CDW vs MSFT

For growth investors, Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) is the stronger pick with 14.

9% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 6. 8% for CDW Corporation (CDW). CDW Corporation (CDW) offers the better valuation at 13. 5x trailing P/E (10. 4x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate CDW Corporation (CDW) a "Buy" — based on 18 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.

On trailing P/E, CDW Corporation (CDW) is the cheapest at 13.

5x versus Microsoft Corporation at 30. 3x. On forward P/E, CDW Corporation is actually cheaper at 10. 4x. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: CDW Corporation wins at 1. 26x versus Microsoft Corporation's 1. 32x — a reasonable growth-adjusted valuation.

Over the past 5 years, Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) delivered a total return of +71.

5%, compared to -30. 2% for CDW Corporation (CDW). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: MSFT returned +768. 1% versus CDW's +210. 0%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.

By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) is the lower-risk stock at 0.

89β versus CDW Corporation's 1. 15β — meaning CDW is approximately 30% more volatile than MSFT relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 33% versus 2% for CDW Corporation — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) is pulling ahead at 14.

9% versus 6. 8% for CDW Corporation (CDW). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Microsoft Corporation grew EPS 15. 6% year-over-year, compared to 1. 4% for CDW Corporation. Over a 3-year CAGR, MSFT leads at 12. 4% annualised revenue growth. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.

Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) is the more profitable company, earning 36.

1% net margin versus 4. 8% for CDW Corporation — meaning it keeps 36. 1% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: MSFT leads at 45. 6% versus 7. 4% for CDW. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — MSFT leads at 68. 8%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.

The PEG ratio (forward P/E divided by expected earnings growth rate) is the most precise measure of undervaluation relative to growth potential.

By this metric, CDW Corporation (CDW) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 1. 26x versus Microsoft Corporation's 1. 32x. A PEG below 1. 5 suggests fair-to-attractive pricing relative to expected growth. On forward earnings alone, CDW Corporation (CDW) trades at 10. 4x forward P/E versus 24. 9x for Microsoft Corporation — 14. 6x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for CDW: 49. 0% to $162. 40.

All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.

CDW Corporation (CDW) offers the highest yield at 2. 3%, versus 0. 8% for Microsoft Corporation (MSFT).

For long-horizon retirement investors, Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0.

89), 0. 8% yield, +768. 1% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (MSFT: +768. 1%, CDW: +210. 0%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.

Both stocks operate in the Technology sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.

In terms of investment character: CDW is a mid-cap deep-value stock; MSFT is a mega-cap quality compounder stock. These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.