A Look At ACV Auctions (ACVA) Valuation As VIPER Early Access Program Expands

ACV Auctions (ACVA) is expanding dealer access to its VIPER Early Access Program, a hardware and AI driven inspection platform designed to standardize service lane appraisals and automate consumer vehicle acquisition workflows ahead of the 2026 NADA Show.

See our latest analysis for ACV Auctions.

Despite the VIPER rollout attracting attention ahead of the 2026 NADA Show, ACV Auctions’ recent share price performance has been weak, with a 30 day share price return of 24.37% and a 1 year total shareholder return of 69.39%. The 90 day share price return of 1.07% hints that near term momentum has been relatively muted versus the longer term decline.

If this kind of auto and AI driven workflow story interests you, it could be a good time to widen your search and check out 34 AI infrastructure stocks as potential next ideas.

With ACV Auctions trading at US$6.61, sitting at a large intrinsic discount and below the average analyst price target, you have to ask yourself: is this a genuine opportunity, or is the market already weighing future growth correctly?

Most Popular Narrative: 38.3% Undervalued

ACV Auctions' most followed narrative pegs fair value at $10.71 versus the last close of $6.61, which frames VIPER and the wider platform as key to that gap.

The ongoing integration of advanced AI and machine learning into ACV's vehicle inspection, pricing, and guarantee products positions the platform to further differentiate itself by offering real-time, highly accurate, and transparent transaction solutions, this is expected to continue driving above-industry growth in auction volumes, increase take rates, and support margin expansion.

Read the complete narrative.

Curious what kind of revenue climb and margin shift need to line up for that valuation? The narrative leans on sharp profit improvement and a premium future earnings multiple. Want to see how those pieces fit together across the next few years and what assumptions sit behind that discount rate?

Result: Fair Value of $10.71 (UNDERVALUED)

Have a read of the narrative in full and understand what's behind the forecasts.

However, you also need to factor in softer dealer wholesale volumes and intense competition from larger auction players, which could pressure ACV's revenue growth and margins.

Find out about the key risks to this ACV Auctions narrative.

Another View: Market Ratios Tell A Different Story

That 89.4% discount to fair value suggests upside, but the current P/S of 1.5x looks less forgiving. It sits above the estimated fair ratio of 1.1x, the US Commercial Services average of 1.3x, and the peer average of 1.2x, which points to some valuation risk if expectations slip.

If price is already rich on sales, even with a big modelled discount, how comfortable are you that ACV can grow into that gap before sentiment shifts?

See what the numbers say about this price — find out in our valuation breakdown.

Build Your Own ACV Auctions Narrative

If you see the numbers differently or just prefer to test your own assumptions, you can build a custom ACV story in minutes using Do it your way.

A good starting point is our analysis highlighting 2 key rewards investors are optimistic about regarding ACV Auctions.

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This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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