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).

Compare

Total return — KMX vs NCLH

growth of $100 · last 13y
KMX +32.7%NCLH -24.2%KMX compounded faster
100200300400Start $1002016201920222025$133$76
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 10

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueNCLH(lower P/E)
GrowthNCLH(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
QualityNCLH(higher ROIC)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricKMXNCLH
P/E ratio31.1916.23
Forward P/E18.6411.66
P/S ratio0.270.89
P/B ratio1.173.69
EV / EBITDA9.06
FCF yield13.93%

Profitability

MetricKMXNCLH
Gross margin10.24%31.97%
Operating margin-1.85%15.88%
Net margin0.84%5.66%
ROE3.64%23.37%
ROIC-1.10%8.75%

Growth (annualized)

MetricKMXNCLH
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.

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.