Magnite, Inc. (MGNI) stock soared 6.11% in pre-market trading on Thursday, following the company's impressive fourth-quarter and full-year 2024 earnings results. The surge in the stock price was fueled by Magnite's robust performance, particularly in its high-growth Connected TV (CTV) business, as well as its strong financial position and promising strategic initiatives.

Magnite reported record-breaking financials for the full year 2024, including a contribution ex-TAC (less traffic acquisition costs) of $607 million and processed ad spend of over $6 billion. The company also achieved record highs in adjusted EBITDA at $197 million and free cash flow of $118 million, highlighting its operational efficiency and strong cash generation capabilities.

The standout performer for Magnite in Q4 was its CTV business, which saw a 23% year-over-year increase in contribution ex-TAC to $78 million, outpacing the company's guidance. This growth was driven by significant momentum with major CTV partners such as Roku, LG, Vizio, Walmart, Disney, Fox, Warner Discovery, and Paramount. Additionally, Magnite's partnership with Netflix continued to ramp up, with the company expecting Netflix to become one of its largest CTV clients by the end of 2025.

Investors were also encouraged by Magnite's strategic initiatives, including its investments in generative AI and autonomous driving technologies. The company plans to release a number of new client-facing tools powered by generative AI in 2025, aimed at enhancing operational efficiencies and driving value for its partners.

Furthermore, Magnite's robust capital structure, with $483 million in cash and a low net leverage ratio of 0.4x, provided investors with confidence in the company's financial flexibility and ability to navigate market challenges. Magnite's competitive advantages, such as its purpose-built CTV technology and direct relationships with major streaming platforms, also differentiated the company from initiatives like Trade Desk's OpenPath, solidifying its position in the rapidly growing CTV advertising market.