CarMax, Inc vs NIO Inc. — how do they compare? CarMax, Inc trades at $58.26 (market cap $7.93B), while NIO Inc. trades at $4.87 (market cap $12.55B). The key difference: NIO Inc. is the larger of the two by market cap, and CarMax, Inc is trading nearer its 52-week high, NIO Inc. nearer its low. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| KMX | NIO | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $7.93B | $12.55B |
Sector | Consumer Cyclical | Consumer Cyclical |
52-Week High | $63.53 | $7.89 |
52-Week Low | $30.88 | $4.44 |
Enterprise Value | $26.44B | $11.78B |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
CarMax (KMX) trades at $55.89, down 2.51% on the day, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages but a neutral stance from oscillators. The company reported mixed earnings, with a Q2 2025 miss but subsequent beats in Q3 2025 and Q1 2026. Revenue has trended down from $31.9B in 2022 to $26.35B in 2025, though net income margin improved slightly to 1.89%. Recent news highlights a strategic turnaround under new CEO Keith Barr, with insider buying and positive analyst updates despite an ongoing legal investigation.
The outlook for KMX hinges on successful execution of its four-pillar strategy to boost volume and efficiency, offering potential upside if targets are met. However, high debt levels, margin pressure, and legal scrutiny pose significant risks. Analyst consensus is cautious with a hold-heavy rating and a price target of $48.91 below the current price, indicating skepticism about near-term growth.
NIO trades at $4.83, down 1.02% on the day, with a bearish technical signal from moving averages. Revenue grew to $87.49B in 2025, but the company posted a net loss of $15.57B, reflecting persistent profitability challenges. Recent news highlights strong Q2 2026 vehicle deliveries, up 49.4% year-over-year, and a Goldman Sachs upgrade to Buy with a $7 price target, suggesting potential upside.
The outlook remains mixed: delivery growth and analyst optimism contrast with deep losses and negative cash flow. Key risks include intense EV competition and reliance on financing. Investors should weigh the growth trajectory against the path to profitability.
Trailing returns across standard periods
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.
Read more on KMX →NIO Inc. manufactures and sells automobiles. The Company offers electric vehicles and parts, as well as provides battery charging services. NIO serves customers worldwide.
Read more on NIO →