AppLovin $APP: Profits, Probes, and Pure Leverage

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AppLovin $APP ( ▲ 5.14% ) continues to stand out as one of the most dominant and misunderstood names in the digital advertising landscape. Despite a near-300% rally over the past year, the stock still looks attractive. The reason is simple: the company’s fundamentals are improving even faster than its valuation multiples imply. With P/E contraction on the horizon, a powerful self-serve rollout ahead, and expanding margins that rival top-tier SaaS businesses, AppLovin’s story looks far from finished.

Earlier this month, headlines about an SEC probe into the company’s data collection practices spooked investors, triggering a sharp drop. While the regulator has not accused AppLovin of any wrongdoing, the incident was a reminder of the regulatory scrutiny adtech names often face.

For long-term investors, however, these moments often create entry points — and this one might be no exception. Let’s take a closer look.

The Engine Keeps Firing

The company’s latest quarterly report on August 6 reaffirmed its trajectory of exceptional growth and execution. Revenue surged 77% year over year to $1.26 billion, while adjusted EPS more than doubled from $0.89 to $2.39. Equally impressive, operating margin expanded from 54% to 76%, underlining the scalability of its AXON platform and the strength of its data-driven ad targeting.

Gross margin climbed from 83% to nearly 88%, a level few companies in adtech or software ever achieve. Such margin expansion isn’t just cosmetic—it signals a business with the ability to reinvest in R&D and product development without sacrificing profitability. This reinvestment is already showing results: AppLovin’s free cash flow has surged, creating a powerful flywheel that enables both shareholder returns and growth investments. The balance sheet reflects this maturity, with over $1 billion in cash and minimal debt relative to its now-$200 billion market cap.

The Self-Serve Catalyst

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