OPENLANE, Inc. Reports First Quarter 2025 Financial Results

Rhea-AI Summary

OPENLANE (NYSE: KAR) reported strong Q1 2025 financial results with significant growth across key metrics. The company achieved revenue of $460 million, up 7% YoY, driven by 10% marketplace growth. Income from continuing operations reached $37 million, showing remarkable 99% YoY growth. Adjusted EBITDA grew 11% YoY to $83 million, while cash flow from operations increased 22% YoY to $123 million. The company maintained its 2025 guidance with expected income from continuing operations of $100-114 million. Notably, OPENLANE's board approved a new $250 million share repurchase program through December 2026, replacing the previous program which had $100 million remaining. The company acknowledged ongoing uncertainties regarding tariffs but emphasized its strong positioning to navigate the environment.

Positive

• Revenue grew 7% YoY to $460 million, with marketplace growth of 10%
• Income from continuing operations surged 99% YoY to $37 million
• Cash flow from operations increased 22% YoY to $123 million
• New $250 million share repurchase program authorized through 2026
• Marketplace dealer volume increased 15% YoY
• Adjusted EBITDA improved 11% YoY to $83 million

Negative

• Uncertainty regarding tariffs and potential industry impact
• Service revenue declined from $150.2M to $140.3M YoY
• Finance revenue slightly decreased from $111.6M to $108.9M YoY

Insights

Financial Analyst

OPENLANE delivered exceptional Q1 results with 99% income growth, strong cash flow, and increased buyback authorization, demonstrating robust operational momentum.

OPENLANE's Q1 2025 results reflect strong execution across all key financial metrics. Revenue increased 7% year-over-year to $460 million, primarily driven by the company's Marketplace segment which grew 10% with dealer volume up an impressive 15%.

The bottom-line performance was particularly stellar, with income from continuing operations nearly doubling to $36.9 million, representing 99% year-over-year growth. Adjusted EBITDA reached $83 million, up 11%, outpacing revenue growth and indicating improved operational efficiency.

A closer look at revenue streams reveals auction fees increased 14% to $125.2 million and purchased vehicle sales jumped 47% to $85.7 million. Meanwhile, service revenue decreased 6.6% to $140.3 million and finance revenue declined slightly by 2.4%, suggesting a strategic shift toward transaction-based marketplace revenue.

Cash flow generation was exceptional with $123 million from operations, up 22% year-over-year. This robust cash conversion (3.3x net income) highlights the asset-light nature of OPENLANE's business model. The company's strong financial position enabled the board to authorize a new $250 million share repurchase program through December 2026, replacing the prior $100 million program – effectively increasing potential buybacks by $150 million.

Despite potential industry uncertainties related to tariffs mentioned by CEO Peter Kelly, the company maintained its full-year guidance of $100-114 million in income from continuing operations and $290-310 million in Adjusted EBITDA. The cash position strengthened considerably, with cash and cash equivalents rising to $220.5 million from $143 million at year-end 2024.

Credit quality also improved significantly, with provision for credit losses decreasing 41% to $9.3 million, while finance interest expense declined 15.3%. These improvements, combined with the nearly doubled income and robust cash flow, demonstrate the company is executing efficiently while building financial flexibility.

• Marketplace dealer volume growth of 15% YoY
• Revenue of $460 million, representing 7% YoY growth, driven by 10% YoY Marketplace growth
• Income from continuing operations of $37 million, representing 99% YoY growth
• Adjusted EBITDA of $83 million, representing 11% YoY growth
• Cash flow from operating activities of $123 million, representing 22% YoY growth
• Authorized new $250 million share repurchase program

CARMEL, Ind., May 7, 2025  /PRNewswire/ -- OPENLANE, Inc. (NYSE: KAR), today reported its first quarter financial results for the period ended March 31, 2025.

"OPENLANE delivered a strong start to 2025, building on our positive momentum and delivering record performance in many areas, particularly within the marketplace business," said Peter Kelly, CEO of OPENLANE. "We grew revenue by 7%, delivered $83 million in Adjusted EBITDA and generated $123 million in cash flow from operations. It is clear that the OPENLANE brand is becoming more differentiated and valued in the eyes of our growing customer base, and I remain confident about OPENLANE's positioning for long-term growth."

"Looking ahead, there are still many questions and unknowns relating to tariffs and their potential impact on the industry. We are operating with discipline, considering all potential scenarios and actively communicating with our customers. Given the asset-light, strong cash generation and resilient characteristics of our business, all evidenced in our Q1 performance, I believe OPENLANE is better positioned than ever to adapt, react and successfully navigate the environment."

2025 Guidance

The company is maintaining its previously stated annual guidance.

	Annual Guidance
Income from continuing operations (in millions)	$100 - $114
Adjusted EBITDA (in millions)	$290 - $310
Income from continuing operations per share - diluted *	$0.38 - $0.48
Operating adjusted net income from continuing operations per share - diluted	$0.90 - $1.00

* The company uses the two-class method of calculating income from continuing operations per diluted share. Under the two-class method, income from continuing operations is adjusted for dividends and undistributed earnings (losses) to the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock, and the weighted average diluted shares do not assume conversion of the preferred shares to common shares.

The December 2024 divestiture of the company's automotive key business is reflected in the 2025 guidance.

Earnings guidance does not contemplate future items such as business development activities, strategic developments (such as restructurings, spin-offs or dispositions of assets or investments), contingent purchase price adjustments, significant expenses related to litigation, tax adjustments, adverse changes in the value of foreign currencies relative to the U.S. dollar, changes in applicable laws and regulations (including significant accounting, tax and trade matters) and intangible impairments. The timing and amounts of these items are highly variable, difficult to predict, and of a potential size that could have a substantial impact on the company's reported results for any given period. Prospective quantification of these items is generally not practicable. Operating adjusted net income from continuing operations per share excludes amortization expense associated with acquired intangible assets, as well as one-time charges, net of taxes. See reconciliations of the company's guidance included below.

Share Repurchase Authorization
The board of directors approved a new share repurchase authorization of up to $250 million of the Company's outstanding common stock through December 31, 2026. This share repurchase program replaces the prior program which had approximately $100 million remaining through December 31, 2025.

Earnings Conference Call Information
OPENLANE will be hosting an earnings conference call and webcast on Wednesday, May 7, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. ET. The conference call may be accessed by calling 1-833-634-2155 and asking to join the OPENLANE call. A live webcast will be available at the investor relations section of corporate.openlane.com. Supplemental financial information for OPENLANE's first quarter 2025 results is available at the investor relations section of corporate.openlane.com.

The archive of the webcast will be available following the call at the investor relations section of corporate.openlane.com for a limited time.

About OPENLANE
OPENLANE, Inc. (NYSE: KAR), provides sellers and buyers across the global wholesale used vehicle industry with innovative, technology-driven remarketing solutions. OPENLANE's unique end-to-end platform supports whole car, financing, logistics and other ancillary and related services. Our integrated marketplaces reduce risk, improve transparency and streamline transactions for customers around the globe. Headquartered in Carmel, Indiana, OPENLANE has employees across the United States, Canada, Europe, Uruguay and the Philippines. For more information and the latest OPENLANE news, visit corporate.openlane.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements contained in this release include, and the company may make related oral, "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and which are subject to certain risks, trends and uncertainties. In particular, statements made that are not historical facts (including but not limited to statements regarding our growth opportunities and strategies, industry outlook, competitive position, business and investment plans and initiatives, the impact of macroeconomic conditions, tariffs and global trade policy, and 2025 financial guidance) may be forward-looking statements. Words such as "should," "may," "will," "would," "anticipate," "expect," "project," "intend," "contemplate," "plan," "believe," "seek," "estimate," "assume," "can," "could," "continue," "of the opinion," "confident," "is set," "is on track," "outlook," "target," "position," "predict," "initiative," "goal," "opportunity" and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. Such statements are based on management's current assumptions, expectations and/or beliefs, are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to substantial risks, uncertainties and changes that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results projected, expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed in the section entitled "Risk Factors" in the company's annual and quarterly periodic reports, and in the company's other filings and reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this release. The company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements.

OPENLANE, Inc. Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (In millions) (Unaudited)
	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2025		2024
Operating revenues
Auction fees	$      125.2		$      109.9
Service revenue	140.3		150.2
Purchased vehicle sales	85.7		58.2
Finance revenue	108.9		111.6
Total operating revenues	460.1		429.9
Operating expenses
Cost of services (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	241.6		213.9
Finance interest expense	27.6		32.6
Provision for credit losses	9.3		15.8
Selling, general and administrative	107.2		106.5
Depreciation and amortization	22.7		24.3
Total operating expenses	408.4		393.1
Operating profit	51.7		36.8
Interest expense	4.0		7.1
Other (income) expense, net	(5.0)		0.5
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	52.7		29.2
Income taxes	15.8		10.7
Income from continuing operations	36.9		18.5
Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	—		—
Net income	$        36.9		$        18.5
Net income per share - basic
Income from continuing operations	$        0.18		$        0.05
Income from discontinued operations	—		—
Net income per share - basic	$        0.18		$        0.05
Net income per share - diluted
Income from continuing operations	$        0.18		$        0.05
Income from discontinued operations	—		—
Net income per share - diluted	$        0.18		$        0.05

 

OPENLANE, Inc. Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (In millions) (Unaudited)
	March 31, 2025		December 31, 2024
Cash and cash equivalents	$                220.5		$                143.0
Restricted cash	36.0		40.7
Trade receivables, net of allowances	345.4		248.2
Finance receivables, net of allowances	2,333.2		2,322.7
Other current assets	110.5		96.9
Total current assets	3,045.6		2,851.5
Goodwill	1,228.0		1,222.9
Customer relationships, net of accumulated amortization	113.8		117.7
Operating lease right-of-use assets	64.9		67.1
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation	146.8		149.3
Intangible and other assets	207.3		213.8
Total assets	$             4,806.4		$             4,622.3
Current liabilities, excluding obligations collateralized by      finance receivables and current maturities of debt	$                835.4		$                682.7
Obligations collateralized by finance receivables	1,659.5		1,660.3
Current maturities of debt	225.8		222.5
Total current liabilities	2,720.7		2,565.5
Long-term debt	—		—
Operating lease liabilities	58.2		60.4
Other non-current liabilities	42.6		41.2
Temporary equity	612.5		612.5
Stockholders' equity	1,372.4		1,342.7
Total liabilities, temporary equity and stockholders' equity	$             4,806.4		$             4,622.3

 

OPENLANE, Inc. Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (In millions) (Unaudited)
	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2025		2024
Operating activities
Net income	$         36.9		$         18.5
Net income from discontinued operations	—		—
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	22.7		24.3
Provision for credit losses	9.3		15.8
Deferred income taxes	2.4		(1.5)
Amortization of debt issuance costs	2.2		2.2
Stock-based compensation	1.7		6.6
Other non-cash, net	0.2		0.1
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
Trade receivables and other assets	(109.3)		(113.6)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	156.5		147.8
Net cash provided by operating activities - continuing operations	122.6		100.2
Net cash used by operating activities - discontinued operations	—		—
Investing activities
Net increase in finance receivables held for investment	(19.8)		(26.4)
Purchases of property, equipment and computer software	(11.9)		(12.9)
Investments in securities	(0.6)		(0.4)
Proceeds from the sale of property and equipment	0.4		—
Net cash used by investing activities - continuing operations	(31.9)		(39.7)
Net cash provided by investing activities - discontinued operations	—		—
Financing activities
Net (decrease) increase in book overdrafts	(5.0)		17.0
Net borrowings from (repayments of) lines of credit	1.7		(33.2)
Net decrease in obligations collateralized by finance receivables	(2.2)		(32.8)
Payments for debt issuance costs/amendments	(0.1)		(1.9)
Payments on finance leases	—		(0.3)
Issuance of common stock under stock plans	2.1		0.4
Tax withholding payments for vested RSUs	(4.2)		(1.7)
Repurchase and retirement of common stock	(0.1)		—
Dividends paid on Series A Preferred Stock	(11.1)		(11.1)
Net cash used by financing activities - continuing operations	(18.9)		(63.6)
Net cash provided by financing activities - discontinued operations	—		—
Net change in cash balances of discontinued operations	—		—
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	1.0		(4.9)
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	72.8		(8.0)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period	183.7		158.9
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period	$       256.5		$       150.9
Cash paid for interest	$         26.1		$         36.2
Cash paid for taxes, net of refunds - continuing operations	$         18.1		$         15.4
Cash paid for taxes, net of refunds - discontinued operations	$          (1.5)		$            0.2

OPENLANE, Inc.
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, operating adjusted net income (loss) and operating adjusted net income (loss) per share as presented herein are supplemental measures of our performance that are not required by, or presented in accordance with, generally accepted accounting principles in the United States ("GAAP"). They are not measurements of our financial performance under GAAP and should not be considered as substitutes for net income (loss), operating profit (loss) or any other performance measures derived in accordance with GAAP. Management believes that these measures provide investors additional meaningful methods to evaluate certain aspects of the company's results period over period and for the other reasons set forth below.

EBITDA is defined as net income (loss), plus interest expense net of interest income, income tax provision (benefit), depreciation and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA is EBITDA adjusted for the items of income and expense and expected incremental revenue and cost savings as described in our senior secured credit agreement covenant calculations. Management believes that the inclusion of supplementary adjustments to EBITDA applied in presenting Adjusted EBITDA is appropriate to provide additional information to investors about one of the principal measures of performance used by our creditors. In addition, management uses EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to evaluate our performance.

Depreciation expense for property and equipment and amortization expense of capitalized internally developed software costs relate to ongoing capital expenditures; however, amortization expense associated with acquired intangible assets, such as customer relationships, software, tradenames and noncompete agreements are not representative of ongoing capital expenditures, but have a continuing effect on our reported results. Non-GAAP financial measures of operating adjusted net income (loss) and operating adjusted net income (loss) per share, in the opinion of the company, provide comparability of the company's performance to other companies that may not have incurred these types of non-cash expenses or that report a similar measure. In addition, operating adjusted net income (loss) and operating adjusted net income (loss) per share may include adjustments for certain other charges.

EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, operating adjusted net income (loss) and operating adjusted net income (loss) per share have limitations as analytical tools, and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of the results as reported under GAAP. These measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies.

The following tables reconcile EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to income from continuing operations for the periods presented:

	Three Months Ended March 31,
(In millions), (Unaudited)	2025		2024
Income from continuing operations	$      36.9		$      18.5
Add back:
Income taxes	15.8		10.7
Finance interest expense	27.6		32.6
Interest expense, net of interest income	3.4		6.7
Depreciation and amortization	22.7		24.3
EBITDA	106.4		92.8
Non-cash stock-based compensation	2.0		7.0
Acquisition related costs	—		0.3
Securitization interest	(25.1)		(29.9)
Severance	2.0		1.7
Foreign currency (gains)/losses	(3.3)		2.0
Professional fees related to business improvement efforts	—		0.8
Other	0.8		0.1
Total addbacks (deductions)	(23.6)		(18.0)
Adjusted EBITDA	$      82.8		$      74.8

 

	Three Months Ended March 31, 2025
(Dollars in millions), (Unaudited)	Marketplace		Finance		Consolidated
Income from continuing operations	$             7.3		$           29.6		$           36.9
Add back:
Income taxes	5.8		10.0		15.8
Finance interest expense	—		27.6		27.6
Interest expense, net of interest income	3.4		—		3.4
Depreciation and amortization	19.7		3.0		22.7
EBITDA	36.2		70.2		106.4
Non-cash stock-based compensation	1.5		0.5		2.0
Securitization interest	—		(25.1)		(25.1)
Severance	2.0		—		2.0
Foreign currency (gains) losses	(3.3)		—		(3.3)
Other	0.7		0.1		0.8
Total addbacks (deductions)	0.9		(24.5)		(23.6)
Adjusted EBITDA	$           37.1		$           45.7		$           82.8

The following table reconciles operating adjusted net income and operating adjusted net income per diluted share to net income from continuing operations for the periods presented:

	Three Months Ended March 31,
(In millions, except per share amounts), (Unaudited)	2025		2024
Net income from continuing operations	$      36.9		$      18.5
Acquired amortization expense	8.3		9.3
Income taxes (1)	(1.1)		(0.4)
Operating adjusted net income from continuing operations	$      44.1		$      27.4
Operating adjusted net income from discontinued operations	$          —		$          —
Operating adjusted net income	$      44.1		$      27.4
Operating adjusted net income from continuing operations per share - diluted (2)	$      0.31		$      0.19
Operating adjusted net income from discontinued operations per share - diluted	—		—
Operating adjusted net income per share - diluted	$      0.31		$      0.19
Weighted average diluted shares - including assumed conversion of preferred shares	144.3		144.9

(1)

For the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, each tax deductible item was booked to the applicable statutory rate. The deferred tax benefits of $52.5 million and $6.5 million associated with the goodwill and tradename impairments in 2023, respectively, resulted in the U.S. being in a net deferred tax asset position. Due to the three-year cumulative loss related to U.S. operations, we currently have a $36.7 million valuation allowance against the U.S. net deferred tax asset.

(2)

The Series A Preferred Stock dividends and undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities have not been included in the determination of operating adjusted net income for purposes of calculating operating adjusted net income per diluted share.

The following table reconciles EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to income from continuing operations for the 2025 guidance presented:

	2025 Guidance
(In millions), (Unaudited)	Low		High
Income from continuing operations	$              100		$              114
Add back:
Income taxes	47		53
Finance interest expense	110		110
Interest expense, net of interest income	12		12
Depreciation and amortization	94		94
EBITDA	363		383
Total addbacks (deductions), net	(73)		(73)
Adjusted EBITDA	$              290		$              310

The following table reconciles operating adjusted net income from continuing operations and operating adjusted net income from continuing operations per diluted share to income from continuing operations for the 2025 guidance presented:

	2025 Guidance
(In millions, except per share amounts), (Unaudited)	Low		High
Income from continuing operations	$              100		$              114
Total adjustments, net	31		31
Operating adjusted net income from continuing operations	$              131		$              145
Operating adjusted net income from continuing operations per share – diluted	$             0.90		$             1.00
Weighted average diluted shares - including assumed conversion of preferred shares	145		145

 

Analyst Inquiries:	Media Inquiries:
Jared Harnish	Laurie Dippold
(317) 249-4559	(317) 468-3900
investor_relations@openlane.com	laurie.dippold@openlane.com

 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/openlane-inc-reports-first-quarter-2025-financial-results-302448757.html

SOURCE OPENLANE, Inc.

FAQ

What were OPENLANE's (KAR) key financial results for Q1 2025?

OPENLANE reported Q1 2025 revenue of $460M (up 7% YoY), income from continuing operations of $37M (up 99% YoY), and Adjusted EBITDA of $83M (up 11% YoY).

How much is OPENLANE's (KAR) new share repurchase program worth?

OPENLANE authorized a new $250 million share repurchase program through December 31, 2026, replacing the prior program which had $100 million remaining.

What is OPENLANE's (KAR) 2025 earnings guidance?

OPENLANE maintained its 2025 guidance with income from continuing operations of $100-114M and Adjusted EBITDA of $290-310M.

What was OPENLANE's (KAR) marketplace performance in Q1 2025?

OPENLANE's marketplace business showed strong growth with dealer volume up 15% YoY and overall marketplace revenue growth of 10% YoY.

What are the main challenges facing OPENLANE (KAR) in 2025?

The main challenge highlighted is uncertainty regarding tariffs and their potential impact on the industry, though management believes the company is well-positioned to navigate these challenges.