Carvana CVNA shares are currently trading at a premium, as suggested by its Value Score of F. In terms of the forward 12-month price/sales, the stock is trading at 2.58X, higher than the auto sector’s 1.35X. 

CVNA shares are significantly expensive in comparison to industry peers like CarMax KMX, Lithia Motors LAD and Sonic Automotive SAH, which are trading at a forward 12-month price/sales of 0.47X, 0.24X and 0.16X, respectively.

Price/Sales Ratio (F12M)

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The premium can be attributed to CVNA’s strong retail sales, strategic integration of ADESA’s infrastructure, enhanced operational efficiencies and cost optimization initiatives across logistics, reconditioning and technology.

However, is this premium valuation justified? Is it worthwhile for investors to buy CVNA shares? Let’s find out.

Strong Retail Sales are Driving Carvana’s Top-Line Growth

CVNA’s retail unit sales rose 50.3% in the fourth quarter of 2024 and totaled 114,379 units on strong demand. This momentum is expected to continue as Carvana, the second largest used car retailer in the country, holds a mere 1% share of the highly fragmented U.S. automotive retail market. So, there is still ample room for CVNA to expand its footprint, especially as more consumers gravitate toward online car buying. 

The company expects a sequential increase in year-over-year growth of retail unit sales in the first quarter of 2025. 

Strategic ADESA Acquisition Aids CVNA’s Prospects

Carvana’s acquisition of ADESA’s U.S. operations has strengthened the company’s logistics network, auction capabilities and reconditioning operations. By using ADESA’s existing infrastructure and resources, CVNA is scaling its refurbishment processes and improving the quality and quantity of vehicles prepared for sale. 

The company has integrated Carvana IRC operations at 6 of 56 ADESA locations. CVNA’s capital expenditure budget for 2025 is approximately $140 million, with the increase from 2024 primarily driven by additional ADESA site integrations. Carvana expects to integrate 10-12 ADESA sites in 2025 with an average budget of around $2-$3 million of capex per site.

Improving Operational Efficiency Bodes Well for Carvana

CVNA’s focus on driving significant adjusted EBITDA per unit is further improving the company’s performance. The company is making efforts to enhance operational efficiency across the business, with several technology, process and product initiatives underway. Carvana reported an adjusted EBITDA margin of 10.1% in 2024, which is the most profitable year of any public automotive retailer.

Furthermore, the company has also managed to reduce retail reconditioning and inbound transport costs due to fundamental improvements, including in-sourcing third-party services, staffing normalization, process standardization, proprietary software development, logistics network utilization and reduced inbound transport distance. 

Carvana Shares Outperform Sector & Industry

CVNA shares have skyrocketed 209.2% in the trailing 12-month period, outperforming the auto sector and S&P’s appreciation of 3.5% and 19.1%, respectively. 

In the same time frame, SAH, LAD and KMX shares have gained roughly 35%, 21% and 12%, respectively.  

One-Year Performance

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CVNA’s 2025 Earnings Estimates Trend Upward

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for CVNA’s first-quarter 2025 revenues is pegged at $3.93 billion, indicating year-over-year growth of 28.24%. The consensus mark for first-quarter EPS is currently pegged at 67 cents, up by a cent over the past seven days.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for CVNA’s full-year 2025 revenues is pegged at $16.78 billion, indicating year-over-year growth of 22.72%. The consensus mark for 2025 EPS is currently pegged at $3.15 and has moved north by 10.5% over the past seven days.

Conclusion

Given CVNA’s solid retail growth prospects, strong operational improvements, strategic ADESA integration and robust earnings growth projections, one could still place their bets on the stock despite its premium valuation.

Carvana currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) and has a Growth Score of B, a favorable combination that offers a strong investment opportunity, per the Zacks proprietary methodology. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

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CarMax, Inc. (KMX) : Free Stock Analysis Report

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This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

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