MAX (MediaAlpha) Beneish M-Score: -0.14 (As of Jun. 26, 2026)


MAX MediaAlpha Inc MAX
66 GF Score
Price $11.00
GF Value $18.28
Valuation Possible Value Trap
! 4 Warning Signs
View Full Analysis

What is MediaAlpha Beneish M-Score?

MediaAlpha MAX +2.23% 66 Beneish M-Score is -0.14 as of Jun. 26, 2026. 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 532 Interactive Media companies, MediaAlpha ranks worse than 94.92% on this metric.

The zones of discrimination for M-Score is as such:

An M-Score of equal or less than -1.78 suggests that the company is unlikely to be a manipulator.
An M-Score of greater than -1.78 signals that the company is likely to be a manipulator.

Warning Sign:

Beneish M-Score -0.14 higher than -1.78, which implies that the company might have manipulated its financial results.

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

MAX' s Beneish M-Score Range Over the Past 10 Years
Min: -8.47   Med: -3.25   Max: -0.14
Current: -0.14

During the past 8 years, the highest Beneish M-Score of MediaAlpha was -0.14. The lowest was -8.47. And the median was -3.25.


MediaAlpha Beneish M-Score Historical Data

* Premium members only.

The historical data trend for MediaAlpha's Beneish M-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 Beneish M-Score Chart

MediaAlpha Annual Data
Trend Dec18 Dec19 Dec20 Dec21 Dec22 Dec23 Dec24 Dec25
Beneish M-Score
Get a 7-Day Free Trial -3.00 -7.33 -4.48 -1.61 -0.82

MediaAlpha Quarterly Data
Jun21 Sep21 Dec21 Mar22 Jun22 Sep22 Dec22 Mar23 Jun23 Sep23 Dec23 Mar24 Jun24 Sep24 Dec24 Mar25 Jun25 Sep25 Dec25 Mar26
Beneish M-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 -1.96 -2.98 -3.53 -0.82 -0.14

MAX vs GETY, SSTK, BMBL: Beneish M-Score Comparison

For the Internet Content & Information subindustry, MediaAlpha's Beneish M-Score, along with its competitors' market caps and Beneish M-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 Beneish M-Score vs Interactive Media Industry

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

* The bar in red indicates where MediaAlpha's Beneish M-Score falls into.


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

MediaAlpha Beneish M-Score Calculation

The M-score was created by Professor Messod Beneish. Instead of measuring the bankruptcy risk (Altman Z-Score) or business trend (Piotroski F-Score), M-score can be used to detect the risk of earnings manipulation. This is the original research paper on M-score.

The M-Score Variables:

The M-score of MediaAlpha for today is based on a combination of the following eight different indices:

M=-4.84+0.92 * DSRI+0.528 * GMI+0.404 * AQI+0.892 * SGI+0.115 * DEPI
=-4.84+0.92 * 1.0073+0.528 * 1.0824+0.404 * 2.2978+0.892 * 1.1566+0.115 * 1
-0.172 * SGAI+4.679 * TATA-0.327 * LVGI
-0.172 * 1.0517+4.679 * 0.327634-0.327 * 0.6744
=-0.14

* 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:
Total Receivables was $134 Mil.
Revenue was 310.004 + 291.155 + 306.514 + 251.622 = $1,159 Mil.
Gross Profit was 46.699 + 44.811 + 43.406 + 37.687 = $173 Mil.
Total Current Assets was $165 Mil.
Total Assets was $368 Mil.
Property, Plant and Equipment(Net PPE) was $0 Mil.
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization(DDA) was $2 Mil.
Selling, General, & Admin. Expense(SGA) was $106 Mil.
Total Current Liabilities was $113 Mil.
Long-Term Debt & Capital Lease Obligation was $156 Mil.
Net Income was 11.467 + 31.406 + 14.907 + -18.742 = $39 Mil.
Non Operating Income was 0.615 + -123.861 + 0.772 + 0.695 = $-122 Mil.
Cash Flow from Operations was -1.556 + -7.448 + 23.623 + 25.722 = $40 Mil.
Total Receivables was $115 Mil.
Revenue was 264.309 + 300.648 + 259.133 + 178.274 = $1,002 Mil.
Gross Profit was 41.639 + 48.982 + 39.226 + 31.685 = $162 Mil.
Total Current Assets was $182 Mil.
Total Assets was $240 Mil.
Property, Plant and Equipment(Net PPE) was $0 Mil.
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization(DDA) was $7 Mil.
Selling, General, & Admin. Expense(SGA) was $87 Mil.
Total Current Liabilities was $109 Mil.
Long-Term Debt & Capital Lease Obligation was $151 Mil.




1. DSRI = Days Sales in Receivables Index

Measured as the ratio of Revenue in Total Receivables in year t to year t-1.

A large increase in DSR could be indicative of revenue inflation.

DSRI=(Receivables_t / Revenue_t) / (Receivables_t-1 / Revenue_t-1)
=(133.796 / 1159.295) / (114.846 / 1002.364)
=0.115412 / 0.114575
=1.0073

2. GMI = Gross Margin Index

Measured as the ratio of gross margin in year t-1 to gross margin in year t.

Gross margin has deteriorated when this index is above 1. A firm with poorer prospects is more likely to manipulate earnings.

GMI=GrossMargin_t-1 / GrossMargin_t
=(GrossProfit_t-1 / Revenue_t-1) / (GrossProfit_t / Revenue_t)
=(161.532 / 1002.364) / (172.603 / 1159.295)
=0.161151 / 0.148886
=1.0824

3. AQI = Asset Quality Index

AQI is the ratio of asset quality in year t to year t-1.

Asset quality is measured as the ratio of non-current assets other than Property, Plant and Equipment to Total Assets.

AQI=(1 - (CurrentAssets_t + PPE_t) / TotalAssets_t) / (1 - (CurrentAssets_t-1 + PPE_t-1) / TotalAssets_t-1)
=(1 - (165.205 + 0) / 367.715) / (1 - (182.465 + 0) / 239.983)
=0.550725 / 0.239675
=2.2978

4. SGI = Sales Growth Index

Ratio of Revenue in year t to sales in year t-1.

Sales growth is not itself a measure of manipulation. However, growth companies are likely to find themselves under pressure to manipulate in order to keep up appearances.

SGI=Sales_t / Sales_t-1
=Revenue_t / Revenue_t-1
=1159.295 / 1002.364
=1.1566

5. DEPI = Depreciation Index

Measured as the ratio of the rate of Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization in year t-1 to the corresponding rate in year t.

DEPI greater than 1 indicates that assets are being depreciated at a slower rate. This suggests that the firm might be revising useful asset life assumptions upwards, or adopting a new method that is income friendly.

DEPI=(Depreciation_t-1 / (Depreciaton_t-1 + PPE_t-1)) / (Depreciation_t / (Depreciaton_t + PPE_t))
=(6.518 / (6.518 + 0)) / (2.297 / (2.297 + 0))
=1 / 1
=1

Note: If the Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization data is not available, we assume that the depreciation rate is constant and set the Depreciation Index to 1.

6. SGAI = Sales, General and Administrative expenses Index

The ratio of Selling, General, & Admin. Expense(SGA) to Sales in year t relative to year t-1.

SGA expenses index > 1 means that the company is becoming less efficient in generate sales.

SGAI=(SGA_t / Sales_t) / (SGA_t-1 /Sales_t-1)
=(106.26 / 1159.295) / (87.36 / 1002.364)
=0.091659 / 0.087154
=1.0517

7. LVGI = Leverage Index

The ratio of total debt to Total Assets in year t relative to yeat t-1.

An LVGI > 1 indicates an increase in leverage

LVGI=((LTD_t + CurrentLiabilities_t) / TotalAssets_t) / ((LTD_t-1 + CurrentLiabilities_t-1) / TotalAssets_t-1)
=((156.336 + 113.169) / 367.715) / ((151.375 + 109.416) / 239.983)
=0.732918 / 1.086706
=0.6744

8. TATA = Total Accruals to Total Assets

Total accruals calculated as the change in working capital accounts other than cash less depreciation.

TATA=(IncomefromContinuingOperations_t - CashFlowsfromOperations_t) / TotalAssets_t
=(NetIncome_t - NonOperatingIncome_t - CashFlowsfromOperations_t) / TotalAssets_t
=(39.038 - -121.779 - 40.341) / 367.715
=0.327634

An M-Score of equal or less than -1.78 suggests that the company is unlikely to be a manipulator. An M-Score of greater than -1.78 signals that the company is likely to be a manipulator.

MediaAlpha has a M-score of -0.14 signals that the company is likely to be a manipulator.

Frequently Asked Questions Learn more about Beneish M-Score →
What does a Beneish M-Score of -0.14 mean?
MediaAlpha (MAX) has a Beneish M-Score of -0.14 as of Jun. 26, 2026. The Beneish M-score measures the likelihood of earnings manipulation. View historical data on MediaAlpha and its competitors. According to the industry distribution chart, MediaAlpha ranks #505 out of 532 companies in the Interactive Media industry, placing it in the top 94.9%.
Is MediaAlpha's Beneish M-Score too high?
MediaAlpha's current Beneish M-Score is -0.14. Based on the distribution chart, MediaAlpha ranks #505 out of 532 companies in the Interactive Media industry, which is in the bottom quartile relative to peers. 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 Beneish M-Score compare to GETY and SSTK?
According to the Interactive Media industry distribution chart, MediaAlpha ranks #505 out of 532 companies for Beneish M-Score. This places MediaAlpha in the lower half of its industry. See the competitive comparison table and distribution chart on this page for a detailed peer-by-peer breakdown.
What is a good Beneish M-Score for an Interactive Media company?
A good Beneish M-Score depends on the Interactive Media industry context. However, Beneish M-Score should not be evaluated in isolation — investors should consider it alongside profitability, growth, and financial strength metrics. Use the industry distribution chart on this page to see where any company falls relative to its peers.
What does a high Beneish M-Score mean?
A high Beneish M-Score can signal that a stock is expensive relative to its fundamentals. The Beneish M-score measures the likelihood of earnings manipulation. View historical data on MediaAlpha and its competitors. MediaAlpha's current Beneish M-Score is -0.14. 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 Beneish M-Score is -0.14. 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 Beneish M-Score calculated?
Beneish M-Score is calculated from a company's financial statements. For MediaAlpha (MAX), the current Beneish M-Score is -0.14 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:

  • Beneish M-Score: -0.14
  • GF Value™: $18.28 vs. price of $11.00 (39.8% below fair value)
  • GF Score™: 66/100 with 4 warning signs

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

Get the complete analysis for MAX

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

$11.00
Price
$18.28
GF Value