Key Highlights

  • MediaAlpha (NYSE:MAX) closed the latest session at USD 15.08, up 0.17%, after gains of 7.37% over one week and 55.41% over one month in published market data dated November 5, 2026.
  • Over three months the shares rose 21.08%, over six months 64.93% and year to date 16.41%, so the monthly surge extends a half-year trend already in place.
  • Third quarter 2026 Revenue grew 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 projects 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.

Third-Quarter Revenue Growth and Home and Renters Strength

MediaAlpha (NYSE:MAX) climbed 55.41% over a month and 7.37% over a week, finishing at USD 15.08. The trigger was the third-quarter report of October 28, 2026. Revenue of USD 376 million grew 23%, or 26% without the under-65 health business, and adjusted EBITDA of USD 39 million rose 36%, or 42% on the same basis. Home and renters revenue reached USD 66 million, up 116%, while agent revenue hit USD 21 million, up about 46%. Contribution was USD 57 million, up 26%. The 7.37% weekly rise shows buyers stayed active after the release, but the latest session added only 0.17%, suggesting momentum has cooled. The company describes itself as an insurance customer Acquisition platform, so its results reflect carrier spending.

Buybacks, Share Count Reduction and Guidance Maintained

The re-rating logic combines an Earnings beat and larger operating scale with steady repurchases. Since September 2025 the company has bought back about USD 115 million of stock, reducing shares outstanding by about 11.2 million, or 16%. In the third quarter it purchased about 800,000 shares for USD 9 million at USD 11.25, then roughly 1.8 million shares for USD 18 million at USD 10.38 through October 26. Of the USD 100 million authorization, USD 82 million has been used. Full-year free Cash Flow guidance of USD 90 million to USD 100 million was maintained. A September repurchase of a TRA Liability cost USD 12 million for USD 23 million of liability, producing a gain of USD 11 million.

Cash Position, Revolver Borrowing and Valuation Gaps

Cash was USD 18.7 million at quarter end, with USD 30 million available on the revolver, and USD 10 million was drawn afterward to fund buybacks, so repurchases rely partly on borrowing. About 58.8 million shares at USD 15.08 imply a rough Market Value near USD 887 million, a calculation rather than a reported figure. Buybacks executed at USD 10.38 now sit well below the share price. Few trades can move a small cap, spreads can widen and the 55.41% run may reverse. Carrier ad spending drives this model, and the market data gave no price to earnings ratio, while average Volume and the 52-week range were not visible.

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 points to about 25% growth in the fourth quarter at the midpoint. The stock appears on the one-month small cap leaderboard. Its 6-month gain of 64.93% shows the run started earlier, and this article makes no forecast. The close of USD 15.08 rose only 0.17% in the latest session after the 7.37% weekly gain, which suggests buying has slowed.