MAX vs. QNST

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about MediaAlpha, Inc. (MAX) and QuinStreet, Inc. (QNST).

Performance

MAX vs. QNST - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in MediaAlpha, Inc. (MAX) and QuinStreet, Inc. (QNST). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

MAX vs. QNST - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
MAX MediaAlpha, Inc.	-28.19%	14.70%	1.26%	12.06%	-35.56%	-60.48%	22.63%
QNST QuinStreet, Inc.	-16.42%	-37.71%	79.95%	-10.66%	-21.11%	-15.16%	37.52%

Fundamentals

Market Cap MAX : $621.11M QNST : $700.72M
EPS MAX : $0.43 QNST : $1.07
PE Ratio MAX : 21.72 QNST : 11.25
PEG Ratio MAX : 16.39 QNST : 0.27
PS Ratio MAX : 0.50 QNST : 0.63
PB Ratio MAX : 149.31 QNST : 2.38
Total Revenue (TTM) MAX : $1.11B QNST : $1.11B
Gross Profit (TTM) MAX : $167.54M QNST : $110.37M
EBITDA (TTM) MAX : $81.12M QNST : $123.98M

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MAX achieves a -28.19% return, which is significantly lower than QNST's -16.42% return.

MAX

• 1D: -1.48%
• 1M: -6.44%
• YTD: -28.19%
• 6M: -18.28%
• 1Y: 0.65%
• 3Y*: -14.69%
• 5Y*: -23.73%
• 10Y*: —

QNST

• 1D: -1.48%
• 1M: 2.47%
• YTD: -16.42%
• 6M: -22.37%
• 1Y: -32.68%
• 3Y*: -8.87%
• 5Y*: -10.32%
• 10Y*: 13.28%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

Return for Risk

MAX vs. QNST — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

MAX

MAX Risk / Return Rank: 40
MAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 42
MAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 40
MAX Omega Ratio Rank: 39
MAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 41
MAX Martin Ratio Rank: 41

QNST

QNST Risk / Return Rank: 14
QNST Sharpe Ratio Rank: 12
QNST Sortino Ratio Rank: 14
QNST Omega Ratio Rank: 15
QNST Calmar Ratio Rank: 15
QNST Martin Ratio Rank: 13

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

MAX vs. QNST - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for MediaAlpha, Inc. (MAX) and QuinStreet, Inc. (QNST). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	MAX	QNST	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.01	-0.69	+0.70
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	0.42	-0.79	+1.21
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.05	0.90	+0.15
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.01	-0.74	+0.73
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	-0.03	-1.40	+1.37
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

MAX vs. QNST - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MAX Sharpe Ratio is 0.01, which is higher than the QNST Sharpe Ratio of -0.69. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MAX and QNST, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	MAX	QNST	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.01	-0.69	+0.70
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.37	-0.21	-0.16
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.24	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.30	-0.03	-0.28

Correlation

The correlation between MAX and QNST is 0.51, which is considered to be moderate. This suggests that the two assets have some degree of positive relationship in their price movements. Moderate correlation can be acceptable for portfolio diversification, offering a balance between risk and potential returns.

Dividends

MAX vs. QNST - Dividend Comparison

Neither MAX nor QNST has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Drawdowns

MAX vs. QNST - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MAX drawdown since its inception was -91.64%, roughly equal to the maximum QNST drawdown of -89.10%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MAX and QNST.

Drawdown Indicators

	MAX	QNST	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-91.64%	-89.10%	-2.54%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-47.70%	-44.30%	-3.40%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-88.43%	-67.33%	-21.10%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-72.05%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-85.49%	-52.28%	-33.21%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-72.52%	-51.42%	-21.10%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	16.68%	23.54%	-6.86%

Volatility

MAX vs. QNST - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for MediaAlpha, Inc. (MAX) is 9.63%, while QuinStreet, Inc. (QNST) has a volatility of 12.42%. This indicates that MAX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than QNST based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MAX	QNST	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.63%	12.42%	-2.79%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	35.70%	34.81%	+0.89%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	51.94%	47.36%	+4.58%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	64.96%	49.69%	+15.27%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	66.93%	54.71%	+12.22%

Financials

MAX vs. QNST - Profitability Comparison

The chart below illustrates the profitability comparison between MediaAlpha, Inc. and QuinStreet, Inc. over time, highlighting three key metrics: Gross Profit Margin, Operating Margin, and Net Profit Margin.

MAX - Gross Margin

Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Apr 2026, MediaAlpha, Inc. reported a gross profit of 44.81M and revenue of 291.16M. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 15.4%.

QNST - Gross Margin

Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Apr 2026, QuinStreet, Inc. reported a gross profit of 27.72M and revenue of 287.85M. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 9.6%.

MAX - Operating Margin

Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Apr 2026, MediaAlpha, Inc. reported an operating income of 22.31M and revenue of 291.16M, resulting in an operating margin of 7.7%.

QNST - Operating Margin

Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Apr 2026, QuinStreet, Inc. reported an operating income of 1.25M and revenue of 287.85M, resulting in an operating margin of 0.4%.

MAX - Net Margin

Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Apr 2026, MediaAlpha, Inc. reported a net income of 31.41M and revenue of 291.16M, resulting in a net margin of 10.8%.

QNST - Net Margin

Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Apr 2026, QuinStreet, Inc. reported a net income of 50.23M and revenue of 287.85M, resulting in a net margin of 17.5%.