Technology Distributors
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CLMB vs SCSC
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Technology Distributors
CLMB vs SCSC — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Technology Distributors | Technology Distributors |
| Market Cap | $362M | $886M |
| Revenue (TTM) | $697M | $3.02B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $21M | $74M |
| Gross Margin | 15.6% | 13.7% |
| Operating Margin | 4.1% | 3.1% |
| Forward P/E | 13.7x | 11.0x |
| Total Debt | $3M | $147M |
| Cash & Equiv. | $37M | $126M |
CLMB vs SCSC — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Climb Global Soluti… (CLMB) | 100 | 345.1 | +245.1% |
| ScanSource, Inc. (SCSC) | 100 | 176.1 | +76.1% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: CLMB vs SCSC
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
CLMB carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and growth exposure.
- Dividend streak 0 yrs, beta 0.76, yield 0.9%
- Rev growth 40.1%, EPS growth 14.3%, 3Y rev CAGR 28.9%
- 423.4% 10Y total return vs SCSC's 2.3%
SCSC is the clearest fit if your priority is value and momentum.
- Lower P/E (11.0x vs 13.7x)
- +13.9% vs CLMB's -24.8%
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | 40.1% revenue growth vs SCSC's -6.7% | |
| Value | Lower P/E (11.0x vs 13.7x) | |
| Quality / Margins | 3.0% margin vs SCSC's 2.4% | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 0.76 vs SCSC's 1.48, lower leverage | |
| Dividends | 0.9% yield; the other pay no meaningful dividend | |
| Momentum (1Y) | +13.9% vs CLMB's -24.8% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | 4.9% ROA vs SCSC's 4.2%, ROIC 29.7% vs 7.0% |
CLMB vs SCSC — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
CLMB vs SCSC — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
CLMB leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
SCSC is the larger business by revenue, generating $3.0B annually — 4.3x CLMB's $697M. Profitability is closely matched — net margins range from 3.0% (CLMB) to 2.4% (SCSC). On growth, CLMB holds the edge at +32.1% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $697M | $3.0B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $36M | $121M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $21M | $74M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $23M | $119M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +15.6% | +13.7% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +4.1% | +3.1% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +3.0% | +2.4% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +3.3% | +4.0% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +32.1% | +2.5% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -11.1% | +7.1% |
Valuation Metrics
SCSC leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 13.6x trailing earnings, SCSC trades at a 19% valuation discount to CLMB's 16.9x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, SCSC's 7.9x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than CLMB's 8.9x.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $362M | $886M |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $329M | $907M |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 16.92x | 13.64x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 13.71x | 10.98x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | 0.47x | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 8.92x | 7.86x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 0.56x | 0.29x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 3.05x | 1.08x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 24.80x | 8.51x |
Profitability & Efficiency
CLMB leads this category, winning 8 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
CLMB delivers a 18.7% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $19 in annual profit, vs $8 for SCSC. CLMB carries lower financial leverage with a 0.03x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to SCSC's 0.16x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), SCSC scores 7/9 vs CLMB's 4/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +18.7% | +8.1% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +4.9% | +4.2% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +29.7% | +7.0% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +26.5% | +7.7% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 4 | 7 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.03x | 0.16x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | -$33M | $21M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $37M | $126M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $3M | $147M |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 415.66x | 13.30x |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
CLMB leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in CLMB five years ago would be worth $33,581 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $12,973 for SCSC. Over the past 12 months, SCSC leads with a +13.9% total return vs CLMB's -24.8%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors CLMB at 19.3% vs SCSC's 15.8% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | -21.9% | +4.8% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | -24.8% | +13.9% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +69.8% | +55.1% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +235.8% | +29.7% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +423.4% | +2.3% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +19.3% | +15.8% |
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — CLMB and SCSC each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
CLMB is the less volatile stock with a 0.76 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than SCSC's 1.48 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. SCSC currently trades 88.5% from its 52-week high vs CLMB's 16.3% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.76x | 1.48x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $120.44 | $46.25 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $15.24 | $33.76 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +16.3% | +88.5% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 43.6 | 74.2 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 257K | 198K |
Analyst Outlook
Insufficient data to determine a leader in this category.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates CLMB as "Buy" and SCSC as "Hold". CLMB is the only dividend payer here at 0.87% yield — a key consideration for income-focused portfolios.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Hold |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | — | $43.00 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 1 | 5 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +0.9% | — |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 0 | — |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $0.17 | — |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +0.6% | +12.0% |
CLMB leads in 3 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Profitability & Efficiency). SCSC leads in 1 (Valuation Metrics). 1 tied.
CLMB vs SCSC: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is CLMB or SCSC a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Climb Global Solutions, Inc.
(CLMB) is the stronger pick with 40. 1% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -6. 7% for ScanSource, Inc. (SCSC). ScanSource, Inc. (SCSC) offers the better valuation at 13. 6x trailing P/E (11. 0x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Climb Global Solutions, Inc. (CLMB) a "Buy" — based on 1 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.
02Which has the better valuation — CLMB or SCSC?
On trailing P/E, ScanSource, Inc.
(SCSC) is the cheapest at 13. 6x versus Climb Global Solutions, Inc. at 16. 9x. On forward P/E, ScanSource, Inc. is actually cheaper at 11. 0x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — CLMB or SCSC?
Over the past 5 years, Climb Global Solutions, Inc.
(CLMB) delivered a total return of +235. 8%, compared to +29. 7% for ScanSource, Inc. (SCSC). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: CLMB returned +435. 0% versus SCSC's +9. 7%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
04Which is safer — CLMB or SCSC?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Climb Global Solutions, Inc.
(CLMB) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 76β versus ScanSource, Inc. 's 1. 48β — meaning SCSC is approximately 94% more volatile than CLMB relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Climb Global Solutions, Inc. (CLMB) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 3% versus 16% for ScanSource, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — CLMB or SCSC?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Climb Global Solutions, Inc.
(CLMB) is pulling ahead at 40. 1% versus -6. 7% for ScanSource, Inc. (SCSC). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Climb Global Solutions, Inc. grew EPS 14. 3% year-over-year, compared to -2. 0% for ScanSource, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, CLMB leads at 28. 9% 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.
06Which has better profit margins — CLMB or SCSC?
Climb Global Solutions, Inc.
(CLMB) is the more profitable company, earning 3. 3% net margin versus 2. 4% for ScanSource, Inc. — meaning it keeps 3. 3% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: CLMB leads at 4. 5% versus 2. 8% for SCSC. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — CLMB leads at 16. 1%, 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.
07Is CLMB or SCSC more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, ScanSource, Inc.
(SCSC) trades at 11. 0x forward P/E versus 13. 7x for Climb Global Solutions, Inc. — 2. 7x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis.
08Which pays a better dividend — CLMB or SCSC?
In this comparison, CLMB (0.
9% yield) pays a dividend. SCSC does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.
09Is CLMB or SCSC better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Climb Global Solutions, Inc.
(CLMB) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 76), 0. 9% yield, +435. 0% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (CLMB: +435. 0%, SCSC: +9. 7%), 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.
10What are the main differences between CLMB and SCSC?
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: CLMB is a small-cap high-growth stock; SCSC is a small-cap deep-value stock. CLMB pays a dividend while SCSC does not, making them suitable for different income and tax situations. 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.
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