CarMax, Inc vs Vanguard S&P 500 Growth Index Fund ETF — how do they compare? CarMax, Inc trades at $56.41 (market cap $7.93B), while Vanguard S&P 500 Growth Index Fund ETF trades at $81.65. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| KMX | VOOG | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $7.93B | — |
Sector | Consumer Cyclical | Broad Market / Factor |
52-Week High | $63.53 | $85.11 |
52-Week Low | $30.88 | $65.32 |
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.
VOOG, the Vanguard S&P 500 Growth ETF, trades at $80.98, up 0.28% on the day. The technical outlook is bearish with moving averages signaling selling pressure, though oscillators are neutral. Recent news highlights its competitive expense ratio of 0.07% and heavy technology sector concentration, which has driven strong long-term returns but also introduces volatility. A 1:6 stock split occurred on April 21, 2026, and a small dividend is scheduled for June 26, 2026.
The ETF's outlook hinges on the performance of large-cap growth stocks, particularly in technology. Opportunities exist from continued AI-driven growth, but risks include high sector concentration and market sensitivity to tech valuations. Analyst sentiment is generally positive given its low-cost structure and historical performance, though the current bearish technical signal warrants caution.
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 →VOOG is an index-based ETF that tracks the S&P 500 Growth Index, composed of the growth-oriented companies within the S&P 500. It selects constituents based on three key metrics—sales growth, the ratio of earnings change to price, and momentum—offering a highly liquid and low-cost way to capture the high-performing 'growth slice' of the broader U.S. large-cap market.
Read more on VOOG →