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CarGurus Inc (CARG)
NASDAQ:CARG
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CarGurus (CARG) AI Stock Analysis

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CARG

CarGurus

(NASDAQ:CARG)

Rating:73Outperform
Price Target:
$35.00
▼(-3.21% Downside)
CarGurus demonstrates strong financial performance and positive earnings call insights, particularly in its Marketplace and international segments. However, mixed technical indicators and a high valuation pose potential risks. The decision to wind down the CarOffer business is a challenge, but the company's strategic initiatives and growth guidance provide confidence in its future prospects.
Positive Factors
Dealer Count Expansion
U.S dealer count rose by 325, 50 ahead of expectation, and international dealer count was up impressively, rising by almost 400 dealers.
Market Position and Traffic
CarGurus remains the No. 1 most visited listing site in the U.S., with nearly 85 million average monthly sessions and 34 million unique visitors.
Revenue and EBITDA Performance
CARG delivered upside on both revenue and Adjusted EBITDA as the marketplace business remains robust.
Negative Factors
Business Restructuring
A major development in the quarter was the strategic decision to wind down the transaction side of the CarOffer business.
Competitive Risks
Competitive risk from Amazon remains an overhang.
International Investment Impact
The margin expansion trajectory is likely to slow due to greater marketing and international product investments.

CarGurus (CARG) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

CarGurus Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionCarGurus (CARG) is an online automotive marketplace that connects buyers and sellers of new and used vehicles. Founded in 2006, the company operates primarily in the automotive sector, offering a platform that provides users with detailed vehicle listings, pricing insights, and dealer reviews. CarGurus aims to simplify the car-buying process for consumers by leveraging technology and data analytics to deliver transparent information and facilitate informed purchasing decisions.
How the Company Makes MoneyCarGurus generates revenue primarily through advertising and subscription services. The company earns money by charging dealerships for premium placement of their vehicle listings on the CarGurus platform, which enhances visibility and attracts more potential buyers. Additionally, CarGurus offers subscription-based services to dealerships, providing them with tools and analytics to optimize their inventory management and marketing strategies. The company also partners with third-party service providers to offer financing and insurance options, generating referral fees from these partnerships. Overall, CarGurus' revenue model is heavily reliant on its relationships with automotive dealerships and the effectiveness of its platform in driving sales.

CarGurus Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Any
Any
Paying Dealers by Geography
Paying Dealers by Geography
Shows the distribution of paying dealers across different regions, highlighting market penetration and potential areas for expansion or increased competition.
Chart InsightsCarGurus is seeing a steady recovery in its U.S. dealer base, with numbers gradually rebounding after previous declines. The international dealer segment is experiencing robust growth, aligning with the company's earnings call highlighting a 23% increase in international revenue. This expansion is critical as it offsets challenges in the Digital Wholesale segment, which faced significant losses. The focus on enhancing dealer engagement and international expansion seems to be a strategic move to stabilize overall revenue and mitigate risks from underperforming segments.
Data provided by:Main Street Data

CarGurus Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Aug 07, 2025
(Q2-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Nov 11, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Neutral
The earnings call presented a strong overall performance, with significant growth in the Marketplace and international segments, increased dealer engagement, and successful product enhancements. However, the decision to wind down the CarOffer transactions business and the associated financial impact, along with declines in wholesale and product revenue, are notable challenges.
Q2-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Strong Financial Performance
CarGurus reported double-digit year-over-year revenue growth of 14% in the Marketplace segment, resulting in a $27 million increase. Adjusted EBITDA grew 31% year-over-year, demonstrating strong operating leverage.
International Business Success
The international segment saw revenue growth of 28% year-over-year, with notable success in Canada and the U.K. The company added 711 net new dealers year-over-year across these regions.
Increased Dealer Engagement
Dealer engagement with CarGurus tools has increased, with 18,500 dealers subscribed to the Next Best Deal Rating. Merchandising health rose nearly 30% quarter-over-quarter, and max margin grew approximately 70%.
Expansion of Digital Deal
Digital Deal adoption grew to approximately 12,000 dealers globally, with Digital Deal leads accounting for over 27% of the dealer's email leads. Appointments are up 60% year-over-year.
App and Product Enhancements
CarGurus launched several app and product enhancements, including a redesigned app interface and new capabilities like VIN level targeting and New Car Advantage, contributing to increased daily active users up 71% year-over-year.
Share Repurchase Program
The Board approved a $150 million increase to the existing share repurchase program, reinforcing the company's commitment to returning capital to stockholders.
Negative Updates
CarOffer Transactions Business Wind Down
CarGurus decided to wind down the CarOffer transactions business due to market volatility exposing structural limitations. This resulted in a $32.6 million impairment charge in Q2.
Decline in Wholesale and Product Revenue
Wholesale revenue dropped 52% year-over-year, and product revenue decreased by 45%, driven by a 55% year-over-year decline in transaction volume.
Ongoing CarOffer Expenses
The Marketplace segment will absorb approximately $1 million in ongoing quarterly expenses related to the wind down of CarOffer.
Company Guidance
During the CarGurus Second Quarter 2025 Earnings Call, the company reported strong financial performance, with total revenue reaching $234 million, representing a 7% increase year-over-year. Key contributors to this growth included a 14% year-over-year rise in Marketplace revenue, driven by the addition of 1,743 net new dealers globally and continued wallet share expansion. The international segment showed robust performance, with a 28% revenue increase year-over-year, particularly in Canada and the U.K. CarGurus also highlighted the decision to wind down its CarOffer transactions business due to market volatility, while retaining the underlying technology for smarter dealer sourcing solutions. The company ended the quarter above the midpoint of its forecasted guidance range for revenue and adjusted EBITDA, with Marketplace adjusted EBITDA growing 31% year-over-year. Looking ahead, CarGurus provided guidance for the third quarter, anticipating Marketplace revenue growth between 12% and 14% year-over-year, and adjusted EBITDA growth between 9% and 20% year-over-year.

CarGurus Financial Statement Overview

Summary
CarGurus presents a strong financial profile with high profitability and efficient cash flow management. While revenue growth has been inconsistent, the company maintains healthy margins and a solid balance sheet. The moderate leverage and strong return on equity highlight effective financial management, though attention to debt levels is warranted.
Income Statement
75
Positive
CarGurus shows strong profitability with a high gross profit margin of 85.48% and a net profit margin of 14.12% in the TTM period. Revenue growth is modest at 1.70%, indicating a stable revenue base. The EBIT and EBITDA margins are healthy, suggesting efficient operations. However, the revenue growth rate has fluctuated in recent years, which could indicate potential volatility.
Balance Sheet
70
Positive
The company's balance sheet is solid with a manageable debt-to-equity ratio of 0.45, indicating moderate leverage. Return on equity is strong at 27.87%, reflecting effective use of equity to generate profits. The equity ratio is not explicitly provided, but the company appears to maintain a balanced capital structure. The increase in debt levels over time could pose a risk if not managed carefully.
Cash Flow
80
Positive
CarGurus demonstrates robust cash flow management with a significant free cash flow growth rate of 16.67% in the TTM period. The operating cash flow to net income ratio of 2.81 indicates strong cash generation relative to earnings. The free cash flow to net income ratio of 0.94 suggests efficient conversion of earnings into cash. Overall, cash flow metrics are a strong point for the company.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue919.09M894.38M914.24M1.66B951.37M551.45M
Gross Profit785.63M738.95M651.45M657.55M657.36M508.75M
EBITDA183.81M173.27M81.10M167.76M200.01M104.62M
Net Income129.78M20.97M31.10M193.78M109.24M77.55M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets726.12M824.54M918.93M927.10M931.57M502.30M
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments231.23M304.19M312.09M469.52M321.94M290.30M
Total Debt195.21M192.74M194.39M66.42M70.70M69.89M
Total Liabilities290.64M282.85M302.07M155.74M251.93M128.71M
Stockholders Equity435.48M541.69M616.85M734.61M516.84M373.59M
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow255.83M180.32M83.32M238.84M84.42M149.21M
Operating Cash Flow272.93M255.49M124.53M256.11M98.29M156.74M
Investing Cash Flow-44.07M-72.97M-61.56M72.73M-68.15M-16.89M
Financing Cash Flow-215.19M-168.63M-253.64M-92.62M17.81M-10.09M

CarGurus Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price36.16
Price Trends
50DMA
33.21
Positive
100DMA
31.85
Positive
200DMA
33.38
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
0.89
Negative
RSI
71.77
Negative
STOCH
91.56
Negative
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For CARG, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 36.16 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 33.13, above the 50-day MA of 33.21, and above the 200-day MA of 33.38, indicating a bullish trend. The MACD of 0.89 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 71.77 is Negative, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 91.56 is Negative, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for CARG.

CarGurus Risk Analysis

CarGurus disclosed 45 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. CarGurus reported the most risks in the "Finance & Corporate" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

CarGurus Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (61)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
77
Outperform
$3.45B16.816.05%6.01%-7.06%-20.71%
74
Outperform
$859.51M18.9634.34%92.91%
73
Outperform
$3.59B29.1329.24%4.80%
73
Outperform
$21.14B-1.34%15.31%56.19%
61
Neutral
$17.99B12.87-3.58%2.97%1.27%-14.28%
59
Neutral
$15.47B71.234.95%-95.06%1.92%
53
Neutral
$191.03M-23.53%11.66%-4.69%
* Consumer Cyclical Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
CARG
CarGurus
36.16
8.96
32.94%
NBIS
Nebius Group
65.47
46.53
245.67%
Z
Zillow Group Class C
87.89
33.81
62.52%
ATHM
AutoHome
28.61
2.25
8.54%
TRUE
TrueCar
2.16
-0.91
-29.64%
EVER
EverQuote
23.54
1.23
5.51%

CarGurus Corporate Events

Product-Related AnnouncementsStock BuybackBusiness Operations and StrategyFinancial Disclosures
CarGurus Winds Down CarOffer Business Amid Market Volatility
Neutral
Aug 7, 2025

On August 6, 2025, CarGurus announced its decision to wind down its CarOffer transactions business, including Dealer-to-Dealer and Instant Max Cash Offer products, due to the current volatile pricing environment. The company plans to complete this process in the second half of 2025, incurring costs between $14 million and $19 million. This strategic shift will allow CarGurus to concentrate on AI-powered inventory intelligence and consumer vehicle sourcing, aiming to enhance technology and analytics for smarter sourcing and pricing decisions. The company reported strong financial results for the second quarter of 2025, with a 14% increase in Marketplace revenue and a net income of $22.3 million, while also expanding its share repurchase authorization to $350 million.

Executive/Board ChangesShareholder Meetings
CarGurus Holds Annual Stockholders Meeting on Key Proposals
Neutral
Jun 5, 2025

On June 4, 2025, CarGurus, Inc. held its annual stockholders meeting to vote on several key proposals. The stockholders elected Class II directors, ratified the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as independent auditors, approved executive compensation for 2024, and decided to hold annual advisory votes on executive compensation. These decisions reflect the company’s ongoing commitment to governance and transparency, potentially impacting its operational strategies and stakeholder relations.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Aug 23, 2025