Group 1: Stock Performance and Price Targets - EverQuote (EVER) shares have increased by 22.7% over the past four weeks, closing at $26.61, with a mean price target of $33.83 indicating a potential upside of 27.1% [1] - The mean estimate consists of six short-term price targets with a standard deviation of $2.99, where the lowest estimate of $29 suggests a 9% increase, and the highest estimate of $38 indicates a 42.8% surge [2] - A tight clustering of price targets, represented by a low standard deviation, suggests a high degree of agreement among analysts regarding the stock's price movement [7] Group 2: Earnings Estimates and Analyst Consensus - Analysts have shown increasing optimism about EverQuote's earnings prospects, as indicated by a strong agreement in revising EPS estimates higher, which correlates with potential stock price increases [9] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has risen by 46.1% over the past month, with six estimates increasing and no negative revisions [10] - EverQuote currently holds a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy), placing it in the top 5% of over 4,000 ranked stocks based on earnings estimates [11] Group 3: Analyst Behavior and Price Target Reliability - Analysts often set overly optimistic price targets due to business incentives, which can lead to inflated estimates [6] - Empirical research indicates that price targets set by analysts rarely reflect the actual price direction of a stock, suggesting that investors should approach these targets with skepticism [5][8] - While consensus price targets may not be reliable for predicting stock gains, they can provide a directional guide for further research [12]

Core Viewpoint - EverQuote, Inc. (EVER) has reached a significant support level and is considered a good investment opportunity from a technical perspective due to a recent "golden cross" formation [1] Technical Analysis - EVER's 50-day simple moving average has recently broken above its 200-day moving average, indicating a bullish breakout [1] - A successful golden cross event consists of three stages: the stock price bottoms out, the shorter moving average crosses above the longer moving average, and the stock maintains upward momentum [2] Performance Metrics - Over the past four weeks, EVER has gained 17.2% [3] - The company currently holds a 1 (Strong Buy) rating on the Zacks Rank, suggesting potential for further breakout [3] Earnings Outlook - There have been no earnings estimate cuts for the current quarter, with six revisions higher in the past 60 days, indicating a positive earnings outlook [3] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate has also increased, further solidifying the bullish case for EVER [3] Investment Consideration - Investors are encouraged to monitor EVER for potential gains in the near future, given its key technical level and positive earnings estimate revisions [4]

Core Viewpoint - U.S. stock markets experienced a significant rally in 2024 following a strong bull run in 2023, but faced a downturn in February 2025, with major indexes declining [1][2]. Market Conditions - Concerns regarding the Trump administration's tariff and trade policies and their potential impact on U.S. economic growth and inflation persist [2]. - Ongoing geopolitical conflicts in the Middle East and other regions contribute to market uncertainty [2]. Stock Performance - Five stocks identified as having strong price momentum include EverQuote Inc. (EVER), Jazz Pharmaceuticals plc (JAZZ), The Progressive Corp. (PGR), Sony Group Corp. (SONY), and NatWest Group plc (NWG) [3][10][12][15][20]. - EverQuote's stock price increased by 33.1% in the past four weeks, with expected revenues between $155 million and $160 million for Q1 2025 [11][12]. - Jazz Pharmaceuticals saw a 15.4% rise in stock price, with an expected earnings growth rate of 10.6% for the current year [14]. - The Progressive Corp. experienced a 14.4% stock price appreciation, with an expected earnings growth of 7.3% [16]. - Sony Group's stock price advanced by 13.8%, with an expected earnings growth rate of 15.6% for the next year [19]. - NatWest Group's stock price gained 13.5%, with an expected earnings growth of 6.8% [21]. Investment Strategy - A screening process is suggested to identify potential winning stocks, focusing on criteria such as percentage change in price over 4 and 12 weeks, Zacks Rank, broker ratings, and price proximity to 52-week highs [6][7][8][9]. - This screening narrowed down the stock selection from over 7,700 to just 15 candidates [9].

Core Insights - EverQuote (EVER) shows a significantly improving earnings outlook, making it a solid choice for investors [1] - Analysts are raising earnings estimates for EverQuote, indicating growing optimism about its earnings prospects [2] Current-Quarter Estimate Revisions - For the current quarter, EverQuote is expected to earn $0.25 per share, reflecting a +400% change from the previous year [4] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for EverQuote has increased by 53.13% over the last 30 days, with two estimates moving higher and no negative revisions [4] Current-Year Estimate Revisions - For the full year, EverQuote is projected to earn $1 per share, representing a year-over-year change of +13.64% [5] - The consensus estimate for the current year has increased by 24.69%, with four estimates moving higher and no negative revisions [5] Zacks Rank - EverQuote has achieved a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy) due to favorable estimate revisions, which is a reliable indicator for investors [6] - Stocks with Zacks Rank 1 and 2 have historically outperformed the S&P 500 [6] Stock Performance - EverQuote's stock has gained 25.8% over the past four weeks, driven by solid estimate revisions and positive earnings growth prospects [7]

Core Viewpoint - EverQuote (EVER) has shown a significant price increase of 25.8% over the past four weeks, with a mean price target of $32.67 indicating a potential upside of 26.9% from the current price of $25.74 [1] Price Targets and Analyst Estimates - The mean estimate consists of six short-term price targets with a standard deviation of $4.59, suggesting variability in analyst predictions. The lowest estimate is $25 (2.9% decline), while the highest is $38 (47.6% increase) [2] - A low standard deviation among price targets indicates strong agreement among analysts regarding the stock's price movement direction, which can serve as a starting point for further research [7] Earnings Estimates and Analyst Sentiment - Analysts have shown increasing optimism about EverQuote's earnings prospects, with a notable trend of upward revisions in EPS estimates, correlating strongly with potential stock price increases [9] - Over the last 30 days, four earnings estimates have been revised higher, leading to a 24.7% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate [10] - EverQuote holds a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy), placing it in the top 5% of over 4,000 ranked stocks based on earnings estimate factors, indicating strong potential for upside [11] Caution on Price Targets - While price targets are commonly referenced by investors, they can often mislead, as empirical research shows that they rarely indicate actual stock price movements [5][6] - Investors are advised to treat price targets with skepticism and not base investment decisions solely on them, as this could lead to disappointing returns [8]

Revenue and Income - Total revenue for 2024 was $500.2 million, a 73.7% increase from $287.9 million in 2023, but a 28.8% decrease from $404.1 million in 2022[156]. - Net income for 2024 was $32.2 million, while net losses were $51.3 million in 2023 and $24.4 million in 2022[156]. - Revenue for the year ended December 31, 2024, was $500.2 million, an increase of $212.3 million or 73.7% from $287.9 million in 2023[187]. - The automotive insurance vertical contributed an increase of $218.6 million to revenue, while the home and renters insurance vertical added $11.1 million[187]. - Automotive insurance revenue for 2024 was $446.1 million, representing 89% of total revenue, compared to $227.5 million in 2023[271]. - One customer accounted for 39% of total revenue in 2024, up from 18% in 2023, indicating increased customer concentration risk[263]. - Commission revenue represented less than 10% of total revenue for both 2024 and 2023, and 13% for 2022[268]. Expenses - Total operating expenses for 2024 were $468,439,000, up from $339,896,000 in 2023, primarily driven by increased sales and marketing expenses[248]. - Sales and marketing expenses increased by $147.6 million to $387.7 million in 2024, representing 83.4% of revenue[189]. - Research and development expenses rose to $29.6 million in 2024, an increase of $2.0 million or 7.1% from 2023[191]. - General and administrative expenses increased by $4.0 million to $30.3 million in 2024, accounting for 6.1% of revenue[192]. - Cost of revenue decreased to $20.9 million in 2024, down 6.8% from $22.5 million in 2023, representing 4.2% of revenue[188]. - Advertising expenses for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023, and 2022 totaled $345.0 million, $187.6 million, and $275.9 million, respectively, indicating a significant increase in 2024 compared to 2023[289]. Cash Flow and Assets - Cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 2024, were $102.1 million, with an additional $25.0 million available under the revolving line of credit[200]. - Net cash provided by operating activities was $66.6 million in 2024, compared to a cash used of $2.8 million in 2023[205]. - Current assets increased significantly to $171.78 million in 2024 from $69.24 million in 2023, with cash and cash equivalents rising to $102.12 million[246]. - Total assets grew to $210.53 million in 2024, up from $110.93 million in 2023[246]. - The company maintained no outstanding borrowings under its credit facility as of December 31, 2024, indicating no material exposure to interest rate fluctuations[227]. Stock and Equity - Stockholders' equity increased to $135.37 million in 2024, compared to $80.91 million in 2023[246]. - The weighted average common shares outstanding for 2024 were 35,007,000, an increase from 33,350,000 in 2023[248]. - The Company granted 1,302,166 restricted stock units (RSUs) in 2024, with a grant-date fair value of $18.24 per share[329]. - The unvested balance of RSUs as of December 31, 2024, was 2,079,245 shares, with a weighted average grant-date fair value of $15.17[329]. Tax and Deferred Assets - The effective income tax rate for 2024 was 5.4%, compared to (1.1)% in 2023, influenced by a full valuation allowance against net deferred tax assets[333]. - The valuation allowance for deferred tax assets decreased to $48,508,000 in 2024 from $53,948,000 in 2023, primarily due to the use of net operating loss carryforwards[338]. - As of December 31, 2024, the Company had federal net operating loss carryforwards of $70.1 million and state net operating loss carryforwards of $82.5 million[333]. Company Strategy and Operations - The company exited the health insurance vertical in 2023 to focus on core areas and implemented a workforce reduction plan to improve efficiency[155]. - The company plans to increase consumer traffic by leveraging platform features and data assets, while managing advertising spend based on profitability[158]. - The Company operates as a single segment, generating revenue principally from referral fees in its online marketplace for auto and home insurance quotes[286]. Legal and Compliance - The company is currently involved in a civil action regarding alleged breaches of the Equity Purchase Agreement related to its acquisition of certain entities, with unspecified damages sought[351]. - The company has not incurred any material costs from indemnification agreements through December 31, 2024, and does not believe any claims will materially affect its financial position[349].

Core Insights - EverQuote (EVER) reported a fourth-quarter 2024 operating net income per share of 33 cents, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 83.3% and rebounding from a loss of 19 cents per share in the prior year [1][2] Financial Performance - Total revenues reached $147.5 million, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 10% and increasing 164.8% year over year [4] - Revenues in the Automotive insurance vertical surged 200% year over year to $135 million, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $121 million [3] - Home and Renters insurance revenues totaled $11.3 million, a 15% increase year over year, but fell short of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $13.5 million [3] - Revenues in the Other insurance vertical plummeted 74.7% year over year to $0.2 million [3] - Total costs and operating expenses rose 116.7% to $135.4 million, driven by increased sales and marketing, research and development, and general and administrative expenses [4] - Adjusted EBITDA was $18.9 million, a significant improvement from an adjusted EBITDA loss of $0.9 million in the previous year [5] Cash and Assets - EverQuote ended 2024 with cash and cash equivalents of $102.1 million, a 169% increase from the end of 2023 [6] - Total assets grew by 89.9% to $180.5 million, while total stockholders' equity increased 67.3% to $135.4 million [6] - Cash from operations was $66.6 million in 2024, compared to a cash outflow of $2.8 million in the prior year [6] Future Guidance - For Q1 2025, EverQuote estimates revenues between $155 million and $160 million, with a variable marketing margin of $44 million to $46 million, and adjusted EBITDA expected to be between $19 million and $21 million [7]

Core Insights - EverQuote, Inc. is a leading online insurance marketplace that connects consumers with insurance providers, including carriers and agents [2] - The company aims to be the leading growth partner for property and casualty (P&C) insurance providers, leveraging its proprietary data and technology platform [2] Event Announcement - EverQuote will present and host one-on-one investor meetings at the Raymond James Annual Institutional Investors Conference on March 4th, 2025, at 4:35 p.m. ET in Orlando, FL [1] - The conference will feature live audio webcasts and archived replays available on EverQuote's investor relations website [1] Company Information - EverQuote operates a results-driven marketplace that enhances the way insurance providers attract and connect with consumers [2] - For further information, stakeholders can visit EverQuote's investor relations website or follow the company on LinkedIn [3]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In 2024, EverQuote achieved a revenue growth of 74%, surpassing $500 million for the first time, and adjusted EBITDA reached nearly $60 million [11][30] - The company reported record net income of $12.3 million in Q4 2024, with full-year net income increasing to $32.2 million, compared to a loss of $51.3 million in 2023 [30] - Adjusted EBITDA for the full year increased to $58.2 million, compared to $500,000 in 2023, with adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of revenues remaining at approximately 13% [30][31] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Revenue from the auto insurance vertical in Q4 was $135.9 million, up over 200% year-over-year, with full-year revenue growing 96% to $446 million [27] - The agency operations segment grew 65% year-over-year in Q4 [27] - Revenue from the home and renters' insurance vertical was $11.3 million in Q4, up 15% year-over-year, with full-year revenue reaching $52 million, a 27% increase [27] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The auto insurance market has seen a recovery, with many carriers restoring campaigns and achieving underwriting profitability [17][70] - The homeowners' insurance market is also beginning to recover, indicating growing carrier demand [18][70] - The regulatory landscape has shifted positively for the company, as the one-to-one consent requirement was vacated, allowing for more flexibility in operations [19][66] Company Strategy and Development Direction - EverQuote aims to become the number one growth partner to P&C insurance providers by delivering better-performing referrals, larger traffic scale, and a broader suite of products and services [20][22] - The company plans to invest in technology and data assets to enhance operational efficiencies and build a competitive moat [36][37] - There is a focus on expanding into non-auto verticals and developing deeper relationships with local agents [102][104] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's ability to leverage traffic expertise and technology to support insurance providers in growing their businesses [38] - The outlook for the auto insurance industry remains positive, with expectations of continued growth in digital advertising spend [33] - Management anticipates a normalization of revenue growth rates after a strong Q1, aligning with the overall market trends [34][95] Other Important Information - The company ended 2024 with over $100 million in cash and no debt, indicating a strong balance sheet [11][31] - Cash operating expenses remained stable at $25.1 million in Q4, with expectations for a slight increase in the back half of 2025 due to investments in technology [31][144] Q&A Session Summary Question: Guidance and Market Growth - The management discussed expectations for revenue growth to normalize after a strong Q1, with a focus on long-term growth rates [41][95] Question: Traffic Operations and Investments - Management highlighted improvements in traffic bidding platforms and operational rigor as key factors driving success in traffic operations [49][51] Question: One-to-One Consent Changes - The rationale for maintaining some one-to-one consent changes was to enhance lead quality and improve consumer experience [58][61] Question: Feedback from Carriers - Management noted that most carriers are focused on growth and have returned to healthy underwriting profitability [70][71] Question: Capital Allocation and M&A - The company is considering organic investments, potential acquisitions, and shareholder value enhancement strategies, including buybacks [80][86] Question: Free Cash Flow Outlook - Adjusted EBITDA is expected to be a good proxy for operating cash flow, with minor fluctuations anticipated [138] Question: Impact of FCC Rule Change on Expenses - Cash operating expenses are expected to remain stable, with slight increases anticipated as investments in technology ramp up [144]

Core Insights - EverQuote reported a revenue of $147.46 million for the quarter ended December 2024, marking a significant increase of 164.7% year-over-year [1] - The company's EPS was $0.33, a turnaround from -$0.19 in the same quarter last year, indicating strong earnings growth [1] - The reported revenue exceeded the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $134.06 million by 10%, and the EPS surpassed the consensus estimate of $0.18 by 83.33% [1] Performance Metrics - EverQuote's Variable Marketing Margin was $44.02 million, exceeding the average estimate of $39.21 million from six analysts [4] - The Variable Marketing Margin as a percentage of revenue was 29.9%, slightly above the five-analyst average estimate of 29.2% [4] - Automotive revenue reached $135.93 million, significantly higher than the four-analyst average estimate of $120.95 million, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 202.2% [4] - Home and Renters revenue was reported at $11.30 million, which was below the three-analyst average estimate of $13.52 million, but still represented a year-over-year increase of 15% [4] - Other revenue was $0.23 million, falling short of the estimated $0.39 million from two analysts, and showed a substantial decline of 74.8% compared to the previous year [4] Stock Performance - Over the past month, EverQuote's shares have returned +18.2%, contrasting with a -0.5% change in the Zacks S&P 500 composite [3] - The stock currently holds a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy), suggesting potential for outperformance in the near term [3]