olivLaw · US equity research
Cars.com Inc. CARS
Services-Computer Processing & Data Preparation · SIC 7374 · Vertical: Services-Computer Processing & Data Preparation (SIC 7374)
Cars.com is an audience-powered, data-driven technology platform that links car shoppers with dealers and automakers through its marketplace, digital dealer services and media solutions. In the second quarter of 2026 revenue reached 179.9 million USD, and the company says strong Marketplace growth offset a decline in OEM revenue.
At the close of 04 Nov 2026, Cars.com Inc. (CARS) stock was 12.75 USD (+10.29% on the day), with market capitalisation 682.5 m USD, P/E 22.4 on diluted EPS of 0.57 USD over the last 12 months, beta 1.10, 52-week range 7.58–13.50 USD. Latest reported quarter (Q2 2026): revenue of 179.9 m USD (+0.7% YoY), net income of 14.3 m USD (+103.5% YoY), diluted EPS 0.25 USD.
Data as of · AI analysis dated · Source: SEC filings and closing prices, computed by olivLaw.
Price history
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Technical reading
- RSI (14)
- 73.9
- overbought (≥ 70)
- Bollinger (20, 2)
- 9.08 – 12.24
- above the upper band · %B 1.16 · band width 29.7%
- SMA 50 / 200
- 10.89 / 10.57
- uptrend (price > SMA50 > SMA200)
- MACD (12, 26, 9)
- 0.35 / 0.11
- MACD above signal
Indicators describe past prices; on their own they do not predict direction. On our history the RSI ≤ 40 filter added no return (see the signals methodology).
Performance
| Company | S&P 500 | vs S&P 500 | Vertical median | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 month | +31.4% | −1.1% | +32.5 pp | — |
| 3 months | +7.7% | −0.5% | +8.1 pp | — |
| 6 months | +13.9% | +4.4% | +9.5 pp | — |
| Year to date | +4.5% | +12.3% | −7.8 pp | — |
| 1 year | +21.8% | +13.5% | +8.2 pp | −24.7% |
| 3 years | −29.6% | +76.4% | −106.0 pp | −19.7% |
| 5 years | −6.7% | +63.7% | −70.4 pp | — |
Price returns, dividends excluded.
Quarterly results
Latest quarter: Q2 2026 · 30 Jun 2026
Quarterly margins
Quarterly statements · USD
| Fiscal year | Q3 '24 | Q4 '24 | Q1 '25 | Q2 '25 | Q3 '25 | Q4 '25 | Q1 '26 | Q2 '26 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 179.7 m | 180.4 m | 179.0 m | 178.7 m | 181.6 m | 183.9 m | 180.2 m | 179.9 m |
| Operating income | 11.5 m | 19.8 m | 6.5 m | 15.2 m | 16.8 m | 21.7 m | 16.6 m | 27.9 m |
| Depreciation & amortisation | 27.6 m | 24.7 m | 27.0 m | 24.9 m | 23.5 m | 16.5 m | 16.7 m | 17.3 m |
| Pre-tax income | 24.5 m | 20.1 m | -1.2 m | 10.0 m | 10.7 m | 14.9 m | 8.7 m | 19.5 m |
| Income tax | 5.8 m | 2.8 m | 780.0 k | 3.0 m | 3.0 m | 7.5 m | 3.7 m | 5.3 m |
| Net income | 18.7 m | 17.3 m | -2.0 m | 7.0 m | 7.7 m | 7.4 m | 5.0 m | 14.3 m |
| Diluted EPS | 0.28 | 0.26 ≈ | -0.03 | 0.11 | 0.12 | 0.12 ≈ | 0.08 | 0.25 |
| Operating cash flow | 53.8 m ≈ | 30.0 m | 29.5 m | 26.2 m ≈ | 58.8 m ≈ | 37.1 m | 39.8 m | 15.8 m ≈ |
| Capex | 947.0 k ≈ | 954.0 k | 811.0 k | 2.5 m ≈ | 559.0 k ≈ | 385.0 k | 262.0 k | 547.0 k ≈ |
| Share repurchases | 21.3 m ≈ | 13.5 m | 21.5 m | 23.1 m ≈ | 19.7 m ≈ | 22.6 m | 20.5 m | 37.0 m ≈ |
≈ derived quarter (cumulative difference / share-days average)
E/P over time
E/P = trailing-12-month diluted EPS / price at quarter end. E/P is the inverse of P/E and stays defined when earnings are negative.
Today's P/E sits at the 47 percentile of its own 30-quarter history (min 9.2, median 25.4, max 191.6; quarters with earnings only).
Fiscal years
| Fiscal year | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 662.1 m | 606.7 m | 547.5 m | 623.7 m | 653.9 m | 689.2 m | 719.2 m | 723.2 m |
| Revenue YoY | +5.7% | −8.4% | −9.8% | +13.9% | +4.8% | +5.4% | +4.3% | +0.6% |
| Net income | 38.8 m | -445.3 m | -789.1 m | 10.8 m | 17.2 m | 118.4 m | 48.2 m | 20.1 m |
| Net income YoY | −82.7% | −1,247.5% | unavailable | unavailable | +59.4% | +588.4% | −59.3% | −58.4% |
| Diluted EPS | 0.55 | -6.65 | -11.74 | 0.15 | 0.25 | 1.74 | 0.72 | 0.32 |
| Diluted EPS YoY | −82.4% | −1,309.1% | unavailable | unavailable | +66.7% | +596.0% | −58.6% | −55.6% |
| net % | 5.9% | -73.4% | -144.1% | 1.7% | 2.6% | 17.2% | 6.7% | 2.8% |
| Free cash flow | 149.3 m | 80.2 m | 121.9 m | 136.6 m | 126.7 m | 135.4 m | 149.5 m | 147.4 m |
Reported results vs expectations
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Balance sheet & financial health
Fiscal year 2025 · 31 Dec 2025
- Cash
- 56.2 m USD
- Financial debt
- 451.5 m USD
- Net debt
- 395.3 m USD
- Equity
- 472.5 m USD
- Total assets
- 1.1 bn USD
- Debt / equity
- 0.96x
- Current ratio
- 1.87x
- ROE
- 4.1%
- ROA
- 1.8%
- FCF margin
- 20.4%
Financial statements (source on every figure)
Revenue and net income (USD)
Margins
Income statement · USD
| Line | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | Source (latest year) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 547.5 m | 623.7 m | 653.9 m | 689.2 m | 719.2 m | 723.2 m | SEC (XBRL)· 26 Feb 2026verified |
| Operating income | -887.3 m | 48.3 m | 66.0 m | 54.1 m | 53.5 m | 60.3 m | SEC (XBRL)· 26 Feb 2026verified |
| Depreciation & amortisation | 113.3 m | 101.9 m | 94.4 m | 101.0 m | 107.2 m | 91.8 m | SEC (XBRL)· 26 Feb 2026verified |
| EBITDA | -774.1 m ≈ | 150.3 m ≈ | 160.4 m ≈ | 155.1 m ≈ | 160.7 m ≈ | 152.1 m ≈ | SEC (XBRL)· 26 Feb 2026derived |
| Pre-tax income | -936.4 m | 9.5 m | 22.6 m | 18.1 m | 61.9 m | 34.3 m | SEC (XBRL)· 26 Feb 2026verified |
| Income tax | -147.3 m | -1.3 m | 5.4 m | -100.3 m | 13.7 m | 14.3 m | SEC (XBRL)· 26 Feb 2026verified |
| Net income | -789.1 m | 10.8 m | 17.2 m | 118.4 m | 48.2 m | 20.1 m | SEC (XBRL)· 26 Feb 2026verified |
| Diluted EPS | -11.74 | 0.15 | 0.25 | 1.74 | 0.72 | 0.32 | SEC (XBRL)· 26 Feb 2026verified |
| Weighted average diluted shares | 67.2 m | 71.3 m | 69.6 m | 68.2 m | 67.4 m | 63.3 m | SEC (XBRL)· 26 Feb 2026verified |
≈ computed by olivLaw from the reported lines of the same year: Operating income + Depreciation & amortisation.
Balance sheet · USD
| Line | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | Source (latest year) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cash | 67.7 m | 39.1 m | 31.7 m | 39.2 m | 50.7 m | 56.2 m | SEC (XBRL)· 26 Feb 2026verified |
| Receivables | 93.6 m | 98.9 m | 107.9 m | 125.4 m | 133.7 m | 131.9 m | SEC (XBRL)· 26 Feb 2026verified |
| Current assets | 178.1 m | 147.4 m | 148.6 m | 178.4 m | 214.3 m | 211.6 m | SEC (XBRL)· 26 Feb 2026verified |
| Property, plant & equipment, net | 41.3 m | 43.0 m | 45.2 m | 43.9 m | 40.7 m | 35.2 m | SEC (XBRL)· 26 Feb 2026verified |
| Goodwill | 0 | 26.2 m | 102.9 m | 147.1 m | 143.3 m | 167.2 m | SEC (XBRL)· 26 Feb 2026verified |
| Intangibles (excl. goodwill) | 835.2 m | 769.4 m | 707.1 m | 669.2 m | 585.7 m | 527.1 m | SEC (XBRL)· 26 Feb 2026verified |
| Total assets | 1.1 bn | 1.0 bn | 1.0 bn | 1.2 bn | 1.1 bn | 1.1 bn | SEC (XBRL)· 26 Feb 2026verified |
| Accounts payable | 16.5 m | 15.4 m | 18.2 m | 22.3 m | 33.5 m | 27.7 m | SEC (XBRL)· 26 Feb 2026verified |
| Short-term debt | 7.8 m | 8.9 m | 14.1 m | 23.1 m | 0 | — | SEC (XBRL)· 27 Feb 2025verified |
| Long-term debt | 576.1 m | 457.4 m | 458.2 m | 460.1 m | 455.3 m | 451.5 m | SEC (XBRL)· 26 Feb 2026verified |
| Current liabilities | 90.4 m | 94.3 m | 106.0 m | 145.7 m | 116.9 m | 113.4 m | SEC (XBRL)· 26 Feb 2026verified |
| Total liabilities | 735.5 m | 609.2 m | 640.4 m | 680.3 m | 600.4 m | 589.9 m | SEC (XBRL)· 26 Feb 2026verified |
| Equity | 368.2 m † | 398.0 m † | 384.4 m † | 492.1 m † | 511.5 m † | 472.5 m † | SEC (XBRL)· 26 Feb 2026verified |
† equity attributable to the parent's shareholders: in these years the issuer no longer reports the total including non-controlling interests.
Cash flow · USD
| Line | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | Source (latest year) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Operating cash flow | 138.6 m | 138.0 m | 128.5 m | 136.7 m | 152.5 m | 151.6 m | SEC (XBRL)· 26 Feb 2026verified |
| Capex | 16.7 m | 1.5 m | 1.8 m | 1.3 m | 3.0 m | 4.3 m | SEC (XBRL)· 26 Feb 2026verified |
| Free cash flow | 121.9 m ≈ | 136.6 m ≈ | 126.7 m ≈ | 135.4 m ≈ | 149.5 m ≈ | 147.4 m ≈ | SEC (XBRL)· 26 Feb 2026derived |
| Investing cash flow | -16.7 m | -39.5 m | -84.4 m | -97.1 m | -24.6 m | -49.4 m | SEC (XBRL)· 26 Feb 2026verified |
| Financing cash flow | -67.7 m | -127.2 m | -51.5 m | -31.7 m | -116.0 m | -96.6 m | SEC (XBRL)· 26 Feb 2026verified |
| Share repurchases | 0 | 0 | 49.0 m | 31.3 m | 49.2 m | 86.9 m | SEC (XBRL)· 26 Feb 2026verified |
≈ computed by olivLaw from the reported lines of the same year: Operating cash flow − Capex.
Computed indicators
Growth
Profitability
Returns
Balance sheet
Liquidity
Cash
Efficiency
Market and valuation
4 indicators that do not apply to the sector.
Valuation
olivLaw classification
Score: 56 / 100
A scoring methodology on indicators and valuation, not investment advice.
Closing price
04 Nov 2026Source: olivLaw, closing series
Market cap: 682.5 m USD
Key indicators
Coverage and freshness
Score by group
- Balance sheet49
- Growth14
- Quality76
- Returns100
- Valuation76
Estimated value range
The combined range = the median of the valid methods' low, central and high values; it is not a probability interval and does not cover every result. Envelope of all methods: 4.09 – 67.33 USD.
Valuation assumptions are editorial choices, not measured; beta is not measured.
Method ranges (USD per share)
— — Mid · ▏ Price
Valuation methods
- DCF (discounted cash flow)unavailable · input data missing
- Peers: EV/Sales4.09 – 67.33 (Mid 38.36)9 companies used · median multiple 3.4x · quartiles 0.9x – 5.5xADP, EGHT, FA, GLOB, GMHS, IBEX, SOPH, VRSK, WDAY
- Peers: EV/EBITDA24.61 – 38.51 (Mid 31.28)5 companies used · median multiple 13.3x · quartiles 11.0x – 15.8xEGHT, FA, GMHS, IBEX, VRSK
Classification (SIC) comparables group by industry code, not by economic activity; the direct group is an editorial selection by activity. Members' multiples are on their own trailing twelve months, at their own latest close.
Assumptions (illustrative, editorial)
- Risk-free rate
- 4.3%
- Equity risk premium
- 5.0%
- Beta (default)
- 1.00
- Cost of equity
- 9.3%
- Terminal growth
- 2.5%
Factor scorecard
Neutral profile · Score 56/100
| Factor | Value | Score | Weight used |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross margin · Quality | unavailable | unavailable | — |
| EBIT margin · Quality | 11.4% | 70 (vs peers) | 10% |
| FCF margin · Quality | 20.6% | 83 (on a fixed band) | 10% |
| Revenue CAGR 3Y · Growth | 3.4% | 14 (on a fixed band) | 19% |
| Revenue growth (YoY) · Growth | 0.6% | 16 (vs peers) | 10% |
| Net debt / EBITDA · Balance sheet | 2.6x | 29 (vs peers) | 7% |
| Current ratio · Balance sheet | 2.0x | 70 (on a fixed band) | 7% |
| EV/Sales · Valuation | 1.5x | 58 (vs peers) | 19% |
| FCF yield · Valuation | 22.0% | 100 (on a fixed band) | 14% |
| Shareholder yield (distributions) · Returns | 14.6% | 100 (on a fixed band) | 5% |
Factors without a value were dropped; the remaining weights were renormalised.
Score groups
- Balance sheet49/100 · 2/2 factors with a value
- Growth14/100 · 2/2 factors with a value
- Quality76/100 · 2/3 factors with a value
- Returns100/100 · 1/1 factors with a value
- Valuation76/100 · 2/2 factors with a value
Memo
Cars.com Inc. (CARS). Latest full fiscal year: 2025; data up to 2026-06-30.
Figures computed from the financial statements: revenue 723.2 m USD in 2025; YoY growth 0.6%; net margin 4.7%; ROE 7.4%; net debt/EBITDA 2.6x.
The estimated value range is 14.35–52.92 USD per share (median of 2 methods, agreement: same basis (multiples on one peer group, not independent confirmations)); assumptions are illustrative. Against the central value of 34.82 USD, the price of 12.75 USD leaves a potential of 173.1% (value / price − 1) and a margin of safety of 63.4% (1 − price / value). The range is the median of the methods' low, central and high values, not a probability interval.
olivLaw score 56/100, methodological classification: neutral profile (score, margin of safety and method agreement together; not a judgement of the right price). Not investment advice.
Text generated deterministically from the figures shown; no language model. Not investment advice.
What supports the thesis
- EBIT margin: 11.4%
- FCF margin: 20.6%
- Current ratio: 2.0x
- FCF yield: 22.0%
- Shareholder yield (distributions): 14.6%
- The price is below the estimated value range
What contradicts it
- Revenue CAGR 3Y: 3.4%
- Revenue growth (YoY): 0.6%
- Net debt / EBITDA: 2.6x
Not assessed (insufficient data or a ratio without meaning): Gross margin.
Versus the vertical median
Services-Computer Processing & Data Preparation (SIC 7374) · same industry (4-digit SIC) · compared with 39 companies
Multiples and returns vs the median
Price rebased to 100 (monthly, 5 years)
Companies in the vertical
| Market cap | P/E | ROE | Net margin | Revenue YoY | 1A / 3A | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ADPAutomatic Data Processing, Inc. | 119.8 bn | 27.7 | 77.0% | 20.1% | +6.7% | +19% / +32% |
| WDAYWorkday, Inc. | 44.4 bn | 40.9 | 16.0% | 12.3% | +13.1% | −6% / −25% |
| VRSKVerisk Analytics, Inc. | 25.9 bn | 30.1 | — | 29.3% | +6.6% | −12% / −18% |
| ATHMAutohome Inc. | 10.4 bn | 53.5 | 6.3% | 443.2% | +11.1% | −5% / −18% |
| PEGAPegasystems Inc. | 5.6 bn | 21.3 | 51.4% | 16.9% | +16.6% | −37% / +32% |
| FAFirst Advantage Corp | 3.9 bn | 160.5 | 1.9% | 1.5% | +83.0% | +62% / +45% |
| QBTSD-Wave Quantum Inc. | 3.8 bn | — | -28.0% | -2,001.6% | +178.5% | −54% / +1,166% |
| RAMPLiveRamp Holdings, Inc. | 2.3 bn | 15.8 | 16.2% | 18.7% | +9.0% | +41% / +39% |
| GLOBGlobant S.A. | 2.1 bn | 21.0 | 5.1% | 4.2% | +1.6% | −25% / −78% |
| INODInnodata Inc | 1.5 bn | 32.8 | 37.7% | 14.7% | +47.6% | −25% / +541% |
| LZLegalZoom.com, Inc. | 1.1 bn | 56.0 | 12.1% | 2.6% | +10.9% | −26% / −40% |
| NRDSNerdWallet, Inc. | 754.4 m | 13.3 | 18.2% | 7.6% | +21.7% | −21% / +1% |
| NXTTNext Technology Holding Inc. | 736.5 m | — | -59.4% | -2,356.0% | +545.3% | −99% / −100% |
| CARSCars.com Inc. | 682.5 m | 22.4 | 7.4% | 4.7% | +0.6% | +22% / −30% |
| IBEXIBEX Limited | 593.6 m | 14.3 | 30.4% | 7.2% | +15.4% | +27% / +152% |
| SOPHSOPHiA GENETICS SA | 477.3 m | — | -110.0% | -102.2% | +18.6% | +42% / +73% |
| GRVYGravity Co., Ltd. | 475.7 m | 0.0 | 16.5% | 17.0% | −31.0% | +19% / −6% |
| EGHT8x8, Inc. | 326.4 m | 55.5 | 3.5% | 0.6% | +2.9% | +16% / −27% |
| TCXTucows Inc | 140.3 m | — | — | -21.2% | +7.7% | −42% / −41% |
| TRAKRepositrak, Inc. | 132.7 m | 18.7 | 14.9% | 32.5% | +3.0% | −46% / −29% |
| BIRDSmartbird, Inc. | 92.1 m | — | -164.0% | -72.8% | −19.7% | −68% / −91% |
| VERIVeritone, Inc. | 56.7 m | — | -517.7% | -117.5% | −0.5% | −87% / −73% |
| GMHSGamehaus Holdings Inc. | 51.4 m | 8.5 | 11.8% | 4.1% | −11.3% | −35% / −93% |
| DGNXDiginex Limited | 38.7 m | — | — | -255.5% | +57.0% | −99% / unavailable |
| CHRCheer Holding, Inc. | 14.0 m | 0.1 | 7.6% | 17.2% | +1.1% | −77% / −100% |
1- and 3-year price returns: for CARS from daily closes (the same as the performance table), for the other companies from month-end closes.
olivLaw engine forecast
The world engine ran after the company's latest material disclosure. Probabilities are of TOUCHING a level within the horizon (not closing there) and sit next to the random walk (p_rw), the no-information benchmark.
The engine has no published run for this company yet.
Valuation scenarios (editable assumptions)
Illustrative scenarios
Illustrative: not forecasts and without probabilities. Each case is one coherent set of assumptions, computed on today's figures.
Estimated price (USD)
| Estimated price | Bear | Base | Bull |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 years | 8.38 Total return -34% · Per year -34% | 14.82 Total return 16% · Per year 16% | 22.33 Total return 75% · Per year 75% |
| 3 years | 7.95 Total return -38% · Per year -15% | 15.85 Total return 24% · Per year 8% | 26.24 Total return 106% · Per year 27% |
| 5 years | 7.55 Total return -41% · Per year -10% | 16.95 Total return 33% · Per year 6% | 30.85 Total return 142% · Per year 19% |
- Exit P/E± 3.96
- Net margin± 2.77
- Annual revenue growth± 2.30
- Annual dilution± 0.23
AI analysis
AI-generatedAI-generated analysis (Claude) from cited public sources; it may contain errors. Not investment advice. As of 27 Oct 2026 · Model: claude-haiku-5-5.
In brief
Cars.com is an audience-powered, data-driven technology platform that links car shoppers with dealers and automakers through its marketplace, digital dealer services and media solutions. In the second quarter of 2026 revenue reached 179.9 million USD 3, and the company says strong Marketplace growth offset a decline in OEM revenue 3.
SWOT
Strengths
- The Cars.com brand is well recognised and attracts significant organic traffic, and the company has a broad base of dealer and automaker customers 1.
- Most revenue comes from recurring subscriptions, which provides financial predictability 1.
- The company improved its adjusted EBITDA margin in the second quarter of 2026 and beat its guidance range 3.
Weaknesses
Opportunities
- Launching new features such as dealer-verified listings could attract more customers to Marketplace 3.
- AI-based tools and more precise audience targeting could increase the value delivered to dealers 13.
- Cost reduction and the share repurchase programme could support profitability over the medium term 3.
Risks
- Dependence on the auto markethigh
Revenue depends almost entirely on car sales and dealer spending, which fall during recessions or supply disruptions 1.
- Concentration of automakersmedium
A small number of automakers and large dealer groups strongly influence product adoption, and losing some relationships could affect revenue 1.
- AI riskhigh
Generative AI could change how consumers search for cars and could reduce traffic to the platform 1.
- Search engine dependencemedium
Traffic depends on search result rankings, and algorithm changes could reduce audience reach 1.
- Regulationmedium
The business is subject to growing rules on advertising, data privacy and marketing communications, and non-compliance could lead to penalties 1.
Investment thesis
What would need to be true (bull case)
- If Marketplace growth continues and dealer revenue stays stable, the company could maintain predictable subscription revenue 23.
- An adjusted EBITDA margin above guidance and cost reductions could support better profitability 3.
- The share repurchase programme and available liquidity could support shareholder value 3.
What would break the thesis
- If traffic and unique visitors keep falling, advertising revenue could be affected over the medium term 23.
- If automakers keep cutting advertising budgets, revenue from this segment could decline persistently 3.
- If search engines and AI assistants become the main source of car information, the company could lose relevance 1.
What to watch
- Trend in Marketplace revenue and the number of dealer customersQ3 2026
- Adjusted EBITDA margin guidance for the third quarterQ3 2026
- Trend in traffic and unique visitorsQ3 2026
- Pace of share repurchases against the annual target2026
Products, market & competition
AI-generatedAI-generated analysis (Claude) from cited public sources; it may contain errors. Not investment advice. As of 27 Oct 2026 · Model: claude-haiku-5-5.
The business
The company operates the Cars.com marketplace, complemented by dealer website hosting, trade and appraisal tools and in-market media solutions. Its customers are dealers and automakers in the US and Canada, and about 80% of revenue comes from subscriptions 1. Cars.com presents itself as an asset-light technology provider with a steady operating cash flow 1.
Products are organised into four linked areas: Marketplace, Digital Experience, Media Solutions and Trade & Appraisal, designed to support dealers' local sales 1. The company presents this integrated ecosystem as its main competitive advantage 1.
Market context
Trends
- AI searchheadwind
Search engines and AI assistants could provide vehicle information directly to consumers without sending traffic to the Cars.com platform, potentially reducing lead volumes 1.
- Dealers adopting Marketplacetailwind
Growth in Marketplace customers and better value delivered to dealers supports subscription revenue 23.
- Automaker advertisingmixed
If automaker advertising budgets remain under pressure, OEM revenue could continue to decline 3.
- Cost reductiontailwind
The workforce reduction and efficiency measures from April 2026 could support adjusted EBITDA margin in the short term 23.
Competitive position
Direct competitors are online car marketplaces, and the company also compares itself with automotive information sites and providers of dealer software and marketing services 1. Competition for consumers includes search engines, AI chat platforms and social media 1.
For dealers, competition comes from offline channels, dealers' own customer acquisition efforts and other marketplaces, and the company says it differentiates through return on investment for the dealer 1.
- CarGurusCARG
Online car marketplace competing for consumers and dealers 1.
- AutoTrader
Online car marketplace competing for audience and listings 1.
- TrueCarTRUE
Online car buying platform presented as a direct rival 1.
- Cox Automotive
Provider of dealer software and marketing services competing for dealer budgets 1.
Links, dependencies and risks
Who the company is tied to, from its own SEC filings (customers, suppliers, production, partners, competitors, countries, regulation), from the 5 %+ holders' statements (13D/13G) and from what other companies say about it. Click a node for its evidence; on a listed company the graph moves to it.
Loading the links…
News & filings
In the press
- Cars.com (CARS) Doubles Its Profit While Revenue Barely BudgesYahoo Finance — News · 09 Sept 2026 · EN
The latest news item in our archive is from 09 Sept 2026; the newest SEC filing is from 30 Sept 2026. The press archive comes from the RSS feeds we follow and does not necessarily cover the latest event — the filings alongside do.
SEC filings
- Current report30 Sept 2026Departure or appointment of officers · Regulation FD disclosure · Financial statements and exhibits
- Quarterly report06 Aug 2026
- Current report06 Aug 2026Results of operations · Financial statements and exhibits
- Current report05 Jun 2026Shareholder vote
- Quarterly report07 May 2026
- Current report07 May 2026Results of operations · Financial statements and exhibits
- Proxy statement17 Apr 2026
- Current report09 Apr 2026Results of operations · Exit or disposal costs · Financial statements and exhibits
- Annual report26 Feb 2026
- Current report26 Feb 2026Results of operations · Financial statements and exhibits
Sources
- [1] Form 10-K, fiscal year ended 2025-12-31 · SEC / Cars.com Inc. · 26 Feb 2026
- [2] Form 10-Q, quarter ended 2026-06-30 · SEC / Cars.com Inc. · 06 Aug 2026
- [3] Form 8-K, results release (exhibit 99.1) · SEC / Cars.com Inc. · 06 Aug 2026
Figures computed by olivLaw from SEC filings and closing prices; the qualitative analysis is AI-generated from cited sources. Not investment advice.