CarMax, Inc vs Williams-Sonoma, Inc. — how do they compare? CarMax, Inc trades at $58.78 (market cap $8.26B), while Williams-Sonoma, Inc. trades at $246.91 (market cap $29.51B). The key difference: Williams-Sonoma, Inc. is far larger — about 3.6× CarMax, Inc's market cap, and Williams-Sonoma, Inc. pays a 1.21% dividend while CarMax, Inc pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| KMX | WSM | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $8.26B | $29.51B |
Sector | Consumer Cyclical | Consumer Cyclical |
52-Week High | $62.17 | $251.81 |
52-Week Low | $30.88 | $168.64 |
Enterprise Value | $26.77B | $30.35B |
Dividend Yield | — | 1.21% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
CarMax (KMX) trades at $58.20, showing modest near-term weakness with a 0.99% daily decline. The stock maintains a bullish technical stance with strong moving average support and trades near key support at $58. Fundamentally, the company reported Q1 2026 earnings beat with $0.34 EPS versus $0.23 expected, though revenue trends show slight contraction from $26.4B in 2025 to projected $26.3B in 2026. Recent positive developments include AI partnership enhancements and strong institutional recognition.
CarMax presents a mixed investment case with technical strength offset by fundamental challenges. The bullish moving average configuration and recent earnings beats provide near-term support, but declining revenue trends and thin 0.84% net margin limit upside potential. Key risks include ongoing fiduciary investigations and competitive pressure in the used car market. Analyst consensus remains cautious with 68.6% hold ratings and $53.09 price target below current levels.
Williams-Sonoma (WSM) trades at $246.14, down 1.87% on the day, amid a generally bullish technical outlook. The stock shows strong profitability with a net income margin of 13.81% and has beaten earnings estimates for three consecutive quarters. Recent news highlights its digital-first transformation and competitive strength in home furnishings.
The outlook is supported by solid fundamentals and positive earnings momentum, but high valuation ratios and overbought RSI levels pose near-term risks. Analyst consensus is mixed, with a moderate buy rating but a price target below the current price, suggesting cautious optimism amid execution and consumer spending concerns.
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 →