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The programmatic advertising specialist is facing turnover in the C-suite.
Shares of The Trade Desk (TTD 7.47%) slumped on Monday, falling as much as 8.5%. As of 3:13 p.m. ET, the stock was still down 7.1%.
The abrupt departure of a high-ranking executive normally raises eyebrows anyway, but this move was doubly perplexing.
Image source: Getty Images.
A revolving door
In a press release that dropped early Monday, The Trade Desk announced that chief financial officer (CFO) Alex Kayyal would depart his position effective immediately. The company didn’t provide any reason for the departure. Kayyal joined The Trade Desk’s Board of Directors early last year and assumed the role of CFO in August, so his short tenure ended rather abruptly.
When a C-suite executive departs, especially on such short notice, there are inevitable questions about what precipitated the move and the potential impact on ongoing operations.
In the meantime, The Trade Desk appointed Tahnil Davis as Interim CFO, while it “conducts a search for a permanent successor.” Davis currently serves as the company’s chief accounting officer and has been with the company for 11 years.
CEO Jeff Green sought to calm concerned investors and affirmed The Trade Desk’s fourth-quarter financial guidance.
The Trade Desk
Today’s Change
(-7.47%) $-2.73
Current Price
$33.82
Key Data Points
Market Cap
$18B
Day’s Range
$33.44 – $36.35
52wk Range
$33.44 – $125.80
Volume
594K
Avg Vol
13M
Gross Margin
78.81%
Volatility continues
The Trade Desk has been in the midst of a turnaround. Early last year, after meeting or exceeding its own guidance for 33 consecutive quarters, the company stumbled and has been trying to regain its footing ever since. The adtech industry is becoming increasingly competitive, and some investors fear The Trade Desk may be losing ground to well-heeled competitors, including Amazon.
Green said the miss was the result of “a series of small execution missteps,” and is confident The Trade Desk will regain its mojo, but investors have adopted a “wait and see” attitude.
Since the start of 2025, The Trade Desk stock has fallen roughly 75% and the company has lost several key executives. Investors are left wondering if this is the end of an era or just a run of bad luck.
Only time will tell.
Danny Vena, CPA has positions in Amazon and The Trade Desk. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Amazon and The Trade Desk. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.