MediaAlpha: Cheap Enough For The Insurance Ad Recovery

MediaAlpha is now a focused P&C insurance customer acquisition marketplace, with 93% of revenue from this segment and minimal health insurance exposure. Q1 results exceeded guidance, with revenue of $310M and adjusted EBITDA of $31.4M, driven by broadening carrier participation and strong core P&C growth. Management guides for $90M–$100M of 2026 free cash flow and continues aggressive buybacks, supporting a double-digit FCF yield at current valuation. I rate MAX a Buy: valuation is attractive, cash generation is robust, and growth remains positive, though P&C ad spending is cyclical and margins are thin.

MediaAlpha ( MAX ) has already recovered from its worst levels, Wall Street is positive, and the setup is now more about execution than neglect. The main reason I like the stock is that the business has