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CarMax Inc (KMX)
NYSE:KMX

CarMax (KMX) AI Stock Analysis

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KMX

CarMax

(NYSE:KMX)

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Neutral 61 (OpenAI - 4o)
Rating:61Neutral
Price Target:
$42.00
▼(-2.60% Downside)
CarMax's overall stock score reflects a mixed financial performance with strong cash flow but declining revenue and high leverage. Technical analysis shows cautious signals, and while the valuation is reasonable, the earnings call highlights significant challenges. The recent CEO change adds uncertainty, but strategic initiatives could provide long-term benefits.
Positive Factors
Cash Flow Management
Strong free cash flow growth indicates improved cash generation, allowing for potential reinvestment in business operations or debt reduction, enhancing long-term financial stability.
Digital and Omnichannel Development
Investments in digital capabilities enhance customer experience and conversion rates, positioning CarMax to better compete in the evolving retail landscape and drive future growth.
CarMax Auto Finance Growth
Growth in CarMax Auto Finance income indicates a strong financial services segment, contributing to overall profitability and providing a diversified revenue stream.
Negative Factors
Decline in Total Sales
A decline in total sales suggests potential market pressures or operational challenges, which could impact revenue growth and market position if not addressed.
High Leverage
Significant leverage poses financial risks and limits flexibility, potentially affecting the company's ability to invest in growth opportunities or weather economic downturns.
Leadership Uncertainty
Leadership changes can create strategic uncertainty, impacting decision-making and execution of long-term plans, especially during periods of declining performance.

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 generates revenue primarily through the sale of used vehicles, which constitutes its main revenue stream. The company also earns money through the sale of vehicle financing and extended service plans. Financing options are provided through CarMax Auto Finance, which allows customers to access loans and leases. Additionally, CarMax benefits from trade-ins, where customers sell their old vehicles to the company, providing inventory for resale. The company's unique no-haggle pricing model helps maintain customer trust and satisfaction, contributing to repeat business. Furthermore, partnerships with various financial institutions enhance its financing offerings, while its investment in technology and online sales platforms has broadened its reach and improved operational efficiency.

CarMax Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Any
Any
Gross Profit by Segment
Gross Profit by Segment
Highlights profitability across different segments, providing insight into which areas contribute most to the bottom line and where cost efficiencies or pricing power are strongest.
Chart InsightsCarMax's gross profit from the 'Used' segment shows a recovery trend in 2025, aligning with the company's record retail gross profit per used unit and strong retail unit growth. Despite a dip in the 'Wholesale' segment's average selling price, unit sales increased, reflecting strategic resilience. The 'Other' segment's profit surge is notable, potentially driven by digital and omni-channel sales expansion. Earnings call highlights suggest a positive outlook, with strong EPS growth and AI-driven efficiencies, although challenges in CAF income and increased loan loss provisions remain concerns.
Data provided by:The Fly

CarMax Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Dec 23, 2025
(Q3-2026)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Apr 14, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Neutral
The earnings call highlighted significant challenges faced by CarMax, including declines in sales and profitability, and pressures on retail and wholesale prices. However, the company has taken steps to address these issues, such as digital development, cost reduction initiatives, and growth in their finance segment. Despite these efforts, the negative trends in sales and earnings create a cautious outlook.
Q3-2026 Updates
Positive Updates
Digital and Omnichannel Development
CarMax has invested significantly in digital capabilities, allowing customers to shop how and where they want, aiming to improve digital shopping experience and conversion rates.
SG&A Cost Reduction Goal
CarMax has set a goal to reduce SG&A expenses by at least $150 million by the end of fiscal year 2027, with a 30% reduction in CEC workforce as a significant step.
CarMax Auto Finance Growth
CAF income increased by 9% over last year, with a $175 million income for the quarter, and expansion in full credit spectrum lending.
Negative Updates
Decline in Total Sales
Total sales fell 6.9% compared to the previous year, with retail unit sales declining by 8% and used unit comps down by 9%.
Wholesale and Retail Price Pressures
Wholesale unit sales decreased by 6.2%, with average wholesale selling prices declining by $40 per unit. Retail average selling price increased only due to higher acquisition costs.
Earnings and Profitability Challenges
Net earnings per diluted share decreased from $0.81 last year to $0.43, impacted by restructuring expenses and workforce reductions.
Challenges in Inventory and Costs
CarMax reported issues with higher average selling prices making them less attractive to customers, with plans to lower margins and conduct a comprehensive cost review.
Company Guidance
During the CarMax third quarter fiscal year 2026 earnings call, several key metrics were discussed, highlighting the company's current challenges and strategic priorities. CarMax reported total sales of $5.8 billion, a decrease of 6.9% year-over-year, with retail unit sales down 8% and used unit comps declining by 9%. The average selling price for used vehicles was $26,400, reflecting a $230 increase from the previous year. Despite these figures, the company's net earnings per diluted share dropped to $0.43 from $0.81 in the prior year. CarMax is focusing on several initiatives to drive improvement, including lowering margins to enhance competitiveness, investing in marketing to improve sales trends, and achieving at least $150 million in SG&A savings by the end of fiscal year 2027. The company is also leveraging opportunities in CarMax Auto Finance (CAF) and ancillary products to boost profitability, with CAF income rising by 9% to $175 million. Additionally, CarMax is reassessing its cost structure, including a comprehensive review of COGS and digital platform enhancements, to provide a more streamlined customer experience.

CarMax Financial Statement Overview

Summary
CarMax's financial performance is mixed, with strong cash flow management and stable gross margins. However, challenges include declining revenue and high leverage, which could pose risks. The company needs to focus on revenue growth and leverage management to enhance financial stability.
Income Statement
CarMax's income statement shows a mixed performance. The TTM gross profit margin is stable at 11.06%, indicating consistent profitability from sales. However, the net profit margin has slightly decreased to 1.77%, reflecting challenges in maintaining bottom-line growth. Revenue has declined by 1.63% TTM, suggesting potential market pressures or operational challenges. The EBIT and EBITDA margins are modest, with TTM figures at 4.40% and 5.36%, respectively, indicating moderate operational efficiency.
Balance Sheet
CarMax's balance sheet reveals a high debt-to-equity ratio of 2.75 TTM, indicating significant leverage which could pose financial risks if not managed carefully. The return on equity is relatively low at 7.39% TTM, suggesting limited efficiency in generating returns from shareholders' equity. The equity ratio stands at 23.73%, reflecting a moderate level of equity financing relative to total assets.
Cash Flow
The cash flow statement shows strong free cash flow growth of 184.50% TTM, indicating improved cash generation capabilities. The operating cash flow to net income ratio is healthy at 1.18, suggesting effective conversion of income into cash. The free cash flow to net income ratio is robust at 0.78, highlighting efficient cash management and potential for reinvestment or debt reduction.
BreakdownDec 2025Dec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021
Income Statement
Total Revenue28.21B28.21B31.13B33.20B20.09B
Gross Profit3.22B3.04B3.24B3.88B2.94B
EBITDA1.09B1.06B1.04B1.87B1.29B
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 Debt19.43B19.31B18.93B19.27B15.66B
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
Positive
Last Price43.12
Price Trends
50DMA
38.48
Positive
100DMA
45.76
Negative
200DMA
55.84
Negative
Market Momentum
MACD
0.50
Negative
RSI
67.94
Neutral
STOCH
83.52
Negative
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For KMX, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 43.12 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 39.96, above the 50-day MA of 38.48, and below the 200-day MA of 55.84, indicating a neutral trend. The MACD of 0.50 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 67.94 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 83.52 is Negative, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive 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 (61)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
76
Outperform
$7.93B9.4613.44%0.64%8.56%17.84%
73
Outperform
$5.04B14.0312.27%0.49%19.45%-24.27%
71
Outperform
$10.69B11.4317.30%3.14%2.25%8.92%
70
Neutral
$7.62B12.6327.16%6.06%-1.71%
67
Neutral
$4.71B8.4815.49%8.07%60.95%
61
Neutral
$18.38B12.79-2.54%3.03%1.52%-15.83%
61
Neutral
$5.80B14.267.46%0.12%2.78%
* Consumer Cyclical Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
KMX
CarMax
43.12
-38.81
-47.37%
ABG
Asbury
241.77
3.97
1.67%
AN
AutoNation
214.72
43.89
25.69%
GPI
Group 1 Automotive
394.12
-24.85
-5.93%
LAD
Lithia Motors
327.23
-12.09
-3.56%
PAG
Penske Automotive Group
161.71
15.12
10.31%

CarMax Corporate Events

Business Operations and StrategyExecutive/Board ChangesFinancial Disclosures
CarMax Announces CEO Change Amidst Strategic Shift
Negative
Nov 6, 2025

On November 4, 2025, CarMax announced the termination of CEO William D. Nash, effective December 1, 2025, and the appointment of David W. McCreight as Interim President and CEO. The leadership change is part of CarMax’s strategy to strengthen its business amid declining sales and profitability. The company also provided a preliminary financial outlook for the third quarter of fiscal year 2026, expecting a decrease in comparable store used unit sales and net earnings per diluted share impacted by leadership changes and increased marketing expenses.

The most recent analyst rating on (KMX) stock is a Buy with a $59.00 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: Dec 19, 2025