Cars.com Inc. (CARS)
Cars.com Inc. operates as a leading digital platform, offering comprehensive services and solutions specifically tailored for the automotive sector. Its central purpose is to seamlessly connect prospective car buyers with vehicle sellers. Through its flagship online marketplace, customized dealer websites, and an array of other digital products, the company undertakes several key functions: it prominently showcases available vehicle inventories from dealerships, significantly enhances the brand visibility and reputation of both independent and franchised dealers alongside automotive manufacturers (OEMs), directs genuinely interested buyers to sellers, and equips consumers with essential tools and information to confidently navigate their car purchasing journey. Beyond these core offerings, Cars.com Inc. provides a diverse portfolio of specialized services. These include marketplace-centric products such as subscription-based advertising and social selling support. Its digital solutions encompass website platform hosting, an advanced AI-powered chat system, comprehensive digital retailing functionalities, and robust reputation management services. Furthermore, a wide array of advertising options are available, ranging from visual display campaigns and instant loan pre-qualification and approval processes to broader digital ad placements and targeted in-market audio advertisements. By December 31, 2021, Cars.com Inc. had established an extensive client base, serving 19,179 dealer customers throughout all 50 U.S. states. This diverse network included both franchised and independent dealerships operating via online platforms and traditional brick-and-mortar locations, as well as major automakers marketing vehicles across the United States. Essentially, its primary clientele consists of local car dealerships, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), and various national advertisers. Cars.com Inc. was founded in 1998 and maintains its corporate headquarters in Chicago, Illinois.
Sector: Services-Computer Processing & Data Preparation
Industry: Internet Content & Information
Cars.com Inc.
NYSE:CARSCommunication Services · Internet Content & Information
-1.03%$11.56
CLOSED · Nov 3Prev close$11.68-1.03%Close$11.560.00%AH close$11.56
AH$11.56+0.00%vs close
Mkt Cap$618.84M
Float44.72M
O/S53.53M
VOL709K sh
$ Vol$8.2M
RVOL0.94×
Inst Own-
SI18.4%
Dilution
Financials Summary
Revenue$723.24M
Net Income$20.05M
Total Assets$1.06B
Free Cash Flow$147.35M
Debt & Equity
Debt 50%
Equity 50%
Total Debt$468.47M
Total Equity$472.53M
Shares Outstanding
Short Interest
Split History
No splits on record
Nothing in CARS's public trading history: no forward or reverse split has affected the share count.
Balance Sheet Details
Assets$1.06B
Liabilities$589.89M
Accounts Receivable$131.94M
Accounts Payable$27.75M
Inventory$0
PP&E (Net)$35.22M
Goodwill$167.21M
Intangible Assets$527.08M
Income Statement
| Period | FY 2025 | FY 2024 | FY 2023 | FY 2022 | FY 2021 | FY 2020 | FY 2019 | FY 2018 | FY 2017 | FY 2016 | FY 2015 | FY 2014 | FY 2013 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Currency | USD | USD | USD | USD | USD | USD | USD | USD | USD | USD | USD | USD | USD |
| Period Ending | 2025-12-31 | 2024-12-31 | 2023-12-31 | 2022-12-31 | 2021-12-31 | 2020-12-31 | 2019-12-31 | 2018-12-31 | 2017-12-31 | 2016-12-31 | 2015-12-31 | 2014-12-31 | 2013-12-31 |
| Revenue | $723.24M | $719.15M | $689.18M | $653.88M | $623.68M | $547.5M | $606.68M | $662.13M | $626.26M | $633.11M | $596.51M | $495.95M | $418.2M |
| YoY Growth | 0.6% | 4.3% | 5.4% | 4.8% | 13.9% | -9.8% | -8.4% | 5.7% | -1.1% | 6.1% | 20.3% | 18.6% | - |
| Cost of Revenue | $122.73M | $124.33M | $122.2M | $114.96M | $114.2M | $101.54M | $99.55M | $90.43M | $139.7M | $129.86M | $116.69M | $115.53M | $106.55M |
| Gross Profit | $600.51M | $594.82M | $566.98M | $538.92M | $509.48M | $445.97M | $507.13M | $569.76M | $560.72M | $503.24M | $479.82M | $380.43M | $311.65M |
| Gross Margin | 83.0% | 82.7% | 82.3% | 82.4% | 81.7% | 81.5% | 83.6% | 86.0% | 89.5% | 79.5% | 80.4% | 76.7% | 74.5% |
| Research and Development | $0 | $0 | $99.58M | $89.02M | $77.32M | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Selling, General, and Administrative | $335.06M | $320.21M | $312.28M | $289.47M | $281.9M | $303.16M | $354.06M | $368.47M | $328.88M | $308.03M | $304.77M | $440.4M | $333.09M |
| Other | $205.21M | $221.11M | $101M | $94.39M | $101.93M | $1.03B | $599.13M | $119.3M | $97.59M | $91.64M | $87.54M | $33.24M | $1.9M |
| Total Operating Expenses | $540.26M | $541.32M | $512.86M | $472.88M | $461.14M | $1.33B | $953.19M | $487.77M | $352.3M | $326.59M | $322.09M | $358.12M | $244.31M |
| Operating Income (EBIT) | $60.25M | $53.5M | $54.12M | $66.04M | $48.34M | -$887.33M | -$446.06M | $83.92M | $134.26M | $176.65M | $157.73M | $22.31M | $67.34M |
| Operating Margin | 8.3% | 7.4% | 7.9% | 10.1% | 7.8% | -162.1% | -73.5% | 12.7% | 21.4% | 27.9% | 26.4% | 4.5% | 16.1% |
| Interest Expense | $61.01M | $32.2M | $32.42M | $35.32M | $38.73M | $37.86M | $30.77M | $27.72M | $12.37M | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Interest Income | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $94K | $4K | $0 | $0 |
| Other Income (Expense) | -$25.94M | $8.37M | -$36.01M | -$43.46M | -$38.85M | -$49.08M | -$29.22M | -$27M | -$12.09M | $308K | $105K | $281K | $1.9M |
| Income Before Tax (EBT) | $34.31M | $61.86M | $18.11M | $22.58M | $9.48M | -$936.41M | -$475.28M | $56.93M | $122.16M | $176.96M | $157.84M | $22.59M | $69.24M |
| Income Tax Expense | $14.25M | $13.68M | -$100.34M | $5.37M | -$1.31M | -$119.29M | -$29.95M | $18.12M | -$102.28M | $588K | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Net Income | $20.05M | $48.19M | $118.44M | $17.21M | $10.79M | -$817.12M | -$445.32M | $38.81M | $224.44M | $176.37M | $157.84M | $591.6M | $104.69M |
| Net Income Margin | 2.8% | 6.7% | 17.2% | 2.6% | 1.7% | -149.2% | -73.4% | 5.9% | 35.8% | 27.9% | 26.5% | 119.3% | 25.0% |
| Supplementary Data | |||||||||||||
| EPS | 0.32 | 0.73 | 1.77 | 0.25 | 0.15 | -12.15 | -6.65 | 0.55 | 3.13 | 2.46 | 2.20 | 8.26 | 1.46 |
| Diluted EPS | 0.32 | 0.72 | 1.74 | 0.25 | 0.15 | -12.15 | -6.65 | 0.55 | 3.13 | 2.46 | 2.20 | 8.26 | 1.46 |
| Weighted Average OS | 60.26M | 66.01M | 66.74M | 68.22M | 71.34M | 67.24M | 67.00M | 70.32M | 71.66M | 71.59M | 71.59M | 71.60M | 71.60M |
| EBITDA | $187.15M | $201.24M | $151.53M | $152.29M | $150.14M | -$785.28M | -$327.63M | $188.46M | $223.17M | $260.06M | $238.66M | $50.24M | $94.38M |
| EBITDA Margin | 25.9% | 28.0% | 22.0% | 23.3% | 24.1% | -143.4% | -54.0% | 28.5% | 35.6% | 41.1% | 40.0% | 10.1% | 22.6% |
Balance Sheet
| Period | FY 2025 | FY 2024 | FY 2023 | FY 2022 | FY 2021 | FY 2020 | FY 2019 | FY 2018 | FY 2017 | FY 2016 | FY 2015 | FY 2014 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Currency | USD | USD | USD | USD | USD | USD | USD | USD | USD | USD | USD | USD |
| Period Ending | 2025-12-31 | 2024-12-31 | 2023-12-31 | 2022-12-31 | 2021-12-31 | 2020-12-31 | 2019-12-31 | 2018-12-31 | 2017-12-31 | 2016-12-31 | 2015-12-31 | 2014-12-31 |
| Assets | ||||||||||||
| Current Assets | ||||||||||||
| Cash and Cash Equivalents | $56.24M | $50.67M | $39.2M | $31.71M | $39.07M | $67.72M | $13.55M | $25.46M | $20.56M | $8.9M | $100K | $187K |
| Short-Term Investments | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Cash and Short-Term Investments | $56.24M | $50.67M | $39.2M | $31.71M | $39.07M | $67.72M | $13.55M | $25.46M | $20.56M | $8.9M | $100K | $187K |
| Accounts Receivable | $131.94M | $133.74M | $125.37M | $107.93M | $98.89M | $93.65M | $101.76M | $108.92M | $100.86M | $98.3M | $86.68M | $114.19M |
| Inventory | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $9.26M | $11.41M | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other Current Assets | $7.92M | $16.13M | $1.31M | $605K | $1.67M | $10.22M | $603K | $10.29M | $9.81M | $942K | $0 | $0 |
| Total Current Assets | $211.59M | $214.33M | $178.44M | $148.63M | $147.44M | $178.08M | $122.44M | $153.94M | $142.64M | $119.54M | $98.52M | $129.77M |
| Long-Term Assets | ||||||||||||
| Property, Plant & Equipment Net | $35.22M | $57.5M | $43.85M | $45.22M | $57.6M | $41.32M | $43.7M | $41.48M | $39.74M | $20.46M | $18.9M | $18.35M |
| Goodwill | $167.21M | $143.28M | $147.06M | $102.86M | $26.23M | $0 | $505.88M | $884.45M | $788.11M | $788.11M | $703.23M | $703.23M |
| Intangible Assets | $527.08M | $585.69M | $669.17M | $707.09M | $769.42M | $835.17M | $1.33B | $1.51B | $1.53B | $1.61B | $1.64B | $1.72B |
| Long-Term Investments | $32.72M | $10.53M | $20.98M | $21.03M | $6.45M | $21.14M | $26.47M | $10.27M | $11.05M | $11.79M | $9.63M | $10.3M |
| Deferred Tax Assets | $88.59M | $0 | $112.95M | $48K | $0 | $0 | $0 | $11.56M | $16.93M | $394K | -$9.63M | $0 |
| Other Long-Term Assets | $0 | $100.53M | $0 | $0 | $60K | $0 | $0 | -$11.56M | -$16.93M | -$394K | $9.63M | $0 |
| Total Long-Term Assets | $850.83M | $897.53M | $994.01M | $876.24M | $859.77M | $897.63M | $1.91B | $2.45B | $2.37B | $2.43B | $2.38B | $2.45B |
| Other Assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total Assets | $1.06B | $1.11B | $1.17B | $1.02B | $1.01B | $1.08B | $2.03B | $2.6B | $2.51B | $2.55B | $2.47B | $2.58B |
| Liabilities | ||||||||||||
| Current Liabilities | ||||||||||||
| Accounts Payable | $27.75M | $33.5M | $22.26M | $18.23M | $15.42M | $16.51M | $12.43M | $11.63M | $6.58M | $7.84M | $8.53M | $11.84M |
| Short-Term Debt | $2.97M | $0 | $23.13M | $14.13M | $8.94M | $7.76M | $31.39M | $26.85M | $21.16M | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Current Income Tax Payable | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Current Unearned Revenue | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $18.89M | $720K | $26.09M | $25.9M | $25.51M |
| Other Current Liabilities | $82.67M | $36.3M | $31.67M | $19.32M | $23.61M | $18.32M | $16.74M | $36.52M | $47.51M | $43.01M | $38.67M | $46.91M |
| Total Current Liabilities | $113.39M | $116.89M | $145.75M | $106.01M | $94.29M | $90.37M | $98.81M | $110.71M | $90.15M | $71.98M | $88.37M | $120.02M |
| Long-Term Liabilities | ||||||||||||
| Long-Term Debt | $451.52M | $455.29M | $460.12M | $458.25M | $457.38M | $576.14M | $611.28M | $665.31M | $557.19M | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Long-Term Unearned Revenue | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $18.89M | $44.09M | $69.28M | $94.48M |
| Long-Term Deferred Tax Liabilities | $6.24M | $6.77M | $8.76M | $1.4M | $31.09M | $30.8M | $133M | $177.92M | $146.48M | $8.32M | $0 | $0 |
| Other Long-Term Liabilities | $4.76M | $21.43M | $65.72M | $74.78M | $26.43M | $38.23M | $43.84M | $19.69M | $19.2M | $58M | $80.78M | $122.01M |
| Total Long-Term Liabilities | $476.5M | $483.5M | $534.59M | $534.43M | $514.89M | $645.17M | $788.12M | $862.92M | $741.76M | $58M | $80.78M | $122.01M |
| Other Liabilities | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total Liabilities | $589.89M | $600.38M | $680.34M | $640.44M | $609.18M | $735.54M | $886.92M | $973.63M | $831.91M | $129.98M | $169.15M | $242.03M |
| Stockholders' Equity | ||||||||||||
| Preferred Stock | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Common Stock | $586K | $643K | $659K | $662K | $692K | $674K | $668K | $683K | $716K | $2.42B | $2.3B | $2.34B |
| Retained Earnings | -$941.49M | -$961.55M | -$1.01B | -$1.13B | -$1.15B | -$1.18B | -$367.07M | $118.24M | $176.58M | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Comprehensive Income & Other | -$556K | -$1.6M | $951K | $0 | -$2M | -$6.8M | -$7.64M | -$30.84M | -$21.61M | -$16.73M | -$9.89M | -$2.08M |
| Other Stockholders' Equity | $1.41B | $1.47B | $1.5B | $1.51B | $1.54B | $1.52B | $1.51B | $1.51B | $1.5B | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total Equity | $472.53M | $511.49M | $492.11M | $384.43M | $398.02M | $340.18M | $1.14B | $1.63B | $1.68B | $2.42B | $2.3B | $2.34B |
| Minority Interest | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total Liabilities and Equity | $1.06B | $1.11B | $1.17B | $1.02B | $1.01B | $1.08B | $2.03B | $2.6B | $2.51B | $2.55B | $2.47B | $2.58B |
| Supplementary Data | ||||||||||||
| Total Debt | $468.47M | $455.29M | $483.25M | $472.38M | $466.32M | $583.9M | $642.67M | $692.16M | $578.35M | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Net Debt | $412.24M | $404.62M | $444.05M | $440.67M | $427.25M | $516.18M | $629.12M | $666.7M | $557.79M | -$8.9M | -$100K | -$187K |
Cash Flow Statement
| Period | FY 2025 | FY 2024 | FY 2023 | FY 2022 | FY 2021 | FY 2020 | FY 2019 | FY 2018 | FY 2017 | FY 2016 | FY 2015 | FY 2014 | FY 2013 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Currency | USD | USD | USD | USD | USD | USD | USD | USD | USD | USD | USD | USD | USD |
| Period Ending | 2025-12-31 | 2024-12-31 | 2023-12-31 | 2022-12-31 | 2021-12-31 | 2020-12-31 | 2019-12-31 | 2018-12-31 | 2017-12-31 | 2016-12-31 | 2015-12-31 | 2014-12-31 | 2013-12-31 |
| Operating Activities | |||||||||||||
| Net Income | $20.05M | $48.19M | $118.44M | $17.21M | $10.79M | -$817.12M | -$445.32M | $38.81M | $224.44M | $176.37M | $157.84M | $591.6M | $104.69M |
| Depreciation & Amortization | $91.84M | $107.18M | $101M | $94.39M | $101.93M | $113.28M | $116.88M | $103.81M | $88.64M | $83.11M | $80.82M | $27.65M | $9.26M |
| Deferred Income Tax | $11.45M | $11.89M | -$114.5M | $1.28M | -$2.93M | -$103.58M | -$44.92M | $16.69M | -$108.84M | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Stock-Based Compensation | $31.33M | $30.55M | $28.49M | $22.34M | $21.43M | $15.15M | $7.59M | $9.42M | $2.63M | $0 | $100K | $57.3M | $5.3M |
| Changes in Working Capital: | |||||||||||||
| Accounts Receivable | $601K | -$12.32M | -$15.57M | -$9.34M | -$5.35M | $3.73M | $2.26M | -$1.16M | -$5.01M | -$13.58M | -$5.54M | -$20.89M | -$6.82M |
| Inventory | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | -$12.04M | $0 | $9.35M | -$2.41M | -$10.18M | -$1.64M | $13.93M | $7.05M |
| Accounts Payable | -$5.68M | $11.1M | $3.72M | $2.61M | -$1.1M | $3.99M | $874K | $2.51M | -$432K | -$1.55M | -$3.4M | $5.82M | -$1.5M |
| Other Working Capital | -$2.09M | -$9.75M | $5.49M | -$12.39M | $2.62M | $1.58M | $14.58M | $2.57M | -$8.64M | -$13.06M | -$15.05M | $47.63M | $7.92M |
| Total Working Capital Change | -$7.18M | -$10.97M | -$6.35M | -$19.11M | -$3.83M | -$2.74M | $17.72M | $13.26M | -$16.49M | -$38.36M | -$25.63M | $46.49M | $6.66M |
| Other Non-Cash Items | $4.14M | -$34.32M | $9.64M | $12.4M | $10.61M | $933.62M | $449.54M | -$18.45M | -$4.45M | -$21.96M | -$22.98M | -$568.61M | -$2.86M |
| Net Cash from Operating | $151.64M | $152.52M | $136.72M | $128.51M | $138M | $138.62M | $101.48M | $163.55M | $185.93M | $199.15M | $190.06M | $97.13M | $117.74M |
| Investing Activities | |||||||||||||
| Capital Expenditures | -$4.29M | -$3M | -$1.28M | -$19.71M | -$1.45M | -$16.71M | -$21.26M | -$14.23M | -$32.77M | -$9.7M | -$9.11M | -$8.58M | -$10.68M |
| Acquisitions | -$24.77M | -$216K | -$76.17M | -$64.66M | -$20.26M | $0 | $0 | -$157.15M | $0 | -$117.12M | $7.9M | $545.88M | $3.26M |
| Purchases of Investments | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | -$276K | -$2.22M | $0 | -$2M | $0 |
| Sales of Investments | $9.48M | -$10.85M | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $9.16M | $0 |
| Other Investing Activities | -$29.82M | -$10.54M | -$19.6M | $0 | -$17.74M | $0 | -$599K | $11K | $276K | $2.28M | $62K | -$7.09M | $21K |
| Net Cash from Investing | -$49.4M | -$24.6M | -$97.05M | -$84.38M | -$39.45M | -$16.71M | -$21.86M | -$171.38M | -$32.77M | -$126.75M | -$1.15M | $537.37M | -$7.4M |
| Financing Activities | |||||||||||||
| Debt Repaid | $5M | $30M | -$8.75M | -$3.75M | $120M | $67.97M | $58.13M | -$112.5M | -$583.75M | - | - | - | - |
| Common Stock Issuance | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | -$7.19M | $235K | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Common Stock Repurchases | -$86.91M | -$49.18M | -$31.29M | -$48.98M | $0 | $0 | -$40M | -$97.19M | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Dividends Paid | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | -$650M | $0 | $0 | -$598.32M | -$90M |
| Other Financing Activities | -$4.71M | -$36.78M | -$9.21M | -$6.26M | -$9K | $0 | -$3.42M | -$2.58M | -$75.24M | -$63.6M | -$189M | -$75.39M | $0 |
| Net Cash from Financing | -$96.62M | -$115.96M | -$31.75M | -$51.49M | -$127.2M | -$67.73M | -$91.54M | $12.73M | -$141.49M | -$63.6M | -$189M | -$673.71M | -$90M |
| Forex Effect | -$55K | -$494K | -$439K | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Net Change in Cash | $5.56M | $11.47M | $7.48M | -$7.35M | -$28.65M | $54.17M | -$11.91M | $4.9M | $11.67M | $8.8M | -$87K | -$39.22M | $20.35M |
| Supplementary Data | |||||||||||||
| Operating Cash Flow | $151.64M | $152.52M | $136.72M | $128.51M | $138M | $138.62M | $101.48M | $163.55M | $185.93M | $199.15M | $190.06M | $97.13M | $117.74M |
| Capital Expenditure | -$4.29M | -$3M | -$20.88M | -$19.71M | -$19.19M | -$16.71M | -$21.26M | -$14.23M | -$32.77M | -$9.7M | -$9.11M | -$8.58M | -$10.68M |
| Free Cash Flow | $147.35M | $149.52M | $115.84M | $108.8M | $118.81M | $121.9M | $80.23M | $149.31M | $153.16M | $189.45M | $180.95M | $88.55M | $107.06M |
| Cash at Beginning | $50.67M | $39.2M | $31.71M | $39.07M | $67.72M | $13.55M | $25.46M | $20.56M | $8.9M | $100K | $187K | $39.41M | $19.06M |
| Cash at End | $56.24M | $50.67M | $39.2M | $31.71M | $39.07M | $67.72M | $13.55M | $25.46M | $20.56M | $8.9M | $100K | $187K | $39.41M |