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CNM vs WCC
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Core & Main (CNM) vs. WESCO International (WCC) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- Core & Main (CNM) and WESCO International (WCC) operate in industrial distribution but target distinct end markets: water infrastructure for CNM and electrical, industrial, and communications products—including data centers—for WCC.
- In recent market activity, WCC delivered record quarterly results with double-digit sales growth and raised full-year guidance, while CNM reported flat sales in its latest quarter and reaffirmed outlook ahead of its upcoming earnings.
- WCC exhibits stronger recent momentum driven by data center demand, contributing to superior year-to-date and one-year stock performance relative to CNM.
- CNM maintains a leaner balance sheet with lower debt levels, potentially offering more stability in slower-growth environments, whereas WCC benefits from broader exposure to high-growth secular trends like electrification.
- Both stocks face typical sector risks including economic sensitivity and supply chain variables, with market sentiment currently favoring WCC’s growth profile.
Introduction
Core & Main (CNM) and WESCO International (WCC) represent two prominent players in the industrial distribution space, making them relevant for investors seeking exposure to infrastructure and supply chain themes. This comparison examines their business models, recent performance, and market positioning to assist traders and long-term investors evaluating relative opportunities in the current environment. The analysis focuses on verifiable developments and observable trends suitable for portfolio construction or tactical allocation decisions.
CNM Overview and Recent Performance
Core & Main (CNM) specializes in distributing water, sewer, storm drain, and fire protection products primarily to municipalities and contractors. In recent market activity, the stock has traded within a narrower range following its first-quarter fiscal 2026 results, which showed flat year-over-year net sales of approximately $1.91 billion alongside adjusted earnings per share (EPS) growth. The company reaffirmed its full-year guidance for net sales between $7.8 billion and $7.9 billion. Gross margin expansion from private-label initiatives supported results, though softer residential demand offset some municipal strength. Upcoming second-quarter earnings on September 9, 2026, represent a near-term catalyst.
WCC Overview and Recent Performance
WESCO International (WCC) provides electrical, industrial, and communications products with significant exposure to data centers and infrastructure projects. Recent market activity highlighted record second-quarter 2026 results, including net sales of $6.7 billion (up 13% year-over-year) and adjusted EPS of $4.57 (up 35%). Data center sales rose approximately 45% to $1.5 billion, driving backlog growth of about 60% to record levels. Management raised full-year 2026 outlook for reported sales growth to 10%-12% and adjusted EPS to $16.00-$17.50, reflecting broad-based momentum across segments.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
Core & Main (CNM) and WESCO International (WCC) differ in end-market focus, with CNM concentrated on water infrastructure and WCC diversified across electrical distribution and data center solutions. Recent momentum favors WCC due to outsized data center growth and raised guidance, contrasting CNM’s more stable but flatter sales trajectory. Risk factors include CNM’s lower leverage (debt around $2.4 billion) versus WCC’s higher absolute debt, balanced by WCC’s stronger free cash flow generation in the latest quarter. Sector exposure positions WCC for electrification tailwinds, while CNM aligns with municipal spending patterns. Market sentiment reflects WCC’s superior relative performance in recent weeks.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Based on observable factors including trend consistency, growth catalysts, and relative positioning, Tickeron’s AI would currently assign a higher probabilistic preference to WCC. Stronger backlog expansion and data center momentum provide clearer near-term drivers compared to CNM’s steadier but less dynamic profile ahead of earnings. This assessment remains probabilistic and tied to current market conditions without constituting investment advice.
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 CNM is a StrongBuy and WCC is a Buy.
| CNM | WCC | CNM / WCC | |
| Capitalization | 7.49B | 17.4B | 43% |
| EBITDA | 924M | 1.58B | 58% |
| Gain YTD | -21.840 | 46.359 | -47% |
| P/E Ratio | 16.72 | 24.64 | 68% |
| Revenue | 7.65B | 25B | 31% |
| Total Cash | 150M | N/A | - |
| Total Debt | 2.44B | 6.71B | 36% |
WCC | ||
|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 19 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 50 Fair valued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 9 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 58 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 43 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 15 | |
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.
| CNM | WCC | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 90% | N/A |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 80% | 2 days ago 63% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 67% | 2 days ago 80% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 64% | 2 days ago 72% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 65% | 2 days ago 76% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 68% | 2 days ago 65% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 9 days ago 77% | 5 days ago 79% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 64% | 3 days ago 65% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 85% | 2 days ago 62% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 69% | 2 days ago 59% |
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 overvalued. We use an FA Score to show how many ratings show the ticker to be undervalued (green) or overvalued (red).
CNM’s FA Score shows that 0 FA rating(s) are green while WCC’s FA Score has 2 green FA rating(s).
- CNM’s FA Score: 0 green, 5 red.
- WCC’s FA Score: 2 green, 3 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.
CNM’s TA Score shows that 4 TA indicator(s) are bullish while WCC’s TA Score has 5 bullish TA indicator(s).
- CNM’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 4 bearish.
- WCC’s TA Score: 5 bullish, 4 bearish.
Price Growth
CNM (@Electronics Distributors) experienced а -8.35% price change this week, while WCC (@Electronics Distributors) price change was +1.53% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Electronics Distributors industry was -2.69%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was -6.08%, and the average quarterly price growth was +20.86%.
Reported Earning Dates
CNM is expected to report earnings on Dec 08, 2026.
WCC is expected to report earnings on Oct 29, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Electronics Distributors (-2.69% 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.
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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 49% 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% | -0.56% | ||
| FERG - CNM | 49% Loosely correlated | +0.71% | ||
| SITE - CNM | 48% Loosely correlated | -2.07% | ||
| AIT - CNM | 47% Loosely correlated | +1.63% | ||
| BXC - CNM | 47% Loosely correlated | +0.01% | ||
| WCC - CNM | 45% Loosely correlated | +3.73% | ||
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WCC and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, WCC has been loosely correlated with AIT. These tickers have moved in lockstep 59% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is some statistical probability that if WCC jumps, then AIT could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To WCC | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WCC | 100% | +3.73% | ||
| AIT - WCC | 59% Loosely correlated | +1.63% | ||
| FERG - WCC | 53% Loosely correlated | +0.71% | ||
| QXO - WCC | 51% Loosely correlated | +0.16% | ||
| TITN - WCC | 49% Loosely correlated | -1.78% | ||
| CNM - WCC | 45% Loosely correlated | -0.56% | ||
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