Carvana surprised investors with an optimistic outlook for the current quarter, forecasting a rise in retail sales and core profit. The surge in its stock price, which has already seen significant growth this year, is expected to boost its market capitalization by $5 billion.
The company’s strong performance comes as consumers increasingly turn to the used car market amid high interest rates, opting for more affordable options over new vehicles. Carvana’s revenue for the first quarter surpassed analyst expectations, driven by a sequential increase in adjusted core profit and retail unit growth.
Analysts noted the company’s robust earnings beat, with adjusted EBITDA exceeding forecasts and expenses remaining steady. Carvana reported a first-quarter profit that outpaced analyst estimates, demonstrating its resilience in a challenging market.
However, challenges persist in the used car industry, with total unsold vehicle inventory rising 9% year-over-year. Despite this, Carvana’s positive outlook contrasts with its rival CarMax, which recently fell short of analyst expectations for its fourth-quarter results.
Overall, Carvana’s strong performance and optimistic forecast reflect its continued growth momentum and resilience in a competitive market landscape.