WallStSmart

KAR Auction Services Inc (KAR)vsTesla Inc (TSLA)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Tesla Inc generates 5065% more annual revenue ($97.88B vs $1.90B). TSLA leads profitability with a 4.0% profit margin vs 0.1%. KAR appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 1.34. KAR earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 65/100 (B-).

KAR

Strong Buy

65

out of 100

Grade: B-

Growth: 4.7Profit: 4.0Value: 4.0Quality: 5.0

TSLA

Avoid

33

out of 100

Grade: F

Growth: 6.7Profit: 4.0Value: 2.0Quality: 7.5
Piotroski: 3/9Altman Z: 2.45
IV

Intrinsic Value Comparison

Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula

KARSignificantly Overvalued (-38.3%)

Margin of Safety

-38.3%

Fair Value

$22.33

Current Price

$30.88

$8.55 premium

UndervaluedFair: $22.33Overvalued
TSLASignificantly Overvalued (-46.5%)

Margin of Safety

-46.5%

Fair Value

$260.51

Current Price

$381.63

$121.12 premium

UndervaluedFair: $260.51Overvalued

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

KAR1 strengths · Avg: 8.0/10
Price/BookValuation
2.3x8/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

TSLA4 strengths · Avg: 8.8/10
Market CapQuality
$1.43T10/10

Mega-cap, among the largest globally

Debt/EquityHealth
0.109/10

Conservative balance sheet, low leverage

Revenue GrowthGrowth
15.8%8/10

15.8% revenue growth

Free Cash FlowQuality
$1.44B8/10

Generating 1.4B in free cash flow

Areas to Watch

KAR4 concerns · Avg: 3.8/10
P/E RatioValuation
35.5x4/10

Premium valuation, high expectations priced in

Revenue GrowthGrowth
0.1%4/10

0.1% revenue growth

EPS GrowthGrowth
1.1%4/10

1.1% earnings growth

Return on EquityProfitability
0.1%3/10

ROE of 0.1% — below average capital efficiency

TSLA4 concerns · Avg: 3.3/10
Price/BookValuation
17.4x4/10

Trading at 17.4x book value

Return on EquityProfitability
4.9%3/10

ROE of 4.9% — below average capital efficiency

Profit MarginProfitability
4.0%3/10

4.0% margin — thin

Operating MarginProfitability
4.2%3/10

Operating margin of 4.2%

Comparative Analysis Report

WallStSmart Research

Bull Case : KAR

The strongest argument for KAR centers on Price/Book. PEG of 1.34 suggests the stock is reasonably priced for its growth.

Bull Case : TSLA

The strongest argument for TSLA centers on Market Cap, Debt/Equity, Revenue Growth. Revenue growth of 15.8% demonstrates continued momentum.

Bear Case : KAR

The primary concerns for KAR are P/E Ratio, Revenue Growth, EPS Growth. Thin 0.1% margins leave little buffer for downturns.

Bear Case : TSLA

The primary concerns for TSLA are Price/Book, Return on Equity, Profit Margin. A P/E of 343.8x leaves little room for execution misses. Thin 4.0% margins leave little buffer for downturns.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

KAR profiles as a value stock while TSLA is a growth play — different risk/reward profiles.

TSLA carries more volatility with a beta of 1.92 — expect wider price swings.

TSLA is growing revenue faster at 15.8% — sustainability is the question.

TSLA generates stronger free cash flow (1.4B), providing more financial flexibility.

Bottom Line

KAR scores higher overall (65/100 vs 33/100). Both earn "Strong Buy" and "Avoid" ratings respectively — the choice depends on your investment horizon and risk tolerance.

This analysis is generated from publicly available financial data. Not financial advice.

KAR Auction Services Inc

CONSUMER CYCLICAL · AUTO & TRUCK DEALERSHIPS · USA

KAR Auction Services, Inc. provides used vehicle auctions and related vehicle remarketing services for the automotive industry in the United States, Europe, Canada, Mexico, and the United Kingdom. The company is headquartered in Carmel, Indiana.

Tesla Inc

CONSUMER CYCLICAL · AUTO MANUFACTURERS · USA

Tesla, Inc. is an American electric vehicle and clean energy company based in Palo Alto, California. Tesla's current products include electric cars, battery energy storage from home to grid-scale, solar panels and solar roof tiles, as well as other related products and services. In 2020, Tesla had the highest sales in the plug-in and battery electric passenger car segments, capturing 16% of the plug-in market (which includes plug-in hybrids) and 23% of the battery-electric (purely electric) market. Through its subsidiary Tesla Energy, the company develops and is a major installer of solar photovoltaic energy generation systems in the United States. Tesla Energy is also one of the largest global suppliers of battery energy storage systems, with 3 GWh of battery storage supplied in 2020.

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