FindWhat (FWHT:Nasdaq - commentary - research)
allows companies to design a one-size-fits-all
search-engine marketing campaign that it then
distributes to many of the leading search engines.
Say, for instance, that a company will pay only $5
per click for the keyword "dating." FindWhat then
arranges that with the dozens of search engines it
has relationships with; examples include Excite
and Microsoft Internet Search. This is very
similar to how DoubleClick aggregates banner-ad
spots across hundreds of Web sites and then places
your ads across its network. What DoubleClick did
for banner ads, FindWhat does for search engines.
As long as search-engine marketing proves
effective, this company will continue to grow,
regardless of the battle over keyword-pricing
inflation.
FindWhat's metrics include a $310 million market
capitalization, $54 million in cash with just $6
million in debt, and $20 million in cash generated
from operations. Net income increased 45% year
over year. Even if you assume no growth (an
incorrect assumption based on the 100%-plus year-
over-year top-line growth), the company now has an
enterprise value-to-cash-flow multiple of just 13.
Top-line revenue grew from $72 million to $169
million year over year in the 12 months ending
Dec. 31, 2004.