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CARG vs MAX
Which Stock Would AI Choose? CarGurus (CARG) vs. MediaAlpha (MAX) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- CARG commands a significantly larger market capitalization of approximately $3.6 billion, dwarfing MAX's $462 million, indicating greater scale and stability.
- Both stocks have posted positive year-to-date (YTD) gains, with MAX outperforming at over 35% amid insurtech momentum.
- Recent earnings highlight contrasts: CARG beat EPS (earnings per share) estimates in its prior quarter, while MAX delivered record Q1 revenue but missed EPS targets.
- Analyst consensus rates both as "Buy," with MAX offering higher upside potential to targets around $13.64 from current levels.
- CARG exhibits steadier price action near its 52-week highs, contrasting MAX's volatility near lows despite monthly gains.
Introduction
In today's digital economy, platforms like CARG and MAX exemplify tech-driven marketplaces targeting consumer services—automotive for the former and insurance for the latter. This stock comparison aids traders and investors navigating relative performance in consumer cyclical and communication services sectors. With both showing resilience amid market fluctuations, growth-oriented portfolios may weigh CARG's established scale against MAX's high-growth trajectory. Key metrics reveal trade-offs in momentum, valuation, and risk, informing decisions on stock positioning in recent market activity.
CARG Overview and Recent Performance
CarGurus, Inc. (CARG) runs a leading online automotive marketplace, leveraging data analytics to match buyers with dealers via listings, reviews, and pricing tools in the consumer cyclical sector. In recent weeks, shares have stabilized in the mid-$30s range, near the upper end of their 52-week spectrum ($25.41–$39.42), buoyed by a market cap expansion of over 10% in the past month. Sentiment has been bolstered by the prior quarter's EPS beat ($0.63 vs. $0.61 expected) and revenue growth, alongside "Buy" ratings with targets near $38. Broader auto market recovery and platform innovations have driven positive price behavior, though trading volumes remain moderate.
MAX Overview and Recent Performance
MediaAlpha, Inc. (MAX) operates a customer acquisition platform for insurers in property, casualty, health, and life segments, classified under communication services/internet content. Recent market activity saw shares around $8–$9, reflecting YTD gains of 35.37% despite proximity to 52-week lows ($7.09–$13.92). Key influence stems from Q1 2026 results: record revenue of $310 million beat estimates, but EPS of $0.30 missed $0.34 consensus, tempering enthusiasm. Monthly upticks of nearly 10% underscore growth potential in insurtech demand, supported by analyst "Outperform" calls and targets averaging $13.64.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
CARG and MAX diverge in business models: CARG's automotive e-commerce emphasizes listings and dealer tools, while MAX's insurtech platform prioritizes lead generation for carriers. Growth drivers favor MAX's smaller cap for scalability, evidenced by revenue beats, versus CARG's mature efficiency. Recent momentum tilts monthly to MAX (up ~10%), but CARG leads in stability near highs. Risk profiles differ with MAX's beta of 1.39 signaling volatility against CARG's steadier profile; sector exposures pit consumer cyclical autos against insurance tech. Market sentiment aligns on "Buy" ratings, though MAX trades at a PE (price-to-earnings) multiple suggesting undervaluation.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Tickeron’s AI would currently lean toward MAX, citing superior relative upside to analyst targets, record revenue catalysts, and YTD momentum despite recent EPS volatility. While CARG provides trend consistency and scale advantages, MAX's positioning in high-growth insurtech offers probabilistic edge in coming quarters.
Disclaimer
The information on this webpage is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice, a recommendation to purchase or sell any security, or an offer or solicitation related to investments. It does not consider your personal financial situation, goals, or risk profile, and all investing carries inherent risks, including the possibility of losing your entire investment. For more details, please review our full disclaimer. Disclaimers and Limitations
To compare these two companies we present long-term analysis, their fundamental ratings and make comparative short-term technical analysis which are presented below. The conclusion is CARG is a StrongBuy and MAX is a StrongBuy.
Long-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a long-term outlook for a ticker by using Fundamental Analysis (FA) ratings. The rating of 1 to 100, where 1 is best and 100 is worst, is divided into thirds. The first third (a green rating of 1-33) indicates that the ticker is undervalued; the second third (a grey number between 34 and 66) means that the ticker is valued fairly; and the last third (red number of 67 to 100) reflects that the ticker is undervalued. We use an FA Score to show how many ratings show the ticker to be undervalued (green) or overvalued (red).
CARG’s FA Score shows that 1 FA rating(s) are green whileMAX’s FA Score has 1 green FA rating(s).
- CARG’s FA Score: 1 green, 4 red.
- MAX’s FA Score: 1 green, 4 red.
Short-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a short-term outlook for a ticker by using Technical Analysis (TA) indicators. We use Odds of Success as the percentage of outcomes which confirm successful trade signals in the past.
If the Odds of Success (the likelihood of the continuation of a trend) for each indicator are greater than 50%, then the generated signal is confirmed. A green percentage from 90% to 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bullish trend. A red percentage from 90% - 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bearish trend. All grey percentages are below 50% and are considered not to confirm the trend signal.
CARG’s TA Score shows that 5 TA indicator(s) are bullish while MAX’s TA Score has 4 bullish TA indicator(s).
- CARG’s TA Score: 5 bullish, 6 bearish.
- MAX’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 4 bearish.
Price Growth
CARG (@Automotive Aftermarket) experienced а -0.91% price change this week, while MAX (@Internet Software/Services) price change was +4.19% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Automotive Aftermarket industry was +1.66%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +1.01%, and the average quarterly price growth was -20.59%.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Internet Software/Services industry was -0.73%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was -3.70%, and the average quarterly price growth was -13.19%.
Reported Earning Dates
CARG is expected to report earnings on Aug 06, 2026.
MAX is expected to report earnings on Aug 05, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Automotive Aftermarket (+1.66% weekly)The Automotive Aftermarket consists of the manufacturing, remanufacturing, distribution, retailing, and installation of vehicle parts and accessories, after the sale of the automobile by the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) to the consumer. The aftermarket parts many not be manufactured by the OEM. According to a Technavio study, the US automotive parts aftermarket size is estimated to grow by USD 24.33 billion during 2018-2022 (CAGR 3%). Like many other industries, the automotive aftermarket is also being intensely penetrated by the digital boom. The online auto parts sales market is predicted to exceed $13B by 2020 (according to a study by Mirakl).
@Internet Software/Services (-0.73% weekly)Companies in this industry typically license software on a subscription basis and it is centrally hosted. Such products usually go by the names web-based software, on-demand software and hosted software. Cloud computing has emerged as a major force in this space, making it possible to save files to a remote database (without requiring them to be saved on local storage device); as long as a device has access to the web, it can access the data and the software programs to run it. This has in many cases facilitated cost efficiency, speed and security of data for businesses and consumers. Alphabet Inc., Facebook, Inc. and Yahoo! Inc. are some well-known names in the internet software/services industry.
| CARG | MAX | CARG / MAX | |
| Capitalization | 2.45B | 511M | 479% |
| EBITDA | 283M | -75.1M | -377% |
| Gain YTD | -29.153 | -27.027 | 108% |
| P/E Ratio | 14.30 | 14.77 | 97% |
| Revenue | 938M | 1.16B | 81% |
| Total Cash | 72M | 26.1M | 276% |
| Total Debt | 188M | 164M | 115% |
CARG | ||
|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 52 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 80 Overvalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 100 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 21 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 76 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 99 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | n/a |
Tickeron ratings are formulated such that a rating of 1 designates the most successful stocks in a given industry, while a rating of 100 points to the least successful stocks for that industry.
| CARG | MAX | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 83% | N/A |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 82% | 3 days ago 71% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 69% | 3 days ago 82% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 79% | 3 days ago 85% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 67% | 3 days ago 81% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 75% | 3 days ago 77% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 7 days ago 72% | 5 days ago 76% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 69% | 12 days ago 81% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 5 days ago 86% | 3 days ago 90% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 73% | 3 days ago 71% |
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| SFLR | 38.24 | 0.13 | +0.34% |
| Innovator Equity Managed Floor ETF | |||
| EBUF | 31.54 | 0.06 | +0.20% |
| Innovator Emerging Markets 10 Buf ETF-Qt | |||
| CARK | 47.07 | N/A | N/A |
| CastleArk Large Growth ETF | |||
| FFIU | 21.92 | -0.05 | -0.22% |
| Fieldstone UVA Uncons Md-Trm Fxd Inc ETF | |||
| SOUX | 13.69 | -0.30 | -2.14% |
| Defiance Daily Target 2X Long SOUN ETF | |||
CARG and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, CARG has been loosely correlated with MAX. These tickers have moved in lockstep 54% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is some statistical probability that if CARG jumps, then MAX could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To CARG | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CARG | 100% | -1.84% | ||
| MAX - CARG | 54% Loosely correlated | +1.07% | ||
| ZG - CARG | 52% Loosely correlated | -2.51% | ||
| CPRT - CARG | 52% Loosely correlated | -1.00% | ||
| Z - CARG | 51% Loosely correlated | -2.05% | ||
| FVRR - CARG | 51% Loosely correlated | +1.01% | ||
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MAX and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, MAX has been loosely correlated with CARG. These tickers have moved in lockstep 54% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is some statistical probability that if MAX jumps, then CARG could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To MAX | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MAX | 100% | +1.07% | ||
| CARG - MAX | 54% Loosely correlated | -1.84% | ||
| EVER - MAX | 51% Loosely correlated | +0.71% | ||
| Z - MAX | 40% Loosely correlated | -2.05% | ||
| YELP - MAX | 40% Loosely correlated | +0.35% | ||
| ZG - MAX | 40% Loosely correlated | -2.51% | ||
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