CarMax, Inc vs Williams-Sonoma, Inc. — how do they compare? CarMax, Inc trades at $58.31 (market cap $7.93B), while Williams-Sonoma, Inc. trades at $219.61 (market cap $26.30B). The key difference: Williams-Sonoma, Inc. is far larger — about 3.3× CarMax, Inc's market cap, and Williams-Sonoma, Inc. pays a 1.36% dividend while CarMax, Inc pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| KMX | WSM | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $7.93B | $26.30B |
Sector | Consumer Cyclical | Consumer Cyclical |
52-Week High | $63.53 | $240.06 |
52-Week Low | $30.88 | $168.64 |
Enterprise Value | $26.44B | $27.14B |
Dividend Yield | — | 1.36% |
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.
Williams-Sonoma (WSM) trades at $223.34, down 2.22% today, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages but neutral oscillators. The company maintains strong profitability with 13.81% net margins and 54.01% ROE, though revenue has declined from $8.7B in 2023 to $7.7B in 2025. Recent earnings beats and consistent dividend payments highlight operational strength amid competitive retail pressures.
WSM presents a mixed outlook with solid fundamentals but faces revenue headwinds and high valuation multiples. Analyst consensus is cautious with 60.72% hold ratings and a $215.22 price target below current levels. Key risks include consumer discretionary spending volatility and execution challenges in maintaining premium positioning against competitors like RH.
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 →With a wide retail and direct-to-consumer presence, Williams-Sonoma is a leader in the $300 billion domestic home category, focused on expanding its exposure in the B2B, marketplace, and franchise areas. Namesake Williams-Sonoma (175 stores) offers high-end cooking essentials, while Pottery Barn (189) provides casual home accessories. Brand extensions include Pottery Barn Kids (52) and PBteen. West Elm (121) is an emerging concept for young professionals, and Rejuvenation (9) offers lighting and house parts. Williams-Sonoma also has a business-to-business team that supports projects that range from residential to large-scale commercial.
Read more on WSM →