Why StubHub (STUB) is an Undervalued Buy Post-IPO Amid Legal and Market Headwinds

The post-IPO journey of StubHub (STUB) has been anything but smooth. Since its September 2025 public offering, the company has faced a 40% stock price decline, a securities lawsuit, and questions about its financial transparency. Yet, beneath these short-term challenges lies a compelling case for undervaluation. StubHub's strategic positioning in a rapidly expanding $150+ billion global ticketing ecosystem, coupled with its robust financial fundamentals and transformative partnerships, suggests the market is underestimating its long-term potential.

Financial Resilience Amid One-Time Costs

StubHub's Q3 2025 results highlight a business model with durable growth drivers. Revenue rose 8% year-over-year to $468 million, while gross merchandise sales (GMS) surged 11% to $2.4 billion. Adjusted EBITDA climbed 21% to $67 million, reflecting a 14% margin-a strong indicator of operational efficiency. The company's net loss of $1.3 billion in Q3, however, was largely attributable to a one-time $1.4 billion stock-based compensation charge tied to the IPO. This non-recurring expense skewed short-term profitability but does not reflect underlying performance. Analysts remain bullish, with an average 12-month price target of $24.36-well above the current price of $13.95.

StubHub's balance sheet further underscores its resilience. The IPO proceeds enabled a $750 million debt reduction, lowering its net leverage ratio to 3.9x trailing twelve months (TTM) adjusted EBITDA. This deleveraging positions the company to invest in growth initiatives while maintaining financial flexibility.

Strategic Expansion in a High-Growth Market

The global secondary ticketing market is projected to grow at 8–11% annually through 2029, driven by surging demand for live events. StubHub's recent partnership with Major League Baseball (MLB) as the "Official Direct Issuance Partner" is a masterstroke in this context. By distributing primary ticket inventory for MLB games, StubHub is expanding beyond its traditional secondary market role, leveraging its global infrastructure to reach 200 countries and 33 languages. This move not only diversifies revenue streams but also strengthens its competitive moat against rivals like Ticketmaster and SeatGeek.

The company's technological edge further amplifies its advantages. StubHub's data asset-derived from 40 million annual ticket sales-enables AI-driven pricing optimization and customer acquisition strategies. As live events continue to rebound post-pandemic, StubHub's ability to innovate and scale will be critical to capturing market share.

Navigating Legal Challenges with Pragmatism

StubHub's securities lawsuit, filed in January 2026, alleges that its IPO disclosures omitted material information about free cash flow (FCF) trends. The company reported negative FCF of $4.6 million in Q3 2025, a 143% decline from the prior year, triggering a 20.9% stock drop. While the legal risks are non-trivial, the case hinges on whether these disclosures were misleading-a defense StubHub is likely to pursue by attributing the downturn to macroeconomic volatility rather than intentional misrepresentation.

Even in the worst-case scenario, the lawsuit is unlikely to derail StubHub's long-term trajectory. The company has already signaled plans to pivot toward a "total price" model to address regulatory scrutiny over hidden fees. Such adjustments align with broader industry trends toward transparency and could ultimately enhance investor confidence.

Why the Market is Missing the Forest for the Trees

StubHub's current valuation appears disconnected from its fundamentals. At a 37x enterprise value-to-EBITDA multiple post-IPO, the stock was criticized as inflated. Yet, with EBITDA margins at 14% and a deleveraged balance sheet, the company's intrinsic value is arguably higher today. Analysts' $24.36 price target implies a 73% upside from current levels-a premium that reflects confidence in StubHub's ability to execute its growth strategy.

Moreover, the ticketing ecosystem is undergoing a structural shift. As consumers demand seamless, global access to events, StubHub's direct issuance partnerships and technological infrastructure position it as a key beneficiary. The MLB deal, in particular, is a blueprint for future collaborations, enabling the company to monetize primary ticket sales while retaining its secondary market expertise.

Conclusion: A Buy for the Long-Term Investor

StubHub's post-IPO struggles are real, but they are not insurmountable. The company's financial resilience, strategic expansion into primary ticketing, and leadership in a high-growth industry create a compelling case for undervaluation. While the securities lawsuit introduces near-term uncertainty, it also presents an opportunity for investors to acquire shares at a discount to intrinsic value. For those with a multi-year horizon, StubHub represents a rare combination of market resilience and long-term positioning-a stock that could deliver outsized returns as the ticketing ecosystem evolves.