AMETEK, Inc. vs CarMax, Inc — how do they compare? AMETEK, Inc. trades at $258.81 (market cap $58.76B), while CarMax, Inc trades at $58.61 (market cap $8.26B). The key difference: AMETEK, Inc. is far larger — about 7.1× CarMax, Inc's market cap, and AMETEK, Inc. pays a 0.53% dividend while CarMax, Inc pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| AME | KMX | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $58.76B | $8.26B |
Sector | Industrials | Consumer Cyclical |
52-Week High | $256.30 | $62.17 |
52-Week Low | $179.28 | $30.88 |
Enterprise Value | $60.30B | $26.77B |
Dividend Yield | 0.53% | — |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
AME's stock trades at $257.9, up 1.99% today, reflecting strong momentum after recent earnings beats. The company reported record Q2 2026 results with EPS of $2.09, exceeding estimates, and raised full-year guidance. Valuation metrics like a P/E of 37.47 and P/S of 7.51 are elevated, but supported by robust profitability, including a 20.04% net income margin and 14.56% ROE. Technical indicators show a bullish trend, with the current price near resistance at $258.
The outlook remains positive, driven by consistent earnings growth and strong demand across business segments. Key risks include high valuation multiples and potential economic headwinds. With a consensus price target of $281.86 and no sell ratings from analysts, the stock offers upside potential, but investors should monitor execution against guidance and market volatility.
CarMax (KMX) trades at $58.20, showing modest near-term weakness with a 0.99% daily decline. The stock maintains a bullish technical stance with strong moving average support and trades near key support at $58. Fundamentally, the company reported Q1 2026 earnings beat with $0.34 EPS versus $0.23 expected, though revenue trends show slight contraction from $26.4B in 2025 to projected $26.3B in 2026. Recent positive developments include AI partnership enhancements and strong institutional recognition.
CarMax presents a mixed investment case with technical strength offset by fundamental challenges. The bullish moving average configuration and recent earnings beats provide near-term support, but declining revenue trends and thin 0.84% net margin limit upside potential. Key risks include ongoing fiduciary investigations and competitive pressure in the used car market. Analyst consensus remains cautious with 68.6% hold ratings and $53.09 price target below current levels.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Ametek is a diversified industrial conglomerate with over $6 billion in sales. The firm operates through an electronic instruments group and an electromechanical group. EIG designs and manufactures differentiated and advanced instruments for the process, aerospace, power, and industrial end markets. EMG is a focused, niche supplier of highly engineered automation solutions, thermal management systems, specialty metals, and electrical interconnects, among other products. About half of the firm's sales are made in the United States. The firm's asset-light strategy in place for nearly two decades emphasizes growth through acquisitions, new product development through research and development, driving operational efficiencies, and global and market expansion.
Read more on AME →CarMax sells, finances, and services used and new cars through a chain of over 230 used retail stores. It was formed in 1993 as a unit of Circuit City and spun off into an independent company in late 2002. Used-vehicle sales typically account for about 83% of revenue and wholesale about 13%, with the remaining portion composed of extended service plans and repair. In fiscal 2022, the company retailed and wholesaled 924,338 and 706,212 used vehicles, respectively. CarMax is the largest used-vehicle retailer in the U.S. but still estimates that it has only about 4% U.S. market share of vehicles 0-10 years old in 2021. It seeks over 5% share by the end of calendar 2025 and revenue between $33 billion to $45 billion by fiscal 2026. CarMax is based in Richmond, Virginia.
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