Here's How Much $1,000 Invested in The Trade Desk 5 Years Ago Would Be Worth Today
Key Points
The Trade Desk's stock price is down over 91% from its Dec. 6, 2024, peak.
The company faces growing pressure from big tech companies like Alphabet, Amazon, and Meta Platforms.
- 10 stocks we like better than The Trade Desk ›
Like many other high-growth tech stocks, The Trade Desk (NASDAQ: TTD) generated significant hype when it began trading on the public market in September 2016. Since then, the stock has been a roller-coaster ride, to say the least. Unfortunately, the ride has been downhill at full speed for a few years now.
In the past five years, The Trade Desk's stock has fallen 82%, meaning if you had invested $1,000 in the stock then, your investment would be worth $179 as of Sept. 30. Needless to say, that's not ideal.
Missed Nvidia in 2009? This Rare Signal Is Flashing Again. In 2009, a "Double Down" signal flashed for a little-known chipmaker called Nvidia. For the first time in years, that same "Total Conviction" signal is flashing for a company 1/100th the size of Nvidia. Continue »
Image source: The Motley Fool.
Can The Trade Desk turn things around?
The Trade Desk's stock peaked on Dec. 6, 2024, and is now down more than 91% from that level. No single reason explains Trade Desk's struggles; it's a combination of factors. Most notably, they include declining revenue growth (with expectations that it will turn negative); competition from big tech companies such as Alphabet, Amazon, and Meta Platforms; and a recent 15% reduction in its global workforce.
The company faces an uphill battle, as many corporations cut back on ad budgets. However, all hope isn't lost if management can execute its turnaround plans. The Trade Desk still has a solid footprint in Connected TV that it can lean on to maintain an edge.
That said, I wouldn't touch the stock right now. I'd rather wait to see revenue reaccelerate and proof that its internal changes are driving real business results.
Should you buy stock in The Trade Desk right now?
Before you buy stock in The Trade Desk, consider this:
The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and The Trade Desk wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.
Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $375,240!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,403,292!*
Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 932% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 211% for the S&P 500. Don't miss the latest top 10 list, available with Stock Advisor, and join an investing community built by individual investors for individual investors.
See the 10 stocks »
*Stock Advisor returns as of October 2, 2026.
Stefon Walters has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Alphabet, Amazon, Meta Platforms, and The Trade Desk. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
Recommended Articles
