Latest Ratios: P/E Ratio 18.5x · EV/EBITDA 11.2x · ROE 22.9%. (2019–2025 historical series)
Price-based multiples — how expensive the stock is relative to earnings, sales, book value, and cash flow
| Metric | TTM | FY 2025 | FY 2024 | FY 2023 | FY 2022 | FY 2021 | FY 2020 | FY 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Market Cap | $8.0B | $10.6B | $11.4B | $9.2B | $5.3B | $5.7B | — | — |
| Enterprise Value | $10.2B | $12.8B | $13.9B | $11.3B | $6.8B | $7.4B | — | — |
| P/E Ratio → | 18.51 | 23.10 | 26.50 | 18.86 | 10.17 | 42.64 | — | — |
| P/S Ratio | 1.05 | 1.38 | 1.53 | 1.38 | 0.80 | 1.15 | — | — |
| P/B Ratio | 4.08 | 5.09 | 6.40 | 6.06 | 2.21 | 3.13 | — | — |
| P/FCF | 13.25 | 17.48 | 19.38 | 8.97 | 14.19 | — | — | — |
| P/OCF | 12.31 | 16.25 | 18.28 | 8.64 | 13.31 | — | — | — |
P/E links to full P/E history page with 30-year chart
Enterprise-value multiples — capital-structure-neutral measures of total business value
| Metric | TTM | FY 2025 | FY 2024 | FY 2023 | FY 2022 | FY 2021 | FY 2020 | FY 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EV / Revenue | — | 1.67 | 1.86 | 1.69 | 1.02 | 1.47 | — | — |
| EV / EBITDA | 11.18 | 13.98 | 15.17 | 12.65 | 7.36 | 12.79 | — | — |
| EV / EBIT | 14.04 | 17.55 | 19.27 | 15.28 | 8.76 | 19.66 | — | — |
| EV / FCF | — | 21.15 | 23.64 | 10.98 | 18.07 | — | — | — |
Margins and return-on-capital ratios measuring operating efficiency
Full margin charts and quarterly trend are on the Earnings History page
| Metric | TTM | FY 2025 | FY 2024 | FY 2023 | FY 2022 | FY 2021 | FY 2020 | FY 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gross Margin | 26.9% | 26.9% | 26.6% | 27.1% | 27.0% | 25.6% | 24.1% | 23.3% |
| Operating Margin | 9.5% | 9.5% | 9.7% | 11.0% | 11.7% | 8.5% | 5.1% | 4.6% |
| Net Profit Margin | 5.8% | 5.8% | 5.5% | 5.5% | 5.5% | 3.3% | 1.0% | 1.1% |
| Metric | TTM | FY 2025 | FY 2024 | FY 2023 | FY 2022 | FY 2021 | FY 2020 | FY 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ROE | 22.9% | 22.9% | 24.9% | 18.9% | 17.3% | 12.6% | 5.1% | 5.6% |
| ROA | 7.4% | 7.4% | 7.5% | 7.4% | 7.8% | 4.0% | 1.0% | 1.1% |
| ROIC | 12.8% | 12.8% | 13.7% | 14.9% | 15.9% | 10.2% | 5.1% | 4.5% |
| ROCE | 14.3% | 14.3% | 15.5% | 17.5% | 19.9% | 12.1% | 6.0% | 5.6% |
Solvency and debt-coverage ratios — lower is generally safer
| Metric | TTM | FY 2025 | FY 2024 | FY 2023 | FY 2022 | FY 2021 | FY 2020 | FY 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Debt / Equity | 1.18 | 1.18 | 1.41 | 1.36 | 0.68 | 0.89 | 2.99 | 3.35 |
| Debt / EBITDA | 2.67 | 2.67 | 2.74 | 2.32 | 1.77 | 2.82 | 7.08 | 7.33 |
| Net Debt / Equity | — | 1.07 | 1.41 | 1.36 | 0.60 | 0.89 | 2.51 | 3.07 |
| Net Debt / EBITDA | 2.43 | 2.43 | 2.74 | 2.32 | 1.58 | 2.82 | 5.95 | 6.71 |
| Debt / FCF | — | 3.67 | 4.26 | 2.01 | 3.88 | — | 9.96 | 10.93 |
| Interest Coverage | 5.13 | 5.13 | 5.06 | 9.14 | 11.74 | 3.82 | 1.33 | 1.37 |
Short-term solvency ratios and asset-utilisation metrics
| Metric | TTM | FY 2025 | FY 2024 | FY 2023 | FY 2022 | FY 2021 | FY 2020 | FY 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio | 2.63 | 2.63 | 2.34 | 2.29 | 3.05 | 2.11 | 2.56 | 2.41 |
| Quick Ratio | 1.51 | 1.51 | 1.29 | 1.30 | 1.60 | 1.09 | 1.83 | 1.63 |
| Cash Ratio | 0.25 | 0.25 | 0.01 | 0.00 | 0.24 | 0.00 | 0.73 | 0.42 |
| Asset Turnover | — | 1.26 | 1.27 | 1.32 | 1.35 | 1.13 | 0.93 | 1.06 |
| Inventory Turnover | 5.67 | 5.67 | 6.01 | 6.38 | 4.64 | 4.35 | 7.20 | 7.74 |
| Days Sales Outstanding | — | 50.02 | 52.29 | 52.99 | 52.41 | 64.48 | 55.82 | 54.28 |
Earnings, FCF, buyback, and dividend yields — total returns to shareholders
Full dividend history and growth charts are on the Dividend History page
| Metric | TTM | FY 2025 | FY 2024 | FY 2023 | FY 2022 | FY 2021 | FY 2020 | FY 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Payout Ratio | — | — | — | — | — | — | 56.5% | 897.5% |
| Metric | TTM | FY 2025 | FY 2024 | FY 2023 | FY 2022 | FY 2021 | FY 2020 | FY 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Earnings Yield | 5.4% | 4.3% | 3.8% | 5.3% | 9.8% | 2.3% | — | — |
| FCF Yield | 7.5% | 5.7% | 5.2% | 11.1% | 7.0% | — | — | — |
| Buyback Yield | 1.9% | 1.5% | 1.6% | 14.5% | 0.0% | 0.0% | — | — |
| Total Shareholder Yield | 1.9% | 1.5% | 1.6% | 14.5% | 0.0% | 0.0% | — | — |
| Shares Outstanding | — | $198M | $201M | $228M | $246M | $244M | $241M | $241M |
Includes 30+ ratios · 7 years · Updated daily
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10-year return with dividends reinvested.
Compare growth, multiples, and margins vs sector.
Quick answers to the most common questions about buying CNM stock.
Core & Main, Inc.'s current P/E ratio is 18.5x. The historical average is 24.3x. This places it at the 20th percentile of its historical range.
Core & Main, Inc.'s current EV/EBITDA is 11.2x. This enterprise value multiple compares the company's total value (equity + debt - cash) to its EBITDA. The historical average is 12.4x.
Core & Main, Inc.'s return on equity (ROE) is 22.9%. This is above the typical threshold of 15-20% considered good for most companies. The historical average is 15.3%.
Based on historical data, Core & Main, Inc. is trading at a P/E of 18.5x. This is at the 20th percentile of its historical P/E range. Compare with industry peers and growth rates for a complete picture.
Core & Main, Inc. has 26.9% gross margin and 9.5% operating margin.
Core & Main, Inc.'s Debt/EBITDA ratio is 2.7x, indicating moderate leverage. A ratio between 2-4x is manageable but warrants monitoring.
Key Metrics
Top Statement Risk
Acquisition goodwill impairment risk
Metrics are mathematically derived from official filings.
Discounted Multiple Signals Growth Maturity
CNM's forward P/E of 17.77 and EV/EBITDA of 9.32 suggest the market is pricing in limited earnings expansion, a view supported by a PEG ratio of just 0.24, which implies the company's growth is being valued at a significant discount to its earnings yield.
The valuation multiples, particularly the PEG of 0.24, appear to price in a period of earnings stability rather than acceleration, which is consistent with the decelerating top-line growth signal from prior analysis. Compared to peers like Builders FirstSource (EV/EBITDA 8.68) and Installed Building Products (P/E 21.04), CNM trades at a slight premium on an EV/EBITDA basis but a discount on a P/E basis, suggesting the market may be differentiating its cyclical exposure and capital structure. This valuation framework indicates investors are not expecting a significant re-rating unless operational efficiency or acquisition synergies drive margin expansion beyond current levels.
Operating Leverage Drives Net Margin Expansion
Net profit margin has improved from 5.5% in 2024Q1 to 6.7% in 2026Q2, according to the company's reported financials, an expansion driven almost entirely by operating leverage rather than gross margin improvement, as SG&A discipline allowed more profit to fall to the bottom line.
The stability of gross margins in the narrow 26.4% to 27.2% band indicates pricing power and cost management in a challenging distribution environment. The true earnings power is reflected in the operating margin, which has climbed from 7.3% to 10.6%, demonstrating effective scaling of the fixed-cost base. However, this operating leverage is a double-edged sword; as noted in prior findings, it makes profitability highly sensitive to volume declines, which could quickly reverse the margin gains if revenue growth falters further.
Returns on Capital Mirror Cyclical Margins
CNM's ROIC has rebounded from a low of 2.0% in 2025Q4 to 3.8% in 2026Q2, based on the reported ratio data, yet this level remains well below the returns achieved by Installed Building Products (20.7% ROIC), indicating that the heavy asset base from acquisitions constrains capital efficiency.
The trend in ROIC closely tracks the operating margin cycle, suggesting that returns are driven more by volume and pricing than by asset turnover efficiency. While the current ROIC of 3.8% appears to be recovering, it is still below what would typically cover the company's weighted average cost of capital, implying value creation is not yet robust. The significant goodwill balance, as highlighted in prior balance sheet analysis, dilutes the return on tangible assets and presents a risk if acquired businesses do not meet their projected performance.
Working Capital Cycle Extends in 2026
The cash conversion cycle extended to 75 days in 2026Q2, compared to a low of 70 days in early 2024, a deterioration primarily driven by rising days inventory outstanding to 65 days, which suggests a potential buildup of inventory ahead of uncertain demand.
The lengthening CCC, particularly the increase in DIO from 58-60 days in 2024 to 65-79 days in recent quarters, warrants scrutiny as it may indicate inventory management challenges or a strategic shift in stocking. While days payable outstanding has remained relatively stable, providing some offset, the overall trend suggests a slight reduction in working capital efficiency. This is consistent with a decelerating growth environment where sell-through rates may be moderating, tying up cash in inventory.
De-leveraging Trend Provides Breathing Room
The debt-to-equity ratio has improved from 1.60 in 2024Q1 to 1.31 in 2026Q2, as reported in the company's financial statements, indicating a deliberate or organic de-leveraging process that is enhancing financial flexibility and reducing balance sheet risk.
This downward trend in leverage is a positive development, especially given the high absolute debt load of $2.7 billion. The improvement is partly mechanical, driven by retained earnings growth, but also suggests prioritization of debt repayment or reduced borrowings. Interest coverage has also improved significantly, from 4.94x to 6.49x over the period, making the debt service burden more comfortable. However, the leverage ratio remains elevated compared to a peer like SiteOne (0.58 D/E), leaving the company more exposed to interest rate fluctuations and refinancing risk in a downturn.
The Flaw in Applying P/E to a Cyclical Distributor
The price-to-earnings ratio is frequently misapplied to cyclical industrial distributors like CNM because it captures peak-cycle earnings that may not be sustainable, potentially misleading investors about the company's normalized earning power.
A common mistake is to view CNM's P/E of 17.58 as a static valuation without adjusting for the cyclical nature of its earnings. In distribution, earnings are highly sensitive to volume and input costs; therefore, the P/E ratio can appear artificially low during strong cycles and elevated during downturns. A more appropriate metric for this business model is EV/EBITDA, which adjusts for differences in capital structure and provides a better comparison across the cycle and versus peers. Relying solely on P/E may obscure the true risk-reward profile, as it does not account for the significant goodwill and intangible assets that depress equity and inflate return ratios.