Key Points
Copart, Inc. (CPRT) opened the session under pressure and extended losses through the day, moving from a previous close of $40.73 to finish at $38.77. That marks a decline of 4.81%, with the stock price declining $1.96 as sellers maintained control into the close. The action keeps shares pinned near the lower end of their recent range and reinforces the defensive tone that has developed since early November.
Trading occurred on below-average volume, suggesting a lack of aggressive dip-buying interest at current levels. Shares now sit about 40% below the 52-week high of $64.38 set on November 27, 2024, underscoring a significant retracement from last year’s peak. Technically, the $40 threshold has flipped from support to resistance, while the recent intraday trough near the upper-$39s continues to act as a short-term reference point for traders gauging downside follow-through.
Over recent sessions, CPRT has struggled to sustain rebounds, with sellers fading rallies and testing prior lows. The Industrials sector has seen uneven flows as investors weigh macro sensitivity and pricing dynamics tied to commercial services activity. For CPRT specifically, cautious sentiment has been reinforced by concerns around used vehicle values and unit volumes, keeping momentum skewed to the downside until a clearer catalyst emerges to reassert trend stability.
Why Copart, Inc. Price is Moving
At $38.77, Copart carries a market capitalization of $39.42 billion. The company’s trailing 12-month EPS stands at $1.60, with the stock positioned well below its 52-week high of $64.38. Trading has been on below-average volume, consistent with a measured risk-off tone. Within Industrials and the Commercial and Professional Services industry, CPRT remains a large-cap leader whose valuation and operating profile are closely tracked by both generalists and sector specialists.
Today’s decline follows the market’s reaction to Copart’s Q1 fiscal 2026 report released on November 20, 2025. Revenue grew 9.68% year over year to $4.65 billion, but fell short of consensus expectations amid softer demand and falling used vehicle values, weighing on sentiment. Earnings increased 13.9% to $1.55 billion, a solid result that nonetheless was overshadowed by concern about near-term volume trends in the vehicle auction business. The report highlighted Copart’s sensitivity to fluctuations in total-loss vehicle assignments and insurance industry dynamics. Adding pressure, Robert W. Baird cut its price target to $52 from $55 on November 21, 2025, citing the revenue shortfall and softer sales volume. Shares also probed a fresh 52-week low near $39.38, reflecting diminished confidence.
In analysis terms, the combination of a premium multiple and decelerating top-line surprise created a difficult setup. While profitability remains resilient, with strong margins and cash generation, investors recalibrated expectations as demand indicators moderated. A 25.46 P/E ratio and robust 33.40% profit margin and 18.48% ROE point to a high-quality operation, but near-term valuation support is being tested as the market prioritizes trajectory over level. This mix explains the persistent selling pressure and the hesitance to commit fresh capital until pricing and volume trends stabilize.
What is the Copart, Inc. Rating - Should I Sell or Buy?
Weiss Ratings assigns CPRT a C rating. Current recommendation is Hold.
The rating is built on six indices: the Excellent Growth Index, supported by steady expansion including 5.25% revenue growth; the Excellent Efficiency Index, aligned with a 33.40% profit margin and 18.48% ROE; and the Excellent Solvency Index, indicating a strong balance sheet and liquidity profile. Offsetting these strengths are the Weak Total Return Index, reflecting underperformance and drawdowns versus peers, and the Weak Volatility Index, which signals elevated price swings relative to reward potential. Together, these factors balance solid operations against market-facing risks.
Relative to sector peers GE (B), CAT (B), and RTX (B) carry stronger overall profiles in our framework. Those B-rated Industrials names screen better on risk-adjusted performance and stability, even if CPRT compares favorably on select operating metrics. The contrast underscores how market returns and volatility influence the overall grade.
In sum, CPRT earns a C because its operational quality—growth, efficiency, and solvency—remains strong, yet market-driven elements are detracting. Weak total returns and higher volatility have outweighed positives in our risk-adjusted framework, leading to an overall assessment that is about average on the performance-risk trade-off. For investors, the Hold stance reflects balanced prospects: strengths in the core business are present, but the stock requires improved return momentum and calmer volatility to move up the scale in our model.
About Copart, Inc.
Copart, Inc. operates a global online vehicle auction and remarketing platform within the Industrials sector, serving the Commercial and Professional Services industry. Founded in 1982, the company pioneered digitized, virtual auctions for salvage and clean-title vehicles sourced primarily from insurance carriers, dealerships, fleet operators, and financial institutions. Headquartered in Texas, Copart has expanded its footprint across North America, Europe, and additional international markets, building a large network of facilities that store, process, and sell vehicles to a broad buyer base.
The company’s core offering is its virtual bidding marketplace, which enables registered buyers to purchase cars, trucks, SUVs, motorcycles, and specialty vehicles for dismantling, repair, export, or resale. Copart’s proprietary auction technology provides real-time bidding, transparent pricing, and efficient settlement. Complementary services include vehicle logistics and transport, title processing, condition reporting, imaging, and yard management. Sellers benefit from end-to-end solutions that streamline recovery and disposition, while buyers gain access to a deep, diversified inventory spanning salvage to clean-title units.
Copart’s market position rests on scale, technology, and long-standing relationships with major insurance carriers. A wide yard network and specialized logistics reduce cycle times and enhance recovery values for consignors, while a global buyer base increases competition and price discovery. The company’s data-rich platform, standardized processes, and compliance capabilities further differentiate its service quality. These attributes, along with continuous investment in its digital infrastructure, underpin Copart’s role as a leading vehicle remarketing platform for insurers, commercial sellers, and licensed buyers worldwide.
Investor Outlook
With a C (Hold) rating as context, investors should watch how pricing and volume trends in used vehicles and total-loss assignments evolve, as these factors are pivotal to near-term returns. Price stabilization above the recent low zone near the high-$30s would help improve the Weak Total Return and Weak Volatility indices that weigh on CPRT.
See full rankings of all C-rated Industrials stocks inside the Weiss Stock Screener.