Carvana’s largest shareholder, Ernie Garcia II, who is also the father of the auto retailer’s founder and CEO, extended his recent run of stock sales by filing to dispose of $245 million in shares this week https://t.co/jYTiTZbI9l ...

Core Viewpoint - Carvana and Asbury Automotive represent two distinct approaches in the auto retail sector, with Carvana focusing on a fully digital used-car buying experience and Asbury blending traditional dealership strengths with digital initiatives [2][3]. Group 1: Carvana (CVNA) - Carvana is the second-largest used car retailer in the U.S., leveraging a digital platform that allows for a leaner operation compared to traditional retailers [4]. - The company has consistently exceeded earnings expectations for four consecutive quarters, selling over 100,000 vehicles per quarter, with a year-over-year EPS increase and a 46% rise in retail unit sales [5]. - Carvana's adjusted EBITDA reached a record $488 million with an 11.5% margin, leading all auto retailers in adjusted EBITDA margin [6]. - Rising tariffs on new vehicles may drive more consumers to the used car market, where Carvana is well-positioned [7]. - Despite over $5 billion in long-term debt, Carvana's scalable model and growth targets present a compelling narrative for investors [7]. Group 2: Asbury Automotive (ABG) - Asbury combines traditional dealership operations with a growing digital presence, selling both new and used vehicles and generating additional revenue from finance and insurance products [10]. - The Clicklane platform has shown growth, selling over 51,000 units in 2024, a 13% increase year-over-year [11]. - Strategic acquisitions have been a key growth strategy, with the latest acquisition expected to add $3 billion in annualized revenues [12]. - Asbury faces near-term challenges, including deferred revenues impacting earnings and rising SG&A costs, which reached 63.9% of gross profit [14]. - The company's adjusted EBITDA margin is below 6%, significantly lower than Carvana's, and high capital expenditures could limit free cash flow [14]. Group 3: Market Performance and Valuation - Year-to-date, Carvana shares have increased by over 70%, while Asbury's stock has gained 7% [16]. - Carvana's forward sales multiple is 3.67, significantly above its five-year median of 1.95, reflecting high growth expectations [18]. - Asbury's forward sales multiple stands at 0.27, indicating a more conservative valuation [18].