Carvana (CVNA) vs CarMax (KMX)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 9, 2026.
Summary
CarMax (KMX) has outperformed Carvana (CVNA) over the past year, gaining 21.3% versus a loss of 12.4%. Over five years, CVNA leads with a +10.1% price change compared with -60.7% for KMX. Carvana is the larger company by market cap ($70.05 billion vs $7.64 billion), about 9.2 times the size.
On valuation, CarMax trades at a lower forward P/E (15.1x vs 28.1x for Carvana). Carvana converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 6.9% versus 1.0%.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | CVNA | KMX |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $63.20 | $53.79 |
| Market cap | $70.05B | $7.64B |
| 1-day change | +0.70% | +0.96% |
| YTD return | -25.12% | +39.21% |
| 1-year return | -12.44% | +21.26% |
| 5-year return | +10.08% | -60.68% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 33.44 | 25.49 |
| Forward P/E | 28.10 | 15.08 |
| EPS (TTM) | $1.89 | $2.11 |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Annual dividend | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $20.32B | $25.88B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +48.63% | -1.79% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $1.41B | $247.29M |
| Gross margin | 20.63% | 10.84% |
| Operating margin | 9.26% | — |
| Net margin | 6.92% | 0.96% |
| 52-week high | $97.38 | $65.28 |
| 52-week low | $54.46 | $30.26 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -35.10% | -17.60% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | hold |
| Avg. price target upside | +30.21% | +16.42% |
| Average volume | 8.61M | 2.60M |
| Shares outstanding | 719.92M | 141.94M |
| Employees | 23,100 | 28,000 |
| Sector | Consumer Discretionary | Consumer Discretionary |
| Industry | Retail-Auto Dealers and Gas Stations | Retail-Auto Dealers and Gas Stations |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- Carvana is about 9.2 times larger than CarMax by market value ($70.05B vs $7.64B).
- KMX has outperformed CVNA by 33.7 percentage points over the past year.
- Carvana trades at a higher earnings multiple (33.4x vs 25.5x trailing P/E).
- Carvana is more profitable, keeping 6.9 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 1.0 cents for CarMax.
- Carvana grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+48.63% vs -1.79%).
About Carvana
CVNA stock →Carvana Co., together with its subsidiaries, operates an e-commerce platform for buying and selling used cars. It provides vehicle acquisition, inspection and reconditioning, online search and shopping experience, financing, complementary products, logistics network and distinctive fulfillment experience, and post-sale customer support services.
Consumer Discretionary · Retail-Auto Dealers and Gas Stations · 23,100 employees
About CarMax
KMX stock →CarMax, Inc., through its subsidiaries, operates as a retailer of used vehicles and related products in the United States. The company operates in two segments: CarMax Sales Operations and CarMax Auto Finance.
Consumer Discretionary · Retail-Auto Dealers and Gas Stations · 28,000 employees
CVNA vs KMX FAQ
Which is bigger, Carvana or CarMax?
Carvana (CVNA) is larger, with a market capitalization of $70.05B compared with $7.64B for CarMax (KMX).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, CVNA or KMX?
KMX returned +21.26% over the past 12 months, compared with -12.44% for CVNA (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, CVNA or KMX?
KMX has the lower trailing P/E at 25.5, versus 33.4 for CVNA. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Are Carvana and CarMax in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Retail-Auto Dealers and Gas Stations industry within the Consumer Discretionary sector.