Avis Budget Group (NASDAQ:CAR) Downgraded by Wall Street Zen to Sell

Wall Street Zen cut shares of Avis Budget Group (NASDAQ:CAR) from a hold rating to a sell rating in a report published on Saturday morning.

A number of other equities analysts have also recently issued reports on CAR. Zacks Research upgraded Avis Budget Group from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Tuesday, November 18th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “sell (d)” rating on shares of Avis Budget Group in a research note on Wednesday, January 21st. Barclays decreased their price target on shares of Avis Budget Group from $150.00 to $120.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, November 3rd. Susquehanna reduced their target price on shares of Avis Budget Group from $145.00 to $130.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, October 29th. Finally, Morgan Stanley reiterated an “equal weight” rating and issued a $142.00 target price (up previously from $115.00) on shares of Avis Budget Group in a research report on Monday, December 8th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have assigned a Hold rating and four have assigned a Sell rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Avis Budget Group has a consensus rating of “Reduce” and an average target price of $137.57.

Avis Budget Group Stock Performance

NASDAQ CAR opened at $96.47 on Friday. Avis Budget Group has a 52-week low of $54.03 and a 52-week high of $212.81. The company has a market capitalization of $3.40 billion, a P/E ratio of -3.80 and a beta of 2.33. The company has a fifty day moving average of $123.10 and a 200-day moving average of $139.36.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Avis Budget Group

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of CAR. Deseret Mutual Benefit Administrators boosted 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 purchasing an additional 88 shares during the period. Quarry LP bought a new position in Avis Budget Group during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Basepoint Wealth LLC purchased a new stake in Avis Budget Group in the 4th quarter worth approximately $32,000. Hantz Financial Services Inc. grew its position in shares of Avis Budget Group by 136.4% in the 3rd quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. now owns 253 shares of the business services provider’s stock worth $41,000 after buying an additional 146 shares during the last quarter. Finally, American Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Avis Budget Group during the third quarter valued at approximately $41,000. 96.35% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Trending Headlines about Avis Budget Group

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

• Positive Sentiment: Management outlined a structural reset and plans to drive higher fleet utilization in 2026, signaling a clear operational plan to restore margins and cash flow over the coming year. Avis Budget Group outlines structural reset and plans for higher fleet utilization in 2026
• Neutral Sentiment: The company released its Q4 and full-year 2025 results and the earnings presentation/call transcript (useful for details on adjustments, segment results, and management commentary). Avis Budget Group Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year Results Q4 2025 Earnings Call Transcript
• Neutral Sentiment: Company said the recent U.S. government shutdown contributed to weaker Q4 demand, providing a partial, but limited, explanation for the quarter’s softness. Avis Budget: Gov’t Shutdown Contributed to ‘Difficult’ Q4
• Negative Sentiment: Management posted a roughly $500M impairment tied to its EV fleet, and signaled a strategic pullback from EV deployment — a large one-time charge that materially reduced reported profitability. Avis Budget Group outlines structural reset and plans for higher fleet utilization in 2026
• Negative Sentiment: Q4 and full-year results missed consensus: revenue and adj. EBITDA came in below Street expectations, with near-zero Q4 EBITDA versus guidance — raising questions on near-term profit recovery. Avis Budget Group: A Broad Q4 Miss, A Big Impairment, And A Familiar Outcome
• Negative Sentiment: Shares had an earlier sharp drop after the Q4 release as investors digested the EV write-down, revenue miss and weaker demand trends; press coverage highlights the continued cost of the EV strategy shift. Avis Budget shares tumble 14% as EV fleet challenges drive Q4 loss, revenue miss
• Neutral Sentiment: Reported short-interest data in the notes appears anomalous/zeroed and is not a reliable signal from the latest filings. (No actionable change indicated.)

About Avis Budget Group

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.