CarMax, Inc vs Vanguard S&P 500 ETF — how do they compare? CarMax, Inc trades at $57.74 (market cap $7.93B), while Vanguard S&P 500 ETF trades at $687.67. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| KMX | VOO | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $7.93B | — |
Sector | Consumer Cyclical | Broad Market / Factor |
52-Week High | $63.53 | $698.29 |
52-Week Low | $30.88 | $571.45 |
Enterprise Value | $26.44B | — |
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.
VOO trades at $682.20, down 0.14% with a bearish technical signal from moving averages. The ETF shows neutral momentum indicators with RSI at 51.60, while support levels cluster around $677-681. Recent news highlights S&P 500 concentration risks and ongoing debates about market valuation levels amid tech dominance.
The outlook remains cautious as technical weakness contrasts with long-term ETF benefits. Key risks include market concentration in tech stocks and potential valuation concerns, while the dividend yield provides income support for patient investors seeking broad market exposure.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
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 →VOO is a foundational ETF that tracks the S&P 500 Index, providing exposure to 500 of the largest and most established companies in the United States. Renowned for its ultra-low expense ratio and tax efficiency, it serves as a core building block for long-term investors seeking to capture the total return of the U.S. large-cap market in a single, highly liquid vehicle.
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