CarMax, Inc vs SkyWest Inc — how do they compare? CarMax, Inc trades at $58.26 (market cap $7.93B), while SkyWest Inc trades at $98.6 (market cap $3.94B). The key difference: CarMax, Inc is far larger — about 2× SkyWest Inc's market cap, and CarMax, Inc is trading nearer its 52-week high, SkyWest Inc nearer its low. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| KMX | SKYW | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $7.93B | $3.94B |
Sector | Consumer Cyclical | Technology |
52-Week High | $63.53 | $123.72 |
52-Week Low | $30.88 | $78.40 |
Enterprise Value | $26.44B | $5.79B |
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.
SkyWest (SKYW) trades at $99.34, up 2.17% today, with a neutral technical signal but bullish moving averages. The stock shows strong profitability with a 10.42% net margin and attractive valuation at a P/E of 9.32. Recent earnings have been mixed, beating in Q1 2026 but missing in Q4 2025, with Q2 2026 results pending. Analyst consensus is bullish with a $109.33 price target, though news highlights concerns over rising fuel costs impacting airline profits.
The outlook for SKYW is cautiously optimistic, supported by solid fundamentals and analyst buy ratings, but faces headwinds from volatile fuel expenses and competitive pressures. Upside potential exists if the company maintains earnings momentum and manages cost inflation, while downside risks include economic sensitivity and operational challenges in the airline industry.
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 →SkyWest, Inc. is a major North American regional airline company, operating primarily through its subsidiary, SkyWest Airlines. The company provides regional airline service to various large airlines under contract, including United Airlines (as United Express), Delta Air Lines (as Delta Connection), American Airlines (as American Eagle), and Alaska Airlines (as Alaska SkyWest). SKYW's primary business is providing essential flight services, connecting smaller cities to major airline hubs across the United States.
Read more on SKYW →