Group 1: Trade and Market Impact - Investors showed relief on April 22 due to signs of easing trade tensions, with hints from President Trump and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent about potential reductions in the 145% tariffs on Chinese goods [1] - The positive developments regarding tariffs have led to a bullish market trend since April 22, with expectations of further gains as more tariff-related good news is anticipated [2] Group 2: Stock Screening and Recommendations - A screening process has been designed to identify stocks based on improving broker recommendations and upward revisions in earnings estimates over the past four weeks, incorporating the price/sales ratio as a complementary valuation metric [3] - The screening criteria include a net upgrade in ratings, percentage change in earnings estimates, price-to-sales ratio, stock price above $5, average daily volume over 100,000 shares, and market capitalization in the top 3000 [4][5] Group 3: Featured Stocks - Avis Budget operates as a leading vehicle rental operator with a fleet of nearly 695,000 vehicles, benefiting from strong demand in North America [6] - ABM Industries provides integrated facility solutions and has a strong earnings surprise history, with an average beat of 9.6% over the last four quarters [7] - CVR Energy focuses on renewable energy and petroleum refining, committed to developing renewable biofuels [9] - Delek US Holdings is an independent refiner with significant competitive advantages in the Permian Basin, achieving an average earnings beat of 22.3% [10][11] - Asbury Automotive Group's diversified product mix and e-commerce platform, Clicklane, are driving growth and improving its risk profile [11][12]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported diluted earnings per share of $7.94, a 34.8% increase year-over-year, and adjusted diluted earnings of $7.66, a 25.4% increase, marking the first quarterly year-over-year adjusted earnings increase since Q4 2022 [7][10]. - Total revenues grew to a record $9.2 billion, a 7% increase from Q1 of the previous year [10]. - Adjusted SG&A as a percentage of gross profit was 68.2%, a 120 basis point decline from the prior year [42]. Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - New vehicle units increased by 3.6% year-over-year, while total unit sales increased by 1.5% [33]. - After-sales gross profit increased by 7.5%, with warranty work showing a 19.7% year-over-year increase [37][38]. - Financing operations delivered income of $12.5 million compared to a loss of $1.7 million in the same period last year [44]. Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company operates within one of the largest and least consolidated industries, with a current market share of just over 1% and a target of reaching 5% [24][17]. - The diversified omnichannel ecosystem spans retail, digital, and fleet channels across North America and the UK, with offerings ranging from new vehicles to twenty-year-old value autos [13]. Company Strategy and Development Direction - The focus for 2025 is on executing the strategy to build customer loyalty and expand market share, with a commitment to achieving $2 in EPS for every $1 billion in revenue [10][20]. - The company aims to maintain a balanced capital allocation strategy, targeting a minimum after-tax return of 15% on acquisitions [21][23]. - The strategy includes optimizing the network by acquiring larger automotive retail stores in profitable regions and leveraging digital channels [24][26]. Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's ability to deliver sustainable performance and capture market share despite potential tariff impacts [10][12]. - The management noted that the operational success is driven by store leaders' autonomy to adapt quickly to local demand [11][12]. - The company remains focused on disciplined cost management and enhancing efficiencies across the business [41][43]. Other Important Information - The company repurchased $146 million, or nearly 2% of its outstanding shares, at attractive valuations during the first quarter [23]. - The company ended the quarter with a net leverage of 2.5 times, in line with its long-term target [51]. Q&A Session Summary Question: Current tariff environment and its impact - Management noted that over 45% of inventory is not impacted by current tariffs, positioning the company favorably compared to peers [59]. - Inventory levels have decreased significantly, with a drop of almost ten days supply quarter-over-quarter [60]. Question: Communication with factory partners and M&A environment - There has been clear communication from manufacturers regarding pricing stability through the 2025 model year, with no major changes in the M&A environment noted [74]. Question: Expectations for front-end gross profit and market share - Management indicated that the design of the ecosystem allows for a potential upward price inflection rather than downward, with expectations for used vehicle gross profit to grow over time [80][82]. Question: Impact of tariffs on after-sales business - Management believes that most customers will need to repair their cars regardless of tariffs, minimizing the impact on the after-sales business [110][112]. Question: Capital allocation and acquisition targets - The company is targeting $2 billion in acquired revenues for the year, with ongoing evaluations of share repurchases and acquisitions [114].

Core Insights - The article emphasizes the importance of utilizing Zacks Premium for investors to enhance their stock market strategies and confidence in investing [1][2] Zacks Style Scores - Zacks Style Scores are complementary indicators that rate stocks based on value, growth, and momentum methodologies, helping investors identify stocks likely to outperform the market in the next 30 days [3][4] - Each stock receives a rating from A to F based on its characteristics, with A being the highest score indicating a better chance of outperforming [4] Value Score - The Value Score identifies attractive and discounted stocks using ratios like P/E, PEG, Price/Sales, and Price/Cash Flow, appealing to value investors [4] Growth Score - The Growth Score focuses on a company's financial strength and future outlook, analyzing projected and historical earnings, sales, and cash flow to find stocks with sustainable growth [5] Momentum Score - The Momentum Score helps investors capitalize on price trends by analyzing short-term price changes and earnings estimate revisions [6] VGM Score - The VGM Score combines all three Style Scores, providing a comprehensive indicator for investors who utilize multiple investing strategies [7] Zacks Rank - The Zacks Rank is a proprietary stock-rating model that leverages earnings estimate revisions to assist investors in building successful portfolios [8] - Stocks rated 1 (Strong Buy) have historically produced an average annual return of +25.41% since 1988, significantly outperforming the S&P 500 [9] Stock Example: Lithia Motors - Lithia Motors, Inc. is a leading automotive retailer in the U.S., offering 52 vehicle brands across 459 locations in the U.S., U.K., and Canada [13] - Currently rated 3 (Hold) with a VGM Score of B, it has a Value Style Score of B, supported by a forward P/E ratio of 8.56, making it attractive to value investors [14] - Recent earnings estimates for fiscal 2025 have been revised higher, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate increasing by $0.06 to $34.51 per share, alongside an average earnings surprise of 2% [14]

Core Insights - CarMax reports a steady increase in consumer interest for used electric vehicles (EVs) over the last three years, with a 40% drop in average used EV prices during the same period, indicating a shift towards EV adoption [3][8] - The percentage of searches for "electric vehicle" on carmax.com has nearly doubled from January 2022 to February 2025, with notable spikes in March 2022 and June 2024 [3][8] - The Tesla Model 3 and Model Y remain the most popular EVs, while the Ford F-150 Lightning and Rivian R1T have entered the top ten list for the first time [4][8] Consumer Trends - The most traded-in vehicles for EVs at CarMax are sedans and coupes, with Toyota being the top brand traded in, followed by Honda and Ford [5] - The Tesla Model 3 is the top traded-in model for an EV, with many owners transitioning to the larger Tesla Model Y [5] Regional Insights - Oregon has surpassed California as the state with the highest percentage of EV sales relative to total vehicle sales at CarMax, with California and Washington following [6][8] - New states such as Utah, New Mexico, Minnesota, and New Jersey have entered the top ten list for EV sales compared to total vehicle sales [6] Financial Performance - In the fiscal year ending February 28, 2025, CarMax sold approximately 790,000 used vehicles and 540,000 wholesale vehicles at auctions, with CarMax Auto Finance originating over $8 billion in receivables [9]

NEW YORK, April 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of CarMax, Inc. (“CarMax” or the “Company”) (NYSE: KMX). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at newaction@pomlaw.com or 646-581-9980, ext. 7980. The investigation concerns whether CarMax and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.  [Click here for information about joining the class action] On April 10, 2025, CarMa ...

Group 1 - Lithia & Driveway (NYSE: LAD) will release its first quarter 2025 earnings on April 23, 2025, before the market opens [1] - A conference call to discuss the earnings results is scheduled for the same day at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time [1] - The conference call can be accessed by telephone or via the company's website for live listening and replay [2] Group 2 - Lithia & Driveway is the largest global automotive retailer, offering a wide range of products and services throughout the vehicle ownership lifecycle [3] - The company emphasizes simple, convenient, and transparent experiences through its extensive network of physical locations and e-commerce platforms [3] - Lithia & Driveway aims for consistent, profitable growth in a large and unconsolidated industry, leveraging its diversified and competitively differentiated design [3]

 Largest Dealership Review Platform Reveals Best Dealers Across North America; Subaru, Acura and Volvo Stand Out as Highest-Rated BrandsCHICAGO, March 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Car-shopping marketplace and dealer reputation site Cars.com® (NYSE: CARS) today announced the winners of its Dealer of the Year Awards, presented annually to the top automotive dealers across North America. Auto dealers were honored as Cars.com Dealer of the Year recipients based on more than 1.3 million online consumer reviews submi ...

Core Viewpoint - RumbleOn, Inc. is set to release its Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2024 operational and financial results on March 11, 2025, before market opening [1] Company Overview - RumbleOn operates through two segments: Powersports dealership group and Wholesale Express, LLC, which focuses on asset-light transportation services in the automotive industry [3] - The Powersports group is claimed to be the largest in the United States, offering a wide range of products and services including new and pre-owned vehicles, parts, apparel, and financing options [3] - RumbleOn is one of the largest purchasers of pre-owned powersports vehicles in the U.S., utilizing proprietary technology to acquire vehicles directly from consumers [3] Upcoming Events - A conference call and webcast will be held on March 11, 2025, at 7:00 a.m. Central Time (8:00 a.m. Eastern Time) to discuss the operational and financial results [2][4] - The call will be hosted by the CEO Mike Quartieri and CFO Tiffany Kice [2]

America's Car-Mart, Inc. (NASDAQ:CRMT) Q3 2025 Earnings Conference Call March 6, 2025 9:00 AM ET Company Participants Vickie Judy - Chief Financial Officer Doug Campbell - President & Chief Executive Officer Jamie Fischer - Chief Operating Officer Conference Call Participants Kyle Joseph - Stephens John Murphy - Bank of America Vincent Caintic - BTIG Operator Thank you for standing by, and welcome to America's Car-Mart's Third Quarter Fiscal 2025 Earnings Conference Call. At this time, all participants are ...

Monro (MNRO) Q3 2025 Earnings Call January 29, 2025 08:30 AM ET Company Participants Felix Veksler - Senior Director, Investor RelationsMike Broderick - President and CEOBrian D’Ambrosia - Executive Vice President, Chief Financial OfficerSeth Basham - MD - Equity ResearchDavid Lantz - Equity Research - Hardline RetailThomas Wendler - AssociateBret Jordan - Managing Director Conference Call Participants Brian Nagel - MD & Senior Analyst - Consumer Growth & eCommerceJohn Healy - MD & Research Analyst Operator ...