BOSTON, July 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CarGurus, Inc. (Nasdaq: CARG), the No. 1 visited digital auto platform for shopping, buying, and selling new and used vehicles1, announced it will issue a press release reporting financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2025, after the close of the market on August 7, 2025. CarGurus will host a conference call and live webcast to discuss those financial results for investors and analysts at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on August 7, 2025. To access the conference c ...

Industry Overview - Ecommerce sales in Q1 2025 grew by 6.1% compared to Q1 2024, while total retail sales increased by 4.5%, with ecommerce accounting for approximately 16.2% of total U.S. retail sales [1] - The ecommerce industry is experiencing a shift towards digital influencers and advanced technologies such as AR/VR, social commerce, generative AI, and the Metaverse [4][5] - The Zacks Internet - Commerce industry ranks 51, placing it in the top 21% of nearly 250 Zacks industries, indicating positive near-term prospects [8][9] Current Trends - The retail experience is increasingly blending online and offline activities, with consumers preferring faster delivery and pickup options [7] - Subscription models for repeat-use items are gaining traction, making it easier for consumers to order and for retailers to plan [7] - Social commerce is becoming popular, particularly among Gen-Z, with platforms like TikTok leading the way [14] Performance Metrics - The Zacks Electronic - Commerce Industry has gained 18% over the past year, outperforming the broader Zacks Retail and Wholesale Sector (16.5%) and the S&P 500 (11.9%) [12] - The industry is currently trading at a price-to-forward earnings (P/E) ratio of 24.6X, which is a premium of 8.6% to the S&P 500 and a discount of 0.8% to the broader retail sector [16] Company Highlights Groupon, Inc. (GRPN) - Groupon operates an online marketplace connecting buyers and sellers across various sectors, with over 76% of its 2024 revenue coming from the U.S. [19] - The company has shown a positive trend in earnings estimates, with the 2025 estimate moving from a loss of $0.18 to a profit of $0.30 per share [21] - Groupon's shares have increased by 146.9% over the past year, primarily in the last two months [22] CarGurus, Inc. (CARG) - CarGurus offers an online marketplace for new and used cars, with 93% of its 2024 revenue generated in the U.S. [25] - The company has no debt and is focused on improving dealer profitability through data-driven solutions, which is driving its market share [27] - Analysts estimate a 25% earnings growth for 2025, with revenues expected to increase by 5% [28]

Core Insights - The article emphasizes the importance of efficiency levels in assessing a company's potential for profitability, suggesting that higher efficiency correlates with better price performance [1] Efficiency Ratios - Receivables Turnover measures a company's ability to extend credit and collect debts, with a higher ratio indicating better performance [2] - Asset Utilization indicates how effectively a company converts its assets into sales, with higher values suggesting greater efficiency [3] - Inventory Turnover assesses a company's ability to manage inventory relative to its cost of goods sold, where a higher ratio indicates better inventory management [4] - Operating Margin reflects a company's control over operating expenses, with higher margins indicating more efficient expense management [5] Screening Criteria - The screening process included efficiency ratios that surpassed industry averages, narrowing down over 7,906 stocks to 12 candidates [7] - A favorable Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) was also included to enhance the profitability of the strategy [6] Selected Stocks - Post Holdings (POST), CarGurus (CARG), and Koppers (KOP) were identified as top stocks based on strong efficiency metrics, each exceeding industry averages [8] - POST reported an average earnings surprise of 22.9%, CARG had 11.8%, and KOP achieved 6% [8][9][10][11]

Core Insights - CarGurus has launched "The Big Deal Show," a campaign celebrating significant moments related to car purchases, featuring well-known personalities from sports and entertainment [3][6] - The campaign includes a three-part series where celebrities share their personal stories and experiences with cars, while also offering a chance to win new vehicles through a sweepstakes [4][5] Company Overview - CarGurus, Inc. is the leading online platform for buying and selling vehicles, recognized as the most visited automotive shopping site in the U.S. [8][9] - The company utilizes proprietary technology and data analytics to enhance the automotive shopping experience, ensuring trust and competitive pricing for consumers [8] Campaign Details - "The Big Deal Show" consists of three episodes released monthly, starting with Tony Hawk and Zeb Powell discussing their car-related memories [4][5] - Each episode is accompanied by a sweepstakes where participants can win a new Nissan valued at approximately $50,000, along with funds for related expenses [5] Marketing Strategy - The campaign is an extension of CarGurus' national brand initiative, "Big Deal," which emphasizes the emotional significance of car purchases and the decisions involved [6] - The initiative aims to connect with consumers by showcasing relatable stories from celebrities, reinforcing the idea that car buying is a significant life event [6][7]

Core Insights - The 2025 Mid-Year Auto Market Review by CarGurus highlights the influence of tariffs, inventory dynamics, and consumer preferences on vehicle supply, pricing, and demand [1][2] Group 1: Market Dynamics - The auto market has experienced significant shifts in consumer behavior due to policy changes and economic uncertainty, leading to increased demand for affordability and efficiency [2] - New vehicle sales surged by 48% year-over-year following the March tariff announcement, although demand has since normalized [4] - Listings for new cars priced under $30,000 have decreased by 15% since late March, with compact and crossover models seeing the largest declines [4] Group 2: Pricing Trends - The average price of new vehicles remains stable at approximately $49,600, despite over 60% of listings being post-tariff inventory [4] - Luxury SUVs have seen significant price increases since the tariffs were implemented, while electric vehicles have experienced the largest price decreases [4] Group 3: Inventory Insights - Aged new car inventory is at levels not seen since 2020, with over 7% of listings being 2024 or older, providing opportunities for deals on pre-tariff inventory [4] - The supply of used cars has reached multi-year highs, but 3- to 4-year-old models remain scarce and are priced at a premium due to pandemic-related production disruptions [4] Group 4: Consumer Preferences - Fuel-efficient models, including hybrids, EVs, and compacts, are leading in demand, with hybrids showing a 43% increase in retail sales compared to 2024 [4] - Average list prices for new hybrids have decreased by about $1,400 year-over-year, making them attractive to value-conscious buyers [4]

Core Insights - CarGurus has introduced an AI-powered search experience to enhance the online vehicle buying and selling process, allowing consumers to use conversational language for vehicle discovery and comparison [1][2] - The AI feature enables users to engage in an open dialogue on the site, improving the shopping experience by allowing personalized queries based on specific needs [2][3] - Early pilot programs indicated that shoppers using the AI search feature spent more time on the site compared to those using traditional search methods, suggesting increased engagement [3] AI Implementation and Impact - In 2024, CarGurus launched over 30,000 personalized car comparison pages, which led to a 10% increase in conversion rates during testing, showcasing the effectiveness of AI-driven recommendations [4] - The company reported a 14% year-over-year increase in direct traffic, with 30% of leads originating from its app, emphasizing the importance of continuous improvement in user experience across platforms [5] - The retail industry is witnessing significant traffic growth from AI-powered searches, indicating a shift from traditional search engines and highlighting AI's role in enhancing online retail engagement [6]

Core Insights - CarGurus has launched an AI-powered car search feature that enhances the car shopping experience by providing personalized and intuitive options for users [1][2] - The new feature allows users to engage in conversational searches, enabling them to find, compare, and shop for vehicles more efficiently [2][3] Company Overview - CarGurus is a leading online automotive platform for buying and selling vehicles, recognized as the most visited automotive shopping site in the U.S. [5] - The company utilizes proprietary technology, search algorithms, and data analytics to enhance trust, transparency, and competitive pricing in the automotive market [5] AI Integration - The AI-powered shopping experience allows users to input conversational prompts to find vehicles that meet specific needs, such as safety ratings or price limits [3] - Early pilot users of the AI search feature have demonstrated increased engagement, spending more time on the site compared to typical traffic [2] Market Position - CarGurus operates online marketplaces in Canada and the U.K., in addition to its U.S. platform, and also manages independent brands like Autolist and PistonHeads [6] - The company provides dealers with actionable insights and predictive analytics to improve decision-making across various workflows [4]

Core Viewpoint - Growth stocks are appealing due to their potential for above-average financial growth, but identifying those that can fulfill their potential is challenging [1] Group 1: Company Overview - CarGurus (CARG) is highlighted as a recommended growth stock with a favorable Growth Score and a top Zacks Rank [2] - The company has a historical EPS growth rate of 3.7%, but projected EPS growth for this year is expected to be 25.1%, significantly higher than the industry average of 15.6% [5] Group 2: Financial Metrics - CarGurus exhibits a year-over-year cash flow growth of 183.6%, far exceeding the industry average of 6.6% [6] - The annualized cash flow growth rate for CarGurus over the past 3-5 years is 39.8%, compared to the industry average of 4.7% [7] Group 3: Earnings Estimates - The current-year earnings estimates for CarGurus have been revised upward, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate increasing by 23.9% over the past month [8] - CarGurus has achieved a Growth Score of A and a Zacks Rank 1 due to positive earnings estimate revisions, indicating strong potential for growth investors [10]

CarGurus (CARG) FY Conference Summary Company Overview - CarGurus operates as an online automotive marketplace, competing primarily with Cars.com and Auto Trader, offering a freemium model that provides transparency and a wide selection of vehicles [2][4] - The company has built a two-sided marketplace, achieving the largest consumer audience in the online automotive space, which has led to significant growth [5][6] Core Business Model - CarGurus employs a subscription model where dealers pay monthly for various products, with a focus on expanding services throughout the consumer lifecycle and dealer workflow [7][9] - The company has shifted from merely selling leads to a more consultative partnership with dealers, providing insights and analytics to enhance dealer performance [11][12] Financial Performance - Recent quarters have shown acceleration in the core listings business, with the highest dealer count growth in a long time [15][17] - The average revenue per subscribing dealer (CAR SID) has been increasing due to new product introductions and upselling existing customers [18][19] - Dealers spend approximately $12 billion to $14 billion on digital advertising, with CarGurus capturing about 4% of that market [25][26] Market Dynamics - The used car market remains a significant focus, with over 90% of leads directed towards used vehicles, while new car sales are described as more commoditized [43][44] - Insights provided by CarGurus help dealers optimize pricing and inventory management, especially during periods of market uncertainty [45][46] Strategic Initiatives - The acquisition of CarOffer, a digital wholesale platform, aims to enhance the sourcing capabilities for dealers, although it has faced challenges in adapting to market volatility [28][33] - CarGurus is expanding its international presence, particularly in Canada and the UK, where it is growing rapidly and is recognized as a top ROI provider for dealers [52][54] Competitive Landscape - CarGurus has been gaining market share in a slow-growing category, attributed to its innovative product offerings and strong dealer relationships [48] - The company is investing in technology and product development, leveraging AI to enhance productivity and introduce new features [49] Future Outlook - The company is focused on long-term contracts with dealers, with 40% of new contracts being six to twelve months in duration, indicating a shift towards deeper partnerships [56] - CarGurus is also enhancing its new car experience to provide more options for consumers, thereby increasing dealer engagement [58][59]

Core Insights - CarGurus, Inc. is the leading digital auto platform for shopping, buying, and selling new and used vehicles, with a scheduled participation in a fireside chat at William Blair's 45th Annual Growth Stock Conference on June 3, 2025 [1][2] Company Overview - CarGurus operates as a multinational online automotive platform, enhancing its listings marketplace with digital retail solutions and the CarOffer online wholesale platform [3] - The platform provides consumers with confidence in purchasing and selling vehicles, while enabling dealerships to accurately price, market, acquire, and sell vehicles effectively [3] - CarGurus is recognized as the most visited automotive shopping site in the U.S., with additional operations in Canada and the U.K., as well as independent brands like Autolist and PistonHeads [3][4]