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Trade Ideas

Global Trade Idea: CarMax (KMX US) - BUY

 

By Peet Serfontein & Khumbulani Kunene

CarMax, headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, is the largest used-car retailer in the US. The company offers customers a broad selection of makes and models of used vehicles, including domestic, imported, and luxury vehicles, as well as hybrid and electric vehicles.

Founded in 1993, CarMax has over 220 retail locations across the country and a robust online presence, offering consumers a streamlined, transparent car-buying experience. CarMax's product offering is centred on convenience, providing a wide selection of certified used vehicles, comprehensive vehicle history reports, and a 30-day return policy to ensure customer satisfaction. Additionally, the company sells more than 765 000 used cars per year.

Technically, a developing ascending triangle pattern is supportive (see the dotted black converging trendlines on the main chart). This triangle pattern is a bullish pattern signalling potential for a stock to break higher. The price is bounded by a flat resistance level on the top and an upward-sloping trendline from below, which represents a period of consolidation where buyers push the price higher with each pullback and sellers consistently hold the resistance line. The tightening range of the price reflects increasing buying pressure as higher lows are formed.

The stock is in a trough in an Elliott Wave price cycle (Wave 15), setting the stage for a potential bullish move, particularly if it aligns with key Fibonacci retracement levels. The price is in a mark-up phase of the Wyckoff Price Cycle, further supporting a bullish stance.

The price is testing its 200-day simple moving average (SMA) of $75.69. This indicates sustained buying interest at a well-watched technical level, reinforcing the uptrend's strength.

Fading downside momentum according to the MACD indicator, as well as the recent steep upwards trajectory of the on-balance volume (OBV) indicator supports our view.

Share Information

Share Code KMX US
Industry Consumer Discretionary
Market Capital (USD) 11.84 billion
One Year Total Return 19.29%
Return Year-to-Date -0.39%
Current Price (USD) 76.44
52 Week High (USD) 88.22
52 Week Low (USD) 61.73
Financial Year End February
Over the past 12 months the company's share price has achieved double-digit growth, although year-to-date returns have been muted.

Consensus expectations

(Bloomberg)

FY24 FY25E FY26E FY27E
Headline Earnings per Share (USD) 3.02 2.96 3.74 4.92
Growth (%) -1.85 26.15 31.51
Dividend Per Share (USD) 0 0 0
Growth (%) - - -
Forward PE (times) 25.79 20.44 15.55
Forward Dividend Yield (%) - - -
Earnings are expected to show strong double-digit growth over the medium term.

Buy/Sell Rationale

Technical Analysis:

    • The lower panel shows occurrences of the Doji Morning Star Japanese candlestick pattern, denoted with a reading of one. This pattern is a bullish reversal pattern and is often seen at the end of a downtrend, signalling potential upward movement. It starts with a large bearish candle that reflects strong selling pressure, followed by a second candle (the Doji candle) which indicates indecisiveness as buyers start to counter selling pressure. The third candle is a bullish candle that closes above the midpoint of the first candle, confirming a shift from selling to buying.
    • Based on the forward calculation of the Relative Strength Index (RSI) indicator, the stock will be overbought at ~$100.00, making our profit target realistic.
    • Our recommended entry range is $74 to $79, or as close as possible to $76.44.
    • The target price is $90, representing potential upside of 17.7%.
    • Our proposed time to exit is end of January 2025, but investors can adjust for either a longer or shorter time horizon, depending on price behaviour.
    • We utilise a volatility-based approach to establish profit take and stop-loss levels, avoiding premature stop-outs. A drop below $71 (~7.1% downside) would suggest weakening technicals and a stop-loss is recommended at this level.
    • We expect high fluctuations in price and therefore suggest a medium at-risk allocation to the trade. Increase exposure for a break above $79.

Fundamental view:

    • CarMax operates through two business segments, namely CarMax Sales Operations and CarMax Auto Finance (CAF):
      • Sales Operations accounts for most of revenue and sells and purchases used vehicles. The segment also sells related products and services and arranges financing options. Retail used vehicle sales generates ~ 80% of revenue, while wholesale vehicle sales generate ~ 20%.
      • The CAF segment finances nearly 45% of the company's retail vehicle unit sales.
    • The group acquired Edmunds Holding Company in 2021, which is well established and trusted online guide for automotive information and a recognised leader in digital car shopping innovations. This acquisition has enabled KMX to enhance its digital capabilities and further strengthened its role and reach across the used-car ecosystem.
    • In FY24 to the end of February, KMX had an underwhelming performance, with revenue declining 11% to $26.5 million. The company had lower volumes of sales across its operating segments. Net income came in at $479.2 million in FY24, a 1% decrease from the prior period. This performance was impacted by vehicle affordability challenges as a function of macroeconomic headwinds including inflationary pressures, higher interest rates, tightened lending standards and low consumer confidence.
    • We have seen an improvement in FY25 so far. In 2Q25 (to the end of August), retail unit sales increased 5.1% y/y and revenue grew 2.9% y/y (ahead of expectations). This was mainly a function of a less demanding base. Adjusted earnings per share were up 13.3% (in-line with expectations). The expectation is that macroeconomic headwinds will continue to fade near term, supporting sales and profitability for the rest for the financial year.
    • Management remains focused on providing exceptional customer experience and aims to achieve this through their diversified business model coupled with their strategic associates, national scale plan and their unparalleled omni-channel experience, which is a unique advantage in the used-car industry that firmly positions KMX to drive profitable market share gains while creating shareholder value over the long term.
    • The company faces competition risks from both traditional dealerships and online-only used car retailers like Carvana and Vroom. The increase of digital marketplaces and direct-to-consumer models creates intense competition, pressuring CarMax to continuously improve its online and in-store offering.

Share Name and Position ABNB US - Take profit
(Close the position)
AMZN US - Take profit
(Close the position)
APH US - Take profit
(Close the position)
Entry 132.50 187.00 66.85
Current 147.37 210.05 73.95
Movement +11.2% +12.3% +10.6%
We suggest taking profit to reduce overall portfolio exposure. We suggest taking profit to reduce overall portfolio exposure. We suggest taking profit to reduce overall portfolio exposure.

Share Name and Position DELL US
(Continue to hold)
C US - Buy
(Continue to hold)
DPZ US
(Continue to hold)
Entry 123.78 61.71 416.77
Current 137.87 68.11 448.44
Movement +11.4% +10.4% +7.6%
A price in wave 5 of an Elliott Wave pattern remains of interest. Remains above its 200-day SMA. Upside price momentum is supportive.

Our profit target is $148.00 with a trailing stop-loss at $125.90. Exit the trade by 10 January 2025.
A price at the confluence of the 200-day, 200-week, and 200-month SMAs remains of interest. Remains above its 200-day SMA. The start of upside price momentum is supportive.

Our profit target is $71.00 with a trailing stop-loss at $64.50. Exit the trade by 3 January 2025.
A price that is bouncing off its 200-week simple moving average (SMA) remains of interest. Remains just below its 200-day SMA and the start of upside price momentum is supportive.

Our profit target is $482.00 with a trailing stop-loss at $422.00. Exit the trade by 20 November 2024.

FNB Stockbroking and Portfolio Management (Pty) Ltd, a subsidiary of FirstRand Bank Limited, an authorised Financial Services Provider and authorised user of the JSE limited (Reg no: 1996/011732/07). This Publication note is issued by FNB Stockbroking and Portfolio Management (Pty) Ltd for the information of clients only and should not be produced in whole or part without prior permission. Although FNB Stockbroking and Portfolio Management (Pty) Ltd is an Authorised Financial Services Provider, any opinions and/or analysis contained in this Publication are for informational purposes only and should not be considered advice, including but not limited to financial, legal or tax advice, or a recommendation to invest in any security or to adopt any investment strategy. The information contained herein has been obtained from sources/persons which we believe to be reliable but is not guaranteed for correctness, completeness or otherwise and we do not assume liability for loss arising from errors in the information or that may be suffered from using or relying on the information contained herein irrespective of whether there has been any negligence by us, our affiliates or any other employees of us, and whether such losses be direct or consequential. As market and economic conditions are subject to rapid change, any comments, opinions, and analysis is rendered as of the date of publishing and may change without notice. Such changes may have a material impact on the outcome of any investment. Securities involve a degree of risk and are volatile instruments. Past performance is not indicative of future performances. Securities or financial instruments mentioned in the Publication note may not be suitable for all investors and FNB Stockbroking and Portfolio Management (Pty) Ltd has bares no responsibility whatsoever arising from or as a consequence hereof. The material is not intended as a complete analysis of every material fact regarding any share, instrument, sector, region, market, country, investment, or strategy. The recipient of this Publication must make their own investment decision and is advised to contact his relationship manager for a personal financial analysis prior to making any investment decisions. Copyright 2018 by FNB Stockbroking and Portfolio Management (Pty) Ltd.