SSTK

Communication Services

Shutterstock, Inc. · Internet Content & Information · $600M

UQS Score — Balanced Preset
36.2
Below Average

Shutterstock, Inc. scores 36.2/100 using the Balanced preset.

UQS vs Communication Services Sector
SSTK
36.2
Sector avg
35.8
Quality
Weak
Moat
Weak
Growth
Weak
Risk
Weak
Valuation
Attractive

What is Shutterstock, Inc.?

Shutterstock is a global content marketplace offering licensed images, video footage, music, and 3D assets to businesses and creators worldwide.

Shutterstock connects content contributors with buyers through subscription and on-demand licensing. Revenue comes from corporate teams, media companies, and individual creators paying for access to photographs, illustrations, video clips, music tracks, and 3D models across brands including Shutterstock, PremiumBeat, and TurboSquid.

The company was founded in 2003 and is headquartered in New York City.

  • Licensed stock photography and illustrations
  • Video footage in HD and 4K formats
  • Royalty-free music and sound effects
  • 3D models via TurboSquid

Is SSTK a Good Stock to Buy?

UQS Score rates SSTK as Below Average overall.

Valuation stands out as Attractive relative to peers, and both Quality and Risk land at Neutral — meaning the business is not in acute distress. For income-focused investors, the dividend adds a tangible return component.

Moat and Growth are both rated Weak, signaling limited competitive differentiation and a challenging revenue trajectory in an AI-disrupted content market.

See the full pillar breakdown and financial metrics by signing up for a UQS Pro account. Sign up free →

Past performance does not guarantee future results. UQS Score is based on fundamental data and is not a buy/sell recommendation.

Does SSTK pay dividends?

Yes — Shutterstock, Inc. pays a dividend.

Shutterstock pays a regular dividend, which is relatively uncommon among small-cap technology companies. This reflects a mature cash-generation profile. Income-oriented investors may find the dividend meaningful, though the Weak Growth pillar suggests reinvestment opportunities are limited.

When does SSTK report earnings?

Shutterstock reports earnings on a quarterly cadence, consistent with standard US-listed equity practice.

The company has navigated a shifting content landscape as AI-generated imagery pressures traditional stock licensing demand. Revenue trends have reflected that headwind, and the Weak Growth pillar rating captures the current trajectory.

For the most recent quarter's results, visit Shutterstock's investor relations page directly.

SSTK Price History

-76.6% over 5Y

Monthly close, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment.

Return Calculator

What if I invested in Shutterstock, Inc.?

$
Today it would be worth
$2,228
That's a -77.7% total return, or -25.9% annualized.

Based on Shutterstock, Inc.'s historical closing prices, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Shutterstock do?

Shutterstock operates a licensed content marketplace where contributors upload images, video, music, and 3D assets that businesses and creators can license for commercial use. It serves customers under several brands including Shutterstock, PremiumBeat, and TurboSquid.

Does SSTK pay dividends?

Yes, Shutterstock pays a regular dividend. This is notable for a small-cap technology company and may appeal to income-focused investors. Check the company's investor relations page for the current dividend rate and payment schedule.

When does SSTK report earnings?

Shutterstock follows a standard quarterly earnings cadence. Specific upcoming dates are not confirmed by our data source — visit the company's investor relations page for the official schedule.

Is SSTK a good stock to buy?

UQS Score rates SSTK as Below Average. Valuation is Attractive, but Moat and Growth are both Weak. That combination means the stock may look cheap for a reason. The full pillar analysis is available to Pro members.

Is SSTK overvalued?

The UQS Valuation pillar rates SSTK as Attractive, suggesting the current price reflects the business's challenges rather than a premium. Whether that discount is sufficient depends on your view of the Growth and Moat concerns.

What is SSTK's market cap bracket?

Shutterstock is classified as a small-cap stock. This places it in a segment of the market that can carry higher volatility and liquidity risk compared to large- or mega-cap peers.

Is SSTK a long-term quality indicator?

As a long-term quality indicator, SSTK's Below Average UQS Score reflects meaningful structural concerns — particularly the Weak Moat and Weak Growth ratings. Investors with a long horizon should weigh whether the Attractive Valuation compensates for those risks.

What sector does SSTK belong to?

Shutterstock is classified under the Communication Services sector. Within that sector, it operates as a digital content marketplace rather than a traditional media or telecom business.

Unlock Full SSTK Analysis

Sign in to unlock the detailed analysis behind the UQS Score.

  • View the exact UQS Score and all five pillar ratings
  • Access detailed financial metrics behind each pillar
  • Compare SSTK against sector peers on quality and valuation
  • Get the complete analyst-style breakdown in one place
Analyze SSTK in Detail →

Pro Analysis

SSTK — Score History

3035404550Apr 2Apr 12Apr 22May 2May 12May 22May 24v5
Score changes· 10 most recent
DateUQSQualityMoatGrowthRiskValueChange
May 15, 202636.229.827.011.835.495.8-2.3
May 1, 202638.540.727.011.840.387.9-1.4
Apr 29, 202639.940.727.017.040.390.4-1.5
Apr 26, 202641.440.727.021.240.394.8+0.1
Apr 19, 202641.340.727.021.240.393.9-0.2
Apr 18, 202641.540.727.021.240.395.0-0.2
Apr 14, 202641.740.727.021.240.396.6-0.2
Apr 12, 202641.940.727.021.240.398.0-0.1
Apr 5, 202642.040.727.021.240.398.30.0
Apr 2, 202642.040.727.021.240.398.4

SSTK — Pillar Breakdown

Quality

29.8/100 (25%)

Shutterstock, Inc. currently shows below-average quality metrics, suggesting challenges with profitability.

Capital Efficiency (ROIC)Weak

How effectively capital is deployed to generate returns.

Return on EquityWeak

Profitability relative to shareholders' equity.

Operating ProfitabilityWeak

Ability to convert revenue into operating profit.

Net ProfitabilityWeak

Bottom-line profit as a share of revenue.

Gross Profit / AssetsStrong

Asset productivity — how much gross profit each dollar of assets generates.

Cash GenerationStrong

Free cash flow relative to market value.

Growth

11.8/100 (20%)

Shutterstock, Inc. faces growth headwinds with declining or stagnant revenue trends.

Recent Revenue TrendWeak

Revenue trajectory over the last twelve months.

3Y Revenue CAGRWeak

Compound annual revenue growth rate over 3 years.

EPS GrowthWeak

Year-over-year earnings per share growth.

Forward Revenue OutlookWeak

Analyst consensus for future revenue growth.

Risk

35.4/100 (15%)

Shutterstock, Inc. has some risk factors including moderate leverage or solvency concerns.

Financial LeverageModerate

Debt levels relative to earnings capacity.

Debt/EquityStrong

Total debt relative to shareholder equity.

Current RatioWeak

Short-term liquidity — ability to pay near-term obligations.

Interest CoverageWeak

Earnings capacity relative to interest payments.

Valuation

95.7/100 (15%)

Shutterstock, Inc. appears attractively valued relative to its earnings, cash flows, and sector peers.

Price to Free Cash FlowStrong

How many years of FCF the market cap represents.

EV/EBITDA vs SectorStrong

Enterprise value multiple relative to sector median.

Moat

27/100 (25%)

Shutterstock, Inc. operates in a highly competitive environment with limited sustainable advantages. The Moat pillar evaluates competitive advantages across five dimensions: Switching Costs, Network Effects, Cost Advantage, Intangible Assets, and Scale & Ecosystem. Sign in to customize moat ratings for SSTK.

Score Composition

Quality
29.8×25%7.5
Growth
11.8×20%2.4
Risk
35.4×15%5.3
Valuation
95.7×15%14.4
Moat
27.0×25%6.8
Total
36.2Below Average

Financial Data

More Stock Analysis

How is the SSTK UQS Score Calculated?

The UQS (Unified Quality Score) for Shutterstock, Inc. is calculated using a proprietary 6-pillar framework with 29 financial metrics. Each pillar evaluates a different dimension on a 0–100 scale, then combines into a single weighted score. Scoring thresholds are calibrated per sector. Momentum is an optional Pro toggle — without it, you get the 5-pillar / 25-metric core shown below.

Quality (25%) measures profitability and capital efficiency — ROIC, ROE, margins, GP/Assets, and FCF Yield.

Moat (25%) assesses Shutterstock, Inc.'s competitive advantages across switching costs, network effects, cost advantages, intangible assets, and ecosystem scale.

Growth (20%) tracks revenue trajectory and earnings momentum, combining historical results with analyst forward estimates.

Risk (15%) is inversely scored — lower leverage and strong balance sheet health result in higher scores.

Valuation (15%) measures whether Shutterstock, Inc. is fairly priced using earnings yield, price-to-FCF, PEG ratio, and EV/EBITDA relative to sector peers.

Six investor-inspired presets are available, each with different pillar weights: Balanced, Buffett, Munger, Lynch, Cathie Wood, and Graham. The public score shown here uses the Balanced preset. Learn more in our FAQ.