AAP vs. KMX: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison

Updated on August 27, 2025

Here’s a clear look at AAP and KMX, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.

Company Profile

Symbol	AAP	KMX
Company Name	Advance Auto Parts, Inc.	CarMax, Inc.
Country	United States	United States
GICS Sector	Consumer Discretionary	Consumer Discretionary
GICS Industry	Specialty Retail	Specialty Retail
Market Capitalization	3.57 billion USD	8.98 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NYSE
Listing Date	November 29, 2001	February 4, 1997
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of AAP and KMX by tracking the growth of an initial $10,000 investment in each. Use the tabs to select the desired time period. Data is adjusted for dividends and splits.

AAP vs. KMX: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past one year.

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	AAP	KMX
5-Day Price Return	5.61%	0.81%
13-Week Price Return	20.97%	-5.31%
26-Week Price Return	34.21%	-31.54%
52-Week Price Return	16.40%	-27.12%
Month-to-Date Return	12.08%	5.74%
Year-to-Date Return	25.78%	-26.79%
10-Day Avg. Volume	2.31M	2.40M
3-Month Avg. Volume	2.88M	3.23M
3-Month Volatility	125.09%	33.48%
Beta	1.10	1.33

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

AAP

-13.03%

Specialty Retail Industry

Max: 61.19%
Q3: 37.24%
Median: 18.81%
Q1: 8.92%
Min: -13.03%

AAP has a negative Return on Equity of -13.03%. This indicates the company is generating a loss for its shareholders, which can be a result of unprofitability or negative shareholder equity and is often a sign of financial distress.

KMX

8.96%

Specialty Retail Industry

Max: 61.19%
Q3: 37.24%
Median: 18.81%
Q1: 8.92%
Min: -13.03%

KMX’s Return on Equity of 8.96% is on par with the norm for the Specialty Retail industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.

AAP vs. KMX: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against the Specialty Retail industry benchmark.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

AAP

-3.31%

Specialty Retail Industry

Max: 21.28%
Q3: 10.68%
Median: 6.08%
Q1: 2.43%
Min: -4.54%

AAP has a negative Net Profit Margin of -3.31%, indicating the company is operating at a net loss as its expenses exceeded its revenues.

KMX

2.08%

Specialty Retail Industry

Max: 21.28%
Q3: 10.68%
Median: 6.08%
Q1: 2.43%
Min: -4.54%

Falling into the lower quartile for the Specialty Retail industry, KMX’s Net Profit Margin of 2.08% indicates weaker profitability. This means the company retains a smaller portion of each dollar in sales as profit compared to its competitors.

AAP vs. KMX: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against the Specialty Retail industry benchmark.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

AAP

-8.97%

Specialty Retail Industry

Max: 33.35%
Q3: 15.84%
Median: 9.34%
Q1: 3.83%
Min: -8.97%

AAP has a negative Operating Profit Margin of -8.97%. This signifies the company is unprofitable at the operational level, as its core business expenses exceed its revenue.

KMX

2.78%

Specialty Retail Industry

Max: 33.35%
Q3: 15.84%
Median: 9.34%
Q1: 3.83%
Min: -8.97%

KMX’s Operating Profit Margin of 2.78% is in the lower quartile for the Specialty Retail industry. This indicates weaker profitability from core operations, which may stem from inefficiencies or competitive pressures on pricing.

AAP vs. KMX: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against the Specialty Retail industry benchmark.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	AAP	KMX
Return on Equity (TTM)	-13.03%	8.96%
Return on Assets (TTM)	-2.70%	2.04%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	-3.31%	2.08%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	-8.97%	2.78%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	48.01%	11.20%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

AAP

1.27

Specialty Retail Industry

Max: 2.83
Q3: 1.89
Median: 1.39
Q1: 1.11
Min: 0.64

AAP’s Current Ratio of 1.27 aligns with the median group of the Specialty Retail industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.

KMX

2.39

Specialty Retail Industry

Max: 2.83
Q3: 1.89
Median: 1.39
Q1: 1.11
Min: 0.64

KMX’s Current Ratio of 2.39 is in the upper quartile for the Specialty Retail industry. This signifies a strong liquidity position, suggesting the company is well-equipped to cover its immediate liabilities compared to its peers.

AAP vs. KMX: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against the Specialty Retail industry benchmark.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

AAP

0.81

Specialty Retail Industry

Max: 3.02
Q3: 1.57
Median: 0.64
Q1: 0.20
Min: 0.00

AAP’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.81 is typical for the Specialty Retail industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.

KMX

3.02

Specialty Retail Industry

Max: 3.02
Q3: 1.57
Median: 0.64
Q1: 0.20
Min: 0.00

KMX’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Specialty Retail industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 3.02. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.

AAP vs. KMX: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against the Specialty Retail industry benchmark.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

AAP

-7.88

Specialty Retail Industry

Max: 48.12
Q3: 35.95
Median: 14.13
Q1: 3.61
Min: -36.00

AAP has a negative Interest Coverage Ratio of -7.88. This indicates that its earnings were insufficient to cover even its operational costs, let alone its interest payments, signaling significant financial distress.

KMX

Specialty Retail Industry

Max: 48.12
Q3: 35.95
Median: 14.13
Q1: 3.61
Min: -36.00

Interest Coverage Ratio data for KMX is currently unavailable.

AAP vs. KMX: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against the Specialty Retail industry benchmark.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	AAP	KMX
Current Ratio (MRQ)	1.27	2.39
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	0.49	0.80
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	0.81	3.02
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	-7.88	--

Growth

Revenue Growth

AAP vs. KMX: A side-by-side comparison of their Revenue Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

EPS Growth

AAP vs. KMX: A side-by-side comparison of their EPS Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

Dividend

Dividend Yield (TTM)

AAP

1.77%

Specialty Retail Industry

Max: 6.53%
Q3: 2.69%
Median: 1.08%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

AAP’s Dividend Yield of 1.77% is consistent with its peers in the Specialty Retail industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

KMX

0.00%

Specialty Retail Industry

Max: 6.53%
Q3: 2.69%
Median: 1.08%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

KMX currently does not pay a dividend, resulting in a yield of 0%. This is a common strategy for growth-focused companies that prioritize reinvesting earnings, though it may be less typical in mature, income-oriented sectors.

AAP vs. KMX: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against the Specialty Retail industry benchmark.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

AAP

27.48%

Specialty Retail Industry

Max: 165.81%
Q3: 80.94%
Median: 31.61%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

AAP’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 27.48% is within the typical range for the Specialty Retail industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

KMX

0.00%

Specialty Retail Industry

Max: 165.81%
Q3: 80.94%
Median: 31.61%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

KMX has a Dividend Payout Ratio of 0%, indicating it does not currently pay a dividend. This is a common strategy for growth-oriented companies that reinvest all profits back into the business.

AAP vs. KMX: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against the Specialty Retail industry benchmark.

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	AAP	KMX
Dividend Yield (TTM)	1.77%	0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	27.48%	0.00%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

AAP

Specialty Retail Industry

Max: 48.56
Q3: 29.15
Median: 22.00
Q1: 15.46
Min: 7.95

P/E Ratio data for AAP is currently unavailable.

KMX

15.58

Specialty Retail Industry

Max: 48.56
Q3: 29.15
Median: 22.00
Q1: 15.46
Min: 7.95

KMX’s P/E Ratio of 15.58 is within the middle range for the Specialty Retail industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.

AAP vs. KMX: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against the Specialty Retail industry benchmark.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

AAP

0.36

Specialty Retail Industry

Max: 5.08
Q3: 2.69
Median: 1.23
Q1: 0.48
Min: 0.09

In the lower quartile for the Specialty Retail industry, AAP’s P/S Ratio of 0.36 indicates its revenue is valued more conservatively than most of its peers. This could present a compelling opportunity if the market has overlooked its sales-generating capabilities.

KMX

0.32

Specialty Retail Industry

Max: 5.08
Q3: 2.69
Median: 1.23
Q1: 0.48
Min: 0.09

In the lower quartile for the Specialty Retail industry, KMX’s P/S Ratio of 0.32 indicates its revenue is valued more conservatively than most of its peers. This could present a compelling opportunity if the market has overlooked its sales-generating capabilities.

AAP vs. KMX: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against the Specialty Retail industry benchmark.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

AAP

0.89

Specialty Retail Industry

Max: 16.93
Q3: 7.98
Median: 3.69
Q1: 1.79
Min: 0.21

AAP’s P/B Ratio of 0.89 is in the lower quartile for the Specialty Retail industry. From a value investing perspective, this is favorable, as it suggests the stock is trading at a discount to its net asset value and may offer a greater margin of safety.

KMX

1.54

Specialty Retail Industry

Max: 16.93
Q3: 7.98
Median: 3.69
Q1: 1.79
Min: 0.21

KMX’s P/B Ratio of 1.54 is in the lower quartile for the Specialty Retail industry. From a value investing perspective, this is favorable, as it suggests the stock is trading at a discount to its net asset value and may offer a greater margin of safety.

AAP vs. KMX: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against the Specialty Retail industry benchmark.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	AAP	KMX
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	--	15.58
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	0.36	0.32
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	0.89	1.54
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	12.28	12.58