Sustained strong momentum in the Marketplace business, with revenue up 14% YoY Q2'25 Net Income of $22.3 million; Non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA of $77.3 million, up 39% YoY Board approves additional $150 million share repurchase, increasing 2025 authorization to $350 million and extending it through July 2026 BOSTON, Aug. 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CarGurus, Inc. (Nasdaq: CARG), the No. 1 visited digital auto platform for shopping, buying, and selling new and used vehicles*, today announced financial results f ...

The 11 annual program recognizes dealerships raising the bar for customer experience and digital retail innovation BOSTON, Aug. 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CarGurus (Nasdaq: CARG), the No. 1 visited digital auto platform for shopping, buying, and selling new and used vehicles, today announced its 11 annual Top Dealer Awards. The program recognizes dealerships across North America and the U.K. that consistently deliver exceptional customer service, value, and trust while embracing digital retail tools that ...

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]

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]

Summary of CarGurus (CARG) FY Conference Call - May 13, 2025 Company Overview - CarGurus is the largest online marketplace for consumers and dealers to buy and sell automobiles, providing a transparent and unbiased automotive marketplace [2][3] - The company operates in the US, UK, and Canada, with a focus on enhancing dealer and consumer experiences through various functionalities [4] Key Business Insights - CarGurus has shifted from a traditional lead generation tool to a comprehensive dealer solutions provider, offering predictive intelligence and insights to improve dealer workflows [5][6] - The primary business model is subscription-based, with metrics focusing on the number of paying customers and average revenue per customer [4][5] Recent Trends and Performance - Increased engagement from dealers has been noted, with a focus on using intelligence and insights to improve retention and product stickiness [5][6] - The company has seen a significant increase in net dealer ads, attributed to better retention and the introduction of new product features [29][30] - A flight to quality is observed in the market, with dealers consolidating their partnerships with market leaders like CarGurus during uncertain times [32][35] Pricing Strategy - CarGurus maintains a value-driven pricing strategy, focusing on building long-term relationships with dealers rather than aggressively raising prices [12][15] - The average revenue per subscribing dealer has grown, with various levers for growth including upselling and cross-selling products [16][17] Innovation and AI Integration - The company is investing heavily in product and engineering, particularly in AI to enhance consumer and dealer experiences [18][19] - AI is being utilized across various functions, including predictive pricing intelligence and lead handling, to improve conversion rates for dealers [20][22][24] Market Dynamics - The marketplace currently has a balanced inventory of new and used cars, with a stronger value proposition for used cars due to consumer information disadvantages [53] - The used car market is less volatile compared to the new car market, providing a more stable environment for CarGurus [54][56] Capital Allocation and Future Growth - CarGurus is focused on investing in product innovation and exploring M&A opportunities, particularly in dealer software and data products [67][68] - The company has executed a sizable share buyback, reflecting confidence in its growth prospects [66][68] Guidance and Market Outlook - Despite macroeconomic uncertainties, CarGurus has provided a double-digit revenue growth outlook, supported by a stable subscription model and diverse customer base [42][46] - The company emphasizes the importance of online marketing channels, particularly third-party marketplaces, as a safe investment for dealers [46][47] Conclusion - CarGurus is positioned as a leader in the automotive marketplace, leveraging technology and insights to enhance dealer and consumer experiences while maintaining a focus on long-term partnerships and sustainable growth [35][39]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - First quarter revenue was $225 million, up 4% year over year, slightly below the midpoint of guidance due to lower wholesale and product volumes [28] - Marketplace revenue was $212 million, up 13% year over year, driven by strength in subscription-based listings and OEM advertising revenue [28][29] - Non-GAAP gross profit was $200 million, up 14% year over year, with a non-GAAP gross margin of 89%, reflecting a shift towards high-margin Marketplace business [31][32] - Non-GAAP diluted earnings per share was $0.46, up 35% year over year, primarily due to increased adjusted EBITDA and lower diluted share count [35] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Marketplace revenue growth was driven by dealer count growth, subscription tier upgrades, and increased adoption of value-added products [9] - International revenue expanded 20% year over year, supported by traffic growth and lead growth in Canada and the UK [9][10] - Wholesale revenue was approximately $8 million, down 52% year over year, due to a decline in digital wholesale segment transaction volumes [31] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Canada, 90% of surveyed dealers reported better ROI on CarGurus compared to alternative platforms, indicating strong market positioning [10] - CarGurus was the most downloaded auto app in Canada in Q1, contributing to an 85% year over year increase in direct traffic [10] - The company experienced a 20% year over year growth in direct traffic, reinforcing its position as the most visited listing site [21] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on "transformative innovation" in 2025, emphasizing customer-centric and AI-driven product development [6][7] - Strategic drivers include expanding data-driven solutions for dealers, enhancing the car shopping journey for consumers, and enabling more online transactions [7][8] - The company is assessing its wholesale business model to identify sustainable growth and profitability potential [26] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted that while the market remains volatile, they have not seen a material impact on business related to tariffs [36] - The company anticipates exiting the year with low double-digit year-over-year growth rates, despite potential shifts in market conditions [36] - Management expressed confidence in the strength of their marketplace and the value of their insights capabilities amid market uncertainty [66] Other Important Information - The company added 734 paying U.S. dealers year over year, marking the highest dealer growth since pre-pandemic [29] - Digital Deal now accounts for over 25% of a dealer's email leads, indicating strong adoption and engagement [24] - The company ended the first quarter with $173 million in cash and cash equivalents, primarily impacted by share repurchases [35] Q&A Session Summary Question: Amazon's entry into the used vehicle market - Management acknowledged awareness of Amazon's activities but emphasized the complexity and trust required in the used vehicle market, which they believe is a strength for CarGurus [44] Question: OEM ad spending trends - Management expressed pride in Q1 results but acknowledged caution among OEMs due to tariffs, while maintaining a positive outlook on their advertising business [50] Question: Changes needed for CarOffer - Management discussed the need for operational efficiency and flexibility in the CarOffer platform to adapt to market volatility and improve profitability [53][55] Question: Revenue growth drivers - Management clarified that revenue growth is driven by both dealer count and revenue per dealer, with a significant increase in dealer additions this quarter [61] Question: Impact of tariffs on spending patterns - Management indicated that they have not seen a change in spending patterns due to tariffs, despite the prevailing uncertainty in the market [69]

Financial Performance - Q1 2025 - Total revenue reached $225.2 million[9], with U S Marketplace & Other contributing $212.2 million[9] and Digital Wholesale accounting for $12.9 million[9] - U S Marketplace & Other revenue grew by 13% year-over-year[9] - Non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA was $66.3 million[9], representing a 29% margin[9] - Digital Wholesale revenue was $12.9 million[9], with a Non-GAAP Gross Profit of $1.982 million[50] and a Non-GAAP Gross Profit Margin of 15%[50] Key Metrics and Growth Drivers - The paying dealer base increased by 1,197 dealers year-over-year[23], reaching a total of 32,372 dealers[23] - U S QARSD (Quarterly Average Revenue per Subscription Dealer) was $6,173[18] - International QARSD was $2,073[18] - CarGurus has 60% more average monthly visits than its closest competitor[28] Q2 2025 Outlook - The company projects total revenue between $222 million and $242 million[41] - Marketplace revenue is expected to be between $219.5 million and $224.5 million[41] - Non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA is forecasted to be between $71.5 million and $79.5 million[41]

Core Insights - CarGurus reported a net income of $39.0 million for Q1 2025, with a Non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA of $66.3 million, reflecting a 32% year-over-year increase [1][3][28] - The company repurchased $184.2 million worth of shares in Q1 2025, which is 6% of its outstanding capital [1] Financial Performance - Total revenue for Q1 2025 was $225.2 million, a 4% increase from the previous year [3][20] - Marketplace revenue reached $212.2 million, growing 13% year-over-year, while wholesale revenue decreased by 52% to $7.7 million [3][22] - Gross profit was $199.7 million, representing a 14% increase, with a gross margin of 89% [3][29] - Operating expenses were $154.0 million, up 4% from the prior year [3][20] - GAAP net income margin improved to 17%, up 747 basis points year-over-year [3][28] Key Performance Indicators - The number of U.S. paying dealers increased by 3% to 25,153, while international paying dealers rose by 7% to 7,219, totaling 32,372 paying dealers, a 4% increase overall [3][4] - U.S. Quarterly Average Revenue per Subscribing Dealer (QARSD) was $7,369, a 10% increase [4][42] - The company recorded 5,209 transactions, a decrease of 49% [4] Guidance for Q2 2025 - CarGurus provided guidance for Q2 2025, projecting total revenue between $222.0 million and $242.0 million, with marketplace revenue expected between $219.5 million and $224.5 million [5][6] - Non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA is anticipated to be between $71.5 million and $79.5 million, with non-GAAP earnings per share projected to be between $0.52 and $0.58 [6][7] Business Strategy - The CEO highlighted the company's focus on expanding data-driven solutions for dealers, enhancing the car shopping experience, and increasing online transaction capabilities [2][3] - The strategic execution has led to deeper engagement with consumers and dealers, contributing to market share expansion [2]

Core Insights - CarGurus, Inc. is the leading digital auto platform for shopping, buying, and selling vehicles, with a scheduled participation in the J.P. Morgan 53rd Annual Global Technology, Media and Communications Conference on May 13, 2025 [1] Company Overview - CarGurus operates a multinational online automotive platform that enhances its listings marketplace with digital retail solutions and the CarOffer online wholesale platform [3] - The platform provides consumers with confidence in purchasing or selling vehicles online or in-person, 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. [3] Market Presence - In addition to the U.S. market, CarGurus operates online marketplaces in Canada and the U.K., and also manages independent brands such as Autolist in the U.S. and PistonHeads in the U.K. [4]