CAR Group edges up 1% after back-to-back falls, Australia rate outlook in focus

CAR Group edges up 1% after back-to-back falls, Australia rate outlook in focus

June 24, 2026

MELBOURNE, June 25, 2026, 06:05 (AEST)

  • CAR ended Wednesday at A$26.19, rising 1% after dropping for two days.
  • The stock is still off 14.9% for 2026.
  • Core inflation in May picked up to 3.6%. Borrowing cost risk is still on the table.

CAR Group shares picked up 1% to A$26.19 on Wednesday, taking back some ground after falling 6.5% across the previous two sessions. Shares in the online vehicle marketplace moved between A$25.75 and A$26.48.

ASX cash market closed ahead of Thursday trade at 06:05 AEST. Orders can be entered from 07:00. Regular trading is set to start around 10:00 in Sydney.

CAR didn’t post any company notices on June 23 or June 24. The most recent ASX announcement was a substantial holding change from June 10. Wednesday’s move wasn’t linked to any fresh update from the company.

S&P/ASX 200 rose 0.24% to close at 8,808.40 Wednesday. REA Group, one of the big Australian digital marketplace names, ended the day up 0.05%.

Australia’s inflation slowed in May, with the annual CPI down to 4.0% from 4.2% in April. The trimmed mean, watched for a signal on underlying pressures, moved up to 3.6% from 3.4%.

RBA Deputy Governor Andrew Hauser said inflation is still “far too high” and the central bank’s job isn’t done. Vehicle demand and dealer activity still face risks from financing costs. Reuters

CAR said in February that first-half revenue jumped 8% to A$626 million. Reported EBITDA, or earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation, rose 11% to A$324 million.

Net profit was up 16% at A$143 million. Chief Executive William Elliott said, “Traffic and enquiry levels remain strong despite cost of living and interest rate pressures.”

CAR has guided to pro-forma revenue growth of 12% to 14% at constant currency for the 2026 financial year. The forecast strips out the Australian Tyres unit and removes currency moves. Pro-forma EBITDA is expected to climb 10% to 13%.

But sticky core inflation may mean borrowing costs stay elevated and hurt vehicle enquiries. Currency movements could impact reported growth. CAR still sees North American revenue rising more than EBITDA, with new investment in its marine business and some small acquisitions helping drive that gap.

Marcin Frąckiewicz

Marcin Frąckiewicz is the CEO of TS2 Space and a longtime technology entrepreneur focused on telecommunications, satellite communications and digital innovation. A graduate of the Warsaw School of Economics (SGH), he writes about space technology, artificial intelligence and publicly traded technology companies. His analysis covers major market trends, emerging technologies and the businesses shaping the future of the global economy.

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