantly contributing to its earnings.

Quinstreet Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Nov 06, 2025
(Q1-2026)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Feb 11, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
The earnings call highlighted QuinStreet's record-breaking revenue and strong performance in key segments like auto insurance and home services. The company is investing in AI and new media, which are already contributing positively. However, there are challenges, including a decline in the Financial Services client vertical and tariff-related uncertainties. Despite these challenges, the company's overall outlook remains optimistic, supported by a strong financial position and strategic investments.
Q1-2026 Updates
Positive Updates
Record Revenue Achievement
QuinStreet delivered record revenue of $285.9 million in Fiscal Q1 2026, surpassing their outlook for both revenue and adjusted EBITDA.
Strong Auto Insurance Growth
Auto insurance demand remained strong, with the segment growing 16% sequentially and 4% year-over-year.
Home Services Growth
The Home Services client vertical grew 15% year-over-year to a record $78.4 million in revenue.
AI Integration and Impact
QuinStreet has dozens of AI projects underway, already improving consumer satisfaction, client results, media efficiency, and productivity, contributing to revenue and margin expansion.
Share Repurchase Program
The Board of Directors authorized a new $40 million share repurchase program, reflecting confidence in the company's long-term outlook.
Strong Financial Position
QuinStreet has $101 million in cash and equivalents and no bank debt. The company repurchased $17 million worth of shares recently.
Negative Updates
Financial Services Client Vertical Decline
The Financial Services client vertical, representing 73% of Q1 revenue, declined 2% year-over-year due to a large promotional offer in the previous year.
Tariff Uncertainty Impact
Uncertainty about tariffs is delaying a significant increase in carrier marketing spend, affecting the auto insurance segment's growth potential.
Credit-Driven Vertical Challenges
Noninsurance financial services, including personal loans, credit cards, and banking, declined 10% year-over-year due to challenges in the current macro environment.
Company Guidance
During QuinStreet's Fiscal First Quarter 2026 earnings call, the company provided robust guidance, highlighting several key metrics. QuinStreet reported record revenue of $285.9 million, surpassing its revenue expectations and adjusted EBITDA, which stood at $20.5 million. The company anticipates further growth, projecting Fiscal Q2 revenue between $270 million and $280 million, with adjusted EBITDA in the range of $19 million to $20 million. For the full fiscal year 2026, QuinStreet expects revenue to grow by at least 10% year-over-year, while adjusted EBITDA is anticipated to increase by at least 20% year-over-year. The company aims for a 10% quarterly adjusted EBITDA margin within the fiscal year, leveraging growth in auto insurance revenue, higher-margin products, and increased operational efficiency. Additionally, QuinStreet announced a new $40 million share repurchase program, reflecting confidence in its long-term business outlook.

Quinstreet Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Quinstreet demonstrates solid financial health with strong revenue growth and improved profitability. The balance sheet reflects low leverage, enhancing financial stability, while cash flow metrics indicate efficient cash generation. However, there is room for improvement in operational efficiency and asset management to sustain long-term growth.
Income Statement
75
Positive
Quinstreet has shown strong revenue growth, particularly in the TTM period with a 60.7% increase. Gross profit margin is stable at around 10%, and net profit margin has improved to 0.96% in the TTM, indicating a return to profitability. However, the EBIT and EBITDA margins remain low, suggesting room for operational efficiency improvements.
Balance Sheet
70
Positive
The company maintains a low debt-to-equity ratio of 0.028, indicating low leverage and financial stability. Return on equity has improved to 4.46% in the TTM, showing better utilization of equity. However, the equity ratio has decreased slightly, suggesting a need for better asset management.
Cash Flow
80
Positive
Quinstreet's cash flow performance is strong, with a significant 40.4% growth in free cash flow in the TTM. The operating cash flow to net income ratio is healthy at 0.69, and the free cash flow to net income ratio is robust at 0.96, indicating efficient cash generation relative to earnings.
BreakdownTTMDec 2025Dec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021
Income Statement
Total Revenue1.10B1.09B613.51M580.62M582.10M578.49M
Gross Profit109.41M110.87M46.25M48.52M53.73M70.53M
EBITDA35.99M30.54M-5.76M-1.42M11.23M46.83M
Net Income10.61M4.71M-31.33M-68.87M-5.25M23.55M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets442.64M431.11M368.55M337.15M419.91M449.51M
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments101.30M101.08M50.49M73.68M96.44M110.32M
Total Debt7.00M10.20M10.97M4.58M3.86M8.54M
Total Liabilities195.94M187.06M151.72M107.35M133.91M154.37M
Stockholders Equity246.70M244.04M216.82M229.80M286.00M295.15M
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow110.05M82.91M6.69M-3.17M21.16M48.65M
Operating Cash Flow118.29M84.98M12.04M11.84M28.67M50.62M
Investing Cash Flow-12.93M-11.44M-22.73M-15.13M-9.22M-36.46M
Financing Cash Flow-29.09M-23.00M-12.51M-19.46M-33.31M-11.31M

Quinstreet Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price14.46
Price Trends
50DMA
14.32
Positive
100DMA
15.00
Negative
200DMA
15.68
Negative
Market Momentum
MACD
0.12
Negative
RSI
54.16
Neutral
STOCH
50.16
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For QNST, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 14.46 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 14.41, above the 50-day MA of 14.32, and below the 200-day MA of 15.68, indicating a neutral trend. The MACD of 0.12 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 54.16 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 50.16 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for QNST.

Quinstreet Risk Analysis

Quinstreet disclosed 43 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Quinstreet 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

Quinstreet Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (60)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
77
Outperform
$1.02B6.6015.37%0.32%69.78%
72
Outperform
$1.01B12.2912.96%5.35%-0.94%47.48%
69
Neutral
$820.63M81.564.55%43.12%
69
Neutral
$1.41B14.416.26%5.70%97.88%
65
Neutral
$1.31B66.493.80%6.76%1841.46%
62
Neutral
$927.72M217.131.21%1.28%11.18%
60
Neutral
$48.67B4.58-11.27%4.14%2.83%-41.78%
* Communication Services Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
QNST
Quinstreet
14.68
-8.77
-37.40%
DLX
Deluxe
22.23
0.73
3.40%
ZD
Ziff Davis
35.58
-20.78
-36.87%
STGW
Stagwell
5.18
-1.50
-22.46%
CRTO
Criteo SA
19.66
-21.34
-52.05%
EEX
Emerald Expositions Events
4.75
0.06
1.28%

Quinstreet Corporate Events

M&A TransactionsBusiness Operations and Strategy
QuinStreet Acquires HomeBuddy to Boost Home Services
Positive
Dec 3, 2025

On November 30, 2025, QuinStreet, Inc. entered into a definitive agreement to acquire HomeBuddy, a digital marketplace platform that connects homeowners with home services professionals. The acquisition, valued at $115 million in cash and $75 million in post-closing payments, aims to integrate HomeBuddy into QuinStreet’s Modernize Home Services business, enhancing its platform with new products and expanding its market reach. This strategic move is expected to be accretive to QuinStreet’s revenue and adjusted EBITDA, with significant growth anticipated as synergies are realized. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to close in the first quarter of 2026.

Executive/Board ChangesShareholder Meetings
QuinStreet Holds Annual Meeting of Stockholders
Neutral
Nov 4, 2025

On October 30, 2025, QuinStreet, Inc. held its Annual Meeting of Stockholders, where 91.02% of the company’s shares were represented. During the meeting, stockholders elected three Class I nominees to the Board of Directors for a three-year term, ratified PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the independent auditor for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026, and approved the executive compensation on a non-binding advisory basis.

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: Dec 09, 2025