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AIT vs CNM
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Applied Industrial Technologies (AIT) vs. Core & Main (CNM) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- AIT has delivered stronger year-to-date price appreciation compared to CNM, trading near its 52-week high amid sustained industrial demand.
- Both companies operate in industrial distribution, yet AIT focuses on motion, power, and automation solutions while CNM specializes in water, wastewater, and fire protection products.
- AIT recently raised its full-year fiscal 2026 guidance following solid third-quarter results, reflecting consistent organic growth.
- CNM is scheduled to report its fiscal first-quarter results on June 10, 2026, with prior periods showing modest sales expansion and debt reduction.
- Sector exposure differs in end-market drivers, with AIT benefiting from broader manufacturing activity and CNM tied more closely to infrastructure spending.
- Valuation metrics and recent momentum position AIT with relatively tighter trading ranges in the near term versus CNM's wider volatility band.
Introduction
Investors and traders seeking to evaluate relative performance within the industrial distribution sector often compare AIT and CNM due to their shared exposure to U.S. manufacturing and infrastructure trends. This analysis examines business models, recent stock behavior, and market positioning to highlight key contrasts. The comparison is relevant for those assessing sector rotation opportunities or seeking diversified exposure to cyclical industrial names amid evolving economic conditions.
AIT Overview and Recent Performance
Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc. distributes industrial motion, power, control, and automation technology solutions across North America and select international markets. In recent market activity, the stock has exhibited resilience, advancing more than 20% year-to-date and trading near the upper end of its 52-week range. Recent weeks have seen steady buying interest supported by the company’s fiscal third-quarter results, which included an earnings beat and an upward revision to full-year guidance. Organic sales growth projections for the fourth quarter have contributed to positive sentiment, with broader industrial demand providing a tailwind.
CNM Overview and Recent Performance
Core & Main, Inc. distributes water, wastewater, storm drainage, and fire protection products and related services primarily in the United States. The stock has experienced more tempered movement in recent market activity, trading below its 52-week high amid infrastructure spending patterns. Earlier in the year, the company reported modest net sales growth for fiscal 2025 alongside net debt reduction and share repurchases. Upcoming fiscal first-quarter results, scheduled for release on June 10, 2026, represent a near-term catalyst that could influence sentiment depending on end-market trends in municipal and utility spending.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
AIT and CNM both participate in industrial distribution but serve distinct end markets, creating different growth sensitivities. AIT derives revenue from maintenance, repair, and original equipment manufacturing customers focused on automation and motion control, benefiting from broad manufacturing expansion. In contrast, CNM concentrates on water infrastructure and fire protection, aligning more directly with municipal capital budgets and regulatory-driven projects. Recent momentum favors AIT on price appreciation and guidance upgrades, while CNM has emphasized balance-sheet improvement through debt paydown. Risk factors include supply-chain pressures for both, though AIT shows greater exposure to cyclical industrial output and CNM to public spending variability. Market sentiment reflects these differences, with AIT exhibiting tighter near-term trading ranges relative to CNM’s broader volatility.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Based on observable factors such as trend consistency, earnings delivery, and relative positioning, Tickeron’s AI would currently assign a higher probability of favorable near-term performance to AIT. The stock’s sustained price strength, recent guidance raise, and alignment with broader industrial demand provide measurable support. CNM remains a viable alternative pending its upcoming earnings release, with potential upside tied to infrastructure execution. This assessment reflects probabilistic weighting of current data rather than a guarantee of future results.
Disclaimer
The information on this webpage is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice, a recommendation to purchase or sell any security, or an offer or solicitation related to investments. It does not consider your personal financial situation, goals, or risk profile, and all investing carries inherent risks, including the possibility of losing your entire investment. For more details, please review our full disclaimer.
To compare these two companies we present long-term analysis, their fundamental ratings and make comparative short-term technical analysis which are presented below. The conclusion is AIT is a Buy and CNM is a StrongBuy.
Long-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a long-term outlook for a ticker by using Fundamental Analysis (FA) ratings. The rating of 1 to 100, where 1 is best and 100 is worst, is divided into thirds. The first third (a green rating of 1-33) indicates that the ticker is undervalued; the second third (a grey number between 34 and 66) means that the ticker is valued fairly; and the last third (red number of 67 to 100) reflects that the ticker is undervalued. We use an FA Score to show how many ratings show the ticker to be undervalued (green) or overvalued (red).
AIT’s FA Score shows that 2 FA rating(s) are green whileCNM’s FA Score has 0 green FA rating(s).
- AIT’s FA Score: 2 green, 3 red.
- CNM’s FA Score: 0 green, 5 red.
Short-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a short-term outlook for a ticker by using Technical Analysis (TA) indicators. We use Odds of Success as the percentage of outcomes which confirm successful trade signals in the past.
If the Odds of Success (the likelihood of the continuation of a trend) for each indicator are greater than 50%, then the generated signal is confirmed. A green percentage from 90% to 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bullish trend. A red percentage from 90% - 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bearish trend. All grey percentages are below 50% and are considered not to confirm the trend signal.
AIT’s TA Score shows that 4 TA indicator(s) are bullish while CNM’s TA Score has 3 bullish TA indicator(s).
- AIT’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 4 bearish.
- CNM’s TA Score: 3 bullish, 7 bearish.
Price Growth
AIT (@Electronics Distributors) experienced а +6.92% price change this week, while CNM (@Electronics Distributors) price change was -0.76% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Electronics Distributors industry was +0.28%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +3.89%, and the average quarterly price growth was +6.48%.
Reported Earning Dates
AIT is expected to report earnings on Aug 06, 2026.
CNM is expected to report earnings on Sep 09, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Electronics Distributors (+0.28% weekly)Electronics distributors are companies that are involved in distribution of one or more of the following: electronic components, computer products/ peripherals and software products & services. Several electronics distributors are also becoming the point of contact for technical/pre- & post-sale support in many cases, in an attempt to bolster their position in the market. Tariffs and/or cross-border trade barriers are some of the potential threats to the electronics supply chain, but that could also potentially lead to re-directing to markets where tariffs/restrictions are lower depending on demand. The industry is also vulnerable in the event of economic slowdowns. Arrow Electronics, Inc., SYNNEX Corporation and Versum Materials, Inc. are some of the major electronics distributors in the U.S.
| AIT | CNM | AIT / CNM | |
| Capitalization | 12.2B | 8.7B | 140% |
| EBITDA | 612M | 919M | 67% |
| Gain YTD | 32.117 | -9.082 | -354% |
| P/E Ratio | 31.95 | 20.02 | 160% |
| Revenue | 4.84B | 7.65B | 63% |
| Total Cash | 172M | 220M | 78% |
| Total Debt | 365M | 2.44B | 15% |
AIT | ||
|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 40 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 82 Overvalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 9 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 43 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 41 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 25 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 50 |
Tickeron ratings are formulated such that a rating of 1 designates the most successful stocks in a given industry, while a rating of 100 points to the least successful stocks for that industry.
| AIT | CNM | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 55% | 2 days ago 55% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 51% | 2 days ago 89% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 71% | 2 days ago 66% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 71% | 2 days ago 66% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 64% | 2 days ago 64% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 65% | 2 days ago 79% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 64% | 15 days ago 79% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 23 days ago 48% | 9 days ago 64% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 57% | 2 days ago 55% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 66% | 2 days ago 83% |
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AIT and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, AIT has been loosely correlated with MSM. These tickers have moved in lockstep 59% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is some statistical probability that if AIT jumps, then MSM could also see price increases.
CNM and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, CNM has been loosely correlated with FERG. These tickers have moved in lockstep 51% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is some statistical probability that if CNM jumps, then FERG could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To CNM | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CNM | 100% | -2.74% | ||
| FERG - CNM | 51% Loosely correlated | -0.45% | ||
| BXC - CNM | 50% Loosely correlated | -3.54% | ||
| AIT - CNM | 48% Loosely correlated | +0.03% | ||
| WCC - CNM | 46% Loosely correlated | +1.19% | ||
| SITE - CNM | 45% Loosely correlated | -3.19% | ||
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