Amazon Autos has added Chase, Santander and Wells Fargo to the lenders offering financing options on its automotive storefront.By completing this form, you agree to receive marketing communications from PYMNTS and to the sharing of your information with our sponsor, if applicable, in accordance with our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions .Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all PYMNTS content — no additional logins required.With the addition of these lenders, dea ...

A sharp sell-off has reset expectations for the country's largest used car retailer -- and the long-term story still looks intact.CarMax (KMX -1.61%), the leading omnichannel seller of used vehicles, was hit hard after its latest update. The stock fell more than 20% on Thursday following weaker-than-expected results and a cautious tone on demand. Additionally, the market's reaction may also reflect mounting concerns about credit trends inside CarMax Auto Finance and the durability of consumer demand as rate ...

CarMax (KMX) reported $6.59 billion in revenue for the quarter ended August 2025, representing a year-over-year decline of 6%. EPS of $0.64 for the same period compares to $0.85 a year ago.The reported revenue compares to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $7.05 billion, representing a surprise of -6.52%. The company delivered an EPS surprise of -37.86%, with the consensus EPS estimate being $1.03.While investors scrutinize revenue and earnings changes year-over-year and how they compare with Wall Street expec ...

With a market cap of $8.6 billion, CarMax, Inc. (KMX) is the largest retailer of used vehicles in the U.S. and a leading operator of wholesale vehicle auctions. The company operates through two segments: CarMax Sales Operations, which covers auto merchandising and related services, and CarMax Auto Finance, which provides financing solutions for customers. The Richmond, Virginia-based company is expected to announce its Q2 2026 results before the market opens on Thursday, Sept. 25. Ahead of this event, ana ...

Core Viewpoint - U.S. franchise auto dealerships are showing solid momentum despite tariff challenges and the expiration of EV credits, with demand remaining better than expected in the near term [1][2]. Demand and Affordability - Retail new-vehicle sales are experiencing mid- to high-single-digit growth in Q3, driven by stable consumer spending and limited price increases from OEMs despite tariffs [4]. - The expiration of certain EV incentives has accelerated demand, increasing the battery-electric vehicle mix to approximately 10% in the current quarter, up from about 7% in the previous quarter [4]. Inventory and Profitability - Inventory levels and days' supply are stable, contributing to a gradual normalization in gross profit per unit (GPU) rather than a sudden reset [5]. - Used vehicle volumes remain strong, and service lanes are experiencing healthy traffic and pricing, indicating the resilience of higher-margin fixed operations [5][7]. Market Outlook - JPMorgan has raised its Q3 estimates for U.S. franchise auto dealers, projecting about 2% above previous estimates and roughly 7% above consensus [6]. - The bank's top picks include Lithia & Driveway and AutoNation, while noting potential impacts from a recent cyber incident affecting some U.K.-exposed operators [6]. Future Risks - Looking beyond Q3, there are increasing risks to demand and GPUs as EV credits phase out and tariffs are fully reflected in vehicle prices, alongside a softening labor market in key regions [8]. - JPMorgan forecasts a U.S. SAAR of approximately 15.5 million in 2026, slightly down from 16.0 million in 2025, with potential upside if trade outcomes with Canada and Mexico improve [8].

Core Viewpoint - U.S. franchise auto dealerships are showing resilience in fundamentals despite potential macroeconomic headwinds, with demand performing better than expected in the near term [1][2]. Demand and Affordability - Retail new-vehicle sales are experiencing mid- to high-single-digit growth in Q3, driven by stable consumer spending and limited price increases from OEMs despite tariffs [4]. - The expiration of certain EV incentives has accelerated demand, increasing the battery-electric vehicle mix to approximately 10% in the current quarter, up from about 7% in the previous quarter [4]. Inventory and Profitability - Inventory levels and days' supply are stable, contributing to a gradual normalization in gross profit per unit (GPU) rather than a sudden reset [5]. - Used vehicle volumes remain strong, and service lanes are experiencing healthy traffic and pricing, indicating robust higher-margin fixed operations [5]. Market Outlook - JPMorgan has raised its Q3 estimates, projecting them to be about 2% above previous estimates and roughly 7% above consensus [6]. - The bank's top picks in the sector are Lithia & Driveway and AutoNation, although a recent cyber incident may impact certain U.K.-exposed operators [6]. Used Vehicle Market - Industry checks indicate mid- to high-single-digit year-over-year gains in used retail sales through July and August, with tight late-model supply expected to ease in the coming quarters [7]. - Wholesale prices have cooled after an initial spike due to tariffs, and retail/wholesale spreads suggest a favorable GPU environment, although sourcing remains competitive [7]. Future Risks - Beyond Q3, there are increasing risks to demand and GPUs as EV credits expire and tariffs are fully reflected in vehicle prices amid a softening labor market [8]. - JPMorgan projects a U.S. SAAR of approximately 15.5 million in 2026, slightly down from 16.0 million in 2025, with potential upside if trade outcomes with Canada and Mexico improve [8].

Core Insights - America's Car-Mart, Inc. reported a total revenue of $341.3 million for the first quarter of fiscal year 2026, reflecting a decrease of 1.9% compared to the same period in the previous year, primarily due to a decline in sales volumes [7][13] - The company has implemented strategic investments, including the launch of LOS V2 and an upgraded collections platform, which have positively impacted consumer demand and operational efficiency [3][4] Financial Performance - Total revenue decreased by 1.9% to $341.3 million, driven by a 5.7% decline in sales volumes to 13,568 units [7][13] - Interest income increased by $4.6 million, or 7.5%, contributing to total collections rising by 6.2% to $183.6 million [7][13] - Gross margin percentage improved by 160 basis points to 36.6%, reflecting better vehicle pricing and reduced repair costs [7][15] - The net loss for the quarter was $5.7 million, resulting in a loss per share of $0.69, compared to a loss of $0.15 in the prior year [7][34] Operational Metrics - Customer demand remained strong, with a 10% year-over-year increase in credit applications, although sales volumes declined due to inventory constraints [3][14] - The average retail sales price increased by 1.4% to $19,564, while the total gross profit per retail unit sold rose by 6.6% to $7,456 [23][33] - The allowance for credit losses improved to 23.35% of finance receivables, down from 25.00% a year earlier, indicating better risk management [18][36] Strategic Initiatives - The deployment of LOS V2 has enhanced underwriting capabilities, leading to a 15% increase in credit applications from higher-ranking customers [5][12] - The upgraded Pay Your Way platform has shifted customer payments from in-store to online, improving convenience and payment consistency [3][4] - The company is focused on improving portfolio quality, with nearly 72% of its portfolio now operating under enhanced underwriting standards [5][20] Financing and Leverage - The company completed a term securitization transaction on August 28, 2025, issuing $172 million in asset-backed notes, which helped pay down the revolving line of credit [21] - Debt to finance receivables ratio improved to 51.1%, down from 53.4% a year earlier, indicating better leverage management [19][40]

Core Insights - America's Car-Mart, Inc. has successfully completed a term securitization transaction, issuing $172 million in asset-backed notes with a weighted average coupon of 5.46% [1] - The transaction includes $133.34 million of Class A Notes with a coupon rate of 5.01% and $38.62 million of Class B Notes with a coupon rate of 6.08% [2] - The Class A Notes were nearly 8 times oversubscribed, while the Class B Notes were almost 16 times oversubscribed, indicating strong market interest [3] Financial Performance - The company has achieved its fourth consecutive improvement in the overall weighted average coupon, reducing the weighted average spread by 308 basis points since the previous transaction in 2024-1 [3] - The favorable pricing of the notes is attributed to strong demand and improved operating performance within the company's portfolio [3] Company Overview - America's Car-Mart operates automotive dealerships in 12 states and is a leading publicly held automotive retailer focused on the integrated auto sales and finance segment of the used car market [5] - The company emphasizes superior customer service and strong personal relationships with customers, primarily operating in smaller cities throughout the South-Central United States [5]

Core Insights - Hertz Global Holdings has partnered with Amazon Autos to sell used vehicles, leading to a significant increase in its stock price by 6% in a single trading session, outperforming the S&P 500 which declined by 0.2% [1][2]. Group 1: Partnership Details - Hertz Car Sales has signed an agreement with Amazon Autos to sell its used vehicles, indicating a strategic move to open a new sales channel [2]. - The inventory will include vehicles from major manufacturers such as Toyota, Ford, and General Motors, enhancing the variety available to consumers [4]. Group 2: Consumer Benefits - The partnership offers advantages for car buyers, including prices that are often below the Kelley Blue Book suggested retail value and a thorough 115-point inspection for each vehicle [5]. - Buyers can purchase vehicles online and pick them up at nearby Hertz Car Sales locations, although this service is initially limited to select markets including Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, and Seattle [6]. Group 3: Financial Implications - The deal is expected to boost Hertz's revenue and profitability, although specific financial details and estimates regarding its impact on fundamentals have not been disclosed [7].

Core Insights - Hertz has announced a partnership with Amazon Autos to sell pre-owned vehicles online, aiming to enhance its retail operations and profitability [1][3] - The initiative allows customers to browse thousands of used Hertz vehicles on Amazon, complete purchases online, and pick up vehicles at Hertz locations [2][5] - This partnership marks a significant expansion for both Hertz's car sales business and Amazon's automotive offerings, which previously focused solely on new vehicles [3][4] Company Strategy - Hertz's strategy includes increasing its digital retail presence and making its used vehicle inventory more accessible, aligning with its broader goal to boost retail operations [5] - The company is focusing on fleet management, revenue optimization, and cost efficiency as part of its "Back-to-Basics Roadmap" turnaround plan initiated after its bankruptcy during the Covid-19 pandemic [6] Market Performance - Hertz reported its strongest-ever quarter for retail vehicle sales in Q1 of this year, indicating positive momentum in its sales operations [6] - The Rent2Buy program, allowing customers to rent a used car before purchasing, has also gained traction and is set to expand to over 100 cities [7]