Key Highlights
- MediaAlpha, Inc. (NYSE:MAX) traded at USD 13.74, up 17.24%, in pre-market trading on Thursday, October 29, 2026 after the company's third quarter release of Wednesday, October 28, 2026 reported record Revenue and Net Income growth.
- Third quarter 2026 revenue was USD 375.9 million, up 22.7%, net income was USD 29.4 million, up 66.4%, and adjusted EBITDA was USD 39.5 million, up 35.8%, with diluted EPS of USD 0.46.
- Fourth quarter 2026 guidance is revenue of USD 355 million to USD 375 million and adjusted EBITDA of USD 36.0 million to USD 39.0 million, with full-year free Cash Flow of USD 90 million to USD 100 million.
- Cash was USD 18.7 million and total Debt USD 174.9 million at Wednesday, September 30, 2026. Pre-market quotes are thinly traded and can change before the open.
The Pre-Market Move and Its Catalyst
MediaAlpha, Inc. (NYSE:MAX), a technology platform through which insurance carriers buy customer Acquisition traffic, traded at USD 13.74, up 17.24%, in pre-market trading on Thursday, October 29, 2026. The move followed the company's third quarter release of Wednesday, October 28, 2026, which reported record quarterly revenue of USD 375.9 million and gave fourth quarter guidance. The release states that carriers are competing aggressively for new home and auto policies and that management expects double-digit growth in 2027 and beyond. Pre-market quotes reflect thin Liquidity and can change before the open at 9:30 a.m. ET. The reaction is consistent with confidence in Demand from insurance carriers rather than a one-off item.
How the Latest Results Frame the Move
MediaAlpha, Inc. (NYSE:MAX) reported third quarter revenue of USD 375.9 million, up 22.7% year over year, and net income of USD 29.4 million, up 66.4%. Diluted Earnings per Share attributable to Class A shareholders were USD 0.46 and adjusted EBITDA was USD 39.5 million, up 35.8%. Gross Margin was 14.7% and contribution margin was 15.3%. Fourth quarter guidance is revenue of USD 355 million to USD 375 million and contribution of USD 54.0 million to USD 57.0 million. Health Insurance is expected to be about 4% of fourth quarter revenue, reflecting seasonal open enrolment. In the quarter the company repurchased about 0.8 million shares for USD 9 million, and cumulative repurchases reached USD 64 million of a USD 100 million programme.
Risks and What to Watch
MediaAlpha, Inc. (NYSE:MAX) has a bull reading in which carrier competition keeps Advertising budgets high and the platform converts revenue growth into cash, supporting the free cash flow range. The bear reading notes that the fourth quarter revenue range, topping out at the third quarter figure, implies no sequential growth at its upper end, and that results depend on insurance carrier budgets and traffic costs. Cash of USD 18.7 million sits against total debt of USD 174.9 million, and a chief financial officer transition cost USD 0.9 million in severance. Investors should watch the 9:30 a.m. ET open on Thursday, October 29, 2026, the pace of Buybacks and the company's fourth quarter results.
Where Things Stand
The answer is that MediaAlpha, Inc. (NYSE:MAX) rose 17.24% pre-market because its release of Wednesday, October 28, 2026 combined record revenue of USD 375.9 million, 66.4% growth in net income and a management outlook of double-digit growth in 2027. The pre-market price was USD 13.74. The next catalysts are the 9:30 a.m. ET open on Thursday, October 29, 2026, further buybacks under the USD 100 million programme and the fourth quarter report. Pre-market prices are snapshots and can change, and this is not Investment advice.






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