CNXN vs AVT

For growth investors, PC Connection, Inc.

(CNXN) is the stronger pick with 2. 5% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -6. 6% for Avnet, Inc. (AVT). PC Connection, Inc. (CNXN) offers the better valuation at 20. 0x trailing P/E (16. 6x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate PC Connection, Inc. (CNXN) 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.

On trailing P/E, PC Connection, Inc.

(CNXN) is the cheapest at 20. 0x versus Avnet, Inc. at 29. 4x. On forward P/E, Avnet, Inc. is actually cheaper at 16. 2x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth.

Over the past 5 years, Avnet, Inc.

(AVT) delivered a total return of +94. 1%, compared to +45. 1% for PC Connection, Inc. (CNXN). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: CNXN returned +199. 0% versus AVT's +132. 4%. 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), PC Connection, Inc.

(CNXN) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 83β versus Avnet, Inc. 's 1. 27β — meaning AVT is approximately 53% more volatile than CNXN relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, PC Connection, Inc. (CNXN) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 0% versus 57% for Avnet, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), PC Connection, Inc.

(CNXN) is pulling ahead at 2. 5% versus -6. 6% for Avnet, Inc. (AVT). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: PC Connection, Inc. grew EPS -0. 6% year-over-year, compared to -49. 4% for Avnet, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, CNXN leads at -2. 8% 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.

PC Connection, Inc.

(CNXN) is the more profitable company, earning 2. 9% net margin versus 1. 1% for Avnet, Inc. — meaning it keeps 2. 9% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: CNXN leads at 3. 6% versus 2. 8% for AVT. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — CNXN leads at 18. 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.

On forward earnings alone, Avnet, Inc.

(AVT) trades at 16. 2x forward P/E versus 16. 6x for PC Connection, Inc. — 0. 4x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis.

All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.

Avnet, Inc. (AVT) offers the highest yield at 1. 6%, versus 0. 9% for PC Connection, Inc. (CNXN).

For long-horizon retirement investors, PC Connection, Inc.

(CNXN) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 83), 0. 9% yield, +199. 0% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (CNXN: +199. 0%, AVT: +132. 4%), 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.

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.