Filing Flows › Cars.com (CARS) › Q3 2026
Cars.com (CARS) Q3 2026 earnings results (third quarter 2026)
10-Q filed Nov 5, 2026
Cars.com (CARS) reported revenue of $182M for the third quarter 2026 (Q3 2026), +0.2% from a year earlier and +1% from the quarter before. Operating margin was 15.9%, net earnings $16.3M (9.0% of revenue).
Cars.com, Q3 2026: revenue $182M (+0.2% year over year), operating margin 15.9%, net earnings $16.3M, operating cash flow $59.0M. The chart follows the revenue to costs, profit and cash.
| Q3 2026 | Amount | Q/Q | Y/Y |
|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | $182M | +1% | +0.2% |
| Operating profit | $28.9M | +4% | +72% |
| Net earnings | $16.3M | +15% | +113% |
| Operating cash flow | $59.0M | +273% | +0.4% |
| Free cash flow | $53.8M | — | +2% |
What changed
Revenue was $181.9M in Q3 2026, roughly flat year over year and up 1% from the previous quarter.
Operating profit was $28.9M, a 15.9% margin (up 6.6 points year over year). Of the extra revenue versus Q3 2025, 3898% reached operating profit, above the 9% margin then. Total costs fell 7% while revenue was flat. Net earnings were $16.3M, up 113% year over year. The effective tax rate was 23.8%.
Operating cash flow was $59.0M (roughly flat year over year), 361% of net earnings. Non-cash charges added back $16.4M of depreciation and amortization and $5.8M of share-based compensation. Working capital and other items added $20.6M. After capitalization of internally developed technology ($5.2M) and purchase of property and equipment ($43K), free cash flow as the company reports it was $53.8M.
Questions
What was Cars.com's revenue in the third quarter 2026?
Cars.com (CARS) reported revenue of $182M for the third quarter 2026 (Q3 2026), +0.2% from a year earlier and +1% from the quarter before.
Was Cars.com profitable in the third quarter 2026?
Operating profit was $28.9M (15.9% of revenue) and net earnings $16.3M.
Source: Cars.com 10-Q on SEC EDGAR.