Sydney, Feb 9, 2026, 17:11 AEDT — Market closed.
- CAR Group shares jumped 10.1%, ending at A$26.95 after its half-year numbers landed and the company stuck by its FY26 outlook.
- The company turned in a reported NPAT of A$143 million. Interim dividend came in at 42.5 cents, up 10%.
- The company stuck to its FY26 outlook, still calling for 12%-14% proforma revenue growth when measured at constant currency.
Shares of CAR Group Limited (ASX:CAR) surged Monday, gaining 10.1% to close at A$26.95, after the online car marketplace posted stronger first-half earnings and reaffirmed its full-year forecast.
This is significant: investors haven’t just been chasing earnings “beats” this season—they’re hanging on every bit of guidance. CAR operates at the intersection of consumer demand, dealer ad spending, and the ongoing shift to online marketplaces. Any of those threads can snap or surge in a hurry, and sentiment tends to swing fast.
Local shares posted a solid showing, with the S&P/ASX 200 finishing 1.85% higher. CAR, though, left the index behind and topped the leaderboard for the day’s biggest gains.
CAR posted an 8% jump in reported revenue to A$626 million for the six months ended Dec. 31. Reported net profit after tax reached A$143 million, up 16%. Proforma revenue, which leaves out items including the prior exit from its Australian Tyres business, came in at A$626 million as well, marking a 13% increase in constant currency.
The release put reported EBITDA at A$324 million, with proforma EBITDA slightly higher at A$339 million. Cash conversion—moving from EBITDA to operating cash flow—came in at 95%.
Chief executive William Elliott flagged upcoming product launches and poured emphasis on artificial intelligence investment. He said the group is “embedding it into our products, platforms and operations” and highlighted the creation of “CG/lab”, an AI hub in Brazil.
CAR stuck to its FY26 outlook, still calling for proforma revenue to climb 12%-14% and proforma EBITDA to rise 10%-13% at constant currency. Adjusted NPAT is seen up 9%-13%. The constant-currency measure excludes exchange-rate moves.
Much of the immediate discussion centers on the price tag for sustaining that growth. CAR’s latest outlook points out that while North America revenue is on track to outpace EBITDA gains thanks to ongoing investment, Asia’s side of the ledger reflects stepped-up marketing expenses as well.
MarketIndex’s numbers put revenue and adjusted NPAT just above forecasts. Adjusted EBITDA, on the other hand, missed slightly. The interim dividend edged past Morgans’ estimate, according to the site.
The board announced an interim dividend of A$0.425 a share, with 30% of that franked—so only a portion comes with Australian tax credits. Shares trade ex-dividend on March 13, cutting off eligibility for the payout, according to an ASX filing. Payment lands April 13.
Still, the road ahead looks anything but straightforward. The company warned that hitting its targets will hinge on macro trends, geopolitical flare-ups, customer appetite, and shifts in inflation or currency rates. Elliott, despite saying Australian engagement was “strong”, flagged ongoing cost-of-living and interest-rate strains.
As the week gets underway on Tuesday, all eyes are on whether that post-earnings jump sticks. Brokers are already out tweaking forecasts, and dividend plays are pulling focus with the March 13 ex-dividend date looming, not to mention the March 17 cutoff for reinvestment-plan elections.
