Cars.com Inc. CARS
- Market cap
- $568.0M
- P/E
- 18.8×
Follow CARS
Target Price Range
Analyst price targets
Free account| 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | 2027 | 2028 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | 19.90 | 20.14 | 8.23 | 3.25 | 10.73 | 8.75 | 13.58 | 15.05 | 9.56 |
Analyst estimates 2026–2028 Powerpack |
Low Price
|
||
| — | 30.30 | 32.94 | 28.50 | 13.47 | 19.09 | 17.18 | 22.84 | 21.24 | 19.00 |
High Price
|
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| 1,275 | 1,100 | 1,400 | 1,500 | 1,500 | 1,600 | 1,700 | 1,700 | 1,800 | 1,700 |
Employees
|
|||
| 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Revenue/Emp
|
|||
| 633 | 626 | 662 | 607 | 548 | 624 | 654 | 689 | 719 | 723 |
Revenue
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|||
| 79.49% | 77.69% | 75.95% | 73.23% | 70.37% | 69.29% | 68.81% | 67.46% | 66.32% | 66.72% |
Gross Margin
|
|||
| 177 | 122 | 57 | (475) | (936) | 9 | 23 | 18 | 62 | 34 |
EBT
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| 27.95% | 19.51% | 8.60% | (78.34%) | (171.03%) | 1.52% | 3.45% | 2.63% | 8.60% | 4.74% |
EBT Margin
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| 176 | 224 | 39 | (445) | (789) | 11 | 17 | 118 | 48 | 20 |
Net Income
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| 58 | 64 | 80 | 561 | 1,033 | 111 | 96 | 104 | 109 | 94 |
Depreciation
|
|||
| 8.84 | 8.74 | 9.42 | 9.06 | 8.14 | 9.07 | 9.59 | 10.33 | 10.90 | 11.59 |
Revenue/Sh
|
|||
| 2.46 | 3.13 | 0.55 | (6.65) | (12.15) | 0.16 | 0.25 | 1.77 | 0.73 | 0.32 |
Earnings/Sh
|
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| 2.78 | 2.59 | 2.33 | 1.51 | 2.06 | 2.01 | 1.88 | 2.05 | 2.31 | 2.43 |
Cash Flow/Sh
|
|||
| (0.13) | (0.46) | (0.20) | (0.32) | (0.25) | (0.28) | (0.29) | (0.31) | (0.37) | (0.26) |
Capex/Sh
|
|||
| 2.65 | 2.14 | 2.12 | 1.20 | 1.81 | 1.73 | 1.59 | 1.74 | 1.94 | 2.17 |
Free CF/Sh
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| 33.77 | 23.43 | 23.14 | 17.03 | 5.06 | 5.79 | 5.64 | 7.37 | 7.75 | 7.57 |
Book Value/Sh
|
|||
| 72 | 72 | 70 | 67 | 67 | 69 | 68 | 67 | 66 | 62 |
Shares
|
|||
| 8.68 | 9.25 | 38.39 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 96.17 | 55.36 | 10.32 | 23.74 | 38.13 |
PE Ratio
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| 2.79 | 3.32 | 2.28 | 1.35 | 1.39 | 1.77 | 1.44 | 1.78 | 1.59 | 1.05 |
PS Ratio
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| 0.73 | 1.24 | 0.93 | 0.72 | 2.23 | 2.78 | 2.46 | 2.49 | 2.24 | 1.61 |
PB Ratio
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| 2.78 | 4.21 | 3.29 | 2.39 | 2.33 | 2.46 | 2.12 | 2.42 | 2.19 | 1.63 |
EV/Sales
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| 8.66 | 17.21 | 14.59 | 18.05 | 10.47 | 12.90 | 12.73 | 14.42 | 12.26 | 8.72 |
EV/FCF
|
|||
| 199 | 186 | 164 | 101 | 139 | 138 | 129 | 137 | 153 | 152 |
Op' Cash Flow
|
|||
| (10) | (33) | (14) | (21) | (17) | (19) | (20) | (21) | (24) | (16) |
Capex
|
|||
| 190 | 153 | 149 | 80 | 122 | 119 | 109 | 116 | 128 | 135 |
FCF
|
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| 48 | 52 | 43 | 24 | 88 | 53 | 43 | 33 | 97 | 98 |
Working Cap'
|
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| — | 578 | 692 | 643 | 584 | 466 | 472 | 483 | 455 | 452 |
Total Debt
|
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| (9) | 558 | 667 | 629 | 516 | 427 | 441 | 444 | 405 | 395 |
Net Debt
|
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| 2,417 | 1,679 | 1,627 | 1,141 | 340 | 398 | 384 | 492 | 511 | 473 |
Sh' Equity
|
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| 7.03% | 8.87% | 1.52% | (19.24%) | (50.85%) | 1.04% | 1.69% | 10.78% | 4.22% | 1.84% |
ROA
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| 4.58% | 3.75% | 2.29% | (15.75%) | (64.76%) | 3.66% | 5.00% | 3.61% | 3.65% | 4.34% |
ROIC
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| 8.61% | 10.96% | 2.35% | (32.18%) | (106.55%) | 2.92% | 4.40% | 27.02% | 9.60% | 4.08% |
ROE
|
|||
Cars.com Inc. peers in Internet Content & Information
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|---|---|---|---|
| MAX MediaAlpha, Inc. | $591.8M | 5.3× | Compare |
| NRDS NerdWallet, Inc. | $524.2M | 9.3× | Compare |
| MOMO Hello Group Inc. Sponsored ADR | $518.3M | 5.0× | Compare |
| EVER EverQuote, Inc. | $636.4M | 5.8× | Compare |
| Company | Market cap | P/E | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|
| GRPN Groupon, Inc. | $855.5M | 0.0× | Compare |
| BMBL Bumble Inc. | $353.7M | 0.0× | Compare |
| TBLA Taboola.com Ltd. | $932.0M | 8.4× | Compare |
| PERI Perion Network Ltd | $341.4M | 0.0× | Compare |
Cars.com Inc. (CARS) key facts
- Cars.com Inc. (CARS) is an Internet Content & Information company in the Communication Services sector, listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
- Cars.com Inc.’s revenue for fiscal 2025 (year ended December 2025) was $723.2 million, up 0.57% from fiscal 2024.
- Net income was $20.1 million, or $0.32 per share (basic), a net margin of 2.77%.
- As of September 25, 2026, CARS traded at $10.90, a market capitalization of $568.0 million.
- At that price the stock trades at 18.8× trailing-twelve-month earnings and 0.8× sales.
- Return on equity was 4.08% and debt-to-equity 1.01.
Cars.com Inc. (CARS) Latest News
25 Sep
Cox Automotive boosted its 2026 U.S. new-vehicle sales forecast to 16.1 million from 15.8 million, citing a strong summer selling pace; the figure is about 1.2% below 2025. Cars.com Inc. (CARS) shares rose roughly 2.6% in the afternoon on this read-through, though Cox did not mention Cars.com. The uptick suggests more shoppers in the market for dealer advertising, but the revision does not change Cars.com's fundamentals. After an initial pop, the stock traded around $10.83, about 2% above the prior close. The piece notes Cars.com’s volatility and frames today’s move as meaningful but not transformative, and it also references broader AI-disruption fears affecting consumer platforms, distinct from Cars.com specifically. Higher forecast could lift Cars.com's dealer-ad demand, but it's a read-through and unlikely to alter fundamentals.
9 Sep
Cars.com (CARS) doubled its profit despite revenue showing almost no growth. Doubled profit signals improved margins that may lift near-term stock sentiment without altering long-term revenue trajectory.
15 Aug
Cars.com Q2 earnings call featured five analyst questions addressing company performance, strategy and market conditions. Earnings call questions offer direct insights into Cars.com operational metrics and outlook that influence investor views.
13 Aug
Cars.com Inc. (CARS) held its Q2 2026 earnings call, covering financial results, operational updates, and forward guidance. Earnings call provides financial metrics and outlook that can moderately shift near-term stock sentiment and valuation.
10 Aug
Cars.com reported flat Q2 results, with marketplace growth and product innovation providing the main support. Marketplace growth and product innovation offer moderate support to future positioning amid otherwise flat results.
8 Aug
Cars.com Inc. posted record quarterly results while acknowledging a decline in platform visitors. Record earnings coexist with falling visitor numbers that may limit sustained growth.
7 Aug
Cars.com Inc. presented Q2 financial results and operational updates during its earnings call, noting revenue growth and adjusted guidance for the year ahead. Quarterly earnings updates typically deliver moderate short-term effects on stock sentiment and operational outlook without fundamentally shifting long-term strategy.
6 Aug
Cars.com Inc. released Q2 2026 earnings call summary covering financial results, operational updates and outlook. Q2 earnings call delivers routine financial and strategic updates with moderate but non-transformative market effects.
Cars.com Inc. (CARS) beat Q2 earnings estimates. Q2 earnings beat can lift near-term stock price and sentiment for Cars.com Inc.
Cars.com Inc. (CARS) reported its second quarter 2026 financial results. Quarterly results update provides performance metrics that may shift short-term investor sentiment without indicating major strategic shifts.
29 Jul
Cars.com (CARS) stock surges higher today on positive developments affecting the company. Stock surge reflects noticeable short-term market reaction with moderate longer-term implications possible.
1 Jun
Cars.com (CARS) released its Q1 2026 earnings call transcript covering quarterly financial results, performance metrics, and management commentary on operations and outlook. Q1 2026 earnings details and forward guidance directly shape investor assessment of Cars.com financial trajectory and valuation.
9 May
Cars.com Inc. (CARS) released Q1 earnings call highlights covering financial results, revenue growth, profitability metrics, operational updates, and forward-looking guidance. Q1 earnings call highlights detail financial performance and strategic outlook, significantly influencing investor sentiment and stock trajectory.
7 May
Cars.com Inc. (CARS) reported Q1 earnings, with key metrics providing insights into financial performance and operational health. Q1 earnings reports typically drive significant short-term stock volatility and influence investor sentiment on Cars.com's trajectory.
Cars.com Inc. (CARS) reported first quarter 2026 results. Quarterly earnings reports like Q1 2026 directly drive Cars.com's financial performance, stock price volatility, and investor sentiment.
Cars.com Inc. (CARS) reported Q1 earnings below analyst estimates. Missing Q1 earnings indicates weaker financial performance with moderate impact on stock price and investor sentiment.
29 Apr
Carvana beats Q1 earnings and revenue estimates. Carvana's earnings beat signals stronger competitive pressure in online car sales impacting Cars.com's market positioning.
27 Apr
Cars.com launches the industry's first AI video solution that automatically generates dynamic videos for every vehicle listing, turning them into high-intent sales engines by showcasing key features, driving dealer engagement, and boosting buyer conversions. Pioneering AI video tool for all vehicle listings drives significant sales intent and competitive differentiation in the automotive marketplace.
9 Apr
Cars.com Inc. (CARS) provided updates on business initiatives, raised its share repurchase target to $200 million, and reaffirmed full-year guidance of $8.15 to $8.45 adjusted EBITDA per share. Raising the share repurchase target signals strong cash flow confidence and supports stock value, while reaffirming guidance maintains positive investor outlook.
3 Apr
Cars.com Inc. (CARS) selected as the sole cash-producing stock boasting impressive fundamentals, while two others dismissed. Positive endorsement of CARS' cash flow and fundamentals likely drives moderate investor sentiment boost.
11 Mar
CarGurus is emerging as the dominant auto marketplace through rapid growth, innovative dealer tools, vast inventory, and strong consumer engagement, outpacing rivals like Cars.com in key metrics and market share. CarGurus' rise as the leading auto marketplace introduces significant competitive pressure on Cars.com's market position and performance.
28 Feb
B. Riley lowered its price target for Cars.com Inc. (CARS) to $13 from $22. B. Riley's price target cut from $22 to $13 reflects a sharply bearish outlook, likely to significantly impact investor sentiment and CARS stock performance.
27 Feb
Cars.com Inc. (CARS) Q4 earnings call highlights key financial results, revenue growth, profitability metrics, and forward guidance for the automotive marketplace. Q4 earnings highlights disclose financial performance and strategic outlook directly influencing investor sentiment and stock trajectory.
26 Feb
Cars.com Inc. (CARS) Q4 2025 earnings call highlights growth navigation amid automotive market challenges. Q4 2025 earnings highlights detail strategic growth efforts and challenges poised to significantly shape future performance and investor outlook.
Cars.com Inc. (CARS) reported Q4 earnings, with key metrics highlighting performance insights. Q4 earnings reports directly affect financial assessments, guidance, and investor sentiment on future performance.
Cars.com Inc. (CARS) missed Q4 earnings estimates, reporting weaker-than-expected results. Missing Q4 earnings directly undermines financial performance and investor confidence, likely causing significant short-term stock pressure and trajectory shifts.
Cars.com Inc. (CARS) released its Q4 earnings snapshot. Q4 earnings snapshots directly reveal financial performance metrics that significantly influence stock price and investor outlook.
Cars.com Inc. (CARS) reported fourth quarter and full-year 2025 financial results. Quarterly and annual earnings disclosures drive substantial shifts in investor sentiment and stock valuation.
25 Feb
Cars.com Inc. (CARS) Q4 earnings report upcoming, featuring key metrics, expectations, and insights ahead of release. Q4 earnings preview may moderately affect financial performance and investor sentiment without transformative details.
12 Feb
Cars.com Inc. (CARS) is set to announce its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year of 2025. The announcement is anticipated to provide insights into the company's performance and strategic direction. The upcoming financial results may influence investor sentiment and provide insights into the company's operational performance.