Automobile classifieds platform CarTrade reported a strong operating performance in the third quarter of FY26, with revenue growth and improved profitability driven by steady demand across its core segments and disciplined cost management.
According to the company’s unaudited financial results filed with the National Stock Exchange (NSE), CarTrade’s revenue from operations rose 19% year-on-year to ₹210 crore in Q3 FY26, compared with ₹176 crore in the same quarter last year. Total income increased to ₹228 crore, up from ₹193 crore in Q3 FY25.
Segment-Wise Performance
CarTrade operates across three key verticals Consumer, Remarketing, and Classifieds.
- The Consumer segment contributed 41% of operating revenue, generating ₹86 crore during the quarter.
- The Remarketing segment reported revenue of ₹66 crore.
- The Classifieds segment added ₹59 crore to the topline.
The diversified revenue mix helped the company sustain growth amid a competitive automotive marketplace.
Costs Remain Largely Flat
On the cost side, employee benefit expenses accounted for 53% of total expenditure and rose marginally 4% to ₹76 crore in Q3 FY26. Overall expenses increased by just 3% to ₹144 crore, compared with ₹139.5 crore in the year-ago quarter, reflecting tight operating control.
Profitability Improves
The controlled cost base, combined with revenue growth, lifted net profit to ₹61.5 crore, marking a 35% year-on-year increase from ₹45.5 crore in Q3 FY25. On a sequential basis, however, profit declined 4% from ₹64 crore in Q2 FY26.
Strategic Update and Market Position
CarTrade was recently in preliminary merger discussions with CarDekho, but both companies mutually decided to call off the proposed consolidation.
As of late morning trade, CarTrade’s shares were trading at ₹2,333, giving the company a market capitalisation of ₹11,163 crore (around $1.2 billion).
Why It Matters
CarTrade’s Q3 FY26 performance highlights its ability to deliver profitable growth in India’s evolving automotive classifieds space. Sustained execution across consumer and remarketing segments, along with expense discipline, will be key as competition intensifies and consolidation talks in the sector continue to surface.
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