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MAX vs ZG
Which Stock Would AI Choose? MediaAlpha (MAX) vs. Zillow Group (ZG) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- MAX reported record Q1 2026 revenue of $310 million, surpassing estimates, though EPS slightly missed, driving recent positive momentum.
- Both MAX and ZG have delivered approximately 35% year-to-date gains, reflecting resilience in tech-driven sectors.
- MAX outperformed ZG in recent weeks, gaining about 10% over the past month compared to ZG's 5% rise.
- ZG benefits from a larger market cap of over $10 billion versus MAX's under $500 million, offering greater stability but higher beta exposure.
- Investor sentiment for MAX lifted by earnings beat, while ZG faces housing market headwinds like fluctuating mortgage rates.
Introduction
This stock comparison examines MAX (MediaAlpha, Inc.) and ZG (Zillow Group, Inc.), two tech platforms in adjacent fintech and proptech spaces. MediaAlpha focuses on insurance customer acquisition, while Zillow powers real estate transactions and rentals. Traders seeking growth opportunities in digital marketplaces and investors tracking sector rotation amid economic shifts will find value here. Recent market activity highlights contrasts in momentum and catalysts, aiding decisions on relative performance and positioning.
MAX Overview and Recent Performance
MediaAlpha, Inc. (MAX) operates an insurance customer acquisition platform connecting carriers, agents, and consumers in property, casualty, health, and life insurance verticals. In recent market activity, the stock has shown strength, climbing around 10% over the past month amid broader insurtech interest. Key influences include Q1 2026 results with record revenue of $310 million, exceeding forecasts, and adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization) up 7% year-over-year to $31.4 million, despite a slight EPS miss. Year-to-date gains near 35% reflect operational leverage from proprietary data and AI optimizations, though shares trade near the lower end of their 52-week range ($7.09-$13.92). Trading volume and neutral technicals suggest sustained sentiment if earnings momentum persists.
ZG Overview and Recent Performance
Zillow Group, Inc. (ZG) runs a leading real estate platform encompassing residential listings, mortgages, rentals, and agent tools under brands like Zillow, Trulia, and StreetEasy. Recent weeks have seen modest gains of about 5% over the past month, with year-to-date returns around 35%, buoyed by rental market dynamics despite softening rent growth. Influences include ongoing mortgage rate fluctuations impacting homebuying and analyst notes on lead distribution strategies. Shares hover near 52-week lows ($39.14-$90.22), with a high beta of 2.11 signaling volatility tied to housing cycles. Average volume exceeds 1.2 million shares, and neutral sentiment persists amid broader real estate recovery signals.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
MAX and ZG diverge in business models: MAX’s adtech platform monetizes insurance leads via auctions, while ZG’s marketplace generates revenue from agent subscriptions, rentals, and mortgages. Growth drivers for MAX include AI-enhanced matching and vertical expansion, contrasting ZG’s reliance on housing inventory and rates. Recent momentum favors MAX with stronger short-term gains and earnings catalysts, versus ZG’s steadier but cyclical performance. Risk factors highlight MAX’s smaller cap and higher growth volatility against ZG’s scale but elevated beta (2.11 vs. 1.39). Sector exposure positions MAX in resilient insurtech amid digital shifts, while ZG tracks proptech tied to macroeconomic real estate trends. Market sentiment leans positive for both, with trade-offs in stability versus upside potential.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Tickeron’s AI currently leans toward MAX based on superior recent trend consistency, revenue beats signaling operational strength, and relative outperformance in short-term momentum. ZG maintains advantages in market positioning and cash reserves, but housing sensitivities introduce variability. This probabilistic edge favors MAX for traders eyeing catalysts in the near term.
Disclaimer
The information on this webpage is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice, a recommendation to purchase or sell any security, or an offer or solicitation related to investments. It does not consider your personal financial situation, goals, or risk profile, and all investing carries inherent risks, including the possibility of losing your entire investment. For more details, please review our full disclaimer. Disclaimers and Limitations
To compare these two companies we present long-term analysis, their fundamental ratings and make comparative short-term technical analysis which are presented below. The conclusion is MAX is a Buy and ZG is a StrongBuy.
Long-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a long-term outlook for a ticker by using Fundamental Analysis (FA) ratings. The rating of 1 to 100, where 1 is best and 100 is worst, is divided into thirds. The first third (a green rating of 1-33) indicates that the ticker is undervalued; the second third (a grey number between 34 and 66) means that the ticker is valued fairly; and the last third (red number of 67 to 100) reflects that the ticker is undervalued. We use an FA Score to show how many ratings show the ticker to be undervalued (green) or overvalued (red).
MAX’s FA Score shows that 1 FA rating(s) are green whileZG’s FA Score has 0 green FA rating(s).
- MAX’s FA Score: 1 green, 4 red.
- ZG’s FA Score: 0 green, 5 red.
Short-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a short-term outlook for a ticker by using Technical Analysis (TA) indicators. We use Odds of Success as the percentage of outcomes which confirm successful trade signals in the past.
If the Odds of Success (the likelihood of the continuation of a trend) for each indicator are greater than 50%, then the generated signal is confirmed. A green percentage from 90% to 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bullish trend. A red percentage from 90% - 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bearish trend. All grey percentages are below 50% and are considered not to confirm the trend signal.
MAX’s TA Score shows that 6 TA indicator(s) are bullish while ZG’s TA Score has 4 bullish TA indicator(s).
- MAX’s TA Score: 6 bullish, 4 bearish.
- ZG’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 3 bearish.
Price Growth
MAX (@Internet Software/Services) experienced а +3.46% price change this week, while ZG (@Internet Software/Services) price change was -6.82% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Internet Software/Services industry was -1.53%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was -5.85%, and the average quarterly price growth was -12.05%.
Reported Earning Dates
MAX is expected to report earnings on Aug 05, 2026.
ZG is expected to report earnings on Jul 30, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Internet Software/Services (-1.53% weekly)Companies in this industry typically license software on a subscription basis and it is centrally hosted. Such products usually go by the names web-based software, on-demand software and hosted software. Cloud computing has emerged as a major force in this space, making it possible to save files to a remote database (without requiring them to be saved on local storage device); as long as a device has access to the web, it can access the data and the software programs to run it. This has in many cases facilitated cost efficiency, speed and security of data for businesses and consumers. Alphabet Inc., Facebook, Inc. and Yahoo! Inc. are some well-known names in the internet software/services industry.
| MAX | ZG | MAX / ZG | |
| Capitalization | 550M | 6.94B | 8% |
| EBITDA | -75.1M | 354M | -21% |
| Gain YTD | -21.390 | -55.372 | 39% |
| P/E Ratio | 15.91 | 121.80 | 13% |
| Revenue | 1.16B | 2.69B | 43% |
| Total Cash | 26.1M | 783M | 3% |
| Total Debt | 164M | 429M | 38% |
ZG | ||
|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 62 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 82 Overvalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 100 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 91 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 86 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 99 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 50 |
Tickeron ratings are formulated such that a rating of 1 designates the most successful stocks in a given industry, while a rating of 100 points to the least successful stocks for that industry.
| MAX | ZG | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 88% | 2 days ago 76% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 75% | 2 days ago 81% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 79% | N/A |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 87% | 2 days ago 81% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 81% | 2 days ago 81% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 77% | 2 days ago 83% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 76% | 8 days ago 73% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 21 days ago 81% | 12 days ago 81% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 80% | 2 days ago 75% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 74% | 2 days ago 82% |
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MAX and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, MAX has been loosely correlated with CARG. These tickers have moved in lockstep 54% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is some statistical probability that if MAX jumps, then CARG could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To MAX | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MAX | 100% | +0.49% | ||
| CARG - MAX | 54% Loosely correlated | +0.17% | ||
| EVER - MAX | 51% Loosely correlated | +1.74% | ||
| Z - MAX | 40% Loosely correlated | -5.64% | ||
| YELP - MAX | 40% Loosely correlated | -1.79% | ||
| ZG - MAX | 40% Loosely correlated | -6.28% | ||
More | ||||
ZG and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, ZG has been closely correlated with Z. These tickers have moved in lockstep 99% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if ZG jumps, then Z could also see price increases.