10 Worst Marketing Stocks to Buy

5. Ziff Davis, Inc. (NASDAQ:ZD)

Short % of Float: 5.17

No. of Hedge Funds as of Q2 2024: 20

Ziff Davies (NASDAQ:ZD) is a digital media and internet company with a portfolio encompassing brands in shopping, technology, gaming and entertainment, Martech, cybersecurity, connectivity, and health. The company operates in segments, namely Digital Media and Cybersecurity and Martech. The Digital Media segment offers services, content, and tools to customers, specializing in shopping, connectivity, gaming and entertainment, technology, and healthcare. This segment operates a portfolio of apps and Web properties, including Mashable, IGN, RetailMeNot, Humble Bundle, BabyCenter, Offers.com, PCMag, MedPage Today, Black Friday, What To Expect, and others.

The Martech and Cybersecurity segment offers cloud-based subscription services to businesses and consumers, including marketing technology, privacy, and cybersecurity. The company markets its Martech and cybersecurity offerings to prospective business customers. Ziff Davies (NASDAQ:ZD) is reaffirming its financial guidance based on the growth of the digital media segment, expecting increased growth in connectivity, gaming, and health and wellness.

Furthering its compound growth and strategic expansion objectives, Ziff Davies (NASDAQ:ZD) recently acquired Gamer Network and announced the signing of an agreement to acquire CNET pending customary closing conditions. Both these acquisitions add powerfully established brands to the company’s portfolio and enhance its leadership positions in their respective categories.

As part of the deal with CNET, ZDNet would return to Ziff Davies (NASDAQ:ZD). ZDNet was established by Ziff Davies 31 years ago and sold to CNET in 2000. The pending deal with the company will result in a homecoming of sorts, positioning the company to unlock further value with people and platforms and plans to grow monetization, traffic, and free cash flow.