AutoNation (AN) vs Copart (DE) (CPRT)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
AutoNation (AN) has outperformed Copart (DE) (CPRT) over the past year, losing 27.4% versus a loss of 39.8%. Over five years, AN leads with a +33.8% price change compared with -26.6% for CPRT. Copart (DE) is the larger company by market cap ($24.66 billion vs $5.16 billion), about 4.8 times the size, while AutoNation is growing revenue faster (+3.2% vs +0.4%).
On valuation, AutoNation trades at a lower forward P/E (6.5x vs 15.2x for Copart (DE)). Copart (DE) converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 31.8% versus 2.3%.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | AN | CPRT |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $156.21 | $26.62 |
| Market cap | $5.16B | $24.66B |
| 1-day change | -1.22% | -0.75% |
| YTD return | -24.35% | -32.01% |
| 1-year return | -27.40% | -39.81% |
| 5-year return | +33.84% | -26.56% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 7.32 | 17.29 |
| Forward P/E | 6.49 | 15.21 |
| EPS (TTM) | $21.33 | $1.54 |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Annual dividend | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $27.63B | $4.67B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +3.24% | +0.41% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $649.10M | $1.48B |
| Gross margin | 17.91% | — |
| Operating margin | 4.49% | 35.42% |
| Net margin | 2.35% | 31.81% |
| 52-week high | $235.81 | $45.89 |
| 52-week low | $152.86 | $26.39 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -33.76% | -41.99% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +47.51% | +46.51% |
| Average volume | 497.46K | 10.73M |
| Shares outstanding | 33.06M | 926.33M |
| Employees | 24,800 | 21,000 |
| Sector | Consumer Discretionary | Consumer Discretionary |
| Industry | Retail-Auto Dealers and Gas Stations | Retail-Auto Dealers and Gas Stations |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- Copart (DE) is about 4.8 times larger than AutoNation by market value ($24.66B vs $5.16B).
- AN has outperformed CPRT by 12.4 percentage points over the past year.
- Copart (DE) trades at a higher earnings multiple (17.3x vs 7.3x trailing P/E).
- Copart (DE) is more profitable, keeping 31.8 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 2.3 cents for AutoNation.
About AutoNation
AN stock →AutoNation, Inc., through its subsidiaries, operates as an automotive retailer in the United States. The company operates through four segments: Domestic, Import, Premium Luxury, and AutoNation Finance.
Consumer Discretionary · Retail-Auto Dealers and Gas Stations · 24,800 employees
About Copart (DE)
CPRT stock →Copart, Inc. provides online auctions and vehicle remarketing services in the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Brazil, Canada, the United Arab Emirates, Spain, Finland, Oman, the Republic of Ireland, and Bahrain.
Consumer Discretionary · Retail-Auto Dealers and Gas Stations · 21,000 employees
AN vs CPRT FAQ
Which is bigger, AutoNation or Copart (DE)?
Copart (DE) (CPRT) is larger, with a market capitalization of $24.66B compared with $5.16B for AutoNation (AN).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, AN or CPRT?
AN returned -27.40% over the past 12 months, compared with -39.81% for CPRT (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, AN or CPRT?
AN has the lower trailing P/E at 7.3, versus 17.3 for CPRT. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Are AutoNation and Copart (DE) in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Retail-Auto Dealers and Gas Stations industry within the Consumer Discretionary sector.