Zacks Research Cuts Earnings Estimates for Avis Budget Group

Avis Budget Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:CAR) – Stock analysts at Zacks Research dropped their Q2 2026 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for Avis Budget Group in a note issued to investors on Wednesday, March 11th. Zacks Research analyst Team now forecasts that the business services provider will post earnings of $2.70 per share for the quarter, down from their prior forecast of $2.88. Zacks Research has a “Strong Sell” rating on the stock. The consensus estimate for Avis Budget Group’s current full-year earnings is $8.91 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Avis Budget Group’s Q3 2026 earnings at $7.22 EPS and FY2028 earnings at $6.66 EPS.

CAR has been the topic of a number of other research reports. The Goldman Sachs Group set a $85.00 target price on Avis Budget Group in a report on Monday, February 23rd. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “sell (d)” rating on shares of Avis Budget Group in a report on Wednesday, January 21st. Barclays dropped their price target 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. Morgan Stanley lowered their price objective on Avis Budget Group from $142.00 to $97.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, March 6th. Finally, Wall Street Zen downgraded Avis Budget Group from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a research note on Saturday, February 21st. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have assigned a Hold rating and four have given a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of “Reduce” and a consensus price target of $124.71.

Avis Budget Group Stock Up 5.6%

Shares of Avis Budget Group stock opened at $101.18 on Thursday. Avis Budget Group has a 12-month low of $54.03 and a 12-month high of $212.81. The company has a market capitalization of $3.57 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -3.99 and a beta of 2.32. The firm’s 50-day moving average price is $114.15 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $133.90.

Insider Buying and Selling at Avis Budget Group

In related news, Director Lynn Krominga sold 1,950 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, February 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $91.54, for a total value of $178,503.00. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, major shareholder Pentwater Capital Management L acquired 425,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Friday, February 20th. The shares were bought at an average price of $94.26 per share, for a total transaction of $40,060,500.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the insider owned 3,987,100 shares in the company, valued at approximately $375,824,046. This represents a 11.93% increase in their position. Additional details regarding this purchase are available in the official SEC disclosure. Corporate insiders own 52.80% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Royal Bank of Canada grew its position in Avis Budget Group by 414.0% in the 1st quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 17,860 shares of the business services provider’s stock worth $1,355,000 after purchasing an additional 14,385 shares in the last quarter. Empowered Funds LLC grew its holdings in shares of Avis Budget Group by 10.1% in the first quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 3,749 shares of the business services provider’s stock valued at $285,000 after acquiring an additional 343 shares in the last quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC grew its holdings in shares of Avis Budget Group by 16.6% in the first quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC now owns 65,023 shares of the business services provider’s stock valued at $4,935,000 after acquiring an additional 9,246 shares in the last quarter. Penserra Capital Management LLC increased its position in shares of Avis Budget Group by 264.6% during the second quarter. Penserra Capital Management LLC now owns 1,258 shares of the business services provider’s stock valued at $212,000 after acquiring an additional 913 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Allworth Financial LP increased its position in shares of Avis Budget Group by 125.7% during the second quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 474 shares of the business services provider’s stock valued at $80,000 after acquiring an additional 264 shares during the last quarter. 96.35% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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.