Avis Budget Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:CAR) Receives Consensus Rating of “Reduce” from Brokerages

Avis Budget Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:CAR) has been given an average recommendation of “Reduce” by the nine ratings firms that are covering the company, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, four have assigned a hold rating and one has issued a buy rating on the company. The average 1-year target price among brokerages that have covered the stock in the last year is $124.7143.

CAR has been the subject of several research reports. The Goldman Sachs Group set a $85.00 price target on Avis Budget Group in a report on Monday, February 23rd. Barclays dropped their price objective on shares of Avis Budget Group from $120.00 to $95.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, February 26th. Wall Street Zen cut shares of Avis Budget Group from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a research note on Saturday, February 21st. Morgan Stanley reduced their target price on shares of Avis Budget Group from $142.00 to $97.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a report on Friday, March 6th. Finally, Zacks Research lowered shares of Avis Budget Group from a “hold” rating to a “strong sell” rating in a research note on Thursday, February 19th.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, major shareholder Pentwater Capital Management L bought 425,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 20th. The shares were bought at an average price of $94.26 per share, with a total value of $40,060,500.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider owned 3,987,100 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $375,824,046. This trade represents a 11.93% increase in their ownership of the stock. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, Director Lynn Krominga sold 1,950 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $91.54, for a total value of $178,503.00. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders own 52.80% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of Avis Budget Group

Several institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd grew its holdings in Avis Budget Group by 1,845.5% in the 4th quarter. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd now owns 214 shares of the business services provider’s stock valued at $27,000 after buying an additional 203 shares in the last quarter. Quarry LP acquired a new stake in shares of Avis Budget Group during the fourth quarter worth $27,000. Deseret Mutual Benefit Administrators lifted its holdings in shares of Avis Budget Group by 102.3% during the third quarter. Deseret Mutual Benefit Administrators now owns 174 shares of the business services provider’s stock worth $28,000 after buying an additional 88 shares in the last quarter. Basepoint Wealth LLC bought a new stake in shares of Avis Budget Group in the fourth quarter valued at about $32,000. Finally, Hantz Financial Services Inc. grew its stake in shares of Avis Budget Group by 136.4% in the third quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. now owns 253 shares of the business services provider’s stock valued at $41,000 after acquiring an additional 146 shares in the last quarter. 96.35% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Avis Budget Group News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting Avis Budget Group this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Zacks slightly raised its Q3 2026 EPS view to $7.22 from $7.04, a modest sign that the firm still sees some mid‑cycle strength in Avis’s later‑year results. MarketBeat CAR page
• Neutral Sentiment: Reported short‑interest data for early March is anomalous (shows 0 shares / NaN changes), so it’s unreliable as a signal of positioning or squeeze risk right now.
• Neutral Sentiment: Third‑party analysis that mentions Avis is available for additional context, but it doesn’t contain company‑specific catalysts beyond the analyst estimate activity. Analyzing Avis Budget Group & Freight Technologies
• Negative Sentiment: Zacks heavily cut near‑term estimates: Q1 2026 EPS to ($6.05) from ($2.25) and Q4 2026 to ($0.82) from $0.45 — a sharp deterioration for the upcoming quarters that raises near‑term earnings risk. MarketBeat CAR page
• Negative Sentiment: Zacks also lowered 2027 quarterly estimates across the board (Q1 2027 to $0.78 from $2.14; Q2 to $1.95 from $2.41; Q3 to $2.83 from $3.79; Q4 2027 to $0.99 from $1.31) — the cuts point to a weaker recovery profile than previously modeled. MarketBeat CAR page
• Negative Sentiment: Material downward revisions to full‑year forecasts: FY2026 EPS cut to $3.04 (from $8.12) and FY2027 to $6.55 (from $9.66). Zacks maintains a “Strong Sell” rating — this is the principal negative catalyst pressuring sentiment. MarketBeat CAR page

Avis Budget Group Trading Up 1.2%

CAR stock opened at $100.71 on Monday. The firm has a market capitalization of $3.55 billion, a PE ratio of -3.97 and a beta of 2.32. Avis Budget Group has a 1-year low of $55.61 and a 1-year high of $212.81. The business’s 50 day simple moving average is $113.03 and its 200 day simple moving average is $132.99.

Avis Budget Group Company Profile

Avis Budget Group, Inc operates as a leading global provider of vehicle rental and mobility solutions. Through its two core brands, Avis® and Budget®, the company offers a broad range of rental options including daily, weekly and monthly car rentals for leisure and business travelers. In addition to traditional airport and off-airport car rental services, Avis Budget Group delivers innovative mobility platforms such as car-sharing programs and connected fleet solutions designed to meet the evolving needs of corporate, government and individual customers.

The company’s roots trace back to Avis Rent a Car, founded in 1946, and Budget Rent a Car, established in 1958.