Economic Overview - The Consumer Price Index (CPI) report for December indicates a stabilizing inflation picture in the U.S., suggesting a potential for interest rate cuts in 2026 [1] - The strong start to the fourth-quarter earnings season and ongoing AI momentum have positively influenced U.S. equities as they enter 2026 [1] Investment Strategy - Investors are encouraged to create a winning stock portfolio to capitalize on the favorable market conditions, although selecting outperformers can be challenging due to market complexities [2] - Expert advice from brokers is essential for individual investors to navigate the stock market effectively [3] Broker Recommendations - Brokers favor stocks such as Cardinal Health (CAH), AutoNation (AN), American Airlines (AAL), ArcBest Corporation (ARCB), and Asbury Automotive Group (ABG) due to net analyst upgrades and upward earnings revisions [8] - These stocks are highlighted amid easing inflation and a strong kickoff to Q4 earnings [8] Screening Criteria for Stocks - A screening strategy has been developed to identify stocks based on improving analyst recommendations and upward revisions in earnings estimates over the last four weeks [5] - Key criteria include a low price/sales ratio, significant trading volume, and a market capitalization ranking within the top 3000 [6][9] Company Highlights - **Cardinal Health (CAH)**: A leading healthcare services provider with a projected revenue growth of 16.2% year-over-year for fiscal 2026 and a long-term earnings growth rate of 13.9% [10] - **AutoNation (AN)**: A major automotive retailer expanding its dealer network and digital capabilities, with a 0.4% upward revision in 2026 earnings estimates [12] - **American Airlines (AAL)**: Benefiting from increased air travel demand, but facing challenges from high labor costs and debt levels, with a 7.5% upward revision in earnings estimates [13] - **ArcBest (ARCB)**: A freight transportation company expecting a 42.3% increase in earnings per share for 2026, despite mixed earnings performance in recent quarters [14] - **Asbury Automotive Group (ABG)**: A diversified auto retailer with a focus on digital solutions, achieving an average earnings beat of 8.4% over the last four quarters [15][16]

Core Viewpoint - Group 1 Automotive, Inc. will release its financial results for Q4 and the full year ended December 31, 2025, on January 29, 2026, before market opening [1] Group 1 Automotive Overview - Group 1 operates 254 automotive dealerships, 315 franchises, and 32 collision centers in the U.S. and U.K., offering 36 brands of automobiles [3] - The company sells new and used cars and light trucks, arranges vehicle financing, sells service and insurance contracts, provides automotive maintenance and repair services, and sells vehicle parts [3] Conference Call Details - A conference call to discuss the financial results will take place on January 29, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. ET, with participation from the President and CEO and senior management [1] - The call will be available via live internet simulcast and a replay will be accessible for 30 days [2] - Dial-in options for the call include a domestic number (1-888-317-6003) and an international number (1-412-317-6061) with a passcode [2]

Core Viewpoint - America's Car-Mart, Inc. has completed Phase 2 of its SG&A Cost Control Strategy through footprint optimization, consolidating 13 locations into higher-performing nearby dealerships, totaling 18 locations across both phases [1][2]. Group 1: Footprint Optimization Strategy - The consolidation of locations aims to enhance operational efficiency and improve returns by focusing resources on high-performing markets [2][3]. - Customers from consolidated locations will continue to receive services at nearby dealerships, ensuring uninterrupted access to sales and service activities [2][3]. - The company emphasizes its commitment to modernizing its business model and better utilizing inventory and teams to strengthen performance at remaining locations [3][6]. Group 2: Consolidated Locations - The locations consolidated in Phase 1 include Decatur, AL; Athens, AL; Henderson, KY; and others, while Phase 2 includes Gadsden, AL; Montgomery, AL; and several others [4]. - The consolidation process reflects a strategic decision to optimize the store network in support of long-term profitability and growth [6]. Group 3: Company Overview - America's Car-Mart operates automotive dealerships in 12 states and is one of the largest publicly held automotive retailers in the U.S., focusing on the "Integrated Auto Sales and Finance" segment of the used car market [7][8]. - The company prioritizes superior customer service and building strong personal relationships with customers, primarily in smaller cities throughout the South-Central United States [8].

Group 1 - Power Ford has been named the 1 selling Ford dealership in New Mexico for 2025, solidifying its status as the state's volume leader [1] - The dealership is the only Ford dealership in New Mexico to rank in the Top 10 within the competitive Phoenix Region [1] - In 2025, Power Ford achieved a record-setting sales performance by delivering 1,698 new Ford vehicles, the highest in its history [1]

Core Insights - CarMax shares experienced a significant decline of 53% in 2025, attributed to a challenging market environment and declining sales [1] - The company is losing market share to competitors like Carvana, which reported a 44% increase in units sold last quarter [4] - CarMax's total revenue fell by 7% year-over-year to $5.8 billion in the third quarter of 2025, with a 2% decline in sales over the first nine months of the fiscal year [3] Company Performance - CarMax operates used car lots, promoting a no-haggle buying and selling process, which has allowed it to achieve significant scale in the U.S. market [2] - The company is facing declining volume, sales, and profit margins, which poses a risk to its stock price [3] - The resignation of CEO Bill Nash in December raised concerns among investors regarding the company's future [4] Market Position - CarMax's current price-to-earnings ratio (P/E) stands at 15, indicating a relatively low valuation after the stock's significant drop [6] - The company has high fixed costs, necessitating a certain level of unit volume to maintain profitability, which is currently under pressure due to declining sales [7] - If CarMax can stabilize its market share and profit margins, there is potential for stock recovery; however, continued competition from Carvana could hinder this [9]

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 9, 2026. Registration No. 333- UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 FORM S-1 REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 America's Car-Mart Inc. (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) Texas 5500 63-0851141 1805 North 2nd Street, Suite 401 (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) Rogers, Arkansas 72756 (479) 464-9944 (Addr ...

Core Viewpoint - Grabar Law Office is investigating claims on behalf of shareholders of CarMax, Inc. regarding potential breaches of fiduciary duties by certain officers and directors [1] Group 1: Investigation Details - The investigation focuses on whether CarMax's officers and directors made false or misleading statements about the company's growth prospects [3] - Allegations include that CarMax overstated its growth due to temporary benefits from customer behavior influenced by speculation regarding tariffs [3] Group 2: Shareholder Actions - Shareholders who purchased CarMax shares prior to June 20, 2025, and still hold them can seek corporate reforms and the return of funds at no cost [2][4] - Interested shareholders are encouraged to contact Grabar Law Office for more information on the investigation and potential actions [2][4]

Core Insights - Advance Auto Parts has launched a new oil and fluids brand named 'ARGOS' aimed at addressing customer demand for quality and affordability [1] Company Overview - The introduction of the ARGOS brand reflects Advance Auto Parts' commitment to enhancing its product offerings in the automotive aftermarket [1] - The new brand is designed to provide customers with high-quality oil and fluid products at competitive prices, catering to a growing market segment [1] Market Demand - The launch of ARGOS is a strategic response to increasing consumer demand for reliable and cost-effective automotive maintenance products [1] - The initiative is expected to strengthen Advance Auto Parts' position in the automotive parts and accessories market [1]

Upgrades - Wells Fargo upgraded Hershey (HSY) to Equal Weight from Underweight with a price target of $182, up from $157, citing a more than 50% decline in cocoa prices from last year's peak as a positive development for the company [2] - Goldman Sachs upgraded Coinbase (COIN) to Buy from Neutral with a price target of $303, up from $294, highlighting recent product launches that enhance the competitiveness of its core business [2] - Raymond James double upgraded Estee Lauder (EL) to Strong Buy from Market Perform with a price target of $130, noting that the company's turnaround is shifting from story to execution [3] - Melius Research upgraded Intel (INTC) to Buy from Hold with a price target of $50, suggesting that Nvidia's recent testing of the 18A process node was outdated and indicating potential for chip production on the 14A node by 2028/2029 [4] - Mizuho upgraded Costco (COST) to Outperform from Neutral with a price target of $1,000, up from $950, believing that Costco's trade-up activity is accelerating despite a 20% correction in shares due to concerns over membership and comp sales growth [5] Downgrades - BofA downgraded Omnicom (OMC) to Underperform from Neutral with a price target of $77, down from $87, citing underestimated downside risks on organic growth and EPS dilution from disposals [6] - Monness Crespi downgraded PayPal (PYPL) to Neutral from Buy, indicating that while the long-term bull case remains, current estimates for 2026 are not sufficiently lowered and expecting more compelling entry points in the future [6] - Piper Sandler downgraded Twilio (TWLO) to Neutral from Overweight with a price target of $148, stating that the re-acceleration narrative is expected to fade later in 2026 and that free cash flow estimate upside revisions are limited [6] - Mizuho downgraded AutoZone (AZO) to Neutral from Outperform with a price target of $3,550, down from $3,850, viewing consensus estimates as misaligned and overly optimistic following a fiscal Q1 miss [6] - TD Cowen downgraded Domino's Pizza (DPZ) to Hold from Buy with a price target of $460, down from $500, acknowledging robust same-store sales growth but noting a shift in strategy that was more pronounced than expected [6]

Core Viewpoint - Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP is investigating potential claims against CarMax, Inc. and has reminded investors of the January 2, 2026 deadline to seek the role of lead plaintiff in a federal securities class action filed against the company [1] Group 1 - The investigation is being conducted by a leading national securities law firm with offices in New York, Pennsylvania, California, and Georgia [1] - The federal securities class action has been filed against CarMax, Inc. [1]