Carvana (US:CVNA) Forbesยท2025-06-05 21:20Core Viewpoint - Jim Chanos, a renowned investor, is shorting Carvana, a used-car retailer, and believes the company is overvalued despite market perceptions of a turnaround [1][2]. Company Analysis - Carvana is perceived by the market as undergoing a significant turnaround, but it continues to incur losses and is cyclical in nature [2]. - The company's gross profit margins are inflated due to aggressive accounting practices that exclude many costs typically included by other auto dealers [3]. - Carvana's income is heavily reliant on financing rather than car sales, with subprime loans accounting for 122% of its income in the latest quarter [4]. - The stock has experienced extreme volatility, initially going public at $15 per share in 2017, peaking at around $370 in early 2021, and then plummeting to below $5 by 2022 before recovering to approximately $250 by the end of 2024 [5][6]. - As of June 2025, Carvana's enterprise value reached $73 billion, close to an all-time high, with the stock up 70% to $343 per share since early April [6]. Market Sentiment - Short interest in Carvana stock has decreased to below 10%, indicating a potential correction as it was previously one of the most shorted stocks [7]. - A significant amount of stock, valued at $1.7 billion, was sold by company executives in May, suggesting a lack of confidence in the company's future [8]. Broader Industry Context - Chanos is also shorting companies that have benefited from the AI hype but are expected to struggle, drawing parallels to the dot-com bubble [12][13]. - He has identified IT consultants and body shops, such as IBM, as companies that may face significant challenges due to outdated business models and high valuations despite stagnant growth [13].