LookSmart Group, Inc. (LKST)
For informational purposes only. Not financial advice. Analysis by Sedat ANAK, Founder & Editor-in-Chief | AI-powered analysis. Data sourced from SEC filings and institutional-grade financial providers. Editorially reviewed. Not financial advice.
LookSmart Group, Inc. (LKST) trades at $0.00 with AI Score 54/100 (Grade B). LookSmart Group, Inc. operates in the online search advertising sector, providing services to advertisers and publishers. Market cap: $11, Sector: Communication services.
Price live · AI analysis from Mar 18, 2026Analyst Coverage for LKST: LKST does not currently have published analyst price targets in our coverage universe. This is common for smaller-cap names with limited Wall Street coverage. In the absence of analyst consensus, our AI model evaluates LKST against Communication Services peers across nine fundamental dimensions and assigns a mixed fundamental profile based on the underlying data.
LKST: 3/6 perspectives are bullish. Dominant signal: Izzy Englander bullish.
How is this calculated? →LookSmart Group, Inc. (LKST) Media & Communications Profile
LookSmart Group, Inc., established in 1996, provides online search advertising solutions, connecting advertisers and publishers. Operating within the Internet Content & Information sector, the company faces competition from larger, more diversified players while navigating the evolving landscape of digital advertising and search technologies.
What Is the Investment Thesis for LKST?
An investment in LookSmart Group, Inc. presents a high-risk, high-reward scenario. The company's small market capitalization of 11 and negative profit margin of -25.2% indicate financial challenges. The company's gross margin of 55.6% suggests potential in its core operations. A key risk is the company's OTC listing, which entails less stringent regulatory oversight and lower liquidity. Growth catalysts are limited, and the company's future hinges on its ability to innovate and adapt to the rapidly changing online advertising market. Investors should closely monitor the company's financial performance and strategic initiatives.
Based on FMP financials and quantitative analysis
LKST Key Highlights
- Market Cap of 11 indicates a micro-cap company with limited resources and higher volatility.
- P/E Ratio of -1.01 reflects negative earnings, suggesting the company is not currently profitable.
- Profit Margin of -25.2% highlights significant losses relative to revenue, indicating operational inefficiencies or high expenses.
- Gross Margin of 55.6% demonstrates a reasonable ability to generate profit from revenue before operating expenses.
- Beta of -7.64 suggests the stock price moves inversely and more aggressively than the market, indicating high sensitivity to market fluctuations.
Who Are LKST's Competitors?
LKST is benchmarked below against 8 industry peers on price, market cap, and our AI MoonshotScore.
| Company | Price | Change | Market Cap | AI Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NBIS Nebius Group N.V. | $213.02 | -1.21% | 52B | 76 |
| RDDT Reddit, Inc. | $206.21 | +5.93% | $39.70B | 65 |
| TBLA Taboola.com Ltd. | $5.46 | +6.23% | $1.49B | 64 |
| YNDX Yandex N.V. | $18.94 | +0.00% | $15.14B | 64 |
| DJT Trump Media & Technology Group Corp. | $8.77 | +2.63% | $2.43B | 54 |
| GIBO GIBO Holdings Limited | $23.88 | -1.77% | $62.20M | 54 |
| TRUE TrueCar, Inc. | $2.54 | +14.93% | $225.91M | 54 |
| GENI Genius Sports Limited | $6.59 | +2.49% | $1.70B | 54 |
AI Score by Stock Expert AI · Price data: FMP / Yahoo Finance
What Are LKST's Key Strengths?
- Established presence in the online advertising market (founded in 1996).
- Focus on connecting advertisers and publishers.
- Experience in providing search advertising services.
What Are LKST's Weaknesses?
- Small market capitalization ($0.00B).
- Negative profit margin (-25.2%).
- OTC listing, indicating higher risk and lower liquidity.
What Could Drive LKST Stock Higher?
- Potential partnerships with other technology companies could expand LookSmart's reach and capabilities.
- Development of new search advertising technologies could attract new customers and increase revenue.
- Cost-cutting measures could improve profitability and financial stability.
What Are the Key Risks for LKST?
- Intense competition from larger, more established players in the online advertising market.
- Rapid technological advancements could render LookSmart's existing technology obsolete.
- Changes in search engine algorithms could negatively impact LookSmart's advertising performance.
- The company's OTC listing and small market capitalization make it more vulnerable to market volatility.
What Are the Growth Opportunities for LKST?
- Growth opportunity 1: Expanding into niche search advertising markets could provide LookSmart with a competitive edge. By focusing on specific industries or demographics, the company can tailor its advertising solutions to meet the unique needs of these segments. This targeted approach could attract advertisers seeking more effective campaigns and higher returns on investment. The market size for niche advertising is estimated to be growing as advertisers seek more personalized ways to reach their target audiences. Timeline: Within the next 2-3 years.
- Growth opportunity 2: Developing proprietary search technology could differentiate LookSmart from its competitors. By investing in research and development, the company can create innovative algorithms and platforms that deliver more relevant and accurate search results. This could attract both advertisers and publishers, leading to increased revenue and market share. The market for search technology is constantly evolving, with new advancements emerging regularly. Timeline: Requires ongoing investment and development.
- Growth opportunity 3: Forming strategic partnerships with complementary businesses could expand LookSmart's reach and capabilities. By collaborating with companies in related industries, such as content providers or e-commerce platforms, LookSmart can offer a more comprehensive suite of services to its clients. This could attract larger advertisers and generate new revenue streams. The market for strategic partnerships is growing as companies seek to leverage each other's strengths. Timeline: Can be implemented within the next year.
- Growth opportunity 4: Leveraging data analytics to improve advertising performance could enhance LookSmart's value proposition. By analyzing user behavior and campaign data, the company can optimize its advertising solutions to deliver better results for its clients. This could attract advertisers seeking higher returns on investment and increase customer retention. The market for data analytics in advertising is growing rapidly as advertisers seek to improve campaign effectiveness. Timeline: Requires investment in data analytics infrastructure and expertise.
- Growth opportunity 5: Exploring international expansion could open up new markets and revenue streams for LookSmart. By expanding its operations to other countries, the company can tap into new customer bases and diversify its revenue sources. This could mitigate the risks associated with relying solely on the domestic market. The global market for online advertising is growing, with significant opportunities in emerging markets. Timeline: Requires careful planning and market research.
What Opportunities Does LKST Have?
- Expanding into niche search advertising markets.
- Developing proprietary search technology.
- Forming strategic partnerships with complementary businesses.
- Leveraging data analytics to improve advertising performance.
What Threats Does LKST Face?
- Intense competition from larger, more diversified players.
- Rapid technological advancements in the online advertising market.
- Evolving consumer preferences and advertising trends.
- Potential for regulatory changes affecting the online advertising industry.
What Are LKST's Competitive Advantages?
- Established relationships with publishers.
- Proprietary search advertising technology.
- Experience in the online advertising market.
What Does LKST Do?
LookSmart Group, Inc., founded in 1996, is an online search advertising company that connects advertisers with publishers. Based in New York City, the company provides a platform for businesses to reach potential customers through targeted online search campaigns. Over the years, LookSmart has adapted to the evolving digital advertising landscape, focusing on delivering relevant search results and advertising solutions. The company's core business revolves around facilitating the placement of advertisements within search engine results pages and publisher websites. LookSmart's services enable advertisers to increase their online visibility and drive traffic to their websites, while providing publishers with a means to monetize their online content. The company operates primarily in the online advertising market, serving a range of clients seeking to enhance their digital marketing efforts. As of 2026, LookSmart continues to navigate the competitive landscape of the internet content and information industry, focusing on its core search advertising services.
What Products and Services Does LKST Offer?
- Provides online search advertising services.
- Connects advertisers with publishers.
- Facilitates the placement of advertisements within search engine results pages.
- Enables advertisers to increase their online visibility.
- Drives traffic to advertiser websites.
- Provides publishers with a means to monetize their online content.
How Does LKST Make Money?
- Generates revenue by selling advertising space to advertisers.
- Partners with publishers to display advertisements on their websites.
- Charges advertisers based on various metrics, such as impressions or clicks.
What Industry Does LKST Operate In?
LookSmart Group, Inc. operates in the dynamic Internet Content & Information industry, a segment within the broader Communication Services sector. This industry is characterized by rapid technological advancements, evolving consumer preferences, and intense competition. Companies in this space, including LookSmart, face the challenge of staying relevant and innovative to capture market share. The industry is dominated by larger players with diversified offerings, making it difficult for smaller companies to compete effectively. Market trends include the increasing importance of mobile advertising, the rise of programmatic advertising, and the growing demand for personalized content.
Who Are LKST's Key Customers?
- Advertisers seeking to promote their products or services online.
- Publishers looking to monetize their online content.
- Businesses of all sizes seeking to increase their online visibility.
Company Profile
LookSmart Group, Inc. operates in the Internet Content & Information industry within the Communication Services sector. It is headquartered in New York City, US. The company is led by CEO Michael G. Onghai. LKST has traded publicly since 2016.
How LookSmart Group, Inc. Is Valued
LookSmart Group, Inc. carries a market capitalization of 11, placing it in the micro-cap category. Relative to its peer group, LKST's quantitative score of 54/100 is below the peer average of 65/100.
ROE 10%Key Financial Metrics
Return on equity for LookSmart Group, Inc. stands at 9.9%, a gauge of how efficiently it converts shareholder capital into profit. Return on assets is -5.7%, showing how much profit it generates from its asset base. A current ratio of 2.61 indicates the company holds enough short-term assets to cover its near-term obligations.
LKST Financials
Fundamental Snapshot
Based on FMP financials and quantitative analysis
Bull Case vs Bear Case
Bull Case
- Established presence in the online advertising market (founded in 1996).
- Focus on connecting advertisers and publishers.
- Experience in providing search advertising services.
- Ongoing: Potential partnerships with other technology companies could expand LookSmart's reach and capabilities.
Bear Case
- Small market capitalization ($0.00B).
- Negative profit margin (-25.2%).
- OTC listing, indicating higher risk and lower liquidity.
- Potential: Intense competition from larger, more established players in the online advertising market.
AI-generated arguments based on insider flow, news sentiment and technicals — not financial advice · July 2026
LKST Latest News
No recent news available for LKST.
LKST Analyst Consensus
Consensus Rating
Aggregated Buy/Hold/Sell recommendations from Benzinga, Yahoo Finance, and Finnhub for LKST.
Price Targets
Wall Street price target analysis for LKST.
LKST MoonshotScore
What does this score mean?
The MoonshotScore rates LKST's growth potential on a scale of 0-100 across multiple factors including innovation, market disruption, financial health, and momentum.
Leadership: Michael Onghai
CEO
Michael Onghai is the CEO of LookSmart Group, Inc. His background includes experience in managing small teams and navigating the complexities of the online advertising industry. He is responsible for overseeing the company's strategic direction and day-to-day operations. His leadership is crucial for guiding LookSmart through the competitive landscape of the internet content and information sector.
Track Record: Under Michael Onghai's leadership, LookSmart has focused on maintaining its core search advertising services. Key challenges include navigating the competitive landscape and adapting to evolving market trends. His strategic decisions aim to sustain the company's operations and explore potential growth opportunities within the online advertising sector.
LKST OTC Market Information
The OTC Other tier represents the lowest tier of the OTC market, indicating that LookSmart Group, Inc. may not meet the minimum financial standards or reporting requirements of higher tiers like OTCQX or OTCQB. Companies in this tier often have limited trading volume and may not provide regular financial disclosures, increasing the risk for investors. Unlike companies listed on major exchanges like NYSE or NASDAQ, OTC Other companies are not subject to the same stringent listing requirements, resulting in less transparency and oversight.
- OTC Tier: OTC Other
- Disclosure Status: Unknown
- Limited financial disclosure increases the risk of investing in LKST.
- Low trading volume and wide bid-ask spreads can make it difficult to buy or sell shares.
- OTC Other listing indicates the company may not meet minimum financial standards.
- Lack of regulatory oversight increases the potential for fraud or mismanagement.
- Small market capitalization makes the stock more volatile and susceptible to manipulation.
- Verify the availability of financial statements and disclosures.
- Assess the company's business model and competitive position.
- Evaluate the management team and their track record.
- Review the company's OTC Markets profile for any warnings or flags.
- Check for any legal or regulatory issues.
- Understand the risks associated with investing in OTC stocks.
- Consult with a financial advisor before investing.
- Company has been in business since 1996.
- Company provides online search advertising services.
- Company has a CEO (Michael Onghai).
LKST Communication Services Stock FAQ
What does LookSmart Group, Inc. do?
LookSmart Group, Inc. operates as an online search advertising company, connecting advertisers with publishers. It provides a platform where businesses can promote their products and services through targeted online search campaigns. The company facilitates the placement of advertisements within search engine results pages and publisher websites, enabling advertisers to increase their online visibility and drive traffic to their websites. LookSmart also provides publishers with a means to monetize their online content by displaying relevant advertisements.
What do analysts say about LKST stock?
As of March 18, 2026, there is no readily available analyst coverage for LookSmart Group, Inc. due to its OTC listing and small market capitalization. Key valuation metrics such as P/E ratio (-1.01) and profit margin (-25.2%) suggest financial challenges. Investors should conduct their own independent research and consider the risks associated with investing in OTC stocks before making any investment decisions. The company's future performance will depend on its ability to innovate and adapt to the evolving online advertising market.
What are the main risks for LKST?
The main risks for LookSmart Group, Inc. include intense competition from larger, more established players in the online advertising market, rapid technological advancements that could render its existing technology obsolete, and changes in search engine algorithms that could negatively impact its advertising performance. Additionally, the company's OTC listing and small market capitalization make it more vulnerable to market volatility and manipulation. Limited financial disclosure and low trading volume further increase the risk for investors.
What are the key factors to evaluate for LKST?
LookSmart Group, Inc. (LKST) holds an AI score of 54/100 (moderate). Not financial advice.
How frequently does LKST data refresh on this page?
LKST prices update in real time during U.S. market hours. Fundamentals refresh after quarterly filings; analyst ratings and AI insights update daily; news is aggregated continuously.
What has driven LKST's recent stock price performance?
LookSmart Group, Inc. (LKST) moves on earnings results, analyst revisions, sector rotation, and market sentiment. Notable catalyst: Established presence in the online advertising market (founded in 1996). See the News tab for the latest drivers. Past performance does not predict future results.
Should investors consider LKST overvalued or undervalued right now?
Valuing LookSmart Group, Inc. (LKST) requires multiple metrics. Compare P/E, P/S, and EV/EBITDA against sector peers for a full view.
What research should beginners do before buying LKST?
Before investing in LookSmart Group, Inc. (LKST), research these four areas: (1) the company's revenue model and competitive position (see Company Overview), (2) financial health through revenue growth, margins, and cash flow (see MoonshotScore), (3) what Wall Street analysts recommend and their price targets (see Analyst tab), and (4) specific risk factors that could impact the stock (see Risk Factors section).
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Always do your own research and consult a financial advisor.
Official Resources
Data provided for informational purposes only.
- Information is based on available data as of 2026-03-18.
- OTC market data may be limited or delayed.
- AI analysis pending may provide additional insights in the future.