Sydney, Feb 10, 2026, 17:34 AEDT — Market shut its doors
- CAR Group wrapped up the session at A$27.19, climbing roughly 1% for the day.
- Half-year profit climbed, with the interim dividend bumped up to 42.5 cents per share.
- Brokers trimmed price targets, pointing to uncertainty in FX and AI as key issues.
CAR Group Limited ended Tuesday up 1.0% at A$27.19, moving between A$26.87 and A$28.16 during the session. The stock had surged in the previous session after results.
Investors are watching closely to see if the online auto classifieds group can keep up growth as expenses climb and tech stocks remain volatile. With reporting season picking up speed, “old tech” firms have been caught in the crosshairs as concerns swirl over whether fresh AI tools might upend how consumers search and shop.
CAR’s update lands with weight, linking its cash generation and pricing muscle directly to something basic: will dealers and buyers still shell out for leads and listings if growth stalls. Management is also working to convince investors that AI isn’t just about trimming expenses—it’s a tool for product, too.
CAR Group on Monday posted a 13% jump in pro forma revenue to A$626 million for the half-year ended Dec. 31, measured in constant currency. Pro forma EBITDA moved up 12% to A$339 million. NPAT came in at A$143 million, a 16% increase. The company also declared an interim dividend of 42.5 Australian cents, 30% franked, marking a 10% lift. FY26 guidance for double-digit growth was left unchanged.
Brokers didn’t line up this time. Morgan Stanley and Jarden stuck with their Overweight calls but both clipped their price targets. E&P stayed Neutral, also paring back forecasts—flagging FX drag, AI questions, and slower long-term growth.
Citi’s Siraj Ahmed called the half-year numbers “solid,” highlighting strong top-line gains in the transaction intelligence business, according to a report from Finance News Network. For investors, the comment offered a brief reprieve following a rough stretch for the stock ahead of the results. Finance News Network
Transaction intelligence doesn’t grab headlines, but it’s crucial: software, data, and services humming behind the listings. Investors eye it for margin cues. If margins stay solid here, that can ease some of the strain on the main classifieds business.
There was also some lift from broader conditions. The ASX 200 edged up late in the day, fueled by tech stocks out front. Big banks, though, softened as investors looked ahead to earnings, according to IG market analyst Tony Sycamore.
CAR isn’t moving in isolation. A group of heavyweight platform stocks has become a kind of barometer for sentiment on Australia’s tech sector rebound after those steep de-ratings, and with its latest guidance, CAR joins the lineup of firms making “moat” arguments.
Still, there’s risk on the table. Slower ad sales, tighter dealer budgets, or a tougher currency swing could put pressure on second-half results. As for AI, it’s a double-edged sword — it brings potential for new products, but also the threat of disruption.
Mark your calendar: CAR’s interim dividend loses its entitlement on March 13, with payment scheduled for April 13, per the company’s posted dividend timetable.
As Wednesday’s session unfolds, broker notes remain in focus, with investors watching to see if the stock can stick above its post-results band. After that, the calendar shifts to March 13, the ex-dividend date, while any macro jitters in the meantime will ripple through the second-half outlook.
