CarMax, Inc. (KMX) vs Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NCLH)
NCLH leads on 10 of 13 compared metrics.
A side-by-side comparison of CarMax, Inc. and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of July 7, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).
KMX
CarMax, Inc.
$52.14Consumer Cyclical
NCLH
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.
$18.92Consumer Cyclical
Total return — KMX vs NCLH
growth of $100 · last 13yKMX +32.7%NCLH -24.2%KMX compounded faster
KMX NCLH
KMX vs NCLH: by the numbers
- •NCLH is the larger company ($8.69B vs $7.40B market cap).
- •NCLH trades at the lower earnings multiple (16.23 vs 31.19 P/E).
- •NCLH converts more revenue to profit (5.66% vs 0.84% net margin).
- •NCLH grew revenue faster over the past five years (208.16% vs 2.39% CAGR).
Which is better, KMX or NCLH?
Metric tally: KMX 3 · NCLH 10It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueNCLH(lower P/E)
GrowthNCLH(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
QualityNCLH(higher ROIC)
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | KMX | NCLH |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 31.19 | 16.23● |
| Forward P/E | 18.64 | 11.66● |
| P/S ratio | 0.27● | 0.89 |
| P/B ratio | 1.17● | 3.69 |
| EV / EBITDA | — | 9.06 |
| FCF yield | 13.93% | — |
Profitability
| Metric | KMX | NCLH |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 10.24% | 31.97%● |
| Operating margin | -1.85% | 15.88%● |
| Net margin | 0.84% | 5.66%● |
| ROE | 3.64% | 23.37%● |
| ROIC | -1.10% | 8.75%● |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | KMX | NCLH |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 2.39% | 208.16%● |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | -18.18%● | -22.47% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 13.85% | 35.22%● |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | -17.98% | -7.03%● |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, KMX or NCLH?
- It depends on your goal. value: NCLH (lower P/E); growth: NCLH (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); quality: NCLH (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, NCLH leads 10 to 3.
- Is KMX or NCLH cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, NCLH is cheaper: KMX trades at a 31.19 P/E and NCLH at 16.23.
- Which has grown faster, KMX or NCLH?
- Over the past five years, NCLH grew revenue faster — KMX at a 2.39% CAGR versus NCLH at 208.16%.
- Is KMX or NCLH more profitable?
- NCLH runs the higher net margin — KMX at 0.84% versus NCLH at 5.66%.
- Which has been the better investment, KMX or NCLH?
- Over the past 10-year, KMX delivered the higher annualized total return — KMX at 0.07% versus NCLH at -7.41%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
CarMax P/E ratioNorwegian Cruise Line P/E ratioCarMax dividend yieldNorwegian Cruise Line dividend yieldCarMax ROENorwegian Cruise Line ROECarMax operating marginNorwegian Cruise Line operating marginCarMax revenue growthNorwegian Cruise Line revenue growthCarMax free cash flowNorwegian Cruise Line free cash flow
CarMax & Norwegian Cruise Line appear in these rankings
Figures are sourced from reported fundamentals and the latest end-of-day price. This comparison is informational only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not predict future results. See our methodology. Compiled by TGMCharts Research · data verified July 7, 2026.