Key Highlights

  • MediaAlpha (NYSE:MAX) closed the latest session at USD 15.08, up 0.17%, with gains of 7.37% over 1 week and 55.41% over 1 month in a published screener snapshot dated November 5, 2026.
  • Longer windows show 21.08% over 3 months, 64.93% over 6 months and 16.41% year to date, so the monthly surge extends a trend already in place for half a year.
  • Third quarter 2026 Revenue rose 23% to USD 376 million, contribution rose 26% to USD 57 million and adjusted EBITDA rose 36% to USD 39 million, according to the October 28, 2026 call.
  • Fourth quarter guidance calls for revenue of USD 355 million to USD 375 million, contribution of USD 54 million to USD 57 million and adjusted EBITDA of USD 36 million to USD 39 million.

What Moved MediaAlpha (55.41% in 1 Month)

MediaAlpha gained 55.41% over a month and 7.37% over a week, ending at USD 15.08. The trigger was the third quarter report on October 28, 2026. Revenue of USD 376 million grew 23%, or 26% excluding the under-65 health business. Adjusted EBITDA of USD 39 million grew 36%, or 42% on the same basis. Home and renters revenue reached USD 66 million, up 116%, and agent revenue reached USD 21 million, up about 46%. Contribution was USD 57 million, up 26%. The 7.37% weekly gain after the report shows buyers kept bidding a week after the release, while the latest session added only 0.17%, so momentum has cooled. The company describes itself as an insurance customer Acquisition platform, so these figures show how much carriers spent with it.

Why a Stock Like This Re-Rates

The rationale is an Earnings beat and raised operating scale combined with buybacks. Since September 2025 the company has repurchased about USD 115 million of stock, cutting shares outstanding by about 11.2 million, or 16%. In the third quarter it bought about 800,000 shares for USD 9 million at USD 11.25, then about 1.8 million shares for USD 18 million at USD 10.38 through October 26. The USD 100 million authorization had USD 82 million used. Full year free Cash Flow guidance of USD 90 million to USD 100 million was maintained. Shrinking the share count lifts per share earnings even when Net Income is flat, which is one reason a buyback can support a re-rating. A TRA Liability repurchase in September cost USD 12 million for USD 23 million of liability, giving an USD 11 million gain.

Valuation, Liquidity and Risks After a Big Run

Cash was USD 18.7 million at quarter end, with USD 30 million available on the revolver and USD 10 million drawn afterward to fund buybacks, so repurchases rely partly on borrowing. Roughly 58.8 million shares at USD 15.08 imply a rough Market Value near USD 887 million, calculated. Buybacks bought at USD 10.38 now sit well below the price. Small caps can see a small number of trades move the price, spreads can be wide, and the 55.41% run may reverse. An insurance Advertising model also depends on carrier spending, and the snapshot gave no P/E. Average Volume and the 52-week range were not visible, so liquidity is unverified.

Where Things Stand

MediaAlpha (NYSE:MAX) rose 55.41% in a month mainly because third quarter revenue grew 23% to USD 376 million and guidance pointed to about 25% growth in the fourth quarter at the midpoint. It appears on the small cap 1 month leaderboard. The 6 month gain of 64.93% shows the run began earlier, and this article makes no forecast. The stock closed at USD 15.08, only 0.17% higher in the latest session, after the 7.37% weekly gain, which suggests buying has slowed.