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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)

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Neutral 56 (OpenAI - 4o)
Rating:56Neutral
Price Target:
$47.00
▲(1.25% Upside)
CarMax's overall stock score is driven by stable financial performance and reasonable valuation, but is significantly impacted by bearish technical indicators and challenges highlighted in the earnings call. The company's high leverage and declining sales are key concerns, while strategic initiatives offer some optimism for future growth.
Positive Factors
Cash Flow Generation
Strong cash flow generation indicates CarMax's ability to fund operations and growth initiatives internally, enhancing financial stability.
SG&A Reductions Initiative
Reducing SG&A expenses will improve operational efficiency and profitability, supporting long-term financial health and competitive positioning.
Omnichannel Experience
The focus on omnichannel experience enhances customer engagement and loyalty, potentially driving sales growth and market share.
Negative Factors
High Leverage
High leverage can limit financial flexibility and increase risk, potentially impacting CarMax's ability to invest in growth and weather downturns.
Declining Sales
Declining sales indicate potential market challenges and reduced demand, which could pressure margins and growth prospects if not addressed.
Inventory and Demand Mismatch
Inventory mismatches can lead to increased holding costs and price pressures, affecting profitability and operational efficiency.

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 purchases cars from various sources, including auctions and trade-ins, and then sells them to customers at a markup. In addition to vehicle sales, CarMax earns significant revenue from its financing services, where it offers loans to customers through its own finance arm. This includes both retail and wholesale financing. Additionally, CarMax offers extended service plans and vehicle warranties, which further contribute to its earnings. The company's focus on a transparent, customer-friendly buying experience has built strong brand loyalty, while its national footprint allows it to leverage economies of scale in vehicle procurement and sales. Partnerships with various financial institutions also enhance its financing capabilities, providing customers with competitive loan options.

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:Sep 26, 2025
(Q2-2026)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Dec 18, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Negative
While CarMax has made strides with initiatives like SG&A reductions, the 'Wanna Drive' campaign, and CAF expansion, the quarter faced significant challenges such as declining sales, unit volumes, and profitability issues. The results were further impacted by inventory mismatches and increased provisions for loan losses. Despite the strategic initiatives in place, the financial performance has been negatively affected, suggesting a cautious outlook.
Q2-2026 Updates
Positive Updates
SG&A Reductions Initiative
CarMax plans to deliver incremental SG&A reductions of at least $150 million over the next eighteen months by leveraging technology and improving efficiencies.
"Wanna Drive" Brand Campaign Launch
CarMax launched the "Wanna Drive" brand positioning campaign, highlighting their unique omnichannel experience and achieving record high net promoter scores.
CarMax Auto Finance (CAF) Expansion
CAF originated over $2 billion in sales, with a penetration rate of 42.6%, and completed a successful $900 million non-prime securitization transaction.
Wholesale Selling Price Increase
The average wholesale selling price increased approximately $125 per unit to $7,900.
Negative Updates
Total Sales and Unit Decline
Total sales were $6.6 billion, down 6% compared to last year. Retail unit sales declined 5.4%, and used unit comps were down 6.3%.
Retail Gross Profit and Pricing Challenges
Average selling price decreased by approximately $250 per unit year-over-year, and gross profit per used unit was down $200 from the first quarter.
Inventory and Demand Mismatch
CarMax ramped up inventory ahead of the second quarter but faced $1,000 depreciation, impacting price competitiveness and sales.
CAF Income and Provision Adjustments
CAF income was down $13 million from FY 2025 due to a higher loan loss provision of $142 million, with adjustments for anticipated losses in 2022 and 2023 vintages.
SG&A to Gross Profit Deleveraged
SG&A expenses to gross profit deleveraged by 350 basis points to 84% due to lower volume offsetting cost savings.
Company Guidance
During the CarMax second quarter fiscal year 2026 earnings call, several key metrics and guidance points were discussed. CarMax reported total sales of $6.6 billion, a 6% decline from the previous year, with retail unit sales down by 5.4%. The average selling price was $26,000, showing a year-over-year decrease of $250 per unit. The company plans to reduce SG&A expenses by at least $150 million over the next 18 months. CarMax Auto Finance originated over $2 billion, achieving a sales penetration of 42.6%, with a weighted average contract rate of 11.2%. Despite these challenges, CarMax is committed to gaining market share and expects high teen EPS growth with mid-single-digit retail unit growth in the future.

CarMax Financial Statement Overview

Summary
CarMax demonstrates stable profitability and strong cash flow generation, but faces challenges with revenue growth and high leverage. The income statement reflects consistent margins, while the balance sheet indicates significant debt levels. Cash flow performance is robust, with positive growth trends. The company should focus on managing leverage and improving revenue growth to enhance financial stability.
Income Statement
65
Positive
CarMax's income statement shows a mixed performance. The TTM data indicates a slight decline in revenue growth at -1.56%, which is a concern. However, the company maintains a stable gross profit margin of 11.21% and a net profit margin of 1.98%. The EBIT margin of 4.66% and EBITDA margin of 4.85% suggest moderate profitability. Overall, the income statement reflects stable profitability but with challenges in revenue growth.
Balance Sheet
58
Neutral
The balance sheet reveals a high debt-to-equity ratio of 2.87, indicating significant leverage, which could pose a risk. Return on equity is moderate at 8.36%, reflecting decent profitability relative to equity. The equity ratio stands at 22.89%, suggesting a moderate level of equity financing. While the company is profitable, the high leverage is a potential concern.
Cash Flow
70
Positive
CarMax's cash flow statement shows positive trends, with a free cash flow growth rate of 26.65% in the TTM period. The operating cash flow to net income ratio is 0.54, indicating reasonable cash generation relative to net income. The free cash flow to net income ratio of 0.57 suggests that the company is generating sufficient free cash flow. Overall, the cash flow position is strong, with positive growth and adequate cash generation.
BreakdownTTMDec 2025Dec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021
Income Statement
Total Revenue26.37B26.35B26.54B29.68B31.90B18.95B
Gross Profit2.96B2.90B2.71B2.80B3.29B2.38B
EBITDA1.28B1.07B1.04B1.02B2.09B1.29B
Net Income521.07M500.56M479.20M484.76M1.15B746.92M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets27.08B27.40B27.20B26.18B26.34B21.54B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments540.37M246.96M574.14M314.76M102.72M132.32M
Total Debt17.77B19.43B19.53B18.93B19.27B15.53B
Total Liabilities20.88B21.16B21.12B20.57B21.10B17.18B
Stockholders Equity6.20B6.24B6.07B5.61B5.24B4.36B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow685.04M156.50M-6.69M860.62M-2.86B503.22M
Operating Cash Flow1.21B624.44M458.62M1.28B-2.55B667.76M
Investing Cash Flow-518.00M-461.00M-467.00M-425.77M-523.75M-128.18M
Financing Cash Flow-638.18M-453.54M307.79M-710.18M3.10B-424.02M

CarMax Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Negative
Last Price46.42
Price Trends
50DMA
56.97
Negative
100DMA
61.39
Negative
200DMA
69.30
Negative
Market Momentum
MACD
-3.88
Positive
RSI
26.67
Positive
STOCH
20.64
Neutral
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 46.42 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 54.66, below the 50-day MA of 56.97, and below the 200-day MA of 69.30, indicating a bearish trend. The MACD of -3.88 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 26.67 is Positive, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 20.64 is Neutral, 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 (61)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
75
Outperform
$5.80B12.4115.72%0.44%19.75%-10.74%
74
Outperform
$4.98B9.2515.19%8.39%40.35%
71
Outperform
$8.23B9.5113.34%0.67%10.25%9.08%
70
Outperform
$8.46B14.0627.24%3.15%-12.49%
68
Neutral
$11.51B12.1418.11%2.86%2.39%5.84%
61
Neutral
$18.38B12.79-2.54%3.03%1.52%-15.83%
56
Neutral
$6.82B13.638.42%2.17%28.59%
* Consumer Cyclical Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
KMX
CarMax
46.42
-25.85
-35.77%
ABG
Asbury
253.39
24.38
10.65%
AN
AutoNation
224.38
58.36
35.15%
GPI
Group 1 Automotive
447.86
90.69
25.39%
LAD
Lithia Motors
320.96
18.53
6.13%
PAG
Penske Automotive Group
174.29
23.37
15.49%
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: Sep 26, 2025