Download PDF

1. Company Snapshot

1.a. Company Description

Cardlytics, Inc.operates an advertising platform in the United States and the United Kingdom.It offers Cardlytics platform, a proprietary native bank advertising channel that enables marketers to reach customers through their network of financial institution partners through digital channels, such as online, mobile applications, email, and various real-time notifications; and Bridg platform, a customer data platform which utilizes point-of-sale data and enables marketers to perform analytics and targeted loyalty marketing, as well as measure the impact of their marketing.


The company was incorporated in 2008 and is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia.

Show Full description

1.b. Last Insights on CDLX

The recent 3-month performance of Cardlytics, Inc. was negatively impacted by a slew of class action lawsuits and securities law violations allegations. Multiple law firms issued notices to shareholders, encouraging them to join the suits, citing potential securities claims and allegations of materially misleading business information. The lawsuits were filed on behalf of investors who purchased Cardlytics securities between March 2024 and August 2024. The company's advertising platform in the U.S. and the U.K. has been at the center of these allegations.

1.c. Company Highlights

2. Cardlytics' Q3 2025 Earnings: Navigating Challenges and Opportunities

Cardlytics reported a total billings of $89.2 million in Q3 2025, a 20.3% decrease year-over-year, with revenue coming in at $52.0 million, down 22.4%. The revenue to billings margin was 1.6 points lower than the prior year, while adjusted contribution margin expanded to 57.7%. Adjusted EBITDA was positive $3.2 million, an increase of $5.0 million. The company's EPS was -$0.07, beating estimates of -$0.10333. The improved adjusted EBITDA and EPS demonstrate the company's efforts to drive profitability despite the challenges faced.

Publication Date: Nov -18

📋 Highlights
  • Billings Decline and Mitigation: Q3 billings dropped 20.3% to $89.2M due to a major FI partner blocking content, but volume was shifted to other partners, mitigating the impact.
  • CRP Expansion and New Partnerships: Signed 3 new Cardlytics Rewards Platform (CRP) partners, including OpenTable, and added 2 retailers to Rippl, doubling its revenue again.
  • Financial Performance: Revenue fell 22.4% to $52.0M, but adjusted contribution margin improved to 57.7%, and Adjusted EBITDA turned positive at $3.2M.
  • Cost Rationalization: Operating expenses reduced 19% YoY to $28M (excluding stock-based comp/severance), with $3-4M sequential savings from workforce cuts.
  • Strategic Priorities and Guidance: Q4 billings guided to $86–96M, revenue to $51.1–59.1M, and Adjusted EBITDA to $0.9–7.9M, with focus on supply diversification and advertiser growth (UK revenue up 22% YoY).

Operational Highlights and Challenges

The company's largest FI partner's decision to block Cardlytics' content impacted approximately 1/3 of its total billings. However, Cardlytics mitigated the drop by shifting content to other banks and increasing engagement with those banks' customers. The company also made progress in its Cardlytics Rewards Platform (CRP), signing three new CRP partners, including OpenTable. Additionally, Cardlytics' U.K. business continued to show strength, with 22% revenue growth year-over-year.

Guidance and Outlook

For Q4 2025, Cardlytics expects billings between $86 million and $96 million, with revenue between $51.1 million and $59.1 million. The company also expects adjusted EBITDA between $0.9 million and $7.9 million. Management is focused on replacing lost supply through new partnerships, shifting volume to the rest of the network, and increasing engagement with existing partners. As per Alexis DeSieno, "We've fully reset our cost base to reflect our new top line reality while investing in consumer engagement and supply diversification."

Valuation and Growth Prospects

With a P/S Ratio of 0.26 and EV/EBITDA of -1.65, the market seems to have factored in the challenges faced by Cardlytics. Analysts estimate next year's revenue growth at -3.0%. While the near-term outlook is challenging, Cardlytics' efforts to diversify its supply and strengthen consumer engagement are expected to drive long-term growth. The company's ability to achieve positive adjusted EBITDA in 2025 and 2026 will be crucial in determining its valuation.

3. NewsRoom

Card image cap

All You Need to Know About Cardlytics (CDLX) Rating Upgrade to Buy

Nov -10

Card image cap

Cardlytics, Inc. (CDLX) Q3 2025 Earnings Call Transcript

Nov -06

Card image cap

Cardlytics Announces Third Quarter 2025 Financial Results

Nov -05

Card image cap

Cardlytics Announces Timing of Its Third Quarter 2025 Earnings Release

Oct -22

Card image cap

Cardlytics Announces Workforce Reductions As Part Of Organizational Realignment and Cost Savings Initiative

Oct -02

Card image cap

Cardlytics Repays 2020 Convertible Senior Notes Due 2025

Sep -15

Card image cap

Cardlytics Named “Best Digital Ad Network” in 2025 MarTech Breakthrough Awards Program

Aug -14

Card image cap

Cardlytics (CDLX) Q2 Users Jump 19%

Aug -07

4. Business Breakdown

4.a. Revenues by Country

4.b. Revenues by Segment

5. Expected revenues mid-term growth (7.58%)

6. Segments

Cardlytics Platform

Expected Growth: 7.5%

Cardlytics Platform's 7.5% growth driven by increasing adoption of digital banking, rising demand for data-driven marketing, and expansion into new markets. Additionally, the platform's ability to provide insights into consumer spending habits, enabling banks to offer targeted rewards and promotions, contributes to its growth.

Bridg Platform

Expected Growth: 8.5%

Bridg Platform's 8.5% growth is driven by increasing adoption of card-linked offers, expansion into new markets, and strategic partnerships. Additionally, the platform's ability to provide personalized offers and rewards to customers, resulting in higher engagement and loyalty, contributes to its growth. Furthermore, the rise of digital payments and the need for banks and merchants to enhance customer experience also fuels Bridg's growth.

7. Detailed Products

Cardlytics Platform

A purchase-based data platform that provides insights and targeting capabilities to financial institutions and marketers

Audience Partnerships

A data-driven audience targeting solution that enables marketers to reach high-value customers

Cardlytics Direct

A self-service platform that allows marketers to create and execute targeted campaigns

Loyalty Solutions

A loyalty platform that helps financial institutions to create and manage loyalty programs

Data Analytics

A data analytics solution that provides insights and analysis of customer spending habits

8. Cardlytics, Inc.'s Porter Forces

Forces Ranking

Threat Of Substitutes

Cardlytics, Inc. operates in a niche market, providing purchase-based data and insights to financial institutions. The threat of substitutes is low due to the company's unique value proposition and the high barriers to entry in the market.

Bargaining Power Of Customers

Cardlytics, Inc. has a diverse customer base, including large financial institutions and smaller banks. While customers have some bargaining power, the company's unique data and insights provide a level of stickiness, reducing the bargaining power of customers.

Bargaining Power Of Suppliers

Cardlytics, Inc. has a strong negotiating position with its suppliers, including banks and financial institutions, due to its unique value proposition and the high demand for its services.

Threat Of New Entrants

While there are some barriers to entry in the market, including the need for significant data and analytical capabilities, new entrants could potentially disrupt the market. However, Cardlytics, Inc.'s strong brand and customer relationships provide a level of protection.

Intensity Of Rivalry

The market for purchase-based data and insights is highly competitive, with several established players competing for market share. Cardlytics, Inc. must continue to innovate and differentiate its offerings to maintain its market position.

9. SWOT Analysis

10. Capital Structure

10.a. Balance Sheet

10.b. Weighted Average Cost of capital

Value
Debt Weight 65.83%
Debt Cost 3.95%
Equity Weight 34.17%
Equity Cost 11.47%
WACC 6.52%
Leverage 192.67%

11. Quality Control: Cardlytics, Inc. passed 5 out of 9 key points

12.a Historical Valuation

12.b Price/Earnings Ratio

12.c Margin Valuation

12.d Peers Valuation

Peers Group Analysis

Stock-Card
Travelzoo

A-Score: 4.5/10

Value: 8.6

Growth: 6.3

Quality: 7.5

Yield: 0.0

Momentum: 2.0

Volatility: 2.3

1-Year Total Return ->

Stock-Card
Innovid

A-Score: 3.7/10

Value: 3.2

Growth: 4.7

Quality: 4.6

Yield: 0.0

Momentum: 9.0

Volatility: 0.7

1-Year Total Return ->

Stock-Card
National CineMedia

A-Score: 3.6/10

Value: 6.0

Growth: 2.4

Quality: 4.2

Yield: 5.0

Momentum: 1.5

Volatility: 2.7

1-Year Total Return ->

Stock-Card
Direct Digital Holdings

A-Score: 3.4/10

Value: 10.0

Growth: 3.0

Quality: 5.4

Yield: 0.0

Momentum: 1.5

Volatility: 0.3

1-Year Total Return ->

Stock-Card
AdTheorent Holding Company

A-Score: 2.9/10

Value: 4.2

Growth: 2.0

Quality: 4.6

Yield: 0.0

Momentum: 5.0

Volatility: 1.3

1-Year Total Return ->

Stock-Card
Cardlytics

A-Score: 2.7/10

Value: 8.8

Growth: 3.0

Quality: 3.4

Yield: 0.0

Momentum: 1.0

Volatility: 0.0

1-Year Total Return ->

Peers Metrics

12.e Scoring Insights

12.f DCF BETA

Parameters

Short Term Growth

Short term Time

Long-Term Growth

WACC

Target Price

1.19$

Current Price

1.19$

Potential

-0.00%

Expected Cash-Flows