Dollar Tree, Inc. vs CarMax, Inc — how do they compare? Dollar Tree, Inc. trades at $127.88 (market cap $24.61B), while CarMax, Inc trades at $57.8 (market cap $8.26B). The key difference: Dollar Tree, Inc. is far larger — about 3× CarMax, Inc's market cap. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| DLTR | KMX | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $24.61B | $8.26B |
Sector | Health | Consumer Cyclical |
52-Week High | $141.21 | $62.17 |
52-Week Low | $85.04 | $30.88 |
Enterprise Value | $31.20B | $26.77B |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Dollar Tree (DLTR) trades at $129.37, down 1.17% today but remains in a bullish technical trend with strong support near $128. The company reported a net loss of $3.03B for 2025 due to a significant tax charge, though operating cash flow improved to $2.86B. Recent earnings have consistently beaten estimates, and a new $2.5B share repurchase program signals management confidence.
The outlook is mixed: robust cash generation and positive earnings surprises support upside, but margin pressures from tariffs and intense discount retail competition pose risks. Analyst consensus is a Buy with a $126.69 price target, slightly below current levels, indicating cautious optimism amid operational challenges.
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
Dollar Tree operates discount stores in the U.S. and Canada, including 8,647 shops under its namesake banner and 8,016 Family Dollar units (as of the end of fiscal 2021). The eponymous chain features branded and private-label goods, generally at a $1.25 price. Around 45% of Dollar Tree stores' fiscal 2021 sales came from consumables (including food, health and beauty, and household paper and cleaning products), nearly 50% from variety items (including toys and housewares), and just over 5% from seasonal goods. Family Dollar features branded and private-label goods at prices generally ranging from $1 to $10, with over 76% of fiscal 2021 sales from consumables, 9% from seasonal/electronic items (including prepaid phones and toys), 8% from home products, and 6% from apparel and accessories.
Read more on DLTR →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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