Core Viewpoint - Broad Arrow Auctions, a Hagerty company, is set to showcase prestigious collector cars during the Global Icons Online Auction series and the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este Auction at iconic locations in Paris during Rétromobile car week [1][3]. Auction Details - The preview event will take place at Roland-Garros Stadium, featuring a selection of cars from the Global Icons: Europe Online Auction and memorabilia from motorsport history [2][3]. - The auction will include notable cars such as the Benetton B192-05, estimated at over €8,500,000, and a 1967 Ferrari 275 GTS, estimated between €1,400,000 and €1,500,000 [3][4]. Featured Cars - The auction will present a variety of iconic vehicles, including a 1976 Mercedes-Benz 450 SEL 6.9 and a 2003 Ferrari 360 Challenge Stradale [4]. - A pre-war Type 18 Bugatti known as 'Black Bess', once owned by aviation pioneer Roland Garros, will be displayed, highlighting its historical significance as one of the first street-legal super sports cars [5]. Upcoming Auctions - The Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este auction in May 2026 will feature exceptional models such as the 1929 Bugatti Type 43 Roadster, estimated between €2,500,000 and €3,500,000, and the 1926 Bugatti Type 37 Grand Prix, estimated between €1,000,000 and €1,300,000 [6][7]. - The display at Rétromobile will also include a 1990 Ferrari F40 and a 1971 Lamborghini Miura P400 S, estimated between €1,600,000 and €1,800,000 [9]. Event Schedule - Rétromobile will occur from January 28 to February 1, 2026, with a VIP preview on January 27. The Roland-Garros preview will run from January 27 to January 30, with a VIP Opening Brunch on January 27 [11][12]. Company Background - Broad Arrow Auctions, established in 2021, is recognized as a leading global collector car auction house, expanding its presence in Europe and hosting flagship events in collaboration with prestigious partners [15].

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the phenomenon of heavily shorted stocks, highlighting the reasons traders engage in short selling and the potential for short squeezes to create significant price movements in the market [2][3][4]. Group 1: Reasons for Heavy Shorting - Stocks become heavily shorted when experienced traders and institutional investors believe the company is fundamentally overvalued, anticipating a decline in its price [2]. - High short interest indicates a strong conviction among professional traders that the company faces serious risks [2]. Group 2: Short Squeeze Dynamics - Bullish traders, often retail investors, see high short interest as an opportunity for rapid gains through a short squeeze, which occurs when rising stock prices force short sellers to buy back shares, creating a feedback loop that drives prices even higher [3][4]. - The volatility associated with short squeezes can lead to returns that significantly exceed typical stock movements in a short time frame [4]. Group 3: Most Shorted Stocks - As of January 16, 2026, the top 10 most shorted stocks include: - Choice Hotels International, Inc. (CHH) with a short interest of 56.33% - Lucid Group, Inc. (LCID) at 54.45% - Avis Budget Group, Inc. (CAR) at 52.38% - Other notable companies include PureCycle Technologies, Inc. (PCT), Under Armour, Inc. (UAA), and Revolve Group, Inc. (RVLV) with short interests ranging from 39.22% to 41.89% [5][6][7].

Group 1 - Avis Budget Group, Inc. plans to report its fourth quarter 2025 results on February 18, 2026, after market close [1] - A conference call for institutional investors to discuss the results will be held on February 19, 2026, at 8:30 a.m. Eastern time [1] - Investors can access the call via the company's investor relations website or by dialing a designated phone number [2] Group 2 - Avis Budget Group is a leading global provider of mobility solutions, operating under the Avis and Budget brands with approximately 10,250 rental locations in around 180 countries [3] - The company also operates Zipcar, the world's leading car sharing network [3] - Avis Budget Group primarily operates its car rental offices directly in North America, Europe, and Australasia, while using licensees in other regions [3]

Core Viewpoint - Broad Arrow, a Hagerty company, is set to auction the iconic 1992 Benetton B192-05, which Michael Schumacher drove to his first Grand Prix victory, marking a significant event for collectors and motorsport history [1][3]. Auction Details - The auction will take place from January 23 to January 30, 2026, as part of the Global Icons: Europe Online auction series [1]. - The Benetton B192-05 is expected to fetch over €8,500,000 during the auction [5]. Historical Significance - Chassis B192-05 is recognized as a pivotal Formula One car, being the last to win a race with a manual gearbox, symbolizing a shift in the sport [2]. - This car not only represents Schumacher's first victory but also the end of an era for manual gearboxes in Formula One [3]. Collectible Memorabilia - The auction will also feature collectible items related to Michael Schumacher, including a signed 1994 Original Benetton Helmet (estimated at €20,000 - €30,000) and his 1995 Benetton Overalls (estimated at €15,000 - €25,000) [6]. Other Auction Highlights - Additional notable items in the auction include a 1971 Lamborghini Miura P400 S (estimated at €1,600,000 - €1,800,000) and a 1990 Ferrari Mondial T Cabriolet (estimated at €45,000 - €65,000) [7].

Core Insights - Avis Budget Group (CAR) has a Growth Score of A, indicating strong financial metrics that reflect the quality and sustainability of its growth [1] - The company anticipates a revenue increase of approximately 1.9% and a significant earnings jump of 47.8% year over year for Q4 2025 [9] Revenue Growth Drivers - CAR's revenue growth is primarily fueled by its vehicle rental operations, with a substantial share of airport car rental revenues in North America, Europe, and Australasia [2] - The Zipcar brand operates a self-service car-sharing model, catering to the growing demand for short-term rentals as an alternative to ride-hailing services like Uber and Lyft [2] Operational Efficiency - The company has improved fleet utilization, cost control, and operational efficiency to meet customer demands [3] - Favorable vehicle acquisition prices, reduced supply chain disruptions, and enhanced rental services have collectively strengthened profitability [3] - The launch of Avis First, a luxury car rental service, aims to attract premium customers [3] Technological Investments - Continuous investment in technology enhances customer experience, with partnerships with Alphabet and Amazon for voice-controlled access via Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa [4] - The Avis mobile app's capabilities extend to generating data on road conditions, accident zones, weather, and user preferences [4] Shareholder Value - CAR consistently returns value to shareholders through robust share repurchase programs, buying back shares worth $1.46 billion, $3.33 billion, $951 million, and $70 million in 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024, respectively [5] - These actions instill shareholder confidence and contribute to growth [5]

Core Viewpoint - Investors are increasingly focusing on heavily shorted stocks, either to capitalize on further declines in value or to benefit from potential short squeezes [1][3]. Group 1: Characteristics of Heavily Shorted Stocks - A stock is considered "heavily shorted" when a significant number of traders and institutional investors believe it is fundamentally overvalued, leading to expectations of a price decline [2]. - High short interest often indicates a strong conviction among professional traders that the company faces serious risks, while retail traders may see it as an opportunity for rapid gains through a short squeeze [3]. Group 2: Short Squeeze Dynamics - A short squeeze occurs when a stock's price unexpectedly rises, forcing short sellers to buy back shares to cover their positions, which creates a spike in demand and further drives up the price [4]. - The volatility associated with a short squeeze can result in returns that significantly exceed typical stock movements within a short time frame [4]. Group 3: Most Heavily Shorted Stocks - As of December 29, the following stocks are the most heavily shorted, with market caps above $2 billion and free floats above 5 million: - Lucid Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:LCID) - 54.51% - Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE:CHH) - 50.20% - Avis Budget Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:CAR) - 48.80% - Revolve Group, Inc. (NYSE:RVLV) - 43.14% - Medical Properties Trust, Inc. (NYSE:MPW) - 37.13% - MARA Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:MARA) - 36.23% - Hims & Hers Health, Inc. (NYSE:HIMS) - 35.22% - TransMedics Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:TMDX) - 35.11% - Kohl's Corporation (NYSE:KSS) - 34.27% - Northern Oil & Gas, Inc. (NYSE:NOG) - 33.27% [5][6].

Core Insights - New car prices are at an all-time high, with average monthly payments reaching $766 and average amounts financed at $43,218, driving consumers towards the used car market [1][2] - Companies like Carvana, Autoation, and CarMax are benefiting from this trend, with stock prices increasing significantly [2] - Valvalene, which operates 2,300 car servicing stores, is positioned to capitalize on the growing demand for maintenance services as consumers hold onto their older vehicles longer [2][3] Company Performance - Valvalene's CEO noted that the average age of vehicles in the U.S. has increased to nearly 13 years, leading to higher maintenance needs and revenue opportunities for the company [4] - The company has been experiencing a steady influx of customers seeking maintenance for their older vehicles, which aligns with the trend of consumers opting for used cars over new ones [3][4] - Valvalene's growth in the electric vehicle (EV) segment has slowed since the removal of EV subsidies, with EV penetration in the car park currently below 2% [6][7] Market Dynamics - The shift towards maintaining older vehicles rather than purchasing new ones is expected to continue, as consumers find it more economical to keep their current cars [5] - Valvalene's hybrid business is performing well, with penetration rates comparable to traditional internal combustion engine vehicles [8] - The company aims to improve its market perception and investor understanding following a significant acquisition and a focus on clear financial commitments for growth [12][10] Community Engagement - Valvalene has a strong commitment to community involvement, having raised over $1.8 million for the Children's Miracle Network and engaging in various charitable activities [15][16]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the current landscape of heavily shorted stocks, highlighting the reasons traders engage in short selling and the potential for short squeezes as investment opportunities [2][3][4]. Summary by Sections Heavily Shorted Stocks - Stocks become heavily shorted when experienced traders and institutional investors believe the company is fundamentally overvalued, anticipating a price decline [2]. - Short sellers borrow shares, sell them at high prices, and aim to repurchase them at lower prices for profit, indicating a strong conviction about the company's risks [3]. Current Market Data - As of December 10, 2025, the top 10 most shorted stocks with market caps above $2 billion and free floats above 5 million are listed, ranked by short interest percentage [5]. - The most heavily shorted stock is Lucid Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: LCID) with a short interest of 52.70%, followed by Avis Budget Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: CAR) at 51.53% and Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH) at 49.05% [6][7]. Market Characteristics - Heavily shorted stocks often reflect a battleground between negative fundamentals and speculative trading, where short squeezes can lead to significant, rapid gains but also come with high risk and volatility [8]. - Monitoring short interest can help identify potential short squeeze candidates, although timing such trades is challenging [8].

Company Overview - Avis Budget Group, Inc. is a leading provider of vehicle rental and mobility solutions, operating a diverse portfolio of brands across over 10,000 locations worldwide [6] - The company leverages its scale, technology, and brand differentiation to address the needs of both commercial and consumer markets [6] - Revenue for the trailing twelve months (TTM) is reported at $11.4 billion, with a net income of -$2.1 billion [4] Recent Developments - Maple Rock Capital Partners sold its entire position in Avis Budget Group, reducing its holdings by 415,584 shares valued at $70.3 million during the third quarter [1][2] - Despite the sale, Avis Budget Group showed solid operational momentum in the third quarter, with revenue of $3.5 billion (up 1% year-over-year) and adjusted EBITDA of $559 million (up 11%) [7][10] Market Performance - As of the latest market close, shares of Avis Budget Group were priced at $133.93, reflecting a 34% increase over the past year, outperforming the S&P 500's 13% gain in the same period [3][4] - The decision by Maple Rock to exit its position highlights the potential divergence between company fundamentals and investor sentiment in the travel-related industry [10] Operational Insights - Avis Budget Group's Americas business saw adjusted EBITDA improve to $398 million, supported by lower per-unit fleet costs despite softer revenue per day [9] - International profitability also strengthened, with adjusted EBITDA rising to $190 million due to better pricing and cost efficiency [9]

Core Viewpoint - Carmakers BMW and Toyota, along with auto rental and leasing firms from Europe, are advocating against the European Commission's proposal to set mandatory targets for electric vehicle purchases for corporate fleets [1] Group 1 - BMW and Toyota are leading the charge in opposing mandatory electric vehicle purchase targets [1] - The automotive industry is concerned about the implications of such regulations on corporate fleets [1] - The request was made to the European Commission, highlighting the industry's collective stance [1]