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

Updated on August 24, 2025

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

Company Profile

Symbol	GM	KMX
Company Name	General Motors Company	CarMax, Inc.
Country	United States	United States
GICS Sector	Consumer Discretionary	Consumer Discretionary
GICS Industry	Automobiles	Specialty Retail
Market Capitalization	54.05 billion USD	8.68 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NYSE
Listing Date	November 18, 2010	February 4, 1997
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of GM 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.

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

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	GM	KMX
5-Day Price Return	0.62%	-0.57%
13-Week Price Return	13.47%	-14.95%
26-Week Price Return	18.54%	-34.01%
52-Week Price Return	24.06%	-28.02%
Month-to-Date Return	6.43%	2.12%
Year-to-Date Return	6.57%	-29.29%
10-Day Avg. Volume	6.28M	2.53M
3-Month Avg. Volume	9.85M	3.32M
3-Month Volatility	33.97%	34.29%
Beta	1.36	1.33

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

GM

7.21%

Automobiles Industry

Max: 25.70%
Q3: 12.88%
Median: 6.92%
Q1: 0.71%
Min: -15.89%

GM’s Return on Equity of 7.21% is on par with the norm for the Automobiles industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.

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.

GM vs. KMX: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective Automobiles and Specialty Retail industry benchmarks.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

GM

2.54%

Automobiles Industry

Max: 9.92%
Q3: 5.78%
Median: 3.23%
Q1: 0.11%
Min: -5.31%

GM’s Net Profit Margin of 2.54% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Automobiles industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.

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.

GM vs. KMX: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Automobiles and Specialty Retail industry benchmarks.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

GM

3.42%

Automobiles Industry

Max: 13.07%
Q3: 7.22%
Median: 5.29%
Q1: 0.43%
Min: -4.46%

GM’s Operating Profit Margin of 3.42% is around the midpoint for the Automobiles industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.

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.

GM vs. KMX: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Automobiles and Specialty Retail industry benchmarks.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	GM	KMX
Return on Equity (TTM)	7.21%	8.96%
Return on Assets (TTM)	1.67%	2.04%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	2.54%	2.08%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	3.42%	2.78%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	10.97%	11.20%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

GM

1.22

Automobiles Industry

Max: 2.19
Q3: 1.54
Median: 1.26
Q1: 1.09
Min: 0.48

GM’s Current Ratio of 1.22 aligns with the median group of the Automobiles 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.

GM vs. KMX: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Automobiles and Specialty Retail industry benchmarks.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

GM

2.05

Automobiles Industry

Max: 2.34
Q3: 1.13
Median: 0.58
Q1: 0.28
Min: 0.06

GM’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Automobiles industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 2.05. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.

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.

GM vs. KMX: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Automobiles and Specialty Retail industry benchmarks.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

GM

25.00

Automobiles Industry

Max: 77.87
Q3: 42.86
Median: 13.88
Q1: 2.13
Min: -49.07

GM’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 25.00 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Automobiles industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.

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.

GM vs. KMX: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against their respective Automobiles and Specialty Retail industry benchmarks.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	GM	KMX
Current Ratio (MRQ)	1.22	2.39
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	1.05	0.80
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	2.05	3.02
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	25.00	--

Growth

Revenue Growth

GM 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

GM 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)

GM

1.17%

Automobiles Industry

Max: 10.71%
Q3: 5.39%
Median: 3.14%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

GM’s Dividend Yield of 1.17% is consistent with its peers in the Automobiles 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.

GM vs. KMX: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Automobiles and Specialty Retail industry benchmarks.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

GM

6.61%

Automobiles Industry

Max: 114.43%
Q3: 59.30%
Median: 37.15%
Q1: 16.40%
Min: 0.00%

GM’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 6.61% is in the lower quartile for the Automobiles industry. This suggests a conservative dividend policy, with a strategic focus on reinvesting profits for future growth.

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.

GM vs. KMX: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against their respective Automobiles and Specialty Retail industry benchmarks.

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	GM	KMX
Dividend Yield (TTM)	1.17%	0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	6.61%	0.00%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

GM

11.38

Automobiles Industry

Max: 27.69
Q3: 19.99
Median: 9.85
Q1: 6.60
Min: 4.25

GM’s P/E Ratio of 11.38 is within the middle range for the Automobiles 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

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.

GM vs. KMX: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective Automobiles and Specialty Retail industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

GM

0.29

Automobiles Industry

Max: 1.52
Q3: 0.84
Median: 0.41
Q1: 0.23
Min: 0.08

GM’s P/S Ratio of 0.29 aligns with the market consensus for the Automobiles industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.

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.

GM vs. KMX: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against their respective Automobiles and Specialty Retail industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

GM

0.71

Automobiles Industry

Max: 4.25
Q3: 2.00
Median: 0.87
Q1: 0.46
Min: 0.19

GM’s P/B Ratio of 0.71 is within the conventional range for the Automobiles 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.

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.

GM vs. KMX: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Automobiles and Specialty Retail industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	GM	KMX
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	11.38	15.58
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	0.29	0.32
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	0.71	1.54
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	42.18	12.58