Core and Main Inc vs CarMax, Inc — how do they compare? Core and Main Inc trades at $44.75 (market cap $8.46B), while CarMax, Inc trades at $58.94 (market cap $7.91B). The key difference: Core and Main Inc and CarMax, Inc are close in size by market cap, and CarMax, Inc is trading nearer its 52-week high, Core and Main Inc nearer its low. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| CNM | KMX | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $8.46B | $7.91B |
Sector | Technology | Consumer Cyclical |
52-Week High | $66.98 | $63.53 |
52-Week Low | $44.29 | $30.88 |
Enterprise Value | $10.76B | $26.42B |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Core & Main (CNM) trades at $44.74, down 2.44% today, amid bearish technical signals but strong fundamentals. The stock shows consistent earnings beats, with Q1 2026 EPS of $0.72 exceeding expectations, and maintains solid profitability with a 23.73% ROE. Recent news highlights municipal strength and margin gains, though residential segments face weakness. Cash flow trends improved in 2026 projections, with net cash flow rising to $142M from $7M in 2025.
The outlook is mixed: analyst consensus leans bullish with 57% buy ratings, but technical indicators signal near-term pressure. Key risks include industry headwinds like high operating costs and residential market softness. Investors should weigh strong fundamentals against current bearish momentum for entry timing.
CarMax (KMX) trades at $54.87, up 2.58% today, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages and a neutral oscillator stance. The company reported Q1 2026 earnings that beat expectations, with EPS of $0.34 versus $0.23 expected, driven by cost controls and strategic execution. Revenue for 2025 was $26.35 billion, with net income of $500.56 million, though margins remain thin. Recent news highlights a four-pillar turnaround strategy under new CEO Keith Barr, with insider buying and positive analyst updates supporting sentiment.
The outlook for KMX hinges on successful execution of its growth strategy amid competitive pressures and margin challenges. While technical indicators suggest near-term strength, fundamental risks include high debt levels and fluctuating profitability. Analyst consensus is cautious with a hold-heavy rating, but the stock offers potential for recovery if operational improvements sustain. Investors should weigh the bullish technical setup against fundamental headwinds and ongoing investigations.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Core & Main is a leading US distributor of water, wastewater, storm drainage, and fire protection products. It provides essential infrastructure solutions to municipalities, private water companies, and contractors.
Read more on CNM →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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