TrueCar (TRUE)
NASDAQ:TRUE
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TrueCar (TRUE) AI Stock Analysis

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TRUE

TrueCar

(NASDAQ:TRUE)

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Neutral 50 (OpenAI - 4o)
Rating:50Neutral
Price Target:
$2.00
▼(-12.66% Downside)
TrueCar's stock score reflects significant financial challenges, including negative profitability and weak cash flow, which are the most impactful factors. Technical analysis shows moderate strength, while valuation remains unattractive due to a negative P/E ratio. The earnings call provides some optimism with revenue growth and strategic advancements, but ongoing operational challenges and macroeconomic uncertainties temper this outlook.
Positive Factors
Revenue Growth
The 12.4% YoY revenue growth indicates strong market demand and effective business strategies, supporting long-term growth potential.
Product Enhancements
Product enhancements like Actionable Insights improve user engagement and dealer satisfaction, strengthening competitive advantage.
OEM Revenue Increase
A 19.7% increase in OEM revenue highlights successful partnerships and diversification, enhancing revenue stability.
Negative Factors
Adjusted EBITDA
Negative adjusted EBITDA reflects ongoing operational inefficiencies, posing challenges to achieving profitability.
Franchise Dealer Turnover
High dealer turnover can disrupt network stability and affect revenue consistency, challenging long-term growth.
Macroeconomic Uncertainty
Economic uncertainties and tariffs can impact market conditions, affecting revenue forecasts and strategic planning.

TrueCar (TRUE) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

TrueCar Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionTrueCar, Inc. is a technology company that operates in the automotive sector, primarily focusing on providing an online platform for car buyers and sellers. The company connects consumers with a network of certified dealers, offering a transparent car buying experience that includes pricing information and vehicle inventory. TrueCar's core products and services include its website and mobile application, which facilitate new and used car sales, as well as tools for consumers to research vehicle pricing and compare offers from various dealerships.
How the Company Makes MoneyTrueCar generates revenue mainly through its subscription and transaction-based models. The company earns money by charging automotive dealers a subscription fee for access to its platform, where they can gain leads and potential sales from customers. Additionally, TrueCar earns transaction fees when a vehicle is sold through its platform, which is typically a percentage of the sale price. The company also collaborates with various automotive manufacturers and financial institutions, which can provide additional revenue streams through partnerships and advertising arrangements. These relationships enhance TrueCar's market presence and contribute to its overall earnings.

TrueCar Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Aug 06, 2025
(Q2-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Feb 24, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Neutral
The earnings call presented several positive developments, including revenue growth, reduced net loss, and strategic advancements in product offerings and technology integrations. However, the company faces ongoing challenges with adjusted EBITDA, dealer turnover, and macroeconomic uncertainties affecting revenue projections. The positive aspects slightly outweigh the negatives, indicating a cautiously optimistic outlook.
Q2-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Revenue Growth
Total revenue of $47 million grew by $5.2 million, up 12.4% year-over-year, marking the highest quarterly revenue since Q3 2021.
Reduction in Net Loss
Net loss decreased to negative $7.6 million from negative $13.5 million in the same period last year.
OEM Revenue Increase
OEM revenue of $3.6 million grew by $0.6 million or 19.7% year-over-year.
New Unit Sales Growth
New unit sales volume grew 6.2% year-over-year, outperforming the industry's 2.8% growth in new vehicle retail sales.
Product Enhancements and Launches
Launch of Actionable Insights and motivated buyer badging features to improve lead quality and engagement. Redesign of the consumer experience, including the search results page and vehicle detail page, to enhance usability.
TC+ Advancements
Progress towards commercializing TrueCar+ by year-end, including completion of CDK's DMS integration and redesigned consumer checkout flow, leading to a 115% increase in add-to-cart rate.
Strategic Initiatives
Focus on expanding dealer network, growing OEM partnerships, and commercializing TrueCar+ to drive future growth.
Negative Updates
Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA came in at negative $1.2 million, indicating ongoing operational challenges.
Franchise Dealer Turnover
44 franchise dealers turned over in the quarter, raising concerns about network stability.
Challenges with Dealer Engagement
Dealer engagement with new features requires a significant education process, indicating a gap in adoption and utilization.
Uncertainty in Revenue Trajectory
Macroeconomic uncertainty and auto tariffs present challenges to predicting revenue growth.
Company Guidance
During TrueCar's Second Quarter 2025 Financial Results Conference Call, several key metrics and strategic initiatives were highlighted. Total revenue for the quarter was reported at $47 million, representing a 12.4% increase year-over-year, marking the highest quarterly revenue since Q3 2021. The company's net loss decreased to $7.6 million, down from $13.5 million the previous year. Additionally, adjusted EBITDA stood at negative $1.2 million. OEM revenue grew by 19.7% year-over-year to $3.6 million, while new unit sales volume increased by 6.2%, outpacing the industry's growth of 2.8% in new vehicle retail sales. The prospect close rate reached its highest level since Q2 2021, attributed to a nearly 30% year-over-year improvement in average cost per sale for non-affinity partner units due to restructured performance marketing campaigns. The company emphasized its focus on enhancing the TrueCar+ platform, with significant advancements such as the launch of Actionable Insights and motivated buyer badging to improve dealer and consumer experiences. TrueCar also reported a 115% increase in add-to-cart rates and a 40% lift in daily credit application submissions following the rollout of TC+ enhancements. Looking ahead, TrueCar aims to commercialize TrueCar+ by year-end and expects to achieve adjusted EBITDA profitability and positive free cash flow over the second half of 2025.

TrueCar Financial Statement Overview

Summary
TrueCar faces significant financial challenges, with declining revenue growth, negative profitability, and weak cash flow generation. While the company maintains a strong gross profit margin and low leverage, it must address operational inefficiencies and improve cash flow to enhance its financial position and support future growth.
Income Statement
45
Neutral
TrueCar's income statement reveals challenges with profitability and growth. The company has experienced declining revenue growth, with a negative growth rate in the TTM period. Margins are under pressure, with a negative net profit margin and EBIT margin, indicating operational inefficiencies. However, the gross profit margin remains strong, suggesting the company can generate revenue efficiently, but struggles to control costs.
Balance Sheet
50
Neutral
The balance sheet shows a relatively low debt-to-equity ratio, indicating conservative leverage. However, the return on equity is negative, reflecting ongoing losses and inefficiencies in generating shareholder returns. The equity ratio is stable, but the company needs to improve profitability to enhance financial stability.
Cash Flow
40
Negative
Cash flow analysis highlights significant challenges, with negative free cash flow and a declining free cash flow growth rate. The operating cash flow to net income ratio is positive but low, indicating limited cash generation from operations. The company needs to improve cash flow management to support its financial health.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue181.22M175.60M158.71M161.52M231.70M278.68M
Gross Profit143.47M149.21M142.85M145.31M209.46M257.13M
EBITDA-5.69M-18.17M-35.79M-45.46M-12.90M15.53M
Net Income-18.61M-31.05M-49.77M-118.69M-38.33M76.54M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets148.69M159.69M204.32M251.53M387.67M458.06M
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments103.19M111.83M135.11M175.52M245.22M273.31M
Total Debt9.88M11.28M14.41M23.01M31.55M36.74M
Total Liabilities34.51M41.55M44.10M54.26M57.88M75.28M
Stockholders Equity114.18M118.14M160.22M197.27M329.79M382.78M
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow-19.00K-159.00K-34.22M-40.82M3.50M28.84M
Operating Cash Flow7.86M7.70M-22.41M-29.14M14.19M39.12M
Investing Cash Flow-7.87M-7.86M-11.81M-8.03M-4.21M101.90M
Financing Cash Flow-11.30M-24.97M-4.33M-32.53M-38.09M-49.24M

TrueCar Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price2.29
Price Trends
50DMA
2.12
Positive
100DMA
2.03
Positive
200DMA
1.98
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
0.05
Positive
RSI
57.86
Neutral
STOCH
75.69
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For TRUE, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 2.29 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 2.30, above the 50-day MA of 2.12, and above the 200-day MA of 1.98, indicating a neutral trend. The MACD of 0.05 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 57.86 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 75.69 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for TRUE.

TrueCar Risk Analysis

TrueCar disclosed 58 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. TrueCar 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

TrueCar Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (60)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
73
Outperform
$951.03M18.1636.81%57.83%293.63%
68
Neutral
$3.38B23.4735.39%4.21%
68
Neutral
$3.09B14.655.87%6.98%-5.54%-14.30%
60
Neutral
$48.67B4.58-11.27%4.14%2.83%-41.78%
59
Neutral
$843.98M64.86%-112.92%
51
Neutral
$670.51M-14.07%6.65%50.32%
50
Neutral
$194.58M-6.55-15.37%6.18%28.04%
* Communication Services Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
TRUE
TrueCar
2.29
-1.83
-44.42%
ATHM
AutoHome
24.92
-0.43
-1.70%
CARG
CarGurus
35.65
-0.24
-0.67%
EVER
EverQuote
25.70
6.89
36.63%
MAX
MediaAlpha
13.24
0.87
7.03%
NXDR
Nextdoor Holdings
1.71
-0.73
-29.92%

TrueCar Corporate Events

TrueCar’s Q3 2025 Results and Acquisition News
Nov 6, 2025

TrueCar Inc., a prominent player in the automotive digital marketplace, connects car buyers and sellers through its network of Certified Dealers, offering a streamlined and transparent auto shopping experience. In its latest earnings report for the third quarter of 2025, TrueCar reported a total revenue of $43.2 million, a decline from both the previous quarter and the same period last year. Despite the drop in revenue, the company achieved a net income of $5.0 million, a significant turnaround from the losses reported in previous quarters.

Delistings and Listing ChangesM&A Transactions
TrueCar Announces Merger Agreement with Fair Holdings
Neutral
Oct 15, 2025

On October 14, 2025, TrueCar, Inc. announced its entry into a merger agreement with Fair Holdings, Inc., led by TrueCar founder Scott Painter. This all-cash transaction, valued at approximately $227 million, will result in TrueCar becoming a wholly-owned subsidiary of Fair Holdings. The merger aims to enhance TrueCar’s operations by leveraging the expertise of a syndicate of investors from automotive retail, finance, and technology sectors. The transaction is expected to close by early 2026, pending stockholder and regulatory approvals, and will result in TrueCar’s delisting from Nasdaq.

The most recent analyst rating on (TRUE) stock is a Hold with a $2.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on TrueCar stock, see the TRUE Stock Forecast page.

Executive/Board Changes
TrueCar Announces Termination of Chief Revenue Officer
Neutral
Aug 29, 2025

On August 28, 2025, TrueCar, Inc. announced the termination of its Chief Revenue Officer, Jay Ku, effective September 1, 2025, without cause. The company plans to enter into a release and separation agreement with Mr. Ku, which includes severance benefits in line with his employment agreement.

The most recent analyst rating on (TRUE) stock is a Hold with a $2.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on TrueCar stock, see the TRUE Stock Forecast page.

TrueCar Inc’s Earnings Call: Growth Amid Challenges
Aug 13, 2025

TrueCar Inc’s recent earnings call painted a picture of optimism tempered with caution. The company celebrated significant revenue growth and product advancements, particularly in the OEM segment and digital retail innovations with TrueCar+. However, challenges such as negative adjusted EBITDA and dealer network optimization issues were also acknowledged. Despite these hurdles, TrueCar remains hopeful about its long-term growth prospects, even amidst macroeconomic uncertainties.

TrueCar Inc. Reports Strong Q2 2025 Revenue Growth
Aug 8, 2025

TrueCar Inc., a digital automotive marketplace, connects car buyers and sellers through its network of Certified Dealers, offering a personalized and efficient auto shopping experience. In its latest earnings report for Q2 2025, TrueCar Inc. highlighted a 12.4% year-over-year increase in total revenue, reaching $47 million, marking its highest quarterly revenue since Q3 2021. The company also reported a reduced net loss of $7.6 million, down from $13.5 million in the same period last year, despite a decrease in adjusted EBITDA to a loss of $1.2 million. Key performance metrics included a 19.7% growth in OEM revenue and a 6.2% increase in new unit sales volume, outperforming the industry’s 2.8% growth rate. TrueCar’s strategic focus on product enhancements and marketing efficiency has led to significant improvements in lead quality and cost per sale. The launch of new features like Actionable Insights and Motivated Buyer badging has strengthened dealer engagement, while consumer-facing updates have made the platform more intuitive and transparent. Looking ahead, TrueCar remains committed to commercializing its TC+ digital retailing experience by year-end, aiming to capture a greater share of online car buyers and enhance its competitive edge in the digital automotive marketplace.

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: Nov 08, 2025