Core Insights - Vulcan Value Partners reported positive results across all its strategies for the year, with the All-Cap Composite returning 1.3% in Q4 and 10.7% YTD, despite overvalued markets [1] - The firm emphasizes safety and long-term gains over short-term performance, drawing parallels to the late 1990s dot-com bubble and current AI disruptions [1] Company Highlights: CarMax, Inc. (NYSE:KMX) - CarMax, Inc. was added to Vulcan's All-Cap Strategy, with a one-month return of 21.80% and a 52-week loss of 42.19%, closing at $47.83 per share with a market cap of $5.826 billion [2] - CarMax is the largest used car retailer in the U.S. and has faced underperformance due to macroeconomic, competitive, and operational factors, including a depressed used car supply and increased competition from Carvana [3] - Despite competitive pressures, CarMax's customer experience, brand strength, scale, vertical integration, and omnichannel approach are seen as competitive advantages that will help it gain market share in a fragmented market [3] - The company is making operational changes to increase volumes, lower costs, and expand profitability, with expectations of a recovery in earnings as the used car market normalizes [3] - CarMax has a solid balance sheet, generates significant free cash flow, and is actively buying back shares at a discount to intrinsic value [3]
Should You Hold CarMax (KMX)?