Does Cars.com Inc. have an economic moat?

Based on its FY2025 SEC filings, the Moat Index scores Cars.com Inc. (CARS) 47.1 out of 100 — a Shallow moat. The four filters behind that score (each 0–100): pricing power 100, returns on capital 1, balance-sheet safety 64, capital discipline 20.

Is CARS stock trading below its intrinsic value?

Against a deliberately conservative owner-earnings model (9% discount rate, 0% assumed growth, capped at 4%), estimated intrinsic value is $21.09 per share versus a recent price of $11.99 — 43% below value. This is an educational estimate computed from primary SEC filings, not investment advice.

How has CARS's Moat Score changed over time?

The record logs 2 readings since Jul 17, 2026; the latest reads 47.1 out of 100 (shallow moat). No tier changes on record yet. The history is append-only — readings are only ever added, never rewritten.

The Moat Index

Cars.com Inc.

CARS · Technology · $703.0M mkt cap · FY2025 filings · Shallow moat ·

On the watchlist

Shallow moat

The four filters

Pricing power100

Median gross margin 89.5% over 3y, very stable.

Returns on capital1

Median ROIC 5.2%, above the 9% hurdle in 0% of years.

Balance-sheet safety64

Net debt/EBITDA 2.6x, no material interest expense disclosed.

Capital discipline20

Owner earnings -8.9%/yr, share count n/a.

Margin of safety

Above valueOn sale

43% below value

Owner earnings (normalized): $111.3M
Est. intrinsic value / share: $21.09
Recent price: $11.99
Discount to value: 43% below value

Conservative model: 9% discount rate, 0% assumed growth (capped at 4%), maintenance capex ≈ min(capex, D&A).

Fundamentals

There's no normalized fundamentals series for CARS yet — it appears once ingest has processed its filings.

Moat Score history

Moat Score over timeLast scored reading of each day, on the 0–100 scale47.1 / 100

Score history begins Jul 17, 2026 — the record builds from here and can’t be backfilled.

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

None yet — CARS has read Shallow moat for every logged capture since Jul 17, 2026.

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

Technology context

#219 of 532 scored Technology companies, ranked by Moat Score.

Nearest peers by Moat Score

#217VSH Vishay Intertechnology, Inc.47.4 out of 100, Shallow moatShallow moat
#218VERI Veritone, Inc.47.2 out of 100, Shallow moatShallow moat
#220CLVT CLARIVATE PLC46.8 out of 100, Shallow moatShallow moat
#221DGII DIGI INTERNATIONAL INC.46.5 out of 100, Shallow moatShallow moat

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

Common questions about CARS

Does Cars.com Inc. have an economic moat?: Based on its FY2025 SEC filings, the Moat Index scores Cars.com Inc. (CARS) 47.1 out of 100 — a Shallow moat. The four filters behind that score (each 0–100): pricing power 100, returns on capital 1, balance-sheet safety 64, capital discipline 20.
Is CARS stock trading below its intrinsic value?: Against a deliberately conservative owner-earnings model (9% discount rate, 0% assumed growth, capped at 4%), estimated intrinsic value is $21.09 per share versus a recent price of $11.99 — 43% below value. This is an educational estimate computed from primary SEC filings, not investment advice.
How has CARS's Moat Score changed over time?: The record logs 2 readings since Jul 17, 2026; the latest reads 47.1 out of 100 (shallow moat). No tier changes on record yet. The history is append-only — readings are only ever added, never rewritten.

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