ACV Auctions(ACVA) - 2025 Q2 - Earnings Call Transcript

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Q2 revenue was $194 million, representing a 21% year-over-year growth, and the company sold 210,000 vehicles, which is a 13% increase year-over-year despite market deceleration [6][19][20] - Adjusted EBITDA was $19 million, at the midpoint of guidance, with a margin improvement of 520 basis points year-over-year [20][25] - Non-GAAP net income was also at the midpoint of guidance, with a margin increase of 430 basis points year-over-year [20] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Auction and assurance revenue accounted for 57% of total revenue, growing 20% year-over-year, driven by 13% unit growth and an average revenue per unit (ARPU) of $523, which increased by 6% [20] - Marketplace services revenue made up 39% of total revenue, growing 25% year-over-year, reflecting record revenue for ACV Transport and ACV Capital [20] - SaaS and data services products comprised 4% of total revenue, with revenue approximately flat year-over-year [21] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company observed a 300 basis point increase in trade retention rates year-over-year, indicating dealers are keeping more vehicles for retail purposes [90] - Conversion rates decreased during the quarter but showed improvement in July, aligning with normal seasonal patterns [24][38] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company focuses on three pillars for long-term shareholder value: growth, innovation, and scale, leveraging AI across its suite of solutions to enhance dealer experiences [5][7] - The company is expanding its total addressable market (TAM) and competitive moat through innovative product offerings and partnerships, including a new commercial platform [17][28] - The company is committed to maintaining adjusted EBITDA guidance while investing in long-term growth objectives, expecting a revenue growth of at least 20% year-over-year [5][25] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in executing a profitable growth strategy despite challenging market conditions, with expectations for strong top-line growth [4][6] - The company trimmed its 2025 revenue guidance by $5 million to reflect ongoing macroeconomic challenges, now expecting revenue in the range of $765 million to $775 million [25][106] - Management noted that while the market may be flat to slightly down, they anticipate returning to mid-teens market share gains in the future [64][90] Other Important Information - The company is excited about the upcoming launch of its first greenfield location in Houston, Texas, which will enhance its commercial platform capabilities [17][120] - The company is actively working on integrating new technology and data products to improve pricing accuracy and auction liquidity [42][46] Q&A Session Summary Question: Clarification on unit growth headwind - Management clarified that the 500 basis point unit growth headwind was due to lower conversion rates than anticipated, while dealers are retaining more vehicles [31][34][36] Question: Competitive dynamics in the marketplace - Management indicated that the slight dip in conversion rates was consistent across the industry, with improvements noted at the start of the current quarter [38][39] Question: Progress on pricing engine and auction liquidity - Management reported significant progress in their pricing engine, achieving a close estimate of vehicle sale prices, which enhances auction liquidity [42][45] Question: Amazon partnership and geographic expansion of AI tools - Management stated that while they are investing in partnerships and new capabilities, they do not expect material contributions from these initiatives in the current year [52][56] Question: Drivers of deceleration relative to the broader industry - Management emphasized that while growth has slowed, they remain confident in their ability to gain market share and expect a return to mid-teens growth [62][64] Question: Update on ClearCar and market success - Management highlighted strong performance from ClearCar, particularly in supply-constrained markets, and noted plans to integrate new features with their offerings [96][101]