Aterian Inc vs CarMax, Inc — how do they compare? Aterian Inc trades at $0.49 (market cap $5.32M), while CarMax, Inc trades at $57.77 (market cap $8.26B). The key difference: CarMax, Inc is far larger — about 1552.6× Aterian Inc's market cap, and CarMax, Inc is trading nearer its 52-week high, Aterian Inc nearer its low. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| ATER | KMX | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $5.32M | $8.26B |
Sector | Consumer Cyclical | Consumer Cyclical |
52-Week High | $1.39 | $62.17 |
52-Week Low | $0.36 | $30.88 |
Enterprise Value | $5.90M | $26.77B |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Aterian (ATER) trades at $0.48, down 2.72% on the day, with a bearish technical signal. The company reported a net loss of -$18.98M in 2025, though it has beaten EPS estimates in recent quarters. Recent news highlights a pending asset sale that could return $0.85–$1.14 per share to stockholders, subject to a special meeting vote.
The outlook hinges on the asset sale approval, offering potential upside, but ongoing operational losses and negative cash flow pose significant risks. Analyst sentiment is split evenly between Buy and Hold, reflecting uncertainty around the company's restructuring and future profitability.
CarMax (KMX) trades at $58.78, up 1.03% today, with a bullish technical signal and strong analyst support. Recent earnings have beaten expectations, with Q3 2025 and Q1 2026 EPS surpassing estimates, though Q2 2025 missed. Revenue remains stable around $26.4 billion, but net income margin is thin at 0.84%. The stock is near its consensus price target of $53.09, with a high target of $66.00. Positive news includes a Zacks Strong Buy rating and partnerships to enhance customer experience.
The outlook for KMX is cautiously optimistic, driven by earnings beats and bullish technicals, but high debt and margin pressures pose risks. Investment opportunity lies in continued execution and market share gains, while risks include competitive pressures and economic sensitivity. Analyst consensus leans Hold, with 68.58% holding, suggesting a wait-and-see approach for further growth confirmation.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Aterian Inc is a technology-enabled consumer products company. Its product categories include home and kitchen appliances, kitchenware, environmental appliances (dehumidifiers and air conditioners), beauty-related products, and consumer electronics. It has various owned and operated brands include Vremi, Healing Solutions, Xtava, TRUWEO, Spiralize, Pohl+Schmitt, and RIF6. The company generates revenue through the online sales of various consumer products that are sold online.
Read more on ATER →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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