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CarGurus, Inc.

CARG · Technology · $3.0B mkt cap · FY2025 filings · · Wide moat ·

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Wide moat
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The five investor questions

53

2021–2025 (latest 5 aligned FYs; v3 window cap 5): revenue $951M to $907M, decreasing; diluted EPS 0.00 to 1.55, increasing. Latest-filed diluted EPS remains usable for Business Trend, but an integer share-count change lacks enough evidence to confirm a comparable EPS basis; valuation growth therefore stays at 0%.

80

Median gross margin 92.5% over 10y, variable.

100

Median ROIC 32.4%, above the 12% hurdle in 100% of years.

100

Net cash position — no leverage risk.

80

Owner earnings changed +44.4%/yr over up to the ten most recent annual observations, share count n/a.

Price vs. value if growth stopped today

A cautious baseline, not a price target: what the shares may support if normalized owner earnings simply hold steady.

Above value if growth stopped todayBelow value if growth stopped today
119% above value if growth stopped today
$124M
$13.70
$13.70
$30.02
119% above value if growth stopped today

What today’s price assumes: owner earnings growing ~17%/yr over 5 years. The zero-growth estimate assumes owner earnings stay flat (0% growth).

How to read this

We solve for the constant annual change in owner earnings that would make the five-year zero-growth estimate equal today’s price. This keeps the existing model inputs and calculation unchanged; it is an expectations lens, not a forecast.

This zero-growth estimate assumes trailing owner earnings persist — unreliable for declining businesses. The recent FY revenue series does not trigger the three-consecutive-declines flag.

Among the current top-score group, the median current price is 240% above the zero-growth estimate across 49 of the current top 50 companies by Moat Score with both values.

Score records captured Oct 15, 2026.

Exactly which 50 companies?

FTNT, IBEX, META, MEDP, MSFT, GOOG, LULU, ANF, IDXX, TXRH, FHI, QLYS, FFIV, ADBE, LLY, MANH, CPRT, VEEV, RMD, GRMN, PCTY, EAT, UI, SSD, MNST, DOCS, LRCX, MCO, NTAP, NVDA, CORT, SFM, MPTI, ULTA, SN, ROL, CTAS, PAYC, IRMD, DECK, MORN, INTU, JKHY, TPR, LGCY, DAL, GWW, ISRG, MPWR, LOPE

Missing a usable price or zero-growth estimate: ANF.

Model details under moat-index@3.0.0: zero-growth multiple 11.1×, capped-growth comparison at no more than 18×; 9% discount rate; high-end growth 0% (capped at 4%) using min(5y revenue CAGR, 5y diluted-EPS CAGR), clamped to 0%–4%; maintenance capex uses min(capex, D&A); abstain when D&A is unavailable. This is a disclosed model range, not intrinsic value as fact.

12 years of fundamentals

The business, in plain English

CarGurus, Inc. booked $907M of revenue in FY2025 in the Technology sector and kept 92.8% of it as gross profit — a high-margin business by that measure. After every other cost, 17.2% of each revenue dollar reached the bottom line.

Across the filed record, revenue grew from $98.6M (FY2015) to $907M (FY2025) — about 24.8% a year compounded over 10 years.

It earned 103.6% on invested capital in the latest filed year, FY2025. Across the full 9-year measurable filed record, median ROIC was 32.4%. Over the v3 recent window (9 measurable filed years), median ROIC was 32.4%. The Returns on Capital filter above scores it 100/100.

The balance sheet carried $0 of total debt in FY2025 against $178M of owner earnings — roughly 0.0 years of owner earnings to retire it all. Balance-Sheet Safety scores it 100/100.

Put together: Returns on Capital is the strongest of the five filters (100/100) and Business Trend the weakest (53/100), which is how CARG lands at 83/100 — a Wide moat.

This breakdown is generated from the filed numbers and sub-scores above — no outside narrative, no estimates. Where a filing doesn’t disclose an input, the sentence that would need it is omitted instead of guessed.

FY2014–FY2025 · 12 fiscal years, normalized from CARG’s SEC filings

Sales, as filed$907M FY2025
$0$1B2014201820222025
Revenue kept after cost of goods92.8% FY2025
0%50%100%2014201820222025
Standard ROIC or separately labeled Operating ROICStandard ROIC 90.3% FY2025

Exact FY and FY-1 financing invested-capital inputs are required.

0%50%2014201820222025
Cash an owner could take out$178M FY2025
$0$100M2014201820222025

The explained ROIC gaps have filed inputs but no meaningful positive invested-capital denominator. Other gaps mean the item is not in the filings for that year. The series is never interpolated or estimated. The Table view lists every filed value, including operating and net margins, total debt, and share count.

Flagship explainer

How CarGurus, Inc. makes its money

Start with a dollar of revenue and follow what the filing says remains.

revenueBranching filed flows with values and percentages directly labeled. Missing filing concepts are omitted rather than estimated.Revenue$907M · 100%Cost of revenue$65.5M · 7%Gross profit$842M · 93%Operating income$244M · 27%Income before tax$253M · 28%Income tax$56.1M · 6%Net income$156M · 17%As of 2025-12-31 · 1 SEC filing sourceBuy Like Buffett · buylikebuffett.com

Honest partial: the filing did not provide a normalized tag for Research and development, Selling, general and administrative; those components are omitted, not plugged.

Table alternative
Filed lineValue% of revenueSource
$907M100%
  • 10-K · FY 2025Filing detailsAccession 0001193125-26-059435 · filed Feb 19, 2026
Cost of revenue$65.5M7%
  • 10-K · FY 2025Filing detailsAccession 0001193125-26-059435 · filed Feb 19, 2026
$842M93%
  • 10-K · FY 2025Filing detailsAccession 0001193125-26-059435 · filed Feb 19, 2026
$244M27%
  • 10-K · FY 2025Filing detailsAccession 0001193125-26-059435 · filed Feb 19, 2026
Income before tax$253M28%
  • 10-K · FY 2025Filing detailsAccession 0001193125-26-059435 · filed Feb 19, 2026
Income tax$56.1M6%
  • 10-K · FY 2025Filing detailsAccession 0001193125-26-059435 · filed Feb 19, 2026
$156M17%
  • 10-K · FY 2025Filing detailsAccession 0001193125-26-059435 · filed Feb 19, 2026
Source:
  • 10-K · FY 2025Filing detailsAccession 0001193125-26-059435 · filed Feb 19, 2026
· event Dec 31, 2025 · retrieved Oct 15, 2026 · annual-row source set
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Flagship explainer

What CarGurus, Inc. owns — and owes

CarGurus, Inc.'s filing tags don't support a full breakdown — here's what is filed:

Table alternative
Filed lineValue% of assetsSource
Total assets$662M100%
  • 10-K · FY 2025Filing detailsAccession 0001193125-26-059435 · filed Feb 19, 2026
Cash and equivalents$191M29%
  • 10-K · FY 2025Filing detailsAccession 0001193125-26-059435 · filed Feb 19, 2026
$00%
  • 10-K · FY 2025Filing detailsAccession 0001193125-26-059435 · filed Feb 19, 2026
Stockholders’ equity$374M57%
  • 10-K · FY 2025Filing detailsAccession 0001193125-26-059435 · filed Feb 19, 2026
Source:
  • 10-K · FY 2025Filing detailsAccession 0001193125-26-059435 · filed Feb 19, 2026
· event Dec 31, 2025 · retrieved Oct 15, 2026 · annual-row source set

Flagship explainer

What drives CarGurus, Inc.’s return on equity?

ROE is five filed business factors multiplied together.

DuPont return on equity factor treeReturn on equity branches into tax burden, interest burden, operating margin, asset turnover, and the equity multiplier.Return on equity34%Tax burden62%net income ÷ pretax incomeInterest burden103%pretax ÷ operating incomeOperating margin27%operating income ÷ revenueAsset turnover1.22×revenue ÷ average assetsEquity multiplier1.62×average assets ÷ average equityAs of 2025-12-31 · 1 SEC filing sourceBuy Like Buffett · buylikebuffett.com
DuPont source inputs
InputValueFiscal yearSource
$156MFY2025
  • 10-K · FY 2025Filing detailsAccession 0001193125-26-059435 · filed Feb 19, 2026
Income before tax$253MFY2025
  • 10-K · FY 2025Filing detailsAccession 0001193125-26-059435 · filed Feb 19, 2026
Operating income$244MFY2025
  • 10-K · FY 2025Filing detailsAccession 0001193125-26-059435 · filed Feb 19, 2026
$907MFY2025
  • 10-K · FY 2025Filing detailsAccession 0001193125-26-059435 · filed Feb 19, 2026
Ending assets$662MFY2025
  • 10-K · FY 2025Filing detailsAccession 0001193125-26-059435 · filed Feb 19, 2026
Beginning assets$825MFY2024
  • 10-K · FY 2024Filing detailsAccession 0001193125-26-059435 · filed Feb 19, 2026
$374MFY2025
  • 10-K · FY 2025Filing detailsAccession 0001193125-26-059435 · filed Feb 19, 2026
$542MFY2024
  • 10-K · FY 2024Filing detailsAccession 0001193125-26-059435 · filed Feb 19, 2026
Source: · event Dec 31, 2025 · retrieved Oct 15, 2026 · annual-row source set
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Flagship explainer

Where CarGurus, Inc.'s cash went

CarGurus, Inc.’s filing does not supply enough provenance-matched cash-flow lines for a truthful flow chart — here’s what is filed:

Table alternative
Filed lineValue% of cash from operationsSource
Cash from operations$295M100%
  • 10-K · FY 2025Filing detailsAccession 0001193125-26-059435 · filed Feb 19, 2026
Depreciation and amortization$28.3M10%
  • 10-K · FY 2025Filing detailsAccession 0001193125-26-059435 · filed Feb 19, 2026
Source:
  • 10-K · FY 2025Filing detailsAccession 0001193125-26-059435 · filed Feb 19, 2026
· event Dec 31, 2025 · retrieved Oct 15, 2026 · annual-row source set

Curated 19-manager tier

Who reported holding CarGurus, Inc.

Delayed public 13F reports for 2026-Q2—not live positions, trades, or recommendations.

0 holding0 exited18 not holding18/19 resolved1 not retrieved

Named manager positions and quarter-over-quarter changes
ManagerReported positionQuarter-over-quarterFiling accession
Abrams CapitalNo position reportedNo position reported
Akre CapitalNo position reportedNo position reported
Baupost GroupNo position reportedNo position reported
Berkshire HathawayNo position reportedNo position reported
Brave Warrior AdvisorsNo position reportedNo position reported
Dodge & CoxNo position reportedNo position reported
First EagleNo position reportedNo position reported
FundsmithNo position reportedNo position reported
Gardner Russo & QuinnNo position reportedNo position reported
Gates Foundation TrustNo position reportedNo position reported
Mairs & PowerNo position reportedNo position reported
Markel / Markel-GaynerNo position reportedNo position reported
Oakmark / Harris AssociatesNo position reportedNo position reported
Polen CapitalNo position reportedNo position reported
Sequoia / Ruane CunniffNo position reportedNo position reported
Southeastern Asset ManagementNo position reportedNo position reported
Tweedy, BrowneNo position reportedNo position reported
Yacktman Asset ManagementNo position reportedNo position reported
Pershing SquareNot retrievedComparison not retrievedFiling not retrieved

Position size uses shares and filed value from each manager’s 13F. Portfolio weight uses the eligible long-share filing denominator. Changes compare only with the immediately preceding calendar quarter.

Source:
37 SEC filings
  1. 13F-HR · Q1 2026Filing detailsAccession 0000813917-26-000038 · filed May 15, 2026
  2. 13F-HR · Q2 2026Filing detailsAccession 0000813917-26-000042 · filed Aug 14, 2026
  3. 13F-HR · Q1 2026Filing detailsAccession 0000860643-26-000003 · filed May 13, 2026
  4. 13F-HR · Q2 2026Filing detailsAccession 0000860643-26-000005 · filed Aug 13, 2026
  5. 13F-HR · Q1 2026Filing detailsAccession 0000905567-26-000002 · filed May 1, 2026
  6. 13F-HR · Q2 2026Filing detailsAccession 0000905567-26-000003 · filed Aug 11, 2026
  7. 13F-HR · Q1 2026Filing detailsAccession 0000919574-26-003132 · filed May 15, 2026
  8. 13F-HR · Q2 2026Filing detailsAccession 0000919574-26-005176 · filed Aug 14, 2026
  9. 13F-HR · Q1 2026Filing detailsAccession 0001061768-26-000007 · filed May 14, 2026
  10. 13F-HR · Q2 2026Filing detailsAccession 0001061768-26-000010 · filed Aug 13, 2026
  11. 13F-HR · Q1 2026Filing detailsAccession 0001096343-26-000044 · filed May 1, 2026
  12. 13F-HR · Q2 2026Filing detailsAccession 0001096343-26-000065 · filed Jul 31, 2026
  13. 13F-HR · Q1 2026Filing detailsAccession 0001104659-26-062592 · filed May 15, 2026
  14. 13F-HR · Q2 2026Filing detailsAccession 0001104659-26-097175 · filed Aug 14, 2026
  15. 13F-HR · Q1 2026Filing detailsAccession 0001112520-26-000009 · filed May 14, 2026
  16. 13F-HR · Q2 2026Filing detailsAccession 0001112520-26-000014 · filed Aug 14, 2026
  17. 13F-HR · Q1 2026Filing detailsAccession 0001172661-26-001819 · filed May 14, 2026
  18. 13F-HR · Q1 2026Filing detailsAccession 0001172661-26-001911 · filed May 14, 2026
  19. 13F-HR · Q1 2026Filing detailsAccession 0001172661-26-001966 · filed May 14, 2026
  20. 13F-HR · Q1 2026Filing detailsAccession 0001172661-26-002294 · filed May 15, 2026
  21. 13F-HR · Q2 2026Filing detailsAccession 0001172661-26-003035 · filed Aug 4, 2026
  22. 13F-HR · Q2 2026Filing detailsAccession 0001172661-26-003402 · filed Aug 13, 2026
  23. 13F-HR · Q2 2026Filing detailsAccession 0001172661-26-003496 · filed Aug 14, 2026
  24. 13F-HR · Q2 2026Filing detailsAccession 0001172661-26-003728 · filed Aug 14, 2026
  25. 13F-HR · Q1 2026Filing detailsAccession 0001193125-26-208439 · filed May 6, 2026
  26. 13F-HR · Q1 2026Filing detailsAccession 0001193125-26-223352 · filed May 14, 2026
  27. 13F-HR · Q1 2026Filing detailsAccession 0001193125-26-226661 · filed May 15, 2026
  28. 13F-HR · Q2 2026Filing detailsAccession 0001193125-26-340443 · filed Aug 7, 2026
  29. 13F-HR · Q2 2026Filing detailsAccession 0001193125-26-349535 · filed Aug 13, 2026
  30. 13F-HR · Q2 2026Filing detailsAccession 0001193125-26-352200 · filed Aug 14, 2026
  31. 13F-HR/A · Q1 2026 · Amendment RESTATEMENTFiling detailsAccession 0001325447-26-000018 · filed May 14, 2026
  32. 13F-HR · Q2 2026Filing detailsAccession 0001325447-26-000020 · filed Aug 5, 2026
  33. 13F-HR/A · Q2 2026 · Amendment NEW HOLDINGSFiling detailsAccession 0001325447-26-000033 · filed Aug 24, 2026
  34. 13F-HR · Q1 2026Filing detailsAccession 0001398344-26-009296 · filed May 15, 2026
  35. 13F-HR · Q2 2026Filing detailsAccession 0001398344-26-014641 · filed Aug 14, 2026
  36. 13F-HR · Q1 2026Filing detailsAccession 0001569205-26-000005 · filed May 15, 2026
  37. 13F-HR · Q2 2026Filing detailsAccession 0001569205-26-000012 · filed Aug 14, 2026
· event Jun 30, 2026 · retrieved Oct 15, 2026

Flagship explainer

What CarGurus, Inc. insiders reported

Records still being gathered — partial as of retrieval Oct 15, 2026.

Partial coverage: the incomplete Form 4 walk cannot establish no activity, an activity date, or zero counts.

Moat Score history

28 logged readings since Jul 17, 2026 · append-only, never rewritten

Moat Score over timeLast scored reading of each day, on the 0–100 scale82.6 / 100
0406080100WideNarrowShallowNo moatJul 17, 2026Oct 15, 2026

Breaks in the line mark methodology or normalizer upgrades — readings across versions aren’t compared, so a level shift there isn’t a change in the business.

Tier changesSame-methodology and same-normalizer crossings of the Wide / Narrow / Shallow bars

  1. Normalizer upgraded unstamped (version unknown)moat-xbrl-normalizer@1.1.0 — readings across versions aren’t comparedJul 26, 2026
  2. Methodology upgraded moat-index@2.0.0moat-index@3.0.0 — readings across versions aren’t comparedJul 23, 2026
  3. Methodology upgraded moat-index@1.2.0moat-index@2.0.0 — readings across versions aren’t comparedJul 20, 2026

Scores are logged append-only and never overwritten — this record cannot be reconstructed retroactively, which is exactly why it’s worth keeping.

Insider activity

Form 4 reports mix P/S market or private transactions with compensation-plan mechanics. Activity casually described as “insider selling” can include compensation mechanics; awards, tax withholding, and option exercises are shown by their exact filed class here, never collapsed into “Bought” or “Sold.”

These are disclosed filing facts and arithmetic aggregates, not a signal or verdict.

This machine-readable surface covers SEC ownership filings from 2003; it does not represent earlier paper-era records.

Records still being gathered — partial as of retrieval Oct 15, 2026.

Among the rows shown, A/F/M acquisition, payment or withholding, and exercise or conversion rows outnumber S sale rows (13 versus 10). The filing codes alone do not establish that every such row arose from a compensation plan.

Trailing-12-month totals and the 90-day cluster result are withheld because this issuer walk is incomplete.

InsiderShares owned afterDateFiling detail
Sarnoff DafnaChief Marketing OfficerGrant, award, or other acquisition (A)Table I · Acquired · Class A Common Stock5,911—Grant, award, or other acquisition (A)—100,795Oct 2, 2026
1 filed lot
  • Table I · Class A Common Stock: 5,911 shares at — (Grant, award, or other acquisition (A)) · code A · owned after 100,795 ·
Quinn Matthew ToddChief Technology OfficerGrant, award, or other acquisition (A)Table I · Acquired · Class A Common Stock5,911—Grant, award, or other acquisition (A)—226,104Oct 2, 2026
1 filed lot
  • Table I · Class A Common Stock: 5,911 shares at — (Grant, award, or other acquisition (A)) · code A · owned after 226,104 ·
Sarnoff DafnaChief Marketing OfficerOpen-market or private sale (S)Table I · Disposed · Class A Common Stock7,234$29.62$214,27194,884Oct 2, 2026
1 filed lot
  • Table I · Class A Common Stock: 7,234 shares at $29.62 · code S · owned after 94,884 ·
Quinn Matthew ToddChief Technology OfficerOpen-market or private sale (S)Table I · Disposed · Class A Common Stock3,824$29.62$113,267220,193Oct 2, 2026
1 filed lot
  • Table I · Class A Common Stock: 3,824 shares at $29.62 · code S · owned after 220,193 ·
Elshareef IsmailChief Product OfficerOpen-market or private sale (S)Table I · Disposed · Class A Common Stock2,673$29.62$79,174127,933Oct 2, 2026
1 filed lot
  • Table I · Class A Common Stock: 2,673 shares at $29.62 · code S · owned after 127,933 ·
Sarnoff DafnaChief Marketing OfficerPayment of exercise price or tax liability (F)Table I · Disposed · Class A Common Stock7,550$29.73$224,462102,118Oct 1, 2026
1 filed lot
  • Table I · Class A Common Stock: 7,550 shares at $29.73 · code F · owned after 102,118 ·
Quinn Matthew ToddChief Technology OfficerPayment of exercise price or tax liability (F)Table I · Disposed · Class A Common Stock9,129$29.73$271,405224,017Oct 1, 2026
1 filed lot
  • Table I · Class A Common Stock: 9,129 shares at $29.73 · code F · owned after 224,017 ·
Elshareef IsmailChief Product OfficerPayment of exercise price or tax liability (F)Table I · Disposed · Class A Common Stock3,131$29.73$93,085130,606Oct 1, 2026
1 filed lot
  • Table I · Class A Common Stock: 3,131 shares at $29.73 · code F · owned after 130,606 ·
Zamora JavierGeneral Counsel and SecretaryPayment of exercise price or tax liability (F)Table I · Disposed · Class A Common Stock4,289$29.73$127,51275,971Oct 1, 2026
1 filed lot
  • Table I · Class A Common Stock: 4,289 shares at $29.73 · code F · owned after 75,971 ·
Zales SamuelCOO and PresidentPayment of exercise price or tax liability (F)Table I · Disposed · Class A Common Stock15,614$29.73$464,204439,735Oct 1, 2026
1 filed lot
  • Table I · Class A Common Stock: 15,614 shares at $29.73 · code F · owned after 439,735 ·
Trevisan JasonDirector, Chief Executive OfficerPayment of exercise price or tax liability (F)Table I · Disposed · Class A Common Stock21,509$29.73$639,463653,253Oct 1, 2026
1 filed lot
  • Table I · Class A Common Stock: 21,509 shares at $29.73 · code F · owned after 653,253 ·
Steinert LangleyDirector, Executive Chair, 10% ownerPayment of exercise price or tax liability (F)Table I · Disposed · Class A Common Stock12,653$29.73$376,174884,483Oct 1, 2026
1 filed lot
  • Table I · Class A Common Stock: 12,653 shares at $29.73 · code F · owned after 884,483 ·
Hanson Jennifer LaddChief People OfficerPayment of exercise price or tax liability (F)Table I · Disposed · Class A Common Stock1,434$29.73$42,63388,557Oct 1, 2026
1 filed lot
  • Table I · Class A Common Stock: 1,434 shares at $29.73 · code F · owned after 88,557 ·
Hanson Jennifer LaddChief People OfficerPayment of exercise price or tax liability (F)Table I · Disposed · Class A Common Stock1,144$31.16$35,64789,991Sep 30, 2026
1 filed lot
  • Table I · Class A Common Stock: 1,144 shares at $31.16 · code F · owned after 89,991 ·
Zales SamuelCOO and PresidentOpen-market or private sale (S)Table I · Disposed · Class A Common Stock10,000$34.62$346,200455,349Sep 15, 2026
1 filed lot
  • Table I · Class A Common Stock: 10,000 shares at $34.62 · code S · owned after 455,349 ·
Zales SamuelCOO and PresidentOpen-market or private sale (S)Table I · Disposed · Class A Common Stock10,000$36.50$365,000465,349Aug 28, 2026
1 filed lot
  • Table I · Class A Common Stock: 10,000 shares at $36.50 · code S · owned after 465,349 ·
Elshareef IsmailChief Product OfficerOpen-market or private sale (S)Table I · Disposed · Class A Common Stock8,957$38.00$340,366133,737Aug 14, 2026
1 filed lot
  • Table I · Class A Common Stock: 8,957 shares at $38.00 · code S · owned after 133,737 ·
Sarnoff DafnaChief Marketing OfficerOpen-market or private sale (S)Table I · Disposed · Class A Common Stock17,151$37.00$634,587109,668Aug 13, 2026
1 filed lot
  • Table I · Class A Common Stock: 17,151 shares at $37.00 · code S · owned after 109,668 ·
Schwartz Greg MDirectorOpen-market or private sale (S)Table I · Disposed · Class A Common Stock10,000$36.07$360,7008,716Aug 12, 2026
1 filed lot
  • Table I · Class A Common Stock: 10,000 shares at $36.07 · code S · owned after 8,716 ·
Trevisan JasonDirector, Chief Executive OfficerOpen-market or private sale (S)Table I · Disposed · Class A Common Stock1,100$41.06$45,166674,762Aug 7, 2026
1 filed lot
  • Table I · Class A Common Stock: 1,100 shares at $41.06 · code S · owned after 674,762 ·
Zamora JavierGeneral Counsel and SecretaryOpen-market or private sale (S)Table I · Disposed · Class A Common Stock6,205$37.08$230,08180,260Aug 3, 2026
1 filed lot
  • Table I · Class A Common Stock: 6,205 shares at $37.08 · code S · owned after 80,260 ·
Zamora JavierGeneral Counsel and SecretaryPayment of exercise price or tax liability (F)Table I · Disposed · Class A Common Stock1,880$36.24$68,13186,465Jul 31, 2026
1 filed lot
  • Table I · Class A Common Stock: 1,880 shares at $36.24 · code F · owned after 86,465 ·
Elshareef IsmailChief Product OfficerPayment of exercise price or tax liability (F)Table I · Disposed · Class A Common Stock2,300$36.24$83,352142,694Jul 31, 2026
1 filed lot
  • Table I · Class A Common Stock: 2,300 shares at $36.24 · code F · owned after 142,694 ·

Source-event as of . Retrieved .

Track record

How CarGurus, Inc.’s moat rated in each of the years we can reconstruct from its filings — scored only on what was knowable at the time — and what its price and returns did afterward. The score never saw a price; the two are joined only in hindsight, for education, not as a signal.

Point-in-time scores 2017–2025, one methodology version · reconstructed from filings on file each Dec 31 — never with hindsight

Point-in-time Moat Score (dot colored by tier)Indexed price (total-return (dividends reinvested))Rated Wide-moat that year

How to read this: each dot is what the engine would have scored CARG on that December 31; the line below is its total-return price path (dividends reinvested) in the years since.

0406080100WideNarrowShallowNo moatPoint-in-time Moat Score50100Indexed price · log scale (2018 = 100)201720192021202320252026

Two tracks, one timeline: the score has its own 0–100 scale (top), the price its own 100-based scale (bottom) — never a shared axis. The price path is a total-return (dividends reinvested) index built from the same data the forward returns use; gaps in the score line are years with no reconstructed rating (see the table for why). The Table view carries every value.

What followed, in the years it rated Wide

In the 3 years CARG rated Wide-moat (2019, 2020 and 2021), the median forward total return that followed — measured only after each year’s filings were public — was:

  • 1 year −12% vs the S&P 500’s 14% (price basis) · median over 3 years
  • 3 years −27% vs the S&P 500’s 22% (price basis) · median over 3 years
  • 5 years 7% vs the S&P 500’s 83% (price basis) · median over 2 years

These are medians computed from the data, not a claim about any one year. The company figures are total returns (dividends reinvested); the S&P 500 is the price-only ^GSPC index, which excludes dividends and so understates the index — the gap flatters the company. A quality rating is not a return forecast, and past returns don’t predict future ones. Educational only, not investment advice.

Technology context

#47 of 751 scored Technology companies, ranked by Moat Score.

Nearest peers by Moat Score

  1. #45TZOO Travelzoo83.4Wide moat
  2. #46AAPL Apple Inc.82.7Wide moat
  3. #48BHIC BIOSCIENCE HEALTH INNOVATIONS INC.82.6Wide moat
  4. #49ALLE Allegion plc82.4Wide moat

Compare CARG with its nearest peers →All Technology companies on the Index →

Common questions about CARG

Does CarGurus, Inc. have an economic moat?
Based on its FY2025 SEC filings, the Moat Index scores CarGurus, Inc. (CARG) 82.6 out of 100 — a Wide moat. The five questions behind that score begin at 20% each; if exactly one genuinely lacks data, the other four weights are renormalized and disclosed. revenue and EPS trend 53, pricing power 80, returns on capital 100, balance-sheet safety 100, capital allocation 80.
Is CARG trading below the conservative owner-earnings estimate?
The value if growth stopped today — a zero-growth baseline — is $13.70 per share. It capitalizes normalized owner earnings at a 9% rate and assumes 0% growth. Versus a recent price of $30.02, that is 119% above value if growth stopped today. The model also publishes a capped-growth comparison, but the zero-growth estimate is the cautious baseline. It assumes trailing owner earnings persist and is unreliable for declining businesses. This is an educational estimate from primary SEC filings, not intrinsic value as a fact or investment advice.
How has CARG's Moat Score changed over time?
The record logs 28 readings since Jul 17, 2026; the latest reads 82.6 out of 100 (wide moat). No tier changes on record yet. (Methodology or normalizer upgrades on Jul 20, 2026, Jul 23, 2026, Jul 26, 2026 re-based the score; readings across versions aren't compared.) The history is append-only — readings are only ever added, never rewritten.

Scored from primary SEC filings via the public methodology. Educational only — not a recommendation to buy or sell CARG. See the disclaimer.