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Group 1 - The previous investment outlook for CarMax (NYSE: KMX) was a sell rating due to a lack of strong growth prospects and anticipated pressure on underlying demand despite digital enhancements [1] - The investment strategy focuses on long-term investments while also incorporating short-term shorts to identify alpha opportunities, emphasizing a bottom-up analysis of individual companies' fundamental strengths and weaknesses [1] - The investment duration is medium to long-term, aiming to identify companies with solid fundamentals, sustainable competitive advantages, and growth potential [1]

Core Viewpoint - Carvana has experienced a significant turnaround, achieving record highs in key metrics after a challenging period in 2022, with a notable increase in stock price and operational efficiency [1][5][6]. Group 1: Company Performance - Carvana's first quarter of 2025 saw revenue of $4.2 billion, a 38% increase year-over-year, and retail units sold reached 133,898, a 46% increase, both setting quarterly records [8]. - The company more than doubled its net income and adjusted EBITDA to $373 million and $488 million, respectively, while selling 14% more vehicles with 30% less inventory and 45% less advertising spend compared to previous highs [9]. - Carvana aims to sell 3 million vehicles annually with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 13.5% within five to ten years, requiring a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 20% to 40% [10][11]. Group 2: Market Position and Growth Potential - Carvana estimates it currently holds only 1% of the $1.2 trillion U.S. used-car market, indicating substantial growth potential [12]. - The company has a presence in over 300 markets, with 81% of the U.S. population within its delivery range, positioning it well for future expansion [12]. - Plans for a new auction and reconditioning "megasite" in Phoenix are expected to create approximately 200 jobs, indicating a ramp-up in operational capacity [13]. Group 3: Financial Health and Valuation - As of Q1 2025, Carvana had $5.3 billion in long-term debt, which remains a concern for its financial stability [14]. - The company trades at a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 112, significantly higher than peers like CarMax, which has a P/E of 21, raising questions about its valuation [15]. - Analysts project a 206% increase in earnings per share (EPS) for 2025, reflecting high expectations that may not be sustainable [17].

Meetings with the top management of Group 1 Automotive Inc GPI and Penske Automotive Group Inc PAG highlighted industry trends in tariff responses by OEMs (original equipment manufacturers), new and used vehicle sales, as well as P&S (parts and service) trends, according to JPMorgan.The Automotive Analyst: Analyst Rajat Gupta reiterated an Overweight rating and price target of $435 for Group 1 Automotive, while maintaining an Underweight rating and price target of $160 for Penske Automotive.The Automotive T ...

For new and old investors, taking full advantage of the stock market and investing with confidence are common goals. Zacks Premium provides lots of different ways to do both.Featuring daily updates of the Zacks Rank and Zacks Industry Rank, full access to the Zacks #1 Rank List, Equity Research reports, and Premium stock screens, the research service can help you become a smarter, more self-assured investor.It also includes access to the Zacks Style Scores. What are the Zacks Style Scores? The Zacks Style S ...

Core Viewpoint - CarMax reported better-than-expected Q1 results, with revenue rising approximately 6% year-over-year to $7.55 billion and earnings exceeding predictions at $1.38 per share, leading to a nearly 6% surge in stock price [2] Financial Performance - CarMax experienced a 6.6% rise in same-store sales year-over-year during the quarter, indicating a positive shift after a slight decline over the past two years [2] - The company noted an improvement in gross margins, with retail gross profit per used unit nearing an all-time high due to increased demand and cost efficiencies [2] - Quarterly revenues grew 6.7% to $6.0 billion compared to $5.6 billion a year prior, contrasting with a 4.8% improvement for the S&P 500 [6] - CarMax's revenues have decreased 0.7% from $27 billion to $26 billion in the last 12 months, against a 5.5% growth for the S&P 500 [6] Valuation Comparison - CarMax's price-to-sales (P/S) ratio is 0.4 compared to 3.1 for the S&P 500, and its price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio stands at 19.7 versus 26.9 for the benchmark [6] - The current valuation of CarMax appears moderate when compared to its operational performance and financial health over recent years [3] Profitability Metrics - CarMax's operating income for the last four quarters was -$221 million, reflecting an operating margin of -0.8% [7] - The operating cash flow (OCF) for this period was $624 million, indicating an OCF margin of 2.4%, compared to 14.9% for the S&P 500 [7] - Net income for the four-quarter period was $501 million, resulting in a net income margin of 1.9%, against 11.6% for the S&P 500 [7] Financial Stability - CarMax's total debt was $19 billion at the end of the most recent quarter, with a market capitalization of $11 billion, leading to a debt-to-equity ratio of 194.8% compared to 19.4% for the S&P 500 [9] - Cash and cash equivalents amount to $247 million of the $27 billion in total assets, resulting in a cash-to-assets ratio of 0.9% [9] Downturn Resilience - KMX stock has historically performed worse than the S&P 500 during several downturns, indicating lower resilience in adverse market conditions [9] - The stock experienced a significant decline of 64.0% from a peak of $154.85 in November 2021 to $55.69 in October 2022, compared to a 25.4% drop for the S&P 500 [10] - During the COVID pandemic, KMX stock fell 56.6% from a high of $101.90 in February 2020 to $44.27 in March 2020, versus a 33.9% decline for the S&P 500 [11] Overall Assessment - CarMax's performance across key metrics indicates extremely weak operational performance and financial condition, leading to the conclusion that KMX is a very unattractive stock to buy [12][14]

Core Viewpoint - CarMax reported strong first-quarter earnings, exceeding analyst expectations, which led RBC Capital to maintain an Outperform rating and raise the price target from $80 to $81 [1]. Financial Performance - CarMax's first-quarter earnings per share were $1.38, surpassing the consensus estimate of $1.21 [1]. - Quarterly sales reached $7.55 billion, exceeding the analyst consensus estimate of $7.47 billion [1]. - Retail used unit sales increased by 9.0%, while comparable store used unit sales grew by 8.1%, both outperforming expectations [2][3]. Operational Insights - The company experienced a sequential improvement in category demand and market share gains, with each month of the quarter showing positive results, particularly April [3]. - SG&A as a percentage of gross profit improved to 73.8%, a reduction of approximately 680 basis points, attributed to cost management efforts despite rising compensation costs [4]. - CarMax repurchased $200 million in shares during the quarter, a significant increase compared to previous trends [4][5]. Challenges and Risks - CAF income declined by 3.6% to $141.7 million, primarily due to increased loan loss provisions, reflecting seasonal sales patterns and credit quality concerns [6]. - The company anticipates net sales growth of 1.9% and 3.9% for 2025 and 2026, respectively, with adjusted EPS estimates of $3.88 and $4.52 [7].

Financial Performance - CarMax reported earnings per share of $1.38, exceeding the analyst consensus estimate of $1.21 [1] - Quarterly sales reached $7.55 billion, surpassing the analyst consensus estimate of $7.47 billion [1] Business Expansion - The company opened two new stand-alone reconditioning/auction centers in El Mirage, Arizona, and Midlothian, Texas [2] Management Commentary - CEO Bill Nash highlighted the fourth consecutive quarter of positive retail comps and double-digit year-over-year earnings per share growth, emphasizing the strength of the company's earnings growth model [3] - Nash noted the importance of the omni-channel experience and the integration of associates, stores, technology, and digital capabilities in enhancing customer experience [3] Analyst Ratings and Price Targets - Truist Securities maintained a Hold rating and raised the price target from $72 to $74 [6] - RBC Capital maintained an Outperform rating and increased the price target from $80 to $81 [6] - Needham reiterated a Buy rating with a price target of $92 [6]

It doesn't matter your age or experience: taking full advantage of the stock market and investing with confidence are common goals for all investors. Luckily, Zacks Premium offers several different ways to do both.The popular research service can help you become a smarter, more self-assured investor, giving you access to daily updates of the Zacks Rank and Zacks Industry Rank, the Zacks #1 Rank List, Equity Research reports, and Premium stock screens.Zacks Premium includes access to the Zacks Style Scores a ...

Core Insights - CarMax Inc. reported adjusted earnings per share of $1.38 for Q1 fiscal 2026, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.18 and up from $0.97 in the prior year [1][9] - The company's revenues reached $7.55 billion, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $7.52 billion and reflecting a 6% year-over-year increase [1] Segmental Performance - Used-vehicle net sales amounted to $6.1 billion, a 7.5% increase year-over-year, driven by a 9% rise in unit sales to 230,210 vehicles, exceeding the forecast of 207,124 units [2] - The average selling price (ASP) of used vehicles decreased by 1.5% to $26,120, which was below the projected ASP of $28,279 [2] - Comparable store used-vehicle units increased by 8.1%, with revenues rising by 6.6% year-over-year; gross profit per unit (GPU) was $2,407, up from $2,347 in the prior year but below the estimate of $2,376.8 [3] Wholesale Vehicle Performance - Wholesale vehicle revenues decreased by 0.3% year-over-year to $1.25 billion, falling short of the projection of $1.27 billion due to lower-than-expected ASP [4] - Units sold in the wholesale segment rose by 1.2% to 149,517, exceeding the forecast of 145,645; however, the ASP fell by 1.7% to $7,959, below the estimate of $8,717 [4] - Wholesale GPU was $1,047, down from $1,064 in the prior year but above the estimate of $1,033.3 [4] Other Revenues and Expenses - Other sales and revenues increased by 6.1% year-over-year to $190.4 million, missing the estimate of $196.2 million [5] - CarMax Auto Finance's income fell by 3.6% year-over-year to $141.7 million [5] - Selling, general, and administrative expenses rose by 3.3% to $659.6 million [5] Share Repurchase Activity - During the fiscal first quarter, CarMax repurchased shares worth $199.8 million and had $1.74 billion remaining under its share repurchase authorization as of May 31, 2025 [6]