Illinois Tool Works Inc. vs CarMax, Inc — how do they compare? Illinois Tool Works Inc. trades at $271.88 (market cap $78.17B), while CarMax, Inc trades at $55.91 (market cap $7.93B). The key difference: Illinois Tool Works Inc. is far larger — about 9.9× CarMax, Inc's market cap, and Illinois Tool Works Inc. pays a 2.37% dividend while CarMax, Inc pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| ITW | KMX | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $78.17B | $7.93B |
Sector | Industrials | Consumer Cyclical |
52-Week High | $299.60 | $63.53 |
52-Week Low | $241.07 | $30.88 |
Enterprise Value | $86.49B | $26.44B |
Dividend Yield | 2.37% | — |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
ITW trades at $271.99, down 1.47% on the day, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages and a consensus price target of $288.25. The company has beaten earnings estimates for three consecutive quarters, with Q2 2026 results expected soon. Strong profitability is evident with a 19.32% net margin and 96.88% ROE, though valuation multiples like P/E of 25.23 are elevated. Recent news highlights product launches and dividend declarations, supporting a stable outlook.
The outlook for ITW is cautiously optimistic, with earnings momentum and dividend stability offering support, but high valuation and mixed analyst ratings pose risks. Investors should weigh solid fundamentals against potential headwinds from economic cycles and competitive pressures.
CarMax (KMX) trades at $57.61, up 0.49% on the day, with a bullish technical outlook supported by moving averages and a strong ADX signal. Recent Q1 2026 earnings beat expectations, driven by cost control and revenue growth, though net income margins remain thin at 0.84%. The company's four-pillar strategy focuses on volume, digital sales, and efficiency, with positive analyst coverage highlighting value and momentum potential.
The stock's upside is supported by operational improvements and insider buying, but risks include high debt levels, margin pressure, and a pending legal investigation. Analyst consensus is cautious with a $48.91 price target below the current price, suggesting limited near-term upside amid execution risks.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
Illinois Tool Works is a diversified global manufacturer that produces specialized industrial equipment, consumables, and related services. The firm operates 87 global divisions through seven distinct operating segments: automotive OEM, construction products, food equipment, specialty products, test/measurement and electronics, polymers and fluids, and welding. About half of its revenue comes from its operations in North America, with the remainder originating from international markets. ITW takes a bottom-up and decentralized approach to portfolio management, with the exception that each segment must apply its 80/20 operating process modeled on the Pareto principle.
Read more on ITW →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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