ZipRecruiter, Inc. (ZIP) AI Stock Analysis
ZIP AI stock analysis summary
AI ResearchZipRecruiter, Inc. (ZIP) operates a two-sided digital employment marketplace connecting job seekers and employers. Annual revenue contracted from $904.6M in FY2022 to $449.0M in FY2025, though quarterly revenue rose 5.2% year-over-year in the period ended June 30, 2026. The company holds $173.8M in cash against $265.0M in total debt, with negative shareholders' equity of -$33.8M.
- Market cap
- $362.6M
- Revenue (TTM)
- $452.3M
- P/E
- 13.4x fwd 17.0x
- 1Y return
- 2.3% S&P 500 16.8%
- Avg. target
- $4.75 7.7% vs last close
Bull case
- ZipRecruiter maintained a high gross margin of 89.2% in FY2025, demonstrating strong underlying unit economics.
- In the latest quarter ended June 30, 2026, revenue returned to positive growth with a 5.2% year-over-year increase.
- The company trades at an EV-to-EBITDA ratio of 4.4x, notably lower than the peer median of 10.0x for US-listed Communication Services.
Bear case
- Annual net income deteriorated from a positive $61.5M in FY2022 to a net loss of -$33.0M in FY2025.
- The balance sheet reflects negative shareholders' equity of -$33.8M alongside net debt of $91.2M as of June 30, 2026.
- Analyst projections anticipate next fiscal year EPS to fall 71.0% to $0.14 from $0.50 in FY2026.
What ZipRecruiter does
ZipRecruiter, Inc. operates an online marketplace designed to connect job seekers and employers. Its two-sided platform enables employers to post job vacancies and access hiring tools that simplify recruiting. Job seekers utilize features such as single-click applications to navigate employment opportunities across multiple sectors. Founded in 2010 and based in Santa Monica, California, the company applies technology to match qualified candidates with available roles. ZipRecruiter focuses on platform capabilities, efficiency, and strategic partnerships across the digital employment ecosystem.
Growth and profitability
Between FY2021 and FY2025, ZipRecruiter generated a 5-year revenue compound annual growth rate of 1.4%. After peaking at $904.6M in FY2022, revenue declined 28.6% in FY2023, fell 26.6% in FY2024, and dropped 5.3% to $449.0M in FY2025. Annual net income shifted from a profit of $61.5M in FY2022 to net losses of -$12.9M in FY2024 and -$33.0M in FY2025, with FY2025 operating margin reaching -4.3%. Gross margin remained consistent at 89.2% in FY2025 compared to 89.3% in FY2021. In the latest quarter ended June 30, 2026, revenue increased 5.2% year-over-year, while quarterly earnings declined 50.0%.
Balance sheet and cash flow
As of June 30, 2026, ZipRecruiter held $173.8M in cash and short-term investments alongside total debt of $265.0M, resulting in net debt of $91.2M. The company reported a current ratio of 3.03, total assets of $321.3M, and negative shareholders' equity of -$33.8M. Operating cash flow fell to $11.0M in FY2025 from $45.7M in FY2024, leaving free cash flow of $9.9M. In FY2025, capital expenditures were $1.1M, and the firm deployed $102.1M toward share buybacks, contributing to a 34.6% reduction in share count over 5 years.
Valuation and performance
At a market capitalization of $362.6M and enterprise value of $385.6M, ZipRecruiter trades at a trailing price-to-earnings ratio of 13.4x, below the 16.2x median of its US-listed Communication Services peers. Its forward P/E of 17.0x is above the peer median of 14.1x, while its EV-to-EBITDA multiple of 4.4x sits well below the peer median of 10.0x. Over the past year, ZIP delivered a return of 2.3%, trailing the 16.8% gain for the S&P 500 (SPY). Over a 5-year period, ZIP shares declined 83.7% against an 83.0% gain for the benchmark index.
What analysts expect
Wall Street coverage consists of 1 Strong Buy and 4 Hold ratings, with no Buy, Sell, or Strong Sell recommendations. The mean price target of $4.75 implies 7.7% upside compared to the last close of $4.41. For the current fiscal year ending December 31, 2026, consensus estimates project revenue of $462.3M and EPS of $0.50, reflecting 205.8% EPS growth. Over the last 4 quarters, ZipRecruiter beat EPS estimates 3 times. The next earnings date is scheduled for November 4, 2026.
Key risks and what to watch
- Free cash flow dropped from $118.3M in FY2022 to $9.9M in FY2025, limiting internal cash generation.
- Quarterly earnings declined 50.0% year-over-year in the quarter ended June 30, 2026.
- The stock carries a beta of 1.55, indicating higher volatility than the broader equity market.
- Long-term performance has lagged significantly, with shares falling 83.7% over the past 5 years while the S&P 500 gained 83.0%.
AI-generated research summary. Written with AI from Quotelinks data as of October 16, 2026 and checked so every figure matches that data. For information only, not investment advice. Disclaimer
About this ZIP AI stock analysis
This page is an AI-written research summary of ZipRecruiter, Inc. (ZIP). The text was generated on October 30, 2026 from Quotelinks data as of October 16, 2026 (company profile, annual results, latest balance sheet, valuation, price performance and analyst estimates). An automatic check rejects any draft that contains a figure not found in that data. It is not investment advice; verify figures on the linked tabs before making decisions.
Related: ZIP income statement, ZIP balance sheet, ZIP key metrics, ZIP analyst forecast, ZIP chart. See the ZIP stock overview for the latest quote and news.
ZIP AI stock analysis FAQ
Does ZipRecruiter pay a dividend?
No, ZipRecruiter does not pay a dividend. Capital allocation has favored share repurchases, with $102.1M spent on share buybacks in FY2025.
What is ZipRecruiter's debt position?
As of June 30, 2026, ZipRecruiter held $173.8M in cash and short-term investments against $265.0M in total debt, leading to net debt of $91.2M and negative shareholders' equity of -$33.8M.
What are Wall Street analysts' price targets for ZIP?
The mean analyst price target is $4.75, representing an upside of 7.7% from the last close of $4.41 on October 16, 2026.
How has ZipRecruiter performed against the S&P 500?
ZIP stock has gained 2.3% over the past year compared to a 16.8% return for the S&P 500, and has dropped 83.7% over 5 years while the benchmark rose 83.0%.