MAX (MediaAlpha) Piotroski F-Score: 5 (As of Jun. 26, 2026) — 25% Above Median


MAX MediaAlpha Inc MAX
66 GF Score
Price $11.00
GF Value $18.28
Valuation Possible Value Trap
! 4 Warning Signs
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What is MediaAlpha Piotroski F-Score?

MediaAlpha MAX +2.23% 66 Piotroski F-Score is 5 as of Jun. 26, 2026, which is 25% above its 10-year median of 4.00. GuruFocus rates MAX with a GF Score™ of 66/100 and a GF Value™ of $18.28 (Possible Value Trap). The stock has 4 warning signs investors should review. Among 550 Interactive Media companies, MediaAlpha ranks better than 59.82% on this metric.

The zones of discrimination were as such:

Good or high score = 7, 8, 9
Bad or low score = 0, 1, 2, 3

MediaAlpha has an F-score of 5 indicating the company's financial situation is typical for a stable company.

The historical rank and industry rank for MediaAlpha's Piotroski F-Score or its related term are showing as below:

MAX' s Piotroski F-Score Range Over the Past 10 Years
Min: 2   Med: 4   Max: 8
Current: 5

During the past 8 years, the highest Piotroski F-Score of MediaAlpha was 8. The lowest was 2. And the median was 4.

MediaAlpha  (NYSE:MAX) Piotroski F-Score Explanation

The developer of the system is Joseph D. Piotroski is relatively unknown accounting professor who shuns publicity and rarely gives interviews.

He graduated from the University of Illinois with a B.S. in accounting in 1989, received an M.B.A. from Indiana University in 1994. Five years later, in 1999, after earning a Ph.D. in accounting from the University of Michigan, he became an associate professor of accounting at the University of Chicago.

In 2000, he wrote a research paper called "Value Investing: The Use of Historical Financial Statement Information to Separate Winners from Losers" (pdf).

He wanted to see if he can develop a system (using a simple nine-point scoring system) that can increase the returns of a strategy of investing in low price to book (referred to in the paper as high book to market) value companies.

What he found was something that exceeded his most optimistic expectations.

Buying only those companies that scored highest (8 or 9) on his nine-point scale, or F-Score as he called it, over the 20 year period from 1976 to 1996 led to an average out-performance over the market of 13.4%.

Even more impressive were the results of a strategy of investing in the highest F-Score companies (8 or 9) and shorting companies with the lowest F-Score (0 or 1).

Over the same period from 1976 to 1996 (20 years) this strategy led to an average yearly return of 23%, substantially outperforming the average S&P 500 index return of 15.83% over the same period.


MediaAlpha Piotroski F-Score Related Terms


MediaAlpha Piotroski F-Score Historical Data

* Premium members only.

The historical data trend for MediaAlpha's Piotroski F-Score can be seen below:

* For Operating Data section: All numbers are indicated by the unit behind each term and all currency related amount are in USD.
* For other sections: All numbers are in millions except for per share data, ratio, and percentage. All currency related amount are indicated in the company's associated stock exchange currency.

MediaAlpha Piotroski F-Score Chart

MediaAlpha Annual Data
Trend Dec18 Dec19 Dec20 Dec21 Dec22 Dec23 Dec24 Dec25
Piotroski F-Score
Get a 7-Day Free Trial 5.00 3.00 4.00 7.00 4.00

MediaAlpha Quarterly Data
Jun21 Sep21 Dec21 Mar22 Jun22 Sep22 Dec22 Mar23 Jun23 Sep23 Dec23 Mar24 Jun24 Sep24 Dec24 Mar25 Jun25 Sep25 Dec25 Mar26
Piotroski F-Score Get a 7-Day Free Trial Premium Member Only Premium Member Only Premium Member Only Premium Member Only Premium Member Only Premium Member Only Premium Member Only Premium Member Only Premium Member Only Premium Member Only Premium Member Only Premium Member Only 7.00 6.00 3.00 4.00 5.00

MAX vs GETY, SSTK, BMBL: Piotroski F-Score Comparison

For the Internet Content & Information subindustry, MediaAlpha's Piotroski F-Score, along with its competitors' market caps and Piotroski F-Score data, can be viewed below:

* Competitive companies are chosen from companies within the same industry, with headquarter located in same country, with closest market capitalization; x-axis shows the market cap, and y-axis shows the term value; the bigger the dot, the larger the market cap. Note that "N/A" values will not show up in the chart.


MediaAlpha Piotroski F-Score vs Interactive Media Industry

For the Interactive Media industry and Communication Services sector, MediaAlpha's Piotroski F-Score distribution charts can be found below:

* The bar in red indicates where MediaAlpha's Piotroski F-Score falls into.


MAX
66GF Score
MediaAlpha Inc MAX
Piotroski F-Score is just one metric. See GF Score™, valuation, warning signs, and more.
View Full Analysis

How is the Piotroski F-Score calculated?

* For Operating Data section: All numbers are indicated by the unit behind each term and all currency related amount are in USD.
* For other sections: All numbers are in millions except for per share data, ratio, and percentage. All currency related amount are indicated in the company's associated stock exchange currency.

This Year (Mar26) TTM:Last Year (Mar25) TTM:
Net Income was -18.742 + 14.907 + 31.406 + 11.467 = $39 Mil.
Cash Flow from Operations was 25.722 + 23.623 + -7.448 + -1.556 = $40 Mil.
Revenue was 251.622 + 306.514 + 291.155 + 310.004 = $1,159 Mil.
Gross Profit was 37.687 + 43.406 + 44.811 + 46.699 = $173 Mil.
Average Total Assets from the begining of this year (Mar25)
to the end of this year (Mar26) was
(239.983 + 249.418 + 266.23 + 383.831 + 367.715) / 5 = $301.4354 Mil.
Total Assets at the begining of this year (Mar25) was $240 Mil.
Long-Term Debt & Capital Lease Obligation was $156 Mil.
Total Current Assets was $165 Mil.
Total Current Liabilities was $113 Mil.
Net Income was 3.62 + 9.482 + 4.64 + -1.948 = $16 Mil.

Revenue was 178.274 + 259.133 + 300.648 + 264.309 = $1,002 Mil.
Gross Profit was 31.685 + 39.226 + 48.982 + 41.639 = $162 Mil.
Average Total Assets from the begining of last year (Mar24)
to the end of last year (Mar25) was
(153.023 + 198.225 + 236.11 + 262.447 + 239.983) / 5 = $217.9576 Mil.
Total Assets at the begining of last year (Mar24) was $153 Mil.
Long-Term Debt & Capital Lease Obligation was $151 Mil.
Total Current Assets was $182 Mil.
Total Current Liabilities was $109 Mil.

*Note: If the latest quarterly/semi-annual/annual total assets data is 0, then we will use previous quarterly/semi-annual/annual data for all the items in the balance sheet.

Profitability

Question 1. Return on Assets (ROA)

Net income before extraordinary items for the year divided by Total Assets at the beginning of the year.

Score 1 if positive, 0 if negative.

MediaAlpha's current Net Income (TTM) was 39. ==> Positive ==> Score 1.

Question 2. Cash Flow Return on Assets (CFROA)

Net cash flow from operating activities (operating cash flow) divided by Total Assets at the beginning of the year.

Score 1 if positive, 0 if negative.

MediaAlpha's current Cash Flow from Operations (TTM) was 40. ==> Positive ==> Score 1.

Question 3. Change in Return on Assets

Compare this year's return on assets (1) to last year's return on assets.

Score 1 if it's higher, 0 if it's lower.

ROA (This Year)=Net Income/Total Assets (Mar25)
=39.038/239.983
=0.16266986

ROA (Last Year)=Net Income/Total Assets (Mar24)
=15.794/153.023
=0.10321324

MediaAlpha's return on assets of this year was 0.16266986. MediaAlpha's return on assets of last year was 0.10321324. ==> This year is higher. ==> Score 1.

Question 4. Quality of Earnings (Accrual)

Compare Cash flow return on assets (2) to return on assets (1)

Score 1 if CFROA > ROA, 0 if CFROA <= ROA.

MediaAlpha's current Net Income (TTM) was 39. MediaAlpha's current Cash Flow from Operations (TTM) was 40. ==> 40 > 39 ==> CFROA > ROA ==> Score 1.

Funding

Question 5. Change in Gearing or Leverage

Compare this year's gearing (long-term debt divided by average total assets) to last year's gearing.

Score 0 if this year's gearing is higher, 1 otherwise.

Gearing (This Year: Mar26)=Long-Term Debt & Capital Lease Obligation/Average Total Assets from Mar25 to Mar26
=156.336/301.4354
=0.51863849

Gearing (Last Year: Mar25)=Long-Term Debt & Capital Lease Obligation/Average Total Assets from Mar24 to Mar25
=151.375/217.9576
=0.69451581

MediaAlpha's gearing of this year was 0.51863849. MediaAlpha's gearing of last year was 0.69451581. ==> This year is lower or equal to last year. ==> Score 1.

Question 6. Change in Working Capital (Liquidity)

Compare this year's current ratio (current assets divided by current liabilities) to last year's current ratio.

Score 1 if this year's current ratio is higher, 0 if it's lower

Current Ratio (This Year: Mar26)=Total Current Assets/Total Current Liabilities
=165.205/113.169
=1.4598079

Current Ratio (Last Year: Mar25)=Total Current Assets/Total Current Liabilities
=182.465/109.416
=1.66762631

MediaAlpha's current ratio of this year was 1.4598079. MediaAlpha's current ratio of last year was 1.66762631. ==> Last year's current ratio is higher ==> Score 0.

Question 7. Change in Shares in Issue

Compare the number of shares in issue this year, to the number in issue last year.

Score 0 if there is larger number of shares in issue this year, 1 otherwise.

MediaAlpha's number of shares in issue this year was 55.846. MediaAlpha's number of shares in issue last year was 55.632. ==> There is larger number of shares in issue this year. ==> Score 0.

Efficiency

Question 8. Change in Gross Margin

Compare this year's gross margin (Gross Profit divided by sales) to last year's.

Score 1 if this year's gross margin is higher, 0 if it's lower.

Gross Margin (This Year: TTM)=Gross Profit/Revenue
=172.603/1159.295
=0.14888618

Gross Margin (Last Year: TTM)=Gross Profit/Revenue
=161.532/1002.364
=0.16115104

MediaAlpha's gross margin of this year was 0.14888618. MediaAlpha's gross margin of last year was 0.16115104. ==> Last year's gross margin is higher ==> Score 0.

Question 9. Change in asset turnover

Compare this year's asset turnover (total sales for the year divided by total assets at the beginning of the year) to last year's asset turnover ratio.

Score 1 if this year's asset turnover ratio is higher, 0 if it's lower

Asset Turnover (This Year)=Revenue/Total Assets at the Beginning of This Year (Mar25)
=1159.295/239.983
=4.83073801

Asset Turnover (Last Year)=Revenue/Total Assets at the Beginning of Last Year (Mar24)
=1002.364/153.023
=6.55041399

MediaAlpha's asset turnover of this year was 4.83073801. MediaAlpha's asset turnover of last year was 6.55041399. ==> Last year's asset turnover is higher ==> Score 0.

Evaluation

Piotroski F-Score= Que. 1+ Que. 2+ Que. 3+Que. 4+Que. 5+Que. 6+Que. 7+Que. 8+Que. 9
=1+1+1+1+1+0+0+0+0
=5

Good or high score = 7, 8, 9
Bad or low score = 0, 1, 2, 3

MediaAlpha has an F-score of 5 indicating the company's financial situation is typical for a stable company.

Frequently Asked Questions Learn more about Piotroski F-Score →
What does a Piotroski F-Score of 5 mean?
MediaAlpha (MAX) has a Piotroski F-Score of 5 as of Jun. 26, 2026. The Piotroski F-score grades a company's business operating strength from 0-9. View historical data on MediaAlpha and its competitors. This is 25% above median its historical median of 4.00. Over the past decade, MediaAlpha's Piotroski F-Score has ranged from 2.00 to 8.00. According to the industry distribution chart, MediaAlpha ranks #221 out of 550 companies in the Interactive Media industry, placing it in the top 40.2%.
Is MediaAlpha's Piotroski F-Score too high?
MediaAlpha's current Piotroski F-Score of 5 is 25% above median its 10-year median of 4.00. Over the past 10 years, this metric has ranged from a low of 2.00 to a high of 8.00. The Interactive Media industry median Piotroski F-Score is 5.00. MediaAlpha's value of 5 is 0% at this industry median. Based on the distribution chart, MediaAlpha ranks #221 out of 550 companies in the Interactive Media industry, which is above the industry midpoint. Overall, MediaAlpha has a GF Score™ of 66/100 and is considered Possible Value Trap, reflecting its overall financial health beyond just this single metric.
How does MediaAlpha's Piotroski F-Score compare to GETY and SSTK?
According to the Interactive Media industry distribution chart, MediaAlpha ranks #221 out of 550 companies for Piotroski F-Score. This puts MediaAlpha in the upper half of its industry. The industry median Piotroski F-Score is 5.00. MediaAlpha's value of 5 is 0% at this benchmark. Historically, MediaAlpha's own Piotroski F-Score has ranged from 2.00 to 8.00 over the past decade. While the company's 10-year median is 4.00 vs. the industry median of 5.00, MediaAlpha has consistently been at the industry average. See the competitive comparison table and distribution chart on this page for a detailed peer-by-peer breakdown.
What is a good Piotroski F-Score for an Interactive Media company?
The median Piotroski F-Score among Interactive Media companies is 5.00, based on 550 companies in the industry. Companies in the top quartile (top 25%) have a Piotroski F-Score significantly above this median, while those in the bottom quartile fall well below. However, Piotroski F-Score should not be evaluated in isolation — investors should consider it alongside profitability, growth, and financial strength metrics. MediaAlpha's current Piotroski F-Score of 5 is 0% at the industry median. Use the industry distribution chart on this page to see where any company falls relative to its peers.
What does a high Piotroski F-Score mean?
A high Piotroski F-Score can signal that a stock is expensive relative to its fundamentals. The Piotroski F-score grades a company's business operating strength from 0-9. View historical data on MediaAlpha and its competitors. For the Interactive Media industry, the median Piotroski F-Score is 5.00 — values significantly above this may indicate overvaluation, while values below may suggest a bargain or underlying issues. MediaAlpha's current Piotroski F-Score is 5, which is 25% above median its own 10-year median of 4.00. However, context matters — high-growth companies often justify higher valuations. Always evaluate alongside other metrics like GF Score™ and GF Value™.
Is MediaAlpha stock overvalued right now?
Based on GuruFocus' analysis, MediaAlpha (MAX) is currently considered Possible Value Trap. The stock's GF Value™ is $18.28, compared to a current price of $11.00 — trading 39.8% below its estimated fair value. The current Piotroski F-Score is 5, which is 25% above median its 10-year median of 4.00 and 0% at the Interactive Media industry median of 5.00. MediaAlpha's overall GF Score™ is 66/100 with 4 warning signs to review. Investors should evaluate multiple metrics — including profitability, growth, and financial strength — before making a decision.
How is Piotroski F-Score calculated?
Piotroski F-Score is calculated from a company's financial statements. For MediaAlpha (MAX), the current Piotroski F-Score is 5 as of Jun. 26, 2026. GuruFocus calculates this using data sourced from SEC filings and annual reports. See the calculation section and 30-year financial data on this page for the full breakdown.

Is MediaAlpha (MAX) Overvalued in 2026?

Based on GuruFocus' analysis, MediaAlpha stock appears to be undervalued. The current stock price of $11.00 is trading 39.8% below its estimated GF Value™ of $18.28. GuruFocus considers MediaAlpha to be Possible Value Trap.

Key valuation signals for MAX:

  • Piotroski F-Score: 5 (25% above median its 10-year median of 4.00)
  • GF Value™: $18.28 vs. price of $11.00 (39.8% below fair value)
  • GF Score™: 66/100 with 4 warning signs
  • Industry Position: 0% at the Interactive Media median (#221 of 550)

No single metric tells the full story. See the MAX stock analysis page for a complete view including 30-year financials, guru trades, and insider activity.


MediaAlpha Business Description

Address 700 South Flower Street, Suite 640, Los Angeles, CA, USA, 90017
MediaAlpha Inc provides a platform that enables insurance carriers and distributors to target and acquire customers. The company's technology platform brings insurance carriers and consumers together through a real-time, transparent, and results-driven ecosystem. It serves as a customer acquisition channel in property and casualty insurance, health insurance, and life insurance. The company operates in the United States and generates revenue by earning a fee for each consumer referral sold on its platform.
66GF Score

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Piotroski F-Score is just one metric. See GF Value™, 30-year financials, guru trades, warning signs, and more.

$11.00
Price
$18.28
GF Value