Applied Industrial Technologies (AIT) vs Core & Main (CNM)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Applied Industrial Technologies (AIT) has outperformed Core & Main (CNM) over the past year, gaining 32.4% versus a loss of 20.0%. Over five years, AIT leads with a +250.6% price change compared with +60.8% for CNM. Applied Industrial Technologies is the larger company by market cap ($12.29 billion vs $7.51 billion), about 1.6 times the size.
On valuation, Core & Main trades at a lower forward P/E (11.6x vs 25.3x for Applied Industrial Technologies). Applied Industrial Technologies pays a dividend yielding 0.58%, while Core & Main does not currently pay one. Applied Industrial Technologies converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 8.3% versus 5.8%.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | AIT | CNM |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $334.58 | $40.70 |
| Market cap | $12.29B | $7.51B |
| 1-day change | -3.02% | -3.33% |
| YTD return | +30.30% | -21.69% |
| 1-year return | +32.38% | -19.96% |
| 5-year return | +250.64% | +60.81% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 30.56 | 17.32 |
| Forward P/E | 25.29 | 11.62 |
| EPS (TTM) | $10.95 | $2.35 |
| Dividend yield | 0.58% | 0.00% |
| Annual dividend | $1.94 | $0.00 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $4.97B | $7.65B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +8.84% | +2.77% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $414.52M | $441.00M |
| Gross margin | 30.34% | 26.93% |
| Operating margin | 11.06% | 9.44% |
| Net margin | 8.35% | 5.77% |
| 52-week high | $374.80 | $59.66 |
| 52-week low | $238.34 | $39.42 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -10.73% | -31.78% |
| Analyst consensus | none | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +19.55% | +34.57% |
| Average volume | 280.12K | 2.23M |
| Shares outstanding | 36.73M | 184.44M |
| Employees | 6,900 | 5,600 |
| Sector | Consumer Discretionary | Consumer Discretionary |
| Industry | Industrial Specialties | Durable Goods |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- AIT has outperformed CNM by 52.3 percentage points over the past year.
- Applied Industrial Technologies trades at a higher earnings multiple (30.6x vs 17.3x trailing P/E).
- Applied Industrial Technologies grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+8.84% vs +2.77%).
About Applied Industrial Technologies
AIT stock →Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc. distributes industrial motion, fluid power, flow control, automation technologies, and related maintenance supplies in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, and Costa Rica.
Consumer Discretionary · Industrial Specialties · 6,900 employees
About Core & Main
CNM stock →Core & Main, Inc. engages in the distribution of water, wastewater, storm drainage, and fire protection products and related services in the United States.
Consumer Discretionary · Durable Goods · 5,600 employees
AIT vs CNM FAQ
Which is bigger, Applied Industrial Technologies or Core & Main?
Applied Industrial Technologies (AIT) is larger, with a market capitalization of $12.29B compared with $7.51B for Core & Main (CNM).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, AIT or CNM?
AIT returned +32.38% over the past 12 months, compared with -19.96% for CNM (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, AIT or CNM?
CNM has the lower trailing P/E at 17.3, versus 30.6 for AIT. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, Applied Industrial Technologies or Core & Main?
Applied Industrial Technologies pays a dividend yielding 0.58%, while Core & Main does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Applied Industrial Technologies and Core & Main in the same industry?
Both are in the Consumer Discretionary sector, but in different industries: Industrial Specialties for Applied Industrial Technologies and Durable Goods for Core & Main.