CarGurus, Inc. (CARG): history, ownership, mission, how it works & makes money

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CarGurus, Inc. (CARG) Information


A Brief History of CarGurus

CarGurus, Inc. has established itself as a prominent player in the online automotive marketplace since its inception in 2006. The company leverages technology to enhance the car buying and selling experience, connecting consumers with dealers and private sellers.

Financial Performance Overview

As of September 30, 2024, CarGurus reported total revenue of $231.4 million, marking a 5% increase from $219.4 million in the same period of 2023. However, for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, total revenue declined by 4% to $665.8 million, down from $691.1 million year-over-year.

Period Total Revenue (in millions) Net Income (Loss) (in millions) Adjusted EBITDA (in millions)
Q3 2024 $231.4 $22.5 $64.9
Q3 2023 $219.4 $19.0 $48.6
9M 2024 $665.8 $(24.9) $170.8
9M 2023 $691.1 $44.7 $134.6

Segment Performance

For the three months ended September 30, 2024, revenue from the U.S. Marketplace segment was $187.3 million, a 14% increase from $164.3 million in the previous year. Conversely, the Digital Wholesale segment experienced a significant decline, generating $27.3 million compared to $41.5 million in Q3 2023.

Segment Q3 2024 Revenue (in millions) Q3 2023 Revenue (in millions)
U.S. Marketplace $187.3 $164.3
Digital Wholesale $27.3 $41.5
Other $16.8 $13.6

Cost Structure and Operating Expenses

Operating expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2024, totaled $155.1 million, up from $141.2 million in Q3 2023. The increase was driven primarily by higher sales and marketing expenses, which rose to $81.2 million from $76.8 million year-over-year.

Expense Type Q3 2024 Amount (in millions) Q3 2023 Amount (in millions)
Sales and Marketing $81.2 $76.8
Product, Technology, and Development $36.4 $35.4
General and Administrative $28.2 $24.9
Goodwill and Other Asset Impairment $7.0 $0.0

Cash Flow and Liquidity

As of September 30, 2024, CarGurus held cash and cash equivalents of $246.7 million, compared to $291.4 million at the end of 2023. The company generated $179.8 million in cash from operating activities during the nine months ended September 30, 2024, an increase from $122.0 million in the same period of 2023.

Cash Flow Activity 9M 2024 (in millions) 9M 2023 (in millions)
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities $179.8 $122.0
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities $(59.3) $(115.0)
Net Cash Used in Financing Activities $(164.3) $(123.7)

Market Position and Strategic Initiatives

CarGurus continues to focus on enhancing its marketplace through strategic advertising and technology enhancements. The company has authorized a share repurchase program for 2024, with an allocation of up to $250 million for stock buybacks, aimed at returning capital to shareholders and improving stock performance.

As of September 30, 2024, the company had repurchased 6.35 million shares for $146.1 million under the 2024 Share Repurchase Program, averaging $22.98 per share.



A Who Owns CarGurus, Inc. (CARG)

Ownership Structure

As of September 30, 2024, CarGurus, Inc. has a dual-class common stock structure consisting of Class A and Class B common stock.

Class of Stock Shares Authorized Shares Issued and Outstanding (as of September 30, 2024) Shares Issued and Outstanding (as of December 31, 2023)
Class A Common Stock 87,582,147 92,175,243 92,175,243
Class B Common Stock 100,000,000 15,757,238 15,999,173

Major Shareholders

The following table outlines the major shareholders of CarGurus, Inc. as of September 30, 2024:

Shareholder Ownership Percentage Type of Stake
Public Investors ~70% (approx.) Common Stock
Institutional Investors ~30% (approx.) Common Stock
Management and Insiders ~5% (approx.) Common Stock

Institutional Ownership

As of the latest reporting period, several institutional investors hold significant stakes in CarGurus, Inc. The following table summarizes the top institutional shareholders:

Institution Shares Owned Ownership Percentage
The Vanguard Group, Inc. 8,531,000 9.25%
BlackRock, Inc. 7,840,000 8.50%
SSgA Funds Management, Inc. 5,000,000 5.50%
Invesco Ltd. 4,500,000 4.90%

Recent Stock Performance

The stock performance of CarGurus, Inc. as of September 30, 2024, reflects the following metrics:

Metric Value
Current Share Price $15.45
Market Capitalization $1.62 billion
52-Week High $22.90
52-Week Low $10.75

Recent Financial Highlights

For the three months ended September 30, 2024, CarGurus reported the following financial highlights:

Financial Metric Value (in thousands)
Total Revenue $231,358
Net Income $22,511
Operating Income $27,434
Adjusted EBITDA $53,000 (approx.)

Governance

The Board of Directors of CarGurus, Inc. includes several significant figures in the automotive and technology sectors, contributing to the company's strategic direction and governance.

Board Member Position Background
Langley Steinert Chairman & CEO Co-founder of CarGurus with prior experience in the automotive and tech industries.
Jason Trevisan Director Former COO of a major tech company with extensive experience in operations.
Catherine McCarthy Director Expert in digital marketing and consumer engagement.


CarGurus, Inc. (CARG) Mission Statement

Mission Overview

CarGurus, Inc. aims to be the most trusted and transparent online automotive marketplace, enabling consumers to make informed decisions when buying and selling vehicles. The company emphasizes providing a platform that empowers users with data-driven insights, comprehensive vehicle listings, and user-friendly tools.

Financial Performance

For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, CarGurus reported total revenue of $665.8 million, a decrease of 4% compared to $691.1 million for the same period in 2023. The revenue breakdown is as follows:

Revenue Source 2024 ($ thousands) 2023 ($ thousands) Change ($ thousands) Change (%)
Marketplace 586,405 515,986 70,419 14%
Wholesale 41,351 78,873 (37,522) (48%)
Product 38,090 96,260 (58,170) (60%)
Total 665,846 691,119 (25,273) (4%)

Cost Structure

The overall cost of revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, was $125.9 million, down 39% from $207.7 million in the prior year. The breakdown of costs is as follows:

Cost Type 2024 ($ thousands) 2023 ($ thousands) Change ($ thousands) Change (%)
Marketplace 41,051 45,830 (4,779) (10%)
Wholesale 47,272 67,780 (20,508) (30%)
Product 37,567 94,090 (56,523) (60%)
Total 125,890 207,700 (81,810) (39%)

Operating Expenses

CarGurus' operating expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, amounted to $579.8 million, compared to $428.5 million in 2023, reflecting an increase driven primarily by sales and marketing efforts.

Expense Type 2024 ($ thousands) 2023 ($ thousands) Change ($ thousands) Change (%)
Sales and Marketing 245,801 230,243 15,558 7%
Product, Technology, and Development 108,484 109,432 (948) (1%)
General and Administrative 83,682 77,090 6,592 9%
Goodwill and Other Asset Impairment 134,501 0 134,501 NM
Total Operating Expenses 579,822 428,527 151,295 35%

Key Metrics

As of September 30, 2024, CarGurus reported:

  • Cash and cash equivalents of $246.7 million.
  • Debt capacity under revolving credit of $390.1 million.
  • Consolidated net loss of $24.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024.
  • Adjusted EBITDA of $170.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024.

Market Position

CarGurus continues to enhance its market position by focusing on expanding its service offerings, increasing dealer subscriptions, and leveraging data analytics to provide better user experiences. The U.S. marketplace segment remains the largest revenue generator, accounting for 81% of total revenue in the nine months ended September 30, 2024.



How CarGurus, Inc. (CARG) Works

Business Model

CarGurus, Inc. operates primarily as an online automotive marketplace, connecting consumers with dealers. The company's revenue is derived from three main sources: marketplace revenue, wholesale revenue, and product revenue.

  • Marketplace Revenue: Includes dealer subscriptions to listings packages, digital advertising, and revenue from partnerships.
  • Wholesale Revenue: Generated from transaction fees on dealer-to-dealer transactions and vehicle sales.
  • Product Revenue: Comprises proceeds from vehicle sales acquired through various transactions.

Financial Performance

As of September 30, 2024, CarGurus reported the following financial results:

Metric Q3 2024 Q3 2023 Change (%)
Total Revenue $231.4 million $219.4 million 5%
Marketplace Revenue $204.0 million $177.9 million 15%
Wholesale Revenue $12.1 million $21.7 million (44%)
Product Revenue $15.2 million $19.8 million (23%)
Net Income $22.5 million $19.0 million 13%

Cost Structure

The total cost of revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, was $125.9 million, a decrease of 39% compared to the same period in 2023. The breakdown is as follows:

Cost Category 2024 2023 Change (%)
Marketplace $41.1 million $45.8 million (10%)
Wholesale $47.3 million $67.8 million (30%)
Product $37.6 million $94.1 million (60%)

Operating Expenses

Operating expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, totaled $438.0 million, reflecting a significant increase in certain areas:

Expense Category 2024 2023 Change (%)
Sales and Marketing $245.8 million $230.2 million 7%
Product, Technology, and Development $108.5 million $109.4 million (1%)
General and Administrative $83.7 million $77.1 million 9%

Segment Performance

For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, segment income (loss) from operations was reported as follows:

Segment Income (Loss) 2024 Income (Loss) 2023 Change (%)
U.S. Marketplace $126.7 million $84.4 million 50%
Digital Wholesale ($173.8 million) ($29.2 million) (496%)
Other $7.3 million ($367,000) 2,083%

Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of September 30, 2024, CarGurus had cash and cash equivalents of $246.7 million, down from $291.4 million at the end of 2023. The company had a borrowing capacity of $390.1 million under its revolving credit facility.

Geographic Revenue Distribution

Revenue by geographic region for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, is as follows:

Region Revenue 2024 Revenue 2023
United States $619.7 million $653.5 million
International $46.1 million $37.6 million
Total $665.8 million $691.1 million


How CarGurus, Inc. (CARG) Makes Money

Revenue Segments

CarGurus generates revenue through three primary segments: Marketplace, Wholesale, and Product.

Revenue Segment Q3 2024 Revenue (in thousands) Q3 2023 Revenue (in thousands) Change (in thousands) Percentage of Total Revenue Q3 2024
Marketplace $204,019 $177,909 $26,110 88%
Wholesale $12,107 $21,735 ($9,628) 5%
Product $15,232 $19,775 ($4,543) 7%
Total Revenue $231,358 $219,419 $11,939 100%

Marketplace Revenue

Marketplace revenue is primarily derived from dealer subscriptions to Listings packages, RPM, and advertising. The revenue increased by 15% year-over-year in Q3 2024, primarily due to higher Listings revenue and increased dealer subscriptions.

Wholesale Revenue

Wholesale revenue, which has seen a significant decline, fell by 44% year-over-year to $12.1 million in Q3 2024. This was attributed to a 39% decrease in transactions, which fell to 8,249 from 13,562 in Q3 2023.

Product Revenue

Product revenue decreased by 23% year-over-year to $15.2 million in Q3 2024. This revenue is primarily from the sale of vehicles through IMCO transactions, which have also seen a decline in volume.

Annual Revenue Overview

For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, CarGurus reported total revenue of $665.8 million, a 4% decrease from $691.1 million in the same period of 2023. The breakdown of revenue sources is as follows:

Revenue Source 9M 2024 Revenue (in thousands) 9M 2023 Revenue (in thousands) Change (in thousands) Percentage of Total Revenue 9M 2024
Marketplace $586,405 $515,986 $70,419 88%
Wholesale $41,351 $78,873 ($37,522) 6%
Product $38,090 $96,260 ($58,170) 6%
Total Revenue $665,846 $691,119 ($25,273) 100%

Cost of Revenue

The total cost of revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, was $125.9 million, a decrease of 39% from $207.7 million in 2023. The breakdown is as follows:

Cost Type 9M 2024 Cost (in thousands) 9M 2023 Cost (in thousands) Change (in thousands) Percentage of Total Revenue 9M 2024
Marketplace $41,051 $45,830 ($4,779) 6%
Wholesale $47,272 $67,780 ($20,508) 7%
Product $37,567 $94,090 ($56,523) 6%
Total Cost $125,890 $207,700 ($81,810) 19%

Operating Expenses

Operating expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, amounted to $579.8 million, an increase from $428.5 million in 2023. The breakdown includes:

Expense Type 9M 2024 Expense (in thousands) 9M 2023 Expense (in thousands) Change (in thousands) Percentage of Total Revenue 9M 2024
Sales and Marketing $245,801 $230,243 $15,558 37%
Product, Technology, and Development $108,484 $109,432 ($948) 16%
General and Administrative $83,682 $77,090 $6,592 13%
Total Operating Expenses $579,822 $428,527 $151,295 87%

Net Income (Loss)

For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, CarGurus reported a consolidated net loss of $24.9 million compared to a net income of $44.7 million in the same period of 2023. Key financial metrics include:

Metric 9M 2024 9M 2023
Net Income (Loss) (in thousands) ($24,909) $44,656
Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA (in thousands) $170,800 $134,600
Net Income (Loss) per Share ($0.24) $0.48

Key Business Metrics

As of September 30, 2024, the Quarterly Average Revenue per Subscribing Dealer (QARSD) was:

Region QARSD 2024 QARSD 2023
United States $7,177 $6,332
International $2,057 $1,721
Consolidated $6,038 $5,317

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Resources:

  1. CarGurus, Inc. (CARG) Financial Statements – Access the full quarterly financial statements for Q3 2024 to get an in-depth view of CarGurus, Inc. (CARG)' financial performance, including balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow statements.
  2. SEC Filings – View CarGurus, Inc. (CARG)' latest filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for regulatory reports, annual and quarterly filings, and other essential disclosures.