AZO vs. KMX: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at AZO and KMX, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Overview
AZO’s market capitalization of 63.05 billion USD is substantially larger than KMX’s 10.76 billion USD, indicating a significant difference in their market valuations.
KMX carries a higher beta at 1.38, indicating it’s more sensitive to market moves, while AZO (beta: 0.40) exhibits greater stability.
| Symbol | AZO | KMX |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | AutoZone, Inc. | CarMax, Inc. |
| Country | US | US |
| Sector | Consumer Cyclical | Consumer Cyclical |
| Industry | Specialty Retail | Auto - Dealerships |
| CEO | Philip B. Daniele III | William D. Nash CPA |
| Price | 3,769.26 USD | 70.61 USD |
| Market Cap | 63.05 billion USD | 10.76 billion USD |
| Beta | 0.40 | 1.38 |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| IPO Date | April 2, 1991 | February 4, 1997 |
| ADR | No | No |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of AZO 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.
Profitability
Return on Equity
AZO
-57.43%
Specialty Retail Industry
- Max
- 70.52%
- Q3
- 29.03%
- Median
- 10.90%
- Q1
- -7.86%
- Min
- -57.43%
AZO has a negative Return on Equity of -57.43%. 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%
Auto - Dealerships Industry
- Max
- 28.79%
- Q3
- 15.58%
- Median
- 9.02%
- Q1
- -10.07%
- Min
- -35.39%
KMX’s Return on Equity of 8.96% is on par with the norm for the Auto - Dealerships industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
Return on Invested Capital
AZO
15.20%
Specialty Retail Industry
- Max
- 29.46%
- Q3
- 13.75%
- Median
- 8.05%
- Q1
- 0.80%
- Min
- -17.95%
In the upper quartile for the Specialty Retail industry, AZO’s Return on Invested Capital of 15.20% signifies a highly effective use of its capital to generate profits when compared to its peers.
KMX
0.10%
Auto - Dealerships Industry
- Max
- 14.67%
- Q3
- 8.34%
- Median
- 6.56%
- Q1
- 0.65%
- Min
- -4.67%
KMX’s Return on Invested Capital of 0.10% is in the lower quartile for the Auto - Dealerships industry. This indicates a less efficient conversion of invested capital into profit compared to most of its competitors.
Net Profit Margin
AZO
13.56%
Specialty Retail Industry
- Max
- 19.78%
- Q3
- 8.49%
- Median
- 3.43%
- Q1
- -0.69%
- Min
- -9.88%
A Net Profit Margin of 13.56% places AZO in the upper quartile for the Specialty Retail industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
KMX
2.08%
Auto - Dealerships Industry
- Max
- 7.00%
- Q3
- 2.95%
- Median
- 2.18%
- Q1
- -0.32%
- Min
- -0.47%
KMX’s Net Profit Margin of 2.08% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Auto - Dealerships industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
Operating Profit Margin
AZO
19.63%
Specialty Retail Industry
- Max
- 24.47%
- Q3
- 11.10%
- Median
- 5.85%
- Q1
- 0.66%
- Min
- -12.62%
An Operating Profit Margin of 19.63% places AZO in the upper quartile for the Specialty Retail industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.
KMX
0.13%
Auto - Dealerships Industry
- Max
- 8.99%
- Q3
- 5.53%
- Median
- 4.28%
- Q1
- -1.91%
- Min
- -11.10%
KMX’s Operating Profit Margin of 0.13% is around the midpoint for the Auto - Dealerships industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | AZO | KMX |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | -57.43% | 8.96% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 13.77% | 2.04% |
| Return on Invested Capital (TTM) | 15.20% | 0.10% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 13.56% | 2.08% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 19.63% | 0.13% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 52.95% | 11.20% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio
AZO
0.75
Specialty Retail Industry
- Max
- 3.24
- Q3
- 1.99
- Median
- 1.42
- Q1
- 1.02
- Min
- 0.54
AZO’s Current Ratio of 0.75 falls into the lower quartile for the Specialty Retail industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.
KMX
2.39
Auto - Dealerships Industry
- Max
- 1.65
- Q3
- 1.54
- Median
- 1.33
- Q1
- 1.07
- Min
- 0.77
KMX’s Current Ratio of 2.39 is exceptionally high, placing it well outside the typical range for the Auto - Dealerships industry. This indicates a very strong liquidity position, though such a high ratio may also suggest that the company is not using its assets efficiently to generate profits.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio
AZO
-2.99
Specialty Retail Industry
- Max
- 2.72
- Q3
- 1.42
- Median
- 0.87
- Q1
- 0.35
- Min
- 0.01
AZO has a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of -2.99, which indicates negative shareholder equity where liabilities exceed assets. This is a critical sign of financial distress.
KMX
2.85
Auto - Dealerships Industry
- Max
- 4.90
- Q3
- 3.44
- Median
- 1.76
- Q1
- 0.50
- Min
- 0.01
KMX’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 2.85 is typical for the Auto - Dealerships industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
Interest Coverage Ratio
AZO
4.36
Specialty Retail Industry
- Max
- 37.34
- Q3
- 17.19
- Median
- 4.28
- Q1
- 0.11
- Min
- -23.60
AZO’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 4.36 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Specialty Retail industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
KMX
0.04
Auto - Dealerships Industry
- Max
- 6.71
- Q3
- 3.13
- Median
- 1.99
- Q1
- 0.03
- Min
- -1.62
KMX’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 0.04 is a critical concern. A value below 1.0 means operating earnings are insufficient to cover interest expenses, indicating severe financial strain and high default risk.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | AZO | KMX |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (TTM) | 0.75 | 2.39 |
| Quick Ratio (TTM) | 0.03 | 0.80 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (TTM) | -2.99 | 2.85 |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio (TTM) | 0.64 | 0.65 |
| Net Debt-to-EBITDA Ratio (TTM) | 2.33 | 10.15 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 4.36 | 0.04 |
Growth
The following charts compare key year-over-year (YoY) growth metrics for AZO and KMX. These metrics are based on the companies’ annual financial reports.
Revenue Growth
Earnings Per Share (EPS) Growth
Free Cash Flow Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield
AZO
0.00%
Specialty Retail Industry
- Max
- 5.54%
- Q3
- 1.52%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
AZO 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.
KMX
0.00%
Auto - Dealerships Industry
- Max
- 2.73%
- Q3
- 0.59%
- Median
- 0.00%
- 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.
Dividend Payout Ratio
AZO
0.00%
Specialty Retail Industry
- Max
- 177.64%
- Q3
- 9.49%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
AZO 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.
KMX
0.00%
Auto - Dealerships Industry
- Max
- 34.61%
- Q3
- 9.34%
- Median
- 0.00%
- 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.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | AZO | KMX |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio
AZO
24.62
Specialty Retail Industry
- Max
- 81.45
- Q3
- 42.51
- Median
- 25.40
- Q1
- 12.72
- Min
- 1.88
AZO’s P/E Ratio of 24.62 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.
KMX
19.23
Auto - Dealerships Industry
- Max
- 31.48
- Q3
- 20.01
- Median
- 14.07
- Q1
- 11.52
- Min
- 10.40
KMX’s P/E Ratio of 19.23 is within the middle range for the Auto - Dealerships industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
Forward P/E to Growth Ratio
AZO
2.12
Specialty Retail Industry
- Max
- 5.90
- Q3
- 2.79
- Median
- 1.76
- Q1
- 0.69
- Min
- 0.00
AZO’s Forward PEG Ratio of 2.12 is within the middle range of its peers in the Specialty Retail industry. This suggests a reasonable balance between the stock’s price and its expected growth, aligning with sector valuation norms.
KMX
1.65
Auto - Dealerships Industry
- Max
- 3.22
- Q3
- 2.32
- Median
- 1.63
- Q1
- 0.62
- Min
- 0.46
KMX’s Forward PEG Ratio of 1.65 is within the middle range of its peers in the Auto - Dealerships industry. This suggests a reasonable balance between the stock’s price and its expected growth, aligning with sector valuation norms.
Price-to-Sales Ratio
AZO
3.34
Specialty Retail Industry
- Max
- 5.26
- Q3
- 2.60
- Median
- 1.29
- Q1
- 0.41
- Min
- 0.06
AZO’s P/S Ratio of 3.34 is in the upper echelon for the Specialty Retail industry. This means the company is valued richly on its revenue stream compared to its peers, suggesting the stock is priced for a high level of future performance.
KMX
0.40
Auto - Dealerships Industry
- Max
- 3.42
- Q3
- 1.74
- Median
- 0.45
- Q1
- 0.28
- Min
- 0.19
KMX’s P/S Ratio of 0.40 aligns with the market consensus for the Auto - Dealerships industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
Price-to-Book Ratio
AZO
-15.88
Specialty Retail Industry
- Max
- 12.73
- Q3
- 6.96
- Median
- 3.28
- Q1
- 1.42
- Min
- 0.24
AZO has a negative P/B Ratio of -15.88, indicating its liabilities exceed its assets and result in negative shareholder equity. This is a critical warning sign of financial distress.
KMX
1.71
Auto - Dealerships Industry
- Max
- 6.16
- Q3
- 3.70
- Median
- 1.91
- Q1
- 1.56
- Min
- 0.81
KMX’s P/B Ratio of 1.71 is within the conventional range for the Auto - Dealerships industry. This shows a balanced market view, where the stock’s price is neither at a significant premium nor a discount to the book value of its peers.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | AZO | KMX |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (P/E, TTM) | 24.62 | 19.23 |
| Forward PEG Ratio (TTM) | 2.12 | 1.65 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (P/S, TTM) | 3.34 | 0.40 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (P/B, TTM) | -15.88 | 1.71 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (P/FCF, TTM) | 31.49 | 19.89 |
| EV-to-EBITDA (TTM) | 14.99 | 16.34 |
| EV-to-Sales (TTM) | 3.95 | 1.06 |