KMX vs. PKG: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at KMX and PKG, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | KMX | PKG |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | CarMax, Inc. | Packaging Corporation of America |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Consumer Discretionary | Materials |
| GICS Industry | Specialty Retail | Containers & Packaging |
| Market Capitalization | 6.51 billion USD | 19.19 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | February 4, 1997 | January 28, 2000 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of KMX and PKG 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.
Historical Performance at a Glance
| Symbol | KMX | PKG |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -3.71% | -1.09% |
| 13-Week Price Return | -34.06% | 4.51% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -41.98% | 12.75% |
| 52-Week Price Return | -38.62% | -0.03% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -1.14% | -2.13% |
| Year-to-Date Return | -45.74% | -5.26% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 7.86M | 0.54M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 3.69M | 0.71M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 49.62% | 22.53% |
| Beta | 1.31 | 0.94 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
KMX
8.36%
Specialty Retail Industry
- Max
- 64.63%
- Q3
- 37.13%
- Median
- 19.07%
- Q1
- 10.79%
- Min
- -16.66%
KMX’s Return on Equity of 8.36% is in the lower quartile for the Specialty Retail industry. This indicates a less efficient generation of profit from its equity base when compared to its competitors.
PKG
20.33%
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 36.99%
- Q3
- 19.86%
- Median
- 10.47%
- Q1
- 6.76%
- Min
- -0.20%
In the upper quartile for the Containers & Packaging industry, PKG’s Return on Equity of 20.33% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
KMX
1.98%
Specialty Retail Industry
- Max
- 21.04%
- Q3
- 10.99%
- Median
- 6.08%
- Q1
- 2.46%
- Min
- -4.37%
Falling into the lower quartile for the Specialty Retail industry, KMX’s Net Profit Margin of 1.98% indicates weaker profitability. This means the company retains a smaller portion of each dollar in sales as profit compared to its competitors.
PKG
10.47%
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 10.84%
- Q3
- 8.25%
- Median
- 4.91%
- Q1
- 3.65%
- Min
- -0.12%
A Net Profit Margin of 10.47% places PKG in the upper quartile for the Containers & Packaging industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
KMX
2.64%
Specialty Retail Industry
- Max
- 33.35%
- Q3
- 16.40%
- Median
- 9.28%
- Q1
- 4.05%
- Min
- -10.63%
KMX’s Operating Profit Margin of 2.64% 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.
PKG
14.39%
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 22.03%
- Q3
- 13.09%
- Median
- 8.06%
- Q1
- 6.46%
- Min
- -0.07%
An Operating Profit Margin of 14.39% places PKG in the upper quartile for the Containers & Packaging industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | KMX | PKG |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 8.36% | 20.33% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 1.91% | 10.16% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 1.98% | 10.47% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 2.64% | 14.39% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 11.21% | 22.13% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
KMX
2.46
Specialty Retail Industry
- Max
- 2.72
- Q3
- 1.81
- Median
- 1.38
- Q1
- 1.15
- Min
- 0.52
KMX’s Current Ratio of 2.46 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.
PKG
3.54
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 1.96
- Q3
- 1.45
- Median
- 1.33
- Q1
- 1.09
- Min
- 0.87
PKG’s Current Ratio of 3.54 is exceptionally high, placing it well outside the typical range for the Containers & Packaging 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 (MRQ)
KMX
3.03
Specialty Retail Industry
- Max
- 3.44
- Q3
- 1.57
- Median
- 0.60
- Q1
- 0.22
- Min
- 0.00
KMX’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Specialty Retail industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 3.03. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.
PKG
0.54
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 4.15
- Q3
- 2.03
- Median
- 1.20
- Q1
- 0.53
- Min
- 0.23
PKG’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.54 is typical for the Containers & Packaging 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 (TTM)
KMX
--
Specialty Retail Industry
- Max
- 48.12
- Q3
- 39.12
- Median
- 14.13
- Q1
- 3.63
- Min
- -36.00
Interest Coverage Ratio data for KMX is currently unavailable.
PKG
26.71
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 13.16
- Q3
- 8.10
- Median
- 3.38
- Q1
- 2.83
- Min
- 1.06
With an Interest Coverage Ratio of 26.71, PKG demonstrates a superior capacity to service its debt, placing it well above the typical range for the Containers & Packaging industry. This stems from either robust earnings or a conservative debt load.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | KMX | PKG |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 2.46 | 3.54 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 1.06 | 2.21 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 3.03 | 0.54 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | -- | 26.71 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
KMX
0.00%
Specialty Retail Industry
- Max
- 6.48%
- Q3
- 2.84%
- Median
- 1.04%
- 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.
PKG
2.37%
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 7.14%
- Q3
- 4.65%
- Median
- 3.69%
- Q1
- 2.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
PKG’s Dividend Yield of 2.37% is consistent with its peers in the Containers & Packaging industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
KMX
0.00%
Specialty Retail Industry
- Max
- 192.64%
- Q3
- 79.43%
- Median
- 26.55%
- 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.
PKG
49.67%
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 222.75%
- Q3
- 132.16%
- Median
- 65.79%
- Q1
- 28.53%
- Min
- 0.00%
PKG’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 49.67% is within the typical range for the Containers & Packaging industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | KMX | PKG |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 2.37% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 49.67% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
KMX
12.58
Specialty Retail Industry
- Max
- 47.04
- Q3
- 27.74
- Median
- 23.51
- Q1
- 13.77
- Min
- 7.47
In the lower quartile for the Specialty Retail industry, KMX’s P/E Ratio of 12.58 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.
PKG
20.95
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 24.22
- Q3
- 20.28
- Median
- 17.07
- Q1
- 15.06
- Min
- 7.79
A P/E Ratio of 20.95 places PKG in the upper quartile for the Containers & Packaging industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
KMX
0.25
Specialty Retail Industry
- Max
- 5.77
- Q3
- 2.79
- Median
- 1.21
- Q1
- 0.53
- Min
- 0.09
In the lower quartile for the Specialty Retail industry, KMX’s P/S Ratio of 0.25 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.
PKG
2.19
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 1.99
- Q3
- 1.17
- Median
- 0.94
- Q1
- 0.55
- Min
- 0.31
With a P/S Ratio of 2.19, PKG trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Containers & Packaging industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
KMX
1.48
Specialty Retail Industry
- Max
- 16.93
- Q3
- 7.92
- Median
- 3.98
- Q1
- 1.86
- Min
- 0.55
KMX’s P/B Ratio of 1.48 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.
PKG
3.66
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 4.79
- Q3
- 3.32
- Median
- 2.14
- Q1
- 1.60
- Min
- 0.89
PKG’s P/B Ratio of 3.66 is in the upper tier for the Containers & Packaging industry. This indicates that investors are paying a premium relative to the company’s net assets, a valuation that hinges on its ability to generate superior profits.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | KMX | PKG |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 12.58 | 20.95 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 0.25 | 2.19 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 1.48 | 3.66 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 7.84 | 30.40 |