New York, January 26, 2026, 15:13 EST — Regular session
- CVNA held steady around $473, fluctuating between $470 and $483 during the session.
- Broader stocks climbed, though used-car rivals CarMax and AutoNation slipped.
- Investors are zeroing in on the Fed’s Jan. 28 decision and Carvana’s earnings report due Feb. 18.
Carvana Co. shares held steady near $473.22 on Monday, oscillating between $470 and $483 in a volatile session. The S&P 500 edged up, but used-car rivals CarMax and AutoNation slipped lower.
The stock has become a quick gauge of U.S. consumer credit—tracking just how tough it’s getting to finance a car and how far buyers stretch loan terms to manage payments. The next move, up or down, likely hinges on those shifts.
Rates are driving the action right now. The Federal Reserve meets this week, and any change in the outlook for cuts later this year usually hits auto stocks fast, since borrowing costs directly affect monthly payments.
The Fed is widely expected to hold its benchmark rate steady at 3.50%-3.75% when the meeting wraps up Wednesday, according to a Reuters report. Michael Pearce, Oxford Economics’ chief U.S. economist, described the “near-term outlook” as “benign,” though he cautioned that “events outside the committee” could still disrupt the trajectory. 1
Affordability is still a concern despite a slight dip in rates. According to Edmunds, average monthly car payments climbed to a record $781 in December, pushed up by rising vehicle prices and bigger loan amounts. 2
Carvana is gearing up to report its fourth-quarter and full-year 2025 results after markets close on Wednesday, Feb. 18. The company will host a conference call at 5:30 p.m. ET that day. 3
Late last year, Carvana’s shareholder base shifted. The company was added to the S&P 500 on Dec. 22, following an announcement by S&P Dow Jones Indices. That inclusion usually triggers buying from funds that track the index. 4
That said, the situation works both ways. If the Fed turns more hawkish, credit tightens, or demand disappoints, high-priced, high-expectation stocks could take a swift hit—Carvana’s volatility proves it.
Wednesday brings the market’s first major trigger. The Fed is set to announce its rate decision at 2:00 p.m. ET, with a press briefing to follow at 2:30 p.m. ET, according to the central bank’s schedule. 5
Next up: company specifics. The big question is whether Carvana can back up its valuation when it reports on Feb. 18 and holds its earnings call.
