MediaAlpha (MAX) vs QuinStreet (QNST)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 7, 2026.
Summary
QuinStreet (QNST) has outperformed MediaAlpha (MAX) over the past year, gaining 2.6% versus a loss of 13.7%. Over five years, QNST leads with a -9.6% price change compared with -49.9% for MAX. QuinStreet is the larger company by market cap ($881.2 million vs $512.3 million), about 1.7 times the size.
On valuation, MediaAlpha trades at a lower forward P/E (5.8x vs 8.2x for QuinStreet).
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | MAX | QNST |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $9.67 | $15.40 |
| Market cap | $512.28M | $881.24M |
| 1-day change | -0.10% | +2.53% |
| YTD return | -25.33% | +7.17% |
| 1-year return | -13.74% | +2.60% |
| 5-year return | -49.95% | -9.57% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 5.97 | 11.00 |
| Forward P/E | 5.78 | 8.24 |
| EPS (TTM) | $1.62 | $1.40 |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Annual dividend | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| 52-week high | $14.70 | $22.29 |
| 52-week low | $7.09 | $10.29 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -34.22% | -30.91% |
| Average volume | 852.66K | 982.49K |
| Shares outstanding | 52.98M | 57.22M |
| Sector | Consumer Discretionary | Consumer Discretionary |
| Industry | Business Services | Business Services |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- QNST has outperformed MAX by 16.3 percentage points over the past year.
- QuinStreet trades at a higher earnings multiple (11.0x vs 6.0x trailing P/E).
MAX vs QNST FAQ
Which is bigger, MediaAlpha or QuinStreet?
QuinStreet (QNST) is larger, with a market capitalization of $881.24M compared with $512.28M for MediaAlpha (MAX).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, MAX or QNST?
QNST returned +2.60% over the past 12 months, compared with -13.74% for MAX (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, MAX or QNST?
MAX has the lower trailing P/E at 6.0, versus 11.0 for QNST. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Are MediaAlpha and QuinStreet in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Business Services industry within the Consumer Discretionary sector.