Filing Flows › Cars.com (CARS) › Q1 2026
Cars.com (CARS) Q1 2026 earnings results (first quarter 2026)
10-Q filed May 7, 2026
Cars.com (CARS) reported revenue of $180M for the first quarter 2026 (Q1 2026), +0.7% from a year earlier and -2% from the quarter before. Operating margin was 9.2%, net earnings $5.0M (2.8% of revenue).
Cars.com, Q1 2026: revenue $180M (+0.7% year over year), operating margin 9.2%, net earnings $5.0M, operating cash flow $39.8M. The chart follows the revenue to costs, profit and cash.
| Q1 2026 | Amount | Q/Q | Y/Y |
|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | $180M | -2% | +0.7% |
| Operating profit | $16.6M | -23% | +157% |
| Net earnings | $5.0M | -33% | — |
| Operating cash flow | $39.8M | +7% | +35% |
| Free cash flow | $33.5M | — | +42% |
What changed
Revenue was $180.2M in Q1 2026, up 1% year over year and down 2% from the previous quarter.
Operating profit was $16.6M, a 9.2% margin (up 5.6 points year over year). Of the extra revenue versus Q1 2025, 848% reached operating profit, above the 4% margin then. Total costs fell 5% while revenue rose 1%. Net earnings were $5.0M. The effective tax rate was 42.9%.
Operating cash flow was $39.8M (up 35% year over year), 800% of net earnings. Non-cash charges added back $16.7M of depreciation and amortization and $8.6M of share-based compensation. Working capital and other items added $9.5M. After capitalization of internally developed technology ($6.0M) and purchase of property and equipment ($262K), free cash flow as the company reports it was $33.5M.
Questions
What was Cars.com's revenue in the first quarter 2026?
Cars.com (CARS) reported revenue of $180M for the first quarter 2026 (Q1 2026), +0.7% from a year earlier and -2% from the quarter before.
Was Cars.com profitable in the first quarter 2026?
Operating profit was $16.6M (9.2% of revenue) and net earnings $5.0M.
Source: Cars.com 10-Q on SEC EDGAR.