The Catalyst

CAR absolutely ripped today! The stock torched the $175 level like it wasn’t even there, exploding 8.6% higher on the CFO news. Daniel Cunha stepping in as the new money guy got the Street’s attention real quick. This wasn’t some random corporate shuffle - when a company like Avis brings in fresh financial leadership while travel demand is cooking, smart money knows what’s up.

This Is Why Traders Are Loading Up

Listen, when you see 185% above average volume on CFO news, that’s not retail FOMO. That’s big money positioning hard. The timing here is pure gold - travel’s finally firing on all cylinders again, leisure bookings are through the roof, and business travel is crawling back. Cunha’s got the track record for squeezing more juice out of operations, and the market’s betting he’s gonna work some magic on margins.

Here’s the thing though - the travel recovery play isn’t some distant hope anymore. We’re living it right now. Every day I see booking data that makes me want to buy more rental car exposure.

Technical Setup

This thing was coiled tighter than a spring for three weeks, just grinding between $170-175 like a caged animal. Volume was drying up, ranges getting tighter - textbook setup for an explosion. And boom! Today it finally broke free.

What I’m seeing on the charts:

  • That $175 wall got obliterated with authority
  • 185% volume spike? That’s institutions backing up the truck
  • RSI at 71 might look hot, but CAR can run overbought when momentum’s this strong
  • Clear air to $190, then the big psychological $200 level

The breakout has that clean, conviction feel. Not some sloppy squeeze that fades in two days.

Today’s Price Action

The stock demonstrated exceptional strength from the opening bell, gapping up to $178 on heavy pre-market volume and never looking back. The intraday chart reveals a textbook institutional accumulation pattern with steady upward pressure and minimal profit-taking.

CAR Stock Chart Analysis: CAR 5-minute chart displaying sustained institutional buying with minimal pullbacks throughout the session - June 24, 2025

How The Day Played Out

  • 9:30 AM: Boom! Gapped to $178 right out the gate with volume screaming
  • 10:15 AM: Quick breather at $180… then right back to work
  • 11:30 AM: Punched through $183 like butter - no hesitation
  • 1:00 PM: Lunch dip? What lunch dip. Held $184 like a champ
  • 2:00 PM: That final push above $185 had me grinning
  • 4:00 PM: Closed at $184.95 - basically at the highs. Beautiful.

This is how winners behave. No stupid games, no fake-outs. Just pure strength all day.

Volume Analysis

Today’s volume profile tells a compelling story of institutional conviction. The 2.3 million shares traded represents 185% of the 10-day average volume, with the heaviest accumulation occurring during the first hour of trading. Notably, volume remained elevated throughout the session without any significant distribution patterns, suggesting buyers remained in control and profit-taking was minimal. The volume-weighted average price (VWAP) stayed consistently below the stock price after 10:30 AM, confirming strong buying pressure.

Leadership Impact Analysis

Daniel Cunha’s appointment brings several strategic advantages to Avis Budget:

Financial Expertise: Cunha’s track record includes successful cost optimization initiatives and working capital improvements at previous positions, skills particularly valuable in the capital-intensive car rental business.

Strategic Vision: His experience in digital transformation and data analytics aligns perfectly with CAR’s connected vehicle initiatives and dynamic pricing strategies.

Market Credibility: The appointment signals to institutional investors that CAR is serious about operational excellence and margin expansion, potentially leading to multiple expansion.

Timing Advantage: Taking the helm during a period of industry recovery provides opportunity to implement strategic initiatives while benefiting from favorable market conditions.

How To Play This Beast

If you’re gonna chase this rocket:

Where To Jump In

  • Aggressive: Any dip back to $183-184 - that’s your VWAP support
  • Smart Money: Wait for the inevitable retest of $180. Be patient, let it come to you

Don’t Be Stupid With Risk

  • Stop: Under $178 if you’re swinging for the fences
  • Size: This thing’s got some heat on it, so don’t go full degenerate. Maybe 75% of normal size

Where To Take Profits

  • First: $190 - big round number, gonna be some sellers there
  • Second: $195 - that’s where the math says this move tops out
  • Final: $200 - the holy grail level. If it gets there, it’s gonna be a party

Key Levels to Watch

  • Support: $184 (today’s VWAP), $180 (breakout level), $175 (former resistance now support)
  • Resistance: $187.50 (minor), $190 (psychological), $200 (major)
  • Stop Loss: $178 (below opening gap) for day traders, $175 for swing traders

Fundamental Catalysts Ahead

  • Q2 Earnings: Expected in late July, first opportunity for new CFO to address investors
  • Fleet Optimization: Watch for announcements on fleet right-sizing and mix optimization
  • Margin Guidance: Potential for improved margin guidance under new financial leadership
  • Capital Allocation: Possible share buyback program or dividend policy updates
  • Strategic Initiatives: Digital transformation and connected car expansion updates

Bottom Line

This isn’t your typical one-day wonder. When you get massive volume + fundamental catalyst + clean technical breakout all at once? That’s how trends get born, not how they die. CAR closing right at the highs tells me there’s more juice in this squeeze.

Travel sector’s on fire, Cunha knows how to squeeze pennies, and the chart just broke out of a three-week base. The stars are aligned here. Momentum guys should be stalking any dips, and if you’re thinking longer-term, this could be the start of something beautiful.

The market’s telling us CAR’s ready to roll. Question is - are you listening?

What to Watch Tomorrow

  • Pre-market activity and gap direction—holding above $183 is bullish
  • Volume follow-through—we need to see continued above-average volume
  • The $180 level as support on any pullback
  • Analyst commentary and potential upgrades following the CFO announcement
  • Sector rotation into travel and leisure stocks