Core & Main [CNM] vs W.W. Grainger [GWW] Detailed Stock Comparison
TLDR: Quick Comparison Summary
Based on 21 vital metrics comparison: Core & Main Inc. wins in 7 metrics, W.W. Grainger, Inc. wins in 13 metrics, with 0 ties. W.W. Grainger, Inc. appears stronger overall.
View Metrics Details
Vital Metrics Comparison
| Metric | Core & Main Inc. | W.W. Grainger, Inc. | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| P/E Ratio (TTM) | 21.19 | 32.58 | Core & Main Inc. |
| Price-to-Book Ratio | 4.63 | 14.65 | Core & Main Inc. |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio | 118.47 | 69.11 | W.W. Grainger, Inc. |
| PEG Ratio | 2.40 | -10.94 | Core & Main Inc. |
| EV/EBITDA | 12.60 | 19.36 | Core & Main Inc. |
| Profit Margin (TTM) | 5.77% | 9.51% | W.W. Grainger, Inc. |
| Operating Margin (TTM) | 7.46% | 14.73% | W.W. Grainger, Inc. |
| EBITDA Margin (TTM) | 7.46% | 14.73% | W.W. Grainger, Inc. |
| Return on Equity | 24.01% | 46.10% | W.W. Grainger, Inc. |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 7.55% | 19.03% | W.W. Grainger, Inc. |
| Free Cash Flow (TTM) | $604.00M | $1.33B | W.W. Grainger, Inc. |
| Dividend Yield | N/A | 0.75% | N/A |
| 1-Year Return | -9.78% | 13.49% | W.W. Grainger, Inc. |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 1.25 | 3.05 | Core & Main Inc. |
| Enterprise Value | $11.51B | $57.36B | W.W. Grainger, Inc. |
| EV/Revenue Ratio | 1.51 | 3.20 | Core & Main Inc. |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 27.07% | 39.46% | W.W. Grainger, Inc. |
| Revenue per Share (TTM) | $40 | $375 | W.W. Grainger, Inc. |
| Earnings per Share (Diluted) | $2.31 | $35.43 | W.W. Grainger, Inc. |
| Beta (Stock Volatility) | 1.00 | 1.09 | Core & Main Inc. |
| Short % of Float | 4.83% | 2.61% | W.W. Grainger, Inc. |
Core & Main Inc. vs W.W. Grainger, Inc. Stock Performance Analysis
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Performance Comparison
Short-term Returns
| Stock | 1D | 1W | 1M | 3M | 6M | YTD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Core & Main Inc. | 3.25% | 3.49% | 4.17% | -7.66% | 3.06% | -5.49% |
| W.W. Grainger, Inc. | 1.31% | 1.53% | 11.05% | 10.08% | 31.96% | 26.35% |
Long-term Returns
| Stock | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | 10Y | 15Y | 20Y |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Core & Main Inc. | -9.78% | 81.14% | 108.65% | 108.65% | 108.65% | 108.65% |
| W.W. Grainger, Inc. | 13.49% | 82.10% | 165.63% | 441.83% | 759.68% | 1,576.96% |
Performance & Financial Health Analysis: Core & Main Inc. vs W.W. Grainger, Inc.
| Metric | CNM | GWW |
|---|---|---|
| Market Information | ||
| Market Cap | $9.57B | $55.19B |
| Market Cap Category | Mid cap | Large cap |
| 10 Day Avg. Volume | 2,936,516 | 222,099 |
| 90 Day Avg. Volume | 2,927,339 | 228,693 |
| Last Close | $52.12 | $1,284.98 |
| 52 Week Range | $43.96 - $67.18 | $906.52 - $1,296.03 |
| % from 52W High | -22.42% | -0.85% |
| All-Time High | $67.18 (Sep 05, 2025) | $1,296.03 (Jun 03, 2026) |
| % from All-Time High | -22.42% | -0.85% |
| Growth Metrics | ||
| Quarterly Revenue Growth | -0.07% | 0.05% |
| Quarterly Earnings Growth | 0.09% | -0.05% |
| Financial Health | ||
| Profit Margin (TTM) | 0.06% | 0.10% |
| Operating Margin (TTM) | 0.07% | 0.15% |
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 0.24% | 0.46% |
| Debt to Equity (MRQ) | 118.47 | 69.11 |
| Cash & Liquidity | ||
| Book Value per Share (MRQ) | $10.58 | $78.79 |
| Cash per Share (MRQ) | $1.22 | $12.35 |
| Operating Cash Flow (TTM) | $650.00M | $2.02B |
| Levered Free Cash Flow (TTM) | $464.25M | $1.09B |
| Dividends | ||
| Last 12-Month Dividend Yield | N/A | 0.75% |
| Last 12-Month Dividend | N/A | $9.04 |
Valuation & Enterprise Metrics Analysis: Core & Main Inc. vs W.W. Grainger, Inc.
| Metric | CNM (Apr 24, 2026) | GWW (Apr 24, 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Price Ratios | ||
| P/E Ratio (TTM) | 21.19 | 32.58 |
| Forward P/E | 16.40 | 23.75 |
| PEG Ratio | 2.40 | -10.94 |
| Price to Sales (TTM) | 1.25 | 3.05 |
| Price to Book (MRQ) | 4.63 | 14.65 |
| Market Capitalization | ||
| Market Capitalization | $9.57B | $55.19B |
| Enterprise Value | $11.51B | $57.36B |
| Enterprise Value Metrics | ||
| Enterprise to Revenue | 1.51 | 3.20 |
| Enterprise to EBITDA | 12.60 | 19.36 |
| Risk & Other Metrics | ||
| Beta | 1.00 | 1.09 |
| Book Value per Share (MRQ) | $10.58 | $78.79 |
Financial Statements Comparison: Core & Main Inc. vs W.W. Grainger, Inc.
Financial Metrics
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Revenue
Operating Margin
Profit Margin
Long Term Debt
Income Flow Analysis
Financial Statements Comparison
Income Statement
| Metric | CNM (2026) | GWW (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue/Sales | 7.65B | 17.94B |
| Cost of Goods Sold | 5.59B | 10.93B |
| COGS % of Revenue | 73.1% | 60.9% |
| Gross Profit | 2.06B | 7.01B |
| Gross Margin | 26.9% | 39.1% |
| Research & Development | N/A | N/A |
| Operating Income (EBIT) | 722.00M | 2.50B |
| Operating Margin | 9.4% | 13.9% |
| EBITDA | 919.00M | 2.77B |
| EBITDA Margin | 12.0% | 15.4% |
| Pre-Tax Income | 607.00M | 2.43B |
| Pre-Tax Income % of Revenue | 7.9% | 13.5% |
| Income Tax | 145.00M | 622.00M |
| Income Tax % of Revenue | 1.9% | 3.5% |
| Net Income (Profit) | 462.00M | 1.81B |
| Profit Margin | 6.0% | 10.1% |
Balance Sheet & Liquidity Metrics
| Metric | CNM (2026) | GWW (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Cash & Equivalents | 220.00M | 585.00M |
| Total Current Assets | 2.30B | 5.48B |
| Total Current Assets % of Revenue | 30.1% | 30.6% |
| Total Current Liabilities | 874.00M | 1.94B |
| Total Current Liabilities % of Revenue | 11.4% | 10.8% |
| Long-Term Debt | 2.34B | 2.66B |
| Long-Term Debt % of Revenue | 30.6% | 14.8% |
| Total Shareholders Equity | 2.07B | 4.14B |
| Retained Earnings | 755.00M | 14.96B |
| Retained Earnings % of Revenue | 9.9% | 83.4% |
| Property, Plant & Equipment | 287.00M | 345.00M |
Cash Flow Statement Comparison
| Metric | CNM (2026) | GWW (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Operating Cash Flow | 602.00M | 1.83B |
| Operating Cash Flow % of Revenue | 7.9% | 10.2% |
| Capital Expenditures | N/A | N/A |
| Free Cash Flow | 604.00M | 1.33B |
| FCF Margin | 7.9% | 7.4% |
| Debt Repayment | -267.00M | -506.00M |
| Common Stock Repurchase | N/A | -1.05B |
Short Interest & Institutional Ownership Analysis
| Metric | CNM | GWW |
|---|---|---|
| Shares Short | 8.11M | 1.04M |
| Short Ratio | 3.02 | 4.37 |
| Short % of Float | 4.83% | 2.61% |
| Shares Outstanding | 188.77M | 47.42M |
| Float Shares | 187.68M | 43.37M |
| % Held by Insiders | 0.59% | 6.25% |
| % Held by Institutions | 114.29% | 76.43% |
| % Held by Public | -14.88% | 17.32% |
Dividend Analysis & Yield Comparison: Core & Main Inc. vs W.W. Grainger, Inc.
| Metric | CNM | GWW |
|---|---|---|
| Last 12-Month Dividend | N/A | $9.04 |
| Last 12-Month Dividend Yield | N/A | 0.75% |
| 3-Year Avg Annual Dividend | N/A | $8.23 |
| 3-Year Avg Dividend Yield | N/A | 0.22% |
| 3-Year Total Dividends | N/A | $24.68 |
| Ex-Dividend Date | N/A | Feb 09, 2026 |