Comprehensive Stock Comparison
Compare DoubleVerify Holdings, Inc. (DV) vs The Trade Desk, Inc. (TTD) Stock
Analyze side-by-side fundamentals, valuation, growth, and profitability to decide which stock is the better buy.
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Quick Verdict
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | TTD | 18.5% revenue growth vs DV's 13.9% |
| Value | DV | Lower P/E (20.2x vs 21.1x), PEG 1.11 vs 1.60 |
| Quality / Margins | TTD | 15.3% net margin vs DV's 6.8% |
| Stability / Safety | DV | Beta 1.00 vs TTD's 1.67, lower leverage |
| Dividends | Tie | Neither pays a meaningful dividend |
| Momentum (1Y) | DV | -24.2% vs TTD's -66.1% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | TTD | 7.2% ROA vs DV's 3.7%, ROIC 21.3% vs 6.4% |
Who Each Stock Is For
Income & stability
Growth exposure
Long-term compounding (10Y)
Sleep-well-at-night portfolio
Valuation efficiency (growth/$)
Defensive / Recession hedge
Business Model
What each company does and how it makes money
DoubleVerify is a digital media measurement and analytics platform that helps advertisers verify the quality and effectiveness of their online advertising. It generates revenue primarily through subscription fees for its verification services — including fraud detection, brand safety, viewability, and contextual targeting solutions — with most revenue coming from advertisers and agencies. The company's key advantage is its independent, third-party verification status which creates trust and objectivity in an industry plagued by fraud and opaque metrics.
The Trade Desk operates a cloud-based platform that enables advertisers to programmatically buy and manage digital ad campaigns across channels like connected TV, display, and video. It generates revenue primarily from platform fees—typically a percentage of media spend—with nearly all income coming from its core self-service advertising platform. Its key advantage is its independent, transparent position in the ad tech ecosystem—unlike walled gardens—which attracts major agencies and brands seeking unbiased campaign optimization.
Financial Metrics Comparison
Side-by-side fundamentals across 2 stocks. BestLagging
Financial Scorecard
TTD leads in 2 of 6 categories (Financial Metrics, Profitability & Efficiency). DV leads in 2 (Valuation Metrics, Risk & Volatility). 1 tied.
Financial Metrics (TTM)
TTD is the larger business by revenue, generating $2.9B annually — 3.9x DV's $748M. TTD is the more profitable business, keeping 15.3% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to DV's 6.8%. On growth, TTD holds the edge at +14.3% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | DVDoubleVerify Hold… | TTDThe Trade Desk, I… |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $748M | $2.9B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $136M | $673M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $51M | $443M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $173M | $787M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +82.2% | +78.6% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +10.6% | +20.3% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +6.8% | +15.3% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +23.1% | +27.2% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +7.9% | +14.3% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +28.6% | +11.1% |
Valuation Metrics
At 26.2x trailing earnings, TTD trades at a 25% valuation discount to DV's 35.1x P/E. Adjusting for growth (PEG ratio), DV offers better value at 1.93x vs TTD's 1.99x — a lower PEG means you pay less per unit of expected earnings growth.
| Metric | DVDoubleVerify Hold… | TTDThe Trade Desk, I… |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $1.7B | $11.5B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $1.5B | $11.3B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 35.13x | 26.18x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 20.19x | 21.13x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | 1.93x | 1.99x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 11.39x | 21.02x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 2.28x | 3.99x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 1.55x | 4.63x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 9.88x | 14.51x |
Profitability & Efficiency
TTD delivers a 17.8% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $18 in annual profit, vs $4 for DV. DV carries lower financial leverage with a 0.09x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to TTD's 0.18x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), TTD scores 6/9 vs DV's 5/9, reflecting solid financial health.
| Metric | DVDoubleVerify Hold… | TTDThe Trade Desk, I… |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +4.5% | +17.8% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +3.7% | +7.2% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +6.4% | +21.3% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +6.6% | +19.2% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 5 | 6 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.09x | 0.18x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | -$159M | -$222M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $259M | $658M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $100M | $436M |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 26.89x | 985.25x |
Total Returns (with DRIP)
A $10,000 investment in DV five years ago would be worth $2,928 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $2,862 for TTD. Over the past 12 months, DV leads with a -24.2% total return vs TTD's -66.1%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors TTD at -24.8% vs DV's -26.2% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | DVDoubleVerify Hold… | TTDThe Trade Desk, I… |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | -2.9% | -36.8% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | -24.2% | -66.1% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -59.9% | -57.4% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -70.7% | -71.4% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -69.7% | +691.4% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | -26.2% | -24.8% |
Risk & Volatility
DV is the less volatile stock with a 1.00 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than TTD's 1.67 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. DV currently trades 61.7% from its 52-week high vs TTD's 26.0% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | DVDoubleVerify Hold… | TTDThe Trade Desk, I… |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 1.00x | 1.67x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $17.09 | $91.45 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $7.64 | $21.08 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +61.7% | +26.0% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 43.6 | 25.4 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 1.9M | 10.7M |
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates DV as "Buy" and TTD as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 95.8% upside for TTD (target: $47) vs 34.2% for DV (target: $14).
| Metric | DVDoubleVerify Hold… | TTDThe Trade Desk, I… |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $14.14 | $46.65 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 33 | 46 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | — | — |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | — | — |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | — | — |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +0.1% | +12.0% |
Historical Charts
Charts are rendered on first load. Hover for details.
Chart 1Total Return — 5 Years (Rebased to 100)
| Stock | Apr 21 | Feb 26 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| DoubleVerify Holdin… (DV) | 100 | 29.44 | -70.6% |
| The Trade Desk, Inc. (TTD) | 100 | 42.4 | -57.6% |
DoubleVerify Holdin… (DV) returned -71% over 5 years vs The Trade Desk, Inc. (TTD)'s -71%.
Chart 2Revenue Growth — 10 Years
| Stock | 2016 | 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| DoubleVerify Holdin… (DV) | $104M | $748M | +617.4% |
| The Trade Desk, Inc. (TTD) | $203M | $2.9B | +1327.3% |
The Trade Desk, Inc.'s revenue grew from $203M (2016) to $2.9B (2025) — a 34.4% CAGR.
Chart 3Net Margin Trend — 10 Years
| Stock | 2016 | 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| DoubleVerify Holdin… (DV) | 3.0% | 6.8% | +122.2% |
| The Trade Desk, Inc. (TTD) | 10.1% | 15.3% | +51.6% |
The Trade Desk, Inc.'s net margin went from 10% (2016) to 15% (2025).
Chart 4P/E Ratio History — 9 Years
| Stock | 2017 | 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| DoubleVerify Holdin… (DV) | 184.9 | 38.1 | -79.4% |
| The Trade Desk, Inc. (TTD) | 38.1 | 41.7 | +9.4% |
DoubleVerify Holdings, Inc. has traded in a 38x–185x P/E range over 5 years; current trailing P/E is ~35x. The Trade Desk, Inc. has traded in a 38x–408x P/E range over 9 years; current trailing P/E is ~26x.
Chart 5EPS Growth — 10 Years
| Stock | 2016 | 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| DoubleVerify Holdin… (DV) | 0.02 | 0.3 | +1363.4% |
| The Trade Desk, Inc. (TTD) | 0.05 | 0.91 | +1705.6% |
The Trade Desk, Inc.'s EPS grew from $0.05 (2016) to $0.91 (2025) — a 38% CAGR.
Chart 6Free Cash Flow — 5 Years
DoubleVerify Holdings, Inc. generated $173M FCF in 2025 (+135% vs 2021). The Trade Desk, Inc. generated $796M FCF in 2025 (+150% vs 2021).
DV vs TTD: Frequently Asked Questions
9 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is DV or TTD a better buy right now?
The Trade Desk, Inc. (TTD) offers the better valuation at 26.2x trailing P/E (21.1x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate DoubleVerify Holdings, Inc. (DV) a "Buy" — based on 33 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.
02Which has the better valuation — DV or TTD?
On trailing P/E, The Trade Desk, Inc. (TTD) is the cheapest at 26.2x versus DoubleVerify Holdings, Inc. at 35.1x. On forward P/E, DoubleVerify Holdings, Inc. is actually cheaper at 20.2x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: DoubleVerify Holdings, Inc. wins at 1.11x versus The Trade Desk, Inc.'s 1.60x — a reasonable growth-adjusted valuation.
03Which is the better long-term investment — DV or TTD?
Over the past 5 years, DoubleVerify Holdings, Inc. (DV) delivered a total return of -70.7%, compared to -71.4% for The Trade Desk, Inc. (TTD). A $10,000 investment in DV five years ago would be worth approximately $3K today (assuming dividends reinvested). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: TTD returned +691.4% versus DV's -69.7%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
04Which is safer — DV or TTD?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), DoubleVerify Holdings, Inc. (DV) is the lower-risk stock at 1.00β versus The Trade Desk, Inc.'s 1.67β — meaning TTD is approximately 68% more volatile than DV relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, DoubleVerify Holdings, Inc. (DV) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 9% versus 18% for The Trade Desk, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which has better profit margins — DV or TTD?
The Trade Desk, Inc. (TTD) is the more profitable company, earning 15.3% net margin versus 6.8% for DoubleVerify Holdings, Inc. — meaning it keeps 15.3% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: TTD leads at 20.3% versus 10.6% for DV. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — DV leads at 82.2%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.
06Is DV or TTD more undervalued right now?
The PEG ratio (forward P/E divided by expected earnings growth rate) is the most precise measure of undervaluation relative to growth potential. By this metric, DoubleVerify Holdings, Inc. (DV) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 1.11x versus The Trade Desk, Inc.'s 1.60x. A PEG below 1.5 suggests fair-to-attractive pricing relative to expected growth. On forward earnings alone, DoubleVerify Holdings, Inc. (DV) trades at 20.2x forward P/E versus 21.1x for The Trade Desk, Inc. — 0.9x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for TTD: 95.8% to $46.65.
07Which pays a better dividend — DV or TTD?
None of the stocks in this comparison currently pay a material dividend. All are effectively zero-yield and should be held for capital appreciation rather than income.
08Is DV or TTD better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, DoubleVerify Holdings, Inc. (DV) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 1.00)). The Trade Desk, Inc. (TTD) carries a higher beta of 1.67 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (DV: -69.7%, TTD: +691.4%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.
09What are the main differences between DV and TTD?
Both stocks operate in the Technology sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both. These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.
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