Cars.com (CARS)
Market Price (12/30/2025): $12.42 | Market Cap: $766.4 MilSector: Communication Services | Industry: Interactive Media & Services
Cars.com (CARS)
Market Price (12/30/2025): $12.42Market Cap: $766.4 MilSector: Communication ServicesIndustry: Interactive Media & Services
Investment Highlights Why It Matters Detailed financial logic regarding cash flow yields vs trend-riding momentum.
| Attractive cash flow generationCFO/Rev LTMCash Flow from Operations / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is 20%, FCF/Rev LTMFree Cash Flow / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is 17% | Weak multi-year price returns2Y Excs Rtn is -81%, 3Y Excs Rtn is -84% | Debt is significantNet D/ENet Debt/Equity. Debt net of cash. Negative indicates net cash. Equity is taken as the Market Capitalization is 51% |
| Attractive yieldFCF Yield is 15% | Meaningful short interestShort Interest % of Basic SharesShort Interest % of Basic Shares = (Short Interest Quantity) / (Basic Shares Outstanding). A high fraction of short interest can indicate potential risk of a short squeeze. is 11% | Key risksCARS key risks include [1] intense marketplace competition and [2] a heavy reliance on auto dealer revenue, Show more. |
| Low stock price volatilityVol 12M is 50% | ||
| Megatrend and thematic driversMegatrends include E-commerce & Digital Retail, and Digital Advertising. Themes include Online Marketplaces, and Ad-Tech Platforms. |
| Attractive cash flow generationCFO/Rev LTMCash Flow from Operations / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is 20%, FCF/Rev LTMFree Cash Flow / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is 17% |
| Attractive yieldFCF Yield is 15% |
| Low stock price volatilityVol 12M is 50% |
| Megatrend and thematic driversMegatrends include E-commerce & Digital Retail, and Digital Advertising. Themes include Online Marketplaces, and Ad-Tech Platforms. |
| Weak multi-year price returns2Y Excs Rtn is -81%, 3Y Excs Rtn is -84% |
| Meaningful short interestShort Interest % of Basic SharesShort Interest % of Basic Shares = (Short Interest Quantity) / (Basic Shares Outstanding). A high fraction of short interest can indicate potential risk of a short squeeze. is 11% |
| Debt is significantNet D/ENet Debt/Equity. Debt net of cash. Negative indicates net cash. Equity is taken as the Market Capitalization is 51% |
| Key risksCARS key risks include [1] intense marketplace competition and [2] a heavy reliance on auto dealer revenue, Show more. |
Why The Stock Moved
Qualitative Assessment
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Here are five key points for why Cars.com (CARS) stock moved by -3.7% in the approximate time period from August 31, 2025, to December 30, 2025:
1. Cars.com missed analyst consensus estimates for Earnings Per Share (EPS) in its Q3 2025 earnings report. The company reported an EPS of $0.48 on November 6, 2025, falling short of the analysts' consensus estimate of $0.50.
2. The company experienced a significant decline in reported net income for Q3 2025. Net income decreased by 59% year-over-year to $7.7 million, primarily due to changes in the fair value of contingent consideration from prior acquisitions.
Show more
1. Cars.com missed analyst consensus estimates for Earnings Per Share (EPS) in its Q3 2025 earnings report. The company reported an EPS of $0.48 on November 6, 2025, falling short of the analysts' consensus estimate of $0.50.
2. The company experienced a significant decline in reported net income for Q3 2025. Net income decreased by 59% year-over-year to $7.7 million, primarily due to changes in the fair value of contingent consideration from prior acquisitions.
Show more
Stock Movement Drivers
Fundamental Drivers
The 2.4% change in CARS stock from 9/29/2025 to 12/29/2025 was primarily driven by a 36.9% change in the company's P/E Multiple.| 9292025 | 12292025 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stock Price ($) | 12.28 | 12.57 | 2.36% |
| Change Contribution By | LTM | LTM | |
| Total Revenues ($ Mil) | 717.85 | 719.77 | 0.27% |
| Net Income Margin (%) | 5.71% | 4.16% | -27.16% |
| P/E Multiple | 18.91 | 25.89 | 36.93% |
| Shares Outstanding (Mil) | 63.16 | 61.71 | 2.30% |
| Cumulative Contribution | 2.31% |
Market Drivers
9/29/2025 to 12/29/2025| Return | Correlation | |
|---|---|---|
| CARS | 2.4% | |
| Market (SPY) | 3.6% | 23.6% |
| Sector (XLC) | -0.6% | 29.5% |
Fundamental Drivers
The 6.1% change in CARS stock from 6/30/2025 to 12/29/2025 was primarily driven by a 53.8% change in the company's P/E Multiple.| 6302025 | 12292025 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stock Price ($) | 11.85 | 12.57 | 6.08% |
| Change Contribution By | LTM | LTM | |
| Total Revenues ($ Mil) | 718.00 | 719.77 | 0.25% |
| Net Income Margin (%) | 6.32% | 4.16% | -34.16% |
| P/E Multiple | 16.83 | 25.89 | 53.84% |
| Shares Outstanding (Mil) | 64.47 | 61.71 | 4.28% |
| Cumulative Contribution | 5.88% |
Market Drivers
6/30/2025 to 12/29/2025| Return | Correlation | |
|---|---|---|
| CARS | 6.1% | |
| Market (SPY) | 11.6% | 36.3% |
| Sector (XLC) | 9.0% | 34.2% |
Fundamental Drivers
The -27.6% change in CARS stock from 12/29/2024 to 12/29/2025 was primarily driven by a -23.8% change in the company's Net Income Margin (%).| 12292024 | 12292025 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stock Price ($) | 17.36 | 12.57 | -27.59% |
| Change Contribution By | LTM | LTM | |
| Total Revenues ($ Mil) | 718.33 | 719.77 | 0.20% |
| Net Income Margin (%) | 5.46% | 4.16% | -23.79% |
| P/E Multiple | 29.25 | 25.89 | -11.49% |
| Shares Outstanding (Mil) | 66.11 | 61.71 | 6.65% |
| Cumulative Contribution | -27.91% |
Market Drivers
12/29/2024 to 12/29/2025| Return | Correlation | |
|---|---|---|
| CARS | -27.6% | |
| Market (SPY) | 16.6% | 43.9% |
| Sector (XLC) | 21.2% | 42.0% |
Fundamental Drivers
The -8.7% change in CARS stock from 12/30/2022 to 12/29/2025 was primarily driven by a -88.7% change in the company's P/E Multiple.| 12302022 | 12292025 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stock Price ($) | 13.77 | 12.57 | -8.71% |
| Change Contribution By | LTM | LTM | |
| Total Revenues ($ Mil) | 643.98 | 719.77 | 11.77% |
| Net Income Margin (%) | 0.63% | 4.16% | 560.19% |
| P/E Multiple | 229.55 | 25.89 | -88.72% |
| Shares Outstanding (Mil) | 67.68 | 61.71 | 8.82% |
| Cumulative Contribution | -9.43% |
Market Drivers
12/30/2023 to 12/29/2025| Return | Correlation | |
|---|---|---|
| CARS | -33.7% | |
| Market (SPY) | 47.9% | 43.9% |
| Sector (XLC) | 65.5% | 40.7% |
Price Returns Compared
| 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | Total [1] | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Returns | |||||||
| CARS Return | -8% | 42% | -14% | 38% | -9% | -27% | 3% |
| Peers Return | 16% | 38% | -12% | 21% | 26% | 16% | 151% |
| S&P 500 Return | 16% | 27% | -19% | 24% | 23% | 17% | 114% |
Monthly Win Rates [3] | |||||||
| CARS Win Rate | 50% | 67% | 42% | 67% | 33% | 58% | |
| Peers Win Rate | 52% | 65% | 42% | 68% | 57% | 52% | |
| S&P 500 Win Rate | 58% | 75% | 42% | 67% | 75% | 73% | |
Max Drawdowns [4] | |||||||
| CARS Max Drawdown | -70% | 0% | -45% | 0% | -20% | -42% | |
| Peers Max Drawdown | -34% | -5% | -26% | -7% | -9% | -23% | |
| S&P 500 Max Drawdown | -31% | -1% | -25% | -1% | -2% | -15% | |
[1] Cumulative total returns since the beginning of 2020
[2] Peers: HPQ, HPE, IBM, CSCO, AAPL. See CARS Returns vs. Peers.
[3] Win Rate = % of calendar months in which monthly returns were positive
[4] Max drawdown represents maximum peak-to-trough decline within a year
[5] 2025 data is for the year up to 12/29/2025 (YTD)
How Low Can It Go
| Event | CARS | S&P 500 |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 Inflation Shock | ||
| % Loss | -53.4% | -25.4% |
| % Gain to Breakeven | 114.7% | 34.1% |
| Time to Breakeven | 288 days | 464 days |
| 2020 Covid Pandemic | ||
| % Loss | -72.9% | -33.9% |
| % Gain to Breakeven | 268.7% | 51.3% |
| Time to Breakeven | 257 days | 148 days |
| 2018 Correction | ||
| % Loss | -74.5% | -19.8% |
| % Gain to Breakeven | 292.1% | 24.7% |
| Time to Breakeven | Not Fully Recovered days | 120 days |
Compare to HPQ, HPE, IBM, CSCO, AAPL
In The Past
Cars.com's stock fell -53.4% during the 2022 Inflation Shock from a high on 12/8/2021. A -53.4% loss requires a 114.7% gain to breakeven.
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Cars.com Inc. operates as a digital marketplace and provides solutions for the automotive industry. Its platform connects car shoppers with sellers. The company, through its marketplace, dealer websites, and other digital products, showcases dealer inventory, elevate and amplify dealers' and automotive manufacturers' (OEMs) brands, connect sellers with ready-to-buy audience, and empower shoppers with the resources and information needed to make car buying decisions. It also offers marketplace products, such as marketplace subscription advertising and social selling services; digital solutions, including Website platform hosting, AI chat tool, digital retailing, and review and reputation management; and advertising comprising display advertising, instant loan screening and approvals, digital advertising, and in-market audio services. As of December 31, 2021, the company served 19,179 dealer customers in 50 states, which included franchise and independent dealers, with digital and brick-and-mortar stores; and primary automakers selling vehicles in the United States. Its customers are local car dealers, OEMs, and other national advertisers. Cars.com Inc. was founded in 1998 and is based in Chicago, Illinois.
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- Online Vehicle Marketplace: An online platform connecting car shoppers with new and used vehicle inventory from dealerships and private sellers.
- Digital Advertising Solutions: Provides dealerships with various digital advertising products and services to showcase their inventory and attract potential buyers.
- Dealer Software & Data Solutions: Offers proprietary software, analytics, and digital tools designed to help automotive dealerships manage operations and improve their online performance.
- Consumer Buying & Ownership Tools: Supplies tools for car shoppers to research, value vehicles, pre-qualify for financing, and schedule service appointments.
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Cars.com (NYSE: CARS) primarily sells its services to other companies (B2B) rather than directly to individual consumers. Its major customers fall into two primary categories:
- Automotive Dealerships: These represent the vast majority of Cars.com's customer base. They include thousands of new and used car dealerships across the United States. Dealerships subscribe to Cars.com's digital advertising products, lead generation services, and merchandising solutions to market their vehicle inventory and connect with car buyers. Cars.com's customer base in this category is highly fragmented, with no single dealership or dealer group accounting for a significant portion of its revenue (Cars.com explicitly states no single customer accounted for 10% or more of its total revenues in recent financial reports). As most dealerships are privately owned local businesses, and no individual public dealership group constitutes a major customer on its own, specific names of publicly traded dealership customers are not individually identifiable or material to Cars.com's overall business.
- Automotive Manufacturers (OEMs): Major automotive manufacturers utilize platforms like Cars.com for national advertising campaigns, brand promotion, and to drive consumer traffic to their respective dealer networks. While not direct subscribers for vehicle listing services in the same way dealerships are, their advertising and marketing spend represents a significant component of Cars.com's revenue from this segment. Examples of such potential customer companies (though Cars.com does not typically disclose individual OEM customers by name due to the nature of their agreements and the breadth of advertisers) would include major global automotive companies:
- Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F)
- General Motors Company (NYSE: GM)
- Toyota Motor Corporation (NYSE: TM)
- Stellantis N.V. (NYSE: STLA)
- Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (NYSE: HMC)
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- Amazon (AMZN)
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Alex Vetter, Chief Executive Officer and President
Alex Vetter is one of the founding members of Cars.com and has served as President and CEO since November 2014. In this role, he has taken the company public and transformed its business model from an online listings and content provider to an audience-driven technology company. Prior to becoming CEO, he held several senior management roles at Cars.com, including Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer from 2006 to 2014. Before Cars.com, he worked as Manager of Business Development for Classified Ventures from 1997 to 1998 and as Business Development Manager for Tribune Interactive/Tribune Media Services from 1996 to 1997. Vetter is also an active technology investor and advisor, serving as a director for RepairPal, Inc., and on advisory boards for other technology ventures.
Sonia Jain, Chief Financial Officer
Sonia Jain joined Cars.com as Chief Financial Officer in July 2020. She was reappointed to the role in October 2022 after a period from April to September 2022 during which she served as CFO of Convoy Inc. Prior to her time at Cars.com, she was the Chief Financial Officer of Redbox Automated Retail from September 2016 to July 2020. Her previous experience also includes serving as Vice President, Finance and Treasurer with Outerwall, an investment banker at Morgan Stanley, and a consultant at McKinsey & Company. Jain joined the board of directors of AMC Entertainment Holdings, Inc. on March 1, 2024.
Lisa Gosselin, Chief Commercial Officer
Lisa Gosselin serves as the Chief Commercial Officer for Cars.com. She previously held leadership positions at Dealer Inspire before its acquisition by Cars.com, where she oversaw marketing, product, and strategy. Gosselin has been recognized for her leadership and contributions to the automotive industry, including being named to the "40 Under 40" list by Automotive News. Prior to Dealer Inspire, her career included roles at TrueCar and J.D. Power.
Angelique Strong Marks, Chief Legal Officer & Corporate Secretary
Angelique Strong Marks was appointed Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary for Cars.com in April 2022. In this role, she is responsible for the company's legal corporate governance, compliance, information security, and data privacy matters. Her background includes serving as General Counsel, Corporate Secretary, and Compliance Officer at Mahle Industries and Behr America, both global suppliers to the automotive industry.
Matthew Crawford, Chief Product and Innovation Officer
Matthew Crawford has served as Chief Product and Innovation Officer at Cars.com since January 2022. He is responsible for overseeing the company's product, technology, design, and research organizations. His focus in this role is on executing the company's platform strategy by simplifying the process of buying and selling cars.
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Key Risks to Cars.com (CARS)
Cars.com (CARS) faces several key risks inherent to its position as an online automotive marketplace. The most significant risks include intense competition, the impact of economic downturns and broader macroeconomic factors on the automotive industry, and its dependence on automotive dealers and evolving industry trends. These factors could materially and adversely affect its business, results of operations, and financial condition.
- Intense Competition: The online automotive marketplace is highly competitive, with significant players such as Autotrader and CarGurus vying for market share. This intense competition could put pressure on Cars.com's pricing, market share, and profitability.
- Economic Downturns and Macroeconomic Factors: Cars.com's business is highly susceptible to the broader automotive ecosystem, which is influenced by macroeconomic factors such as consumer demand, interest rate changes, inflationary pressures, and supply chain disruptions. Economic fluctuations can directly impact consumer spending on vehicles, subsequently affecting Cars.com's revenue, which largely comes from listing fees, advertising, and subscription services for dealers. Decreases in consumer demand for automobiles, particularly during recessionary periods, could reduce the number of consumers utilizing their platform.
- Dependence on Automotive Dealers and Evolving Industry Trends: A substantial portion of Cars.com's revenue is generated from subscription products offered to automotive dealers, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), and other customers within the automotive industry. This makes the company vulnerable to low automobile sales, low dealer inventory due to production shortages or delays, dealer closures, or consolidation among dealers or OEMs. Additionally, shifts in the industry, such as the emergence of direct-to-consumer sales models, could also negatively impact demand for Cars.com's solutions.
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The accelerating shift towards direct-to-consumer sales and agency models by automotive manufacturers (OEMs) poses a clear emerging threat to Cars.com. Cars.com's business model relies heavily on traditional franchised dealerships paying for listings and advertising services to connect with car buyers. However, a growing number of OEMs are bypassing or significantly altering this traditional dealer-centric model: 1. **OEM Direct Sales:** Following Tesla's established blueprint, more OEMs are investing in their own online sales platforms, reservation systems, and direct delivery options. This allows consumers to purchase vehicles directly from the manufacturer, thereby bypassing the traditional dealership network and, consequently, the need for third-party marketplaces like Cars.com to facilitate that specific transaction. 2. **Agency Model Adoption:** OEMs such as Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, and Ford (for its Model E electric vehicle division) are implementing or exploring "agency models" in various markets. Under this model, the OEM sets vehicle prices and largely controls the sales process, with dealerships acting as agents for a fixed fee rather than independent retailers. This centralizes the sales journey with the manufacturer and their brand websites, diminishing the dealerships' independent role in generating leads and attracting buyers, which directly impacts the value proposition of Cars.com. 3. **Reduced Reliance on Third-Party Marketplaces:** As OEMs enhance their own direct online sales capabilities and brand-specific digital experiences, consumers are increasingly likely to begin and complete their new car purchase journey directly on OEM websites. This reduces the dealerships' need to invest in advertising and listings on third-party aggregators for new vehicles, potentially extending to certified pre-owned vehicles as OEMs gain more control over their lifecycle.AI Analysis | Feedback
Cars.com (symbol: CARS), operating as Cars Commerce, addresses several large markets in the United States through its main products and services:
-
Online Automotive Marketplace: This involves facilitating the buying and selling of new and used vehicles.
- The U.S. Used Car Market size is estimated at $1.05 trillion in 2025.
- U.S. new car sales are projected to reach an estimated 15.9 million units in 2025.
- The broader United States automotive dealership market, which includes new and used vehicle dealerships, parts and services, and finance and insurance, stands at $2.95 trillion in 2025.
-
Digital Marketing and Software Solutions for Dealers: These solutions include inventory management, CRM, sales processing, finance and insurance, service management, and business analytics.
- The North America automotive dealership software market was valued at $5,453.61 million in 2023 and is estimated to reach $12,953.15 million by 2033.
- The U.S. Dealer Management System (DMS) market is anticipated to expand from $3.63 billion in 2024 to $5.41 billion by 2034.
- The automotive digital retailing software market in North America is estimated at $1.5 billion in 2025 and is expected to reach approximately $5 billion by 2033.
-
Automotive Advertising Market: This includes online advertising opportunities for automotive brands.
- The U.S. automotive advertising market is valued at $12 billion.
- The North America Automotive Online Advertising Market is expected to generate a revenue of $5649.40 million (approximately $5.65 billion) in 2025.
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Cars.com (NYSE: CARS) is expected to drive future revenue growth over the next 2-3 years through several key initiatives and market dynamics:
- Growth in Dealer Customers and Marketplace Adoption: Cars.com has demonstrated consistent growth in its dealer customer base, reaching a new three-year high of 19,526 dealer customers in Q3 2025. This reflects accelerating marketplace adoption driven by strategic go-to-market enhancements and strong sales and product execution. The company also reported its best sequential organic customer growth in over three years in Q2 2025.
- Product Innovation and Repackaging: The company's strategic focus on product innovation and marketplace repackaging is a significant revenue driver. This includes the successful launch of new premium and premium plus packages, which have led to renegotiated OEM website agreements and improved lead generation for dealers, with some packages driving up to 14% more leads per listing.
- Expansion and Adoption of AccuTrade: The continued growth and adoption of AccuTrade, Cars.com's trade and appraisal solution, is contributing to revenue. AccuTrade has seen an increase in subscribers and its installed base, further bolstered by recent OEM endorsements. This expansion leverages proprietary insights and technology to enhance dealer profitability.
- AI Integration and Enhanced Consumer Engagement: Cars.com is leveraging AI to boost consumer engagement, notably through its AI-powered search assistant, "Carson." This integration has significantly increased consumer engagement, with AI users saving more vehicles and driving more vehicle listing views, translating into greater value for both car shoppers and dealer customers.
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Share Repurchases
- In February 2022, Cars.com authorized a share repurchase program of up to $200 million over a three-year period.
- As of September 30, 2024, cumulative share repurchases since 2022 totaled $116 million.
- In February 2025, a new share repurchase program was authorized for up to $250 million over three years. For fiscal year 2025, Cars.com targeted $70 to $90 million in share repurchases, having executed $63.9 million year-to-date as of September 30, 2025.
Share Issuance
- No significant share issuances for capital raising purposes were identified within the last 3-5 years.
Inbound Investments
- No significant inbound investments made in the company by third-parties were identified within the last 3-5 years.
Outbound Investments
- In January 2025, Cars.com acquired DealerClub, a reputation-based automotive digital wholesale auction, for approximately $25 million in cash at closing, with a potential for an additional performance-based consideration of up to $88 million.
Capital Expenditures
- Historical capital expenditures were $19 million in 2021, $20 million in 2022, $1 million in 2023, and $3 million in 2024.
- Projected capital expenditures are $14 million for 2025, $14 million for 2026, and $15 million for 2027.
- Capital expenditures are primarily focused on investments in product and technology initiatives, including the capitalization of internally developed technology.
Latest Trefis Analyses
| Title | Topic | |
|---|---|---|
| DASHBOARDS | ||
| Cars.com Earnings Notes | ||
| Cars.com Stock Jump Looks Great, But How Secure Is That Gain? | Return | |
| Cars.com (CARS) Revenue Comparison | Financials | |
| Cars.com (CARS) Net Income Comparison | Financials | |
| Cars.com (CARS) Operating Cash Flow Comparison | Financials | |
| Cars.com (CARS) Debt Comparison | Financials | |
| Cars.com (CARS) EBITDA Comparison | Financials | |
| Cars.com (CARS) Operating Income Comparison | Financials | |
| Cars.com (CARS) Tax Expense Comparison | Financials | |
| CARS Dip Buy Analysis |
| Title | |
|---|---|
| ARTICLES |
Trade Ideas
Select ideas related to CARS. For more, see Trefis Trade Ideas.
| Date | Ticker | Company | Category | Trade Strategy | 6M Fwd Rtn | 12M Fwd Rtn | 12M Max DD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11302025 | PINS | Monopoly | MY | Getting CheaperMonopoly-Like with P/S DeclineLarge cap with monopoly-like margins or cash flow generation and getting cheaper based on P/S multiple | 0.1% | 0.1% | -1.4% | |
| 11212025 | TMUS | T-Mobile US | Monopoly | MY | Getting CheaperMonopoly-Like with P/S DeclineLarge cap with monopoly-like margins or cash flow generation and getting cheaper based on P/S multiple | -3.6% | -3.6% | -6.4% |
| 11212025 | Z | Zillow | Monopoly | MY | Getting CheaperMonopoly-Like with P/S DeclineLarge cap with monopoly-like margins or cash flow generation and getting cheaper based on P/S multiple | -1.9% | -1.9% | -5.1% |
| 11072025 | IRDM | Iridium Communications | Dip Buy | DB | CFO/Rev | Low D/EDip Buy with High Cash Flow MarginsBuying dips for companies with significant cash flows from operations and reasonable debt / market cap | 3.4% | 3.4% | -5.6% |
| 10032025 | TTD | Trade Desk | Dip Buy | DB | CFO/Rev | Low D/EDip Buy with High Cash Flow MarginsBuying dips for companies with significant cash flows from operations and reasonable debt / market cap | -25.7% | -25.7% | -29.8% |
Research & Analysis
Invest in Strategies
Wealth Management
Peer Comparisons for Cars.com
| Peers to compare with: |
Financials
| Median | |
|---|---|
| Name | |
| Mkt Price | 51.06 |
| Mkt Cap | 159.0 |
| Rev LTM | 56,496 |
| Op Inc LTM | 7,584 |
| FCF LTM | 7,327 |
| FCF 3Y Avg | 7,366 |
| CFO LTM | 8,590 |
| CFO 3Y Avg | 8,697 |
Growth & Margins
| Median | |
|---|---|
| Name | |
| Rev Chg LTM | 5.2% |
| Rev Chg 3Y Avg | 3.2% |
| Rev Chg Q | 8.3% |
| QoQ Delta Rev Chg LTM | 2.0% |
| Op Mgn LTM | 12.9% |
| Op Mgn 3Y Avg | 12.1% |
| QoQ Delta Op Mgn LTM | 0.2% |
| CFO/Rev LTM | 20.3% |
| CFO/Rev 3Y Avg | 21.1% |
| FCF/Rev LTM | 17.3% |
| FCF/Rev 3Y Avg | 18.1% |
Valuation
| Median | |
|---|---|
| Name | |
| Mkt Cap | 159.0 |
| P/S | 2.7 |
| P/EBIT | 21.1 |
| P/E | 33.0 |
| P/CFO | 16.1 |
| Total Yield | 4.4% |
| Dividend Yield | 2.1% |
| FCF Yield 3Y Avg | 6.2% |
| D/E | 0.4 |
| Net D/E | 0.3 |
Returns
| Median | |
|---|---|
| Name | |
| 1M Rtn | 0.1% |
| 3M Rtn | 5.0% |
| 6M Rtn | 9.8% |
| 12M Rtn | 11.5% |
| 3Y Rtn | 72.0% |
| 1M Excs Rtn | 0.2% |
| 3M Excs Rtn | 1.4% |
| 6M Excs Rtn | -1.5% |
| 12M Excs Rtn | -4.0% |
| 3Y Excs Rtn | -5.1% |
Comparison Analyses
Segment Financials
Revenue by Segment| $ Mil | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single segment | 689 | ||||
| Dealer | 579 | ||||
| OEM and National | 59 | ||||
| Other | 16 | 8 | 8 | 12 | |
| Display advertising | 85 | 85 | 92 | ||
| Pay per lead | 12 | 19 | 27 | ||
| Subscription advertising and digital solutions | 518 | 436 | 476 | ||
| Total | 689 | 654 | 624 | 548 | 607 |
| $ Mil | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single segment | 54 | ||||
| Total | 54 |
| $ Mil | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single segment | 118 | ||||
| Total | 118 |
Price Behavior
Price Behavior
| Market Price | $12.57 | |
| Market Cap ($ Bil) | 0.8 | |
| First Trading Date | 05/18/2017 | |
| Distance from 52W High | -33.4% | |
| 50 Days | 200 Days | |
| DMA Price | $11.69 | $11.81 |
| DMA Trend | down | indeterminate |
| Distance from DMA | 7.6% | 6.4% |
| 3M | 1YR | |
| Volatility | 42.0% | 50.1% |
| Downside Capture | 26.57 | 146.51 |
| Upside Capture | 33.20 | 92.11 |
| Correlation (SPY) | 23.7% | 43.8% |
CARS Betas & Captures as of 11/30/2025
[1] Upside and downside betas calculated using positive and negative benchmark daily returns respectively
| 1M | 2M | 3M | 6M | 1Y | 3Y | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beta | 0.79 | 0.96 | 1.15 | 1.70 | 1.14 | 1.20 |
| Up Beta | 2.08 | 2.24 | 2.71 | 3.13 | 1.08 | 1.16 |
| Down Beta | -0.30 | 0.92 | 0.64 | 1.24 | 0.96 | 0.96 |
| Up Capture | 152% | 41% | 47% | 142% | 93% | 154% |
| Bmk +ve Days | 12 | 25 | 38 | 73 | 141 | 426 |
| Stock +ve Days | 9 | 19 | 25 | 63 | 116 | 354 |
| Down Capture | 12% | 82% | 131% | 145% | 132% | 108% |
| Bmk -ve Days | 7 | 16 | 24 | 52 | 107 | 323 |
| Stock -ve Days | 10 | 22 | 37 | 60 | 128 | 378 |
[1] Upside and downside betas calculated using positive and negative benchmark daily returns respectively
Based On 1-Year Data
| Comparison of CARS With Other Asset Classes (Last 1Y) | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CARS | Sector ETF | Equity | Gold | Commodities | Real Estate | Bitcoin | |
| Annualized Return | -28.0% | 21.1% | 16.7% | 65.4% | 7.5% | 4.2% | -7.3% |
| Annualized Volatility | 49.8% | 18.5% | 19.4% | 19.8% | 15.3% | 17.0% | 34.9% |
| Sharpe Ratio | -0.49 | 0.89 | 0.67 | 2.43 | 0.27 | 0.08 | -0.06 |
| Correlation With Other Assets | 41.8% | 43.7% | 0.2% | 7.2% | 30.7% | 15.9% | |
ETFs used for asset classes: Sector ETF = XLC, Equity = SPY, Gold = GLD, Commodities = DBC, Real Estate = VNQ, and Bitcoin = BTCUSD
Smart multi-asset allocation framework can stack odds in your favor. Learn How
Based On 5-Year Data
| Comparison of CARS With Other Asset Classes (Last 5Y) | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CARS | Sector ETF | Equity | Gold | Commodities | Real Estate | Bitcoin | |
| Annualized Return | 0.4% | 13.0% | 14.8% | 17.7% | 11.2% | 5.1% | 30.2% |
| Annualized Volatility | 46.0% | 20.9% | 17.1% | 15.6% | 18.7% | 18.9% | 48.6% |
| Sharpe Ratio | 0.17 | 0.53 | 0.70 | 0.91 | 0.48 | 0.18 | 0.57 |
| Correlation With Other Assets | 44.2% | 49.5% | 5.4% | 9.1% | 38.8% | 24.7% | |
ETFs used for asset classes: Sector ETF = XLC, Equity = SPY, Gold = GLD, Commodities = DBC, Real Estate = VNQ, and Bitcoin = BTCUSD
Smart multi-asset allocation framework can stack odds in your favor. Learn How
Based On 10-Year Data
| Comparison of CARS With Other Asset Classes (Last 10Y) | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CARS | Sector ETF | Equity | Gold | Commodities | Real Estate | Bitcoin | |
| Annualized Return | -7.6% | 13.2% | 15.0% | 14.6% | 6.9% | 5.4% | 69.0% |
| Annualized Volatility | 57.1% | 22.6% | 18.0% | 14.8% | 17.6% | 20.8% | 55.8% |
| Sharpe Ratio | 0.09 | 0.54 | 0.72 | 0.82 | 0.31 | 0.23 | 0.89 |
| Correlation With Other Assets | 41.7% | 44.7% | -1.1% | 11.4% | 37.0% | 14.3% | |
ETFs used for asset classes: Sector ETF = XLC, Equity = SPY, Gold = GLD, Commodities = DBC, Real Estate = VNQ, and Bitcoin = BTCUSD
Smart multi-asset allocation framework can stack odds in your favor. Learn How
Earnings Returns History
Expand for More| Forward Returns | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Earnings Date | 1D Returns | 5D Returns | 21D Returns |
| 11/6/2025 | 6.5% | 11.6% | 14.5% |
| 8/7/2025 | -10.4% | -0.8% | 3.5% |
| 5/8/2025 | -11.2% | -1.3% | -8.3% |
| 2/27/2025 | -21.4% | -21.9% | -23.1% |
| 11/7/2024 | 6.2% | 12.3% | 11.7% |
| 8/8/2024 | -6.0% | -1.8% | -2.9% |
| 5/9/2024 | 9.2% | 9.2% | 19.3% |
| 2/22/2024 | -0.3% | 0.6% | -4.8% |
| ... | |||
| SUMMARY STATS | |||
| # Positive | 11 | 12 | 13 |
| # Negative | 12 | 11 | 10 |
| Median Positive | 9.2% | 12.0% | 11.7% |
| Median Negative | -9.4% | -8.0% | -10.8% |
| Max Positive | 52.9% | 26.1% | 58.0% |
| Max Negative | -21.4% | -29.3% | -60.8% |
SEC Filings
Expand for More| Report Date | Filing Date | Filing |
|---|---|---|
| 09/30/2025 | 11/06/2025 | 10-Q (09/30/2025) |
| 06/30/2025 | 08/07/2025 | 10-Q (06/30/2025) |
| 03/31/2025 | 05/08/2025 | 10-Q (03/31/2025) |
| 12/31/2024 | 02/27/2025 | 10-K (12/31/2024) |
| 09/30/2024 | 11/07/2024 | 10-Q (09/30/2024) |
| 06/30/2024 | 08/08/2024 | 10-Q (06/30/2024) |
| 03/31/2024 | 05/09/2024 | 10-Q (03/31/2024) |
| 12/31/2023 | 02/22/2024 | 10-K (12/31/2023) |
| 09/30/2023 | 11/02/2023 | 10-Q (09/30/2023) |
| 06/30/2023 | 08/03/2023 | 10-Q (06/30/2023) |
| 03/31/2023 | 05/04/2023 | 10-Q (03/31/2023) |
| 12/31/2022 | 02/23/2023 | 10-K (12/31/2022) |
| 09/30/2022 | 11/03/2022 | 10-Q (09/30/2022) |
| 06/30/2022 | 08/03/2022 | 10-Q (06/30/2022) |
| 03/31/2022 | 05/06/2022 | 10-Q (03/31/2022) |
| 12/31/2021 | 02/25/2022 | 10-K (12/31/2021) |
External Quote Links
| Y Finance | Barrons |
| TradingView | Morningstar |
| SeekingAlpha | ValueLine |
| Motley Fool | Robinhood |
| CNBC | Etrade |
| MarketWatch | Unusual Whales |
| YCharts | Perplexity Finance |
| FinViz |
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