KAR vs KMX

For growth investors, OPENLANE, Inc.

(KAR) is the stronger pick with 8. 2% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -0. 0% for CarMax, Inc. (KMX). CarMax, Inc. (KMX) offers the better valuation at 12. 4x trailing P/E (14. 8x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate OPENLANE, Inc. (KAR) a "Buy" — based on 18 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.

On trailing P/E, CarMax, Inc.

(KMX) is the cheapest at 12. 4x versus OPENLANE, Inc. at 16. 7x. On forward P/E, CarMax, Inc. is actually cheaper at 14. 8x.

Over the past 5 years, OPENLANE, Inc.

(KAR) delivered a total return of +61. 6%, compared to -69. 3% for CarMax, Inc. (KMX). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: KAR returned +99. 2% versus KMX's -22. 1%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.

By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), OPENLANE, Inc.

(KAR) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 98β versus CarMax, Inc. 's 1. 32β — meaning KMX is approximately 35% more volatile than KAR relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, OPENLANE, Inc. (KAR) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 93% versus 3% for CarMax, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), OPENLANE, Inc.

(KAR) is pulling ahead at 8. 2% versus -0. 0% for CarMax, Inc. (KMX). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: OPENLANE, Inc. grew EPS 264. 4% year-over-year, compared to 6. 3% for CarMax, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, KAR leads at 8. 2% annualised revenue growth. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.

OPENLANE, Inc.

(KAR) is the more profitable company, earning 9. 2% net margin versus 1. 8% for CarMax, Inc. — meaning it keeps 9. 2% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: KAR leads at 10. 2% versus 2. 8% for KMX. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — KAR leads at 46. 2%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.

On forward earnings alone, CarMax, Inc.

(KMX) trades at 14. 8x forward P/E versus 19. 3x for OPENLANE, Inc. — 4. 5x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for KAR: 16. 6% to $32. 00.

In this comparison, KAR (1.

3% yield) pays a dividend. KMX does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, OPENLANE, Inc.

(KAR) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 98), 1. 3% yield). Both have compounded well over 10 years (KAR: +99. 2%, KMX: -22. 1%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.

Both stocks operate in the Consumer Cyclical sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.

KAR pays a dividend while KMX does not, making them suitable for different income and tax situations. These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.