$CARS

Stock futures are mixed after a strong Wednesday. Analysts upgraded AMD, Alibaba (BABA), Cleveland-Cliffs (CLF), Reliance Steel (RS), and Wendy's (WEN). Downgrades include Conoco Phillips (COP), Diamondback Energy (FANG), General Mills (GIS), NVIDIA (NVDA), and Toyota (TM). New coverage was initiated for Agility Robotics (AGLT), Cars.com (CARS), Dorman Products (DORM), Kimball Electronics (KE), and Quantinuum (QNT).

Barclays initiated coverage on Cars.com (NYSE: CARS) with an Equalweight rating and $14 price target, citing valuation concerns despite growth potential. The company reported Q3 2026 adjusted EPS of $0.58, beating estimates, but revenue slightly missed at $181.9M. Cars.com's EV/EBITDA is 6.48x, P/E 18.3, and PEG 0.28, with strong free cash flow and share buybacks.

Cars.com (CARS) reported Q3 earnings, with ARPD rising 3% to $2,532. The company added 600 independent dealers YoY. Traffic declined mid-single digits, but lead performance rose nearly double digits. Operating expenses fell 7% YoY to $153M. Free cash flow for nine months was $97.3M. The company reaffirmed its full-year revenue growth forecast of flat to 2% and adjusted EBITDA margin of 29-30%.

B. Riley Securities kept Cars.com at Neutral but raised its price target to $15 from $13, suggesting a 10.6% upside from the Nov 5 close of $13.56.

BTIG raised its price target on Cars.com (CARS) to $16 from $14, citing product innovation. The stock trades near its 52-week high at $13.35. Cars.com reported mixed Q2 results, missing revenue but beating adjusted EBITDA. The company maintained its full-year guidance and launched a new self-service offering. BTIG adjusted its EV/EBITDA multiple and estimates.

Cars.com (NYSE: CARS) will report Q3 2026 financial results on Nov. 5, 2026, with a conference call at 8:00 a.m. CT. The company is a leading marketplace for automotive sales, offering tools and data to help shoppers and dealers.

Cars.com granted RSUs to an executive under its 2025 Inducement Equity Plan. The shares will vest over three years, contingent on continued employment. The award was issued under NYSE Rule 303A.08, exempting it from shareholder approval. Cars.com is a marketplace for automotive sales, listed on the NYSE as CARS.

Cars.com (CARS) stock fell 8.1% after announcing CFO Sonia Jain's replacement by Trent Ziegler. The change, though welcomed by CEO Tobi Hartmann, unsettled investors. The stock, already weak, dropped to $9.44, near its 52-week low. Broader market declines did not help. Investors anticipate leadership uncertainty ahead of earnings.

Cars.com (CARS) named Trent Ziegler as CFO-designate, effective October 19, 2026. He will succeed Sonia Jain, who will stay as an advisor until March 31, 2027.

Cars.com (CARS) stock rose 2% after Cox Automotive raised its 2026 new-vehicle sales forecast to 16.1 million, up from 15.8 million, citing strong summer sales. The revision suggests more potential shoppers for Cars.com's dealer advertising. The stock is volatile, down 10.1% YTD and 19.8% from its 52-week high. Cox did not mention Cars.com directly.