$11.1 Million Exit After a 39% Slide Signals a Hard Reset on This Auto Retailer

Core Insights - Courant Investment Management has completely exited its position in CarMax, selling 247,520 shares for an estimated value of $11.11 million, indicating a significant shift in investment strategy [1][2]. Company Overview - CarMax operates a nationwide network of used vehicle retail stores, generating revenue through vehicle sales, financing, and ancillary services, with a total revenue of $25.94 billion and a net income of $457.84 million [4]. - As of January 21, CarMax shares were priced at $48.75, reflecting a 38.7% decline over the past year, significantly underperforming the S&P 500 by 52.3 percentage points [3][4]. Recent Performance - In the third quarter, CarMax reported a 50% year-over-year decline in net earnings to $62 million, with earnings per share (EPS) dropping from $0.81 to $0.43, attributed to softer unit volumes and margin pressures [6]. - Comparable store used unit sales decreased by 9%, although CarMax Auto Finance income increased by 9% to $174.7 million, indicating challenges in the core retail operations [6]. Management Actions - The company is implementing cost-cutting measures, aiming for at least $150 million in reductions in selling, general, and administrative expenses (SG&A) by fiscal 2027, and has repurchased $201.6 million of stock in the last quarter [8].