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Carmax Inc (KMX)
NYSE:KMX
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CarMax (KMX) AI Stock Analysis

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KMX

CarMax

(NYSE:KMX)

Rating:65Neutral
Price Target:
$65.00
▲(14.82%Upside)
CarMax's strong earnings performance and strategic initiatives are key strengths, despite technical analysis indicating bearish momentum and challenges with revenue growth and margins. The stable financial position and reasonable valuation support a moderate overall score.
Positive Factors
Financial Performance
Strong financial results, including record retail gross profit per unit and significant growth in earnings per share, highlight CarMax's operational efficiency and margin resilience.
Market Strategy
CarMax's strategy to continue retail volume growth via expanded reconditioning capacity and more profitable sourcing channels is well-positioned for future success.
Strategic Positioning
CarMax's investments in digital tools and AI are driving efficiency and SG&A leverage.
Negative Factors
Growth Sustainability
Investors remain uncertain around CarMax's ability to sustain this level of growth with moderating economic activity and policy uncertainty.
Investor Confidence
Investors are waiting on the sidelines for incremental conviction in management's ability to execute on volume growth and provide greater disclosure in progress towards those goals.
Strategy Execution
The strategy shift was difficult to track without reported metrics around sales or share by age cohort.

CarMax (KMX) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

CarMax Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionCarMax, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, operates as a retailer of used vehicles in the United States. The company operates through two segments, CarMax Sales Operations and CarMax Auto Finance. It offers customers a range of makes and models of used vehicles, including domestic, imported, and luxury vehicles, as well as hybrid and electric vehicles; and extended protection plans to customers at the time of sale, as well as sells vehicles that are approximately 10 years old and has more than 100,000 miles through wholesale auctions. The company also provides reconditioning and vehicle repair services; and financing alternatives for retail customers across a range of credit spectrum through its CarMax Auto Finance and arrangements with various financial institutions. As of February 28, 2022, it operated approximately 230 used car stores. CarMax, Inc. was founded in 1993 and is based in Richmond, Virginia.
How the Company Makes MoneyCarMax makes money primarily through the sale of used vehicles. The company purchases vehicles from consumers, auctions, and dealerships, and then resells them at a profit. In addition to vehicle sales, CarMax generates revenue through financing, where it facilitates loans for customers buying vehicles. The company partners with third-party financial institutions to offer financing options, earning a commission or fee for each loan arranged. Additionally, CarMax offers extended service plans and vehicle protection products, contributing to its revenue streams. The company's earnings are also supported by its vehicle appraisal and purchasing services, which attract customers looking to sell their cars directly to CarMax.

CarMax Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Any
Any
Average Selling Prices
Average Selling Prices
Tracks the average price at which vehicles are sold, reflecting pricing strategy, market demand, and potential impact on revenue and margins.
Chart InsightsCarMax's average selling prices for both used and wholesale vehicles have seen a decline since their peak in 2022, reflecting broader market trends and economic pressures. Despite this, CarMax reported a 42% growth in EPS and strong sales growth, driven by strategic initiatives like increased dealer purchases and enhanced digital capabilities. The decline in average selling prices is offset by record retail gross profit per used unit, suggesting effective cost management and operational efficiencies. However, challenges remain with decreased CAF income and increased loan loss provisions, highlighting potential risks in financial services.
Data provided by:Main Street Data

CarMax Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:May 31, 2025
(Q1-2026)
|
% Change Since: -29.29%|
Next Earnings Date:Sep 25, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
The earnings call highlighted strong sales growth, record vehicle purchases, and significant EPS growth, supported by SG&A leverage and AI-driven efficiencies. However, there were challenges in CAF income due to increased loan loss provisions and decreased average selling prices. Despite these lowlights, the strong performance in key growth metrics and strategic initiatives suggests a positive outlook.
Q1-2026 Updates
Positive Updates
Record Dealer Vehicle Purchases
CarMax achieved an all-time record by buying more vehicles from both consumers and dealers, with a 38% increase in dealer purchases year-over-year.
Strong Retail and Wholesale Unit Growth
Retail unit sales increased by 9%, with used unit comps up 8.1%, while wholesale unit sales increased by 1.2% year-over-year.
Earnings Per Share Growth
The company reported a 42% increase in earnings per share, marking the fourth consecutive quarter of positive retail unit comps and double-digit EPS growth.
SG&A Leverage and AI Implementation
SG&A expenses were leveraged by 180 basis points to 74%, and the company improved efficiency through AI technology, including a 30% improvement in containment rate for their AI-powered virtual assistant.
Increased Share Repurchases
CarMax doubled the pace of their share repurchases, buying back approximately 3 million shares for a total spend of $200 million.
Negative Updates
Decline in CAF Income
CarMax Auto Finance (CAF) income for the quarter was $142 million, which was down $5 million from the previous fiscal year.
Lower Average Selling Prices
The average selling price for retail vehicles decreased by approximately $400 to $26,100, and the average wholesale selling price declined by $150 to $8,000 compared to the previous year.
Increased Loan Loss Provisions
CAF's loan loss provision was $102 million due to higher sales and lower credit quality, along with uncertain economic outlooks requiring additional reserves.
Company Guidance
During the first quarter of fiscal year 2026, CarMax, Inc. reported significant achievements and guidance metrics, highlighting a 42% growth in earnings per share (EPS) and a 6% increase in total sales to $7.5 billion compared to the previous year. The company achieved a record high in retail gross profit per used unit at $2,407, while wholesale unit sales grew 1.2% despite a decline in average wholesale selling price to $8,000. CarMax bought approximately 336,000 vehicles, with a notable increase in dealer purchases by 38%. The company also doubled its share repurchase pace, spending $200 million on approximately 3 million shares. CarMax's digital capabilities supported 80% of retail unit sales, with 66% through omni-channel and 14% online sales. Net interest margin for CarMax Auto Finance (CAF) increased to 6.5%, despite a $5 million decrease in CAF income to $142 million. The company also earmarked a $632 million loan pool for non-prime securitization, aiming to mitigate risk while supporting growth.

CarMax Financial Statement Overview

Summary
CarMax is maintaining profitability and cash flow generation despite revenue growth challenges and declining margins. The balance sheet shows a reliance on debt, but this is balanced by effective cash management and shareholder returns.
Income Statement
70
Positive
CarMax shows reasonable profitability with a gross profit margin of approximately 11.2% and a net profit margin of 2.1% in TTM. However, the company is experiencing a decrease in revenue growth, with a drop of about 15.7% over the past two years. EBIT and EBITDA margins have also declined, indicating pressures on operational efficiency.
Balance Sheet
65
Positive
The balance sheet reflects a moderately leveraged position with a debt-to-equity ratio of about 2.85. The return on equity (ROE) is fairly stable at 8.9% for TTM, suggesting that the company is generating returns for shareholders. However, equity ratio stands at 22.9%, indicating a reliance on debt financing.
Cash Flow
75
Positive
CarMax demonstrates strong cash flow management with a significant improvement in free cash flow, growing by over 245% in the latest year. The operating cash flow to net income ratio is healthy at 1.87, suggesting effective cash generation relative to net earnings. The free cash flow to net income ratio is also favorable at 0.97.
BreakdownDec 2025Dec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021
Income Statement
Total Revenue26.35B26.54B29.68B31.90B18.95B
Gross Profit2.90B2.71B2.80B3.29B2.38B
EBITDA1.03B1.04B1.02B2.09B1.29B
Net Income500.56M479.20M484.76M1.15B746.92M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets27.40B27.20B26.18B26.34B21.54B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments246.96M574.14M314.76M102.72M132.32M
Total Debt19.22B19.53B18.93B19.27B15.53B
Total Liabilities21.16B21.12B20.57B21.10B17.18B
Stockholders Equity6.24B6.07B5.61B5.24B4.36B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow156.50M-6.69M860.62M-2.86B503.22M
Operating Cash Flow624.44M458.62M1.28B-2.55B667.76M
Investing Cash Flow-461.00M-467.00M-425.77M-523.75M-128.18M
Financing Cash Flow-453.54M307.79M-710.18M3.10B-424.02M

CarMax Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Negative
Last Price56.61
Price Trends
50DMA
64.90
Negative
100DMA
67.44
Negative
200DMA
74.13
Negative
Market Momentum
MACD
-2.23
Positive
RSI
28.82
Positive
STOCH
4.42
Positive
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For KMX, the sentiment is Negative. The current price of 56.61 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 63.22, below the 50-day MA of 64.90, and below the 200-day MA of 74.13, indicating a bearish trend. The MACD of -2.23 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 28.82 is Positive, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 4.42 is Positive, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Negative sentiment for KMX.

CarMax Risk Analysis

CarMax disclosed 26 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. CarMax reported the most risks in the "Production" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

CarMax Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (67)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
78
Outperform
$5.33B11.4215.72%0.47%19.75%-10.74%
74
Outperform
$4.37B8.1115.19%8.39%40.35%
71
Outperform
$11.12B11.7018.08%2.83%2.39%5.83%
70
Outperform
$7.38B8.5313.34%0.74%10.25%9.08%
69
Neutral
$7.29B12.0527.24%3.15%-12.49%
67
Neutral
¥261.79B13.646.45%2.57%5.11%-13.15%
65
Neutral
$8.86B16.048.97%3.17%42.14%
* Consumer Cyclical Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
KMX
CarMax
56.61
-21.77
-27.77%
ABG
Asbury
222.12
-13.23
-5.62%
AN
AutoNation
192.64
21.90
12.83%
GPI
Group 1 Automotive
412.15
70.85
20.76%
LAD
Lithia Motors
288.00
-0.10
-0.03%
PAG
Penske Automotive Group
167.41
8.03
5.04%

CarMax Corporate Events

Executive/Board ChangesShareholder Meetings
CarMax Shareholders Meeting Concludes with Key Decisions
Neutral
Jun 26, 2025

On June 24, 2025, CarMax held its 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, where several key decisions were made. The shareholders elected directors to the Board for a one-year term, ratified KPMG LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal year 2026, and approved a non-binding advisory resolution on executive compensation. However, a shareholder proposal regarding a special meeting right was not approved.

The most recent analyst rating on (KMX) stock is a Sell with a $58.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on CarMax stock, see the KMX Stock Forecast page.

Executive/Board ChangesBusiness Operations and Strategy
CarMax Announces Departure of Key Executive Officer
Negative
May 15, 2025

On May 9, 2025, CarMax, Inc. announced the departure of James Lyski, its Executive Vice President and Chief Growth and Strategy Officer, effective June 8, 2025. This change in leadership could impact the company’s strategic direction and growth initiatives, as Lyski was a key figure in these areas.

The most recent analyst rating on (KMX) stock is a Sell with a $50.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on CarMax stock, see the KMX Stock Forecast page.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Jul 25, 2025