ACVA

Consumer Cyclical

ACV Auctions Inc. · Auto - Dealerships · $1B

UQS Score — Balanced Preset
47.4
Below Average

ACV Auctions Inc. scores 47.4/100 using the Balanced preset.

UQS vs Consumer Cyclical Sector
ACVA
47.4
Sector avg
37.7
Quality
Weak
Moat
Weak
Growth
Good
Risk
Weak
Valuation
Attractive

What is ACV Auctions Inc.?

ACV Auctions operates a digital wholesale vehicle marketplace connecting dealers, fleet operators, and other commercial buyers and sellers across the United States. Headquartered in Buffalo, New York, the company has built its platform around transparency and data-driven vehicle condition reporting.

ACV Auctions generates revenue by facilitating online auctions of wholesale vehicles — primarily used cars and trucks — between commercial buyers and sellers such as franchised and independent auto dealers. Beyond the core auction marketplace, the company monetizes vehicle data services that provide condition and valuation insights to industry participants. It also offers customer financing solutions to support transaction volume on its platform, creating multiple revenue streams tied to the wholesale automotive cycle.

ACV Auctions was incorporated in 2014 and is headquartered in Buffalo, New York.

  • Digital wholesale vehicle auction marketplace
  • Vehicle condition and valuation data services
  • Customer financing solutions for marketplace participants
  • Inspection and transparency tools for used vehicles

Is ACVA a Good Stock to Buy?

UQS Score rates ACVA as Below Average overall, reflecting meaningful structural challenges alongside some areas of forward potential.

The Growth pillar stands out as the clearest bright spot in ACVA's profile, suggesting the business is expanding its footprint in the wholesale automotive digital space at a pace that compares favorably within its tier. Valuation is rated Attractive, meaning the market may not be pricing in a best-case growth scenario.

Quality, Moat, and Risk all carry Weak ratings — indicating that profitability foundations, competitive durability, and balance-sheet or operational risk factors are areas of concern relative to peers.

Pro members can view the complete pillar breakdown and underlying financial metrics to form a more complete picture of ACVA's investment profile. Sign up free →

Past performance does not guarantee future results. UQS Score is based on fundamental data and is not a buy/sell recommendation.

Does ACVA pay dividends?

No — ACV Auctions Inc. does not currently pay a dividend.

ACV Auctions does not currently pay a dividend. As a growth-stage marketplace business, the company reinvests available capital into platform expansion, technology development, and market penetration rather than returning cash to shareholders. Investors seeking income from this position would need to look elsewhere in the [Consumer Cyclical sector](/sector/consumer-cyclical).

When does ACVA report earnings?

ACV Auctions reports earnings on a quarterly cadence, consistent with standard practice for US-listed equities.

Quarterly results for ACVA tend to reflect trends in wholesale vehicle transaction volumes, platform adoption among dealers, and progress toward profitability. Growth in marketplace revenue and data services are typically the key metrics the market watches each reporting period.

For the most recent quarter's results and guidance, visit ACV Auctions' investor relations page directly.

ACVA Price History

-81.2% over 5Y

Monthly close, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment.

Return Calculator

What if I invested in ACV Auctions Inc.?

$
Today it would be worth
$1,461
That's a -85.4% total return, or -31.9% annualized.

Based on ACV Auctions Inc.'s historical closing prices, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice.

ACVA Long-term Outlook

ACVA's Good Growth rating points to a business that is still in an expansion phase within the fragmented wholesale vehicle market. However, the Weak Quality and Risk ratings suggest the path to durable, profitable growth carries meaningful execution risk. The Attractive Valuation label indicates the stock may already reflect some of that uncertainty. The fundamental outlook hinges on whether the platform can scale transaction volumes while improving unit economics over time.

Growth drivers

  • Continued digitization of the wholesale vehicle auction market
  • Expansion of data services and ancillary revenue streams
  • Growing dealer adoption of online-first wholesale channels

Key risks

  • Weak profitability profile limiting financial resilience
  • Competitive pressure from established and emerging marketplace players
  • Sensitivity to used vehicle market cycles and macroeconomic conditions

ACVA vs Peers

ACV Auctions competes across the automotive marketplace and data ecosystem, facing rivals with different business models and geographic footprints.

CARSACVA scores higher
Cars.com Inc.

Cars.com focuses on the retail consumer-facing automotive marketplace, whereas ACV Auctions targets the wholesale dealer-to-dealer segment.

UXINACVA scores higher
Uxin Limited

Uxin operates in China's used vehicle market, offering a geographic contrast to ACV's US-centric wholesale auction model.

ACQ.TOACVA scores higher
AutoCanada Inc.

AutoCanada is a Canadian franchised auto dealership group, representing the traditional retail side of the vehicle market rather than a digital auction platform.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does ACV Auctions do?

ACV Auctions runs a digital marketplace where commercial buyers and sellers — primarily auto dealers — transact wholesale vehicles through online auctions. The company also provides vehicle condition data services and financing solutions to support those transactions.

Does ACVA pay dividends?

No, ACVA does not pay a dividend. The company is focused on reinvesting capital into platform growth and technology rather than distributing cash to shareholders. Income-focused investors should factor this into their assessment.

When does ACVA report earnings?

ACV Auctions follows a standard quarterly earnings cadence for US-listed companies. For precise dates and the most recent results, check the investor relations section of ACV Auctions' official website.

Is ACVA a good stock to buy?

UQS Score rates ACVA as Below Average overall. While the Growth pillar and Attractive Valuation offer some appeal, the Weak ratings across Quality, Moat, and Risk highlight real concerns. The full pillar breakdown is available to Pro members for a deeper view.

Is ACVA overvalued?

ACVA's Valuation pillar is rated Attractive, suggesting the current market price may not fully reflect a favorable growth scenario. That said, Attractive valuation alone does not offset the Weak Quality and Risk profile — context across all pillars matters.

How does ACVA compare to its competitors?

ACV Auctions occupies a distinct niche as a wholesale digital auction platform, differentiating it from retail-facing marketplaces like Cars.com and traditional dealership groups like AutoCanada. Its purely digital, data-driven model is its primary point of differentiation in the wholesale segment.

What is ACVA's market cap bracket?

ACVA is classified as a small-cap stock. This means it carries the growth potential often associated with smaller companies, but also the higher volatility and liquidity considerations typical of the small-cap segment.

Who founded ACV Auctions?

ACV Auctions was founded in Buffalo, New York, where it remains headquartered today. Founding details and leadership history are publicly available through the company's official investor relations materials and press archives.

Is ACVA a long-term quality investment?

From a long-term quality standpoint, ACVA's Below Average UQS Score — driven by Weak Quality, Moat, and Risk ratings — raises questions about durability. The Good Growth rating shows momentum, but sustained long-term quality typically requires stronger foundational pillars. Pro members can explore the full breakdown.

What is the main competitive advantage of ACV Auctions?

ACV Auctions' primary differentiator is its digitally native wholesale auction platform combined with proprietary vehicle condition data. However, the Moat pillar is currently rated Weak, suggesting this advantage may not yet be deeply entrenched relative to the competitive landscape.

What sector does ACVA belong to?

ACVA is classified in the Consumer Cyclical sector. This means its business performance tends to be sensitive to broader economic conditions, consumer confidence, and trends in vehicle demand — factors worth monitoring for any position in this space.

Is ACVA a growth stock or value stock?

ACVA leans toward the growth side, with a Good Growth pillar rating reflecting meaningful business expansion. Its Attractive Valuation rating adds an interesting dimension, though the Weak Quality and Risk scores temper a straightforward growth-at-a-reasonable-price narrative.

Unlock Full ACVA Analysis

Sign in to unlock the detailed analysis behind the UQS Score.

  • View the exact UQS Score and all five pillar scores
  • Access detailed financial metrics behind each pillar
  • Compare ACVA against sector peers side by side
  • Track score changes as new earnings data arrives
  • Screen for stocks with stronger Quality and Moat ratings
  • Get the complete analyst-grade view in one dashboard
Analyze ACVA in Detail →

Pro Analysis

ACVA — Score History

3540455055Apr 2Apr 12Apr 22May 2May 12May 22May 24v5
Score changes· 30/38 most recent
DateUQSQualityMoatGrowthRiskValueChange
May 23, 202647.430.632.075.130.481.3-0.1
May 22, 202647.530.832.075.130.481.60.0
May 21, 202647.530.732.075.130.481.30.0
May 20, 202647.530.732.075.130.481.5+0.1
May 19, 202647.430.732.075.130.481.0-0.1
May 16, 202647.530.732.075.130.481.5-0.3
May 15, 202647.831.432.075.130.482.6-0.2
May 14, 202648.031.432.075.630.483.4+0.4
May 13, 202647.630.332.075.630.482.4+0.2
May 12, 202647.430.332.075.530.481.0+0.4

ACVA — Pillar Breakdown

Quality

30.6/100 (25%)

ACV Auctions Inc. currently shows below-average quality metrics, suggesting challenges with profitability.

Capital Efficiency (ROIC)Weak

How effectively capital is deployed to generate returns.

Return on EquityWeak

Profitability relative to shareholders' equity.

Operating ProfitabilityWeak

Ability to convert revenue into operating profit.

Net ProfitabilityWeak

Bottom-line profit as a share of revenue.

Gross Profit / AssetsStrong

Asset productivity — how much gross profit each dollar of assets generates.

Cash GenerationStrong

Free cash flow relative to market value.

Growth

75.1/100 (20%)

ACV Auctions Inc. is growing rapidly with strong revenue and earnings expansion.

Recent Revenue TrendModerate

Revenue trajectory over the last twelve months.

3Y Revenue CAGRModerate

Compound annual revenue growth rate over 3 years.

EPS GrowthModerate

Year-over-year earnings per share growth.

Forward Revenue OutlookStrong

Analyst consensus for future revenue growth.

Forward EPS GrowthStrong

Analyst consensus for future earnings growth.

Risk

30.4/100 (15%)

ACV Auctions Inc. presents elevated risk with concerns around leverage or financial stability.

Financial LeverageWeak

Debt levels relative to earnings capacity.

Debt/EquityStrong

Total debt relative to shareholder equity.

Current RatioWeak

Short-term liquidity — ability to pay near-term obligations.

Interest CoverageWeak

Earnings capacity relative to interest payments.

Valuation

81.3/100 (15%)

ACV Auctions Inc. appears attractively valued relative to its earnings, cash flows, and sector peers.

Earnings YieldModerate

Inverse of forward P/E — higher yield means cheaper stock.

Price to Free Cash FlowStrong

How many years of FCF the market cap represents.

PEG RatioStrong

P/E relative to earnings growth — lower is more attractive.

Moat

32/100 (25%)

ACV Auctions Inc. operates in a highly competitive environment with limited sustainable advantages. The Moat pillar evaluates competitive advantages across five dimensions: Switching Costs, Network Effects, Cost Advantage, Intangible Assets, and Scale & Ecosystem. Sign in to customize moat ratings for ACVA.

Score Composition

Quality
30.6×25%7.7
Growth
75.1×20%15.0
Risk
30.4×15%4.6
Valuation
81.3×15%12.2
Moat
32.0×25%8.0
Total
47.4Below Average

Financial Data

More Stock Analysis

How is the ACVA UQS Score Calculated?

The UQS (Unified Quality Score) for ACV Auctions Inc. is calculated using a proprietary 6-pillar framework with 29 financial metrics. Each pillar evaluates a different dimension on a 0–100 scale, then combines into a single weighted score. Scoring thresholds are calibrated per sector. Momentum is an optional Pro toggle — without it, you get the 5-pillar / 25-metric core shown below.

Quality (25%) measures profitability and capital efficiency — ROIC, ROE, margins, GP/Assets, and FCF Yield.

Moat (25%) assesses ACV Auctions Inc.'s competitive advantages across switching costs, network effects, cost advantages, intangible assets, and ecosystem scale.

Growth (20%) tracks revenue trajectory and earnings momentum, combining historical results with analyst forward estimates.

Risk (15%) is inversely scored — lower leverage and strong balance sheet health result in higher scores.

Valuation (15%) measures whether ACV Auctions Inc. is fairly priced using earnings yield, price-to-FCF, PEG ratio, and EV/EBITDA relative to sector peers.

Six investor-inspired presets are available, each with different pillar weights: Balanced, Buffett, Munger, Lynch, Cathie Wood, and Graham. The public score shown here uses the Balanced preset. Learn more in our FAQ.