CarMax, Inc vs Western Alliance Bancorporation — how do they compare? CarMax, Inc trades at $55.91 (market cap $7.93B), while Western Alliance Bancorporation trades at $80.39 (market cap $8.84B). The key difference: CarMax, Inc and Western Alliance Bancorporation are close in size by market cap, and Western Alliance Bancorporation pays a 2.07% dividend while CarMax, Inc pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| KMX | WAL | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $7.93B | $8.84B |
Sector | Consumer Cyclical | Financials |
52-Week High | $63.53 | $96.08 |
52-Week Low | $30.88 | $66.70 |
Enterprise Value | $26.44B | — |
Dividend Yield | — | 2.07% |
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.
Western Alliance Bancorporation (WAL) trades at $80.97, down 1.62% on the day, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages but neutral oscillators. The company has consistently beaten earnings estimates in recent quarters, with a Q2 2026 EPS estimate of $2.33. Strong profitability is evident with a net income margin of 25.63% and ROE of 13.47%, while valuation ratios like a P/E of 9.58 suggest potential undervaluation. Recent news highlights operational achievements, including being named Arizona's #1 bank by Forbes in June 2026.
The outlook for WAL is positive, supported by analyst consensus with 79% buy ratings and a $90.67 price target, implying ~12% upside. Investment opportunities include earnings growth and sector leadership, but risks involve negative operating cash flow in 2025 and high interest expenses of $1.83B that could pressure margins if rates rise.
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 →Western Alliance Bancorporation is a top-performing bank holding company that operates a dual business model: high-touch regional banking and specialized national business lines. It serves niche industries—including technology, life sciences, and homeowners associations—providing sophisticated commercial lending and treasury solutions that bridge the gap between regional service and national scale.
Read more on WAL →