Core & Main (CNM) vs DXP Enterprises (DXPE)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 10, 2026.
Summary
DXP Enterprises (DXPE) has outperformed Core & Main (CNM) over the past year, gaining 46.6% versus a loss of 20.9%. Over five years, DXPE leads with a +461.2% price change compared with +59.4% for CNM. Core & Main is the larger company by market cap ($7.44 billion vs $2.81 billion), about 2.7 times the size, while DXP Enterprises is growing revenue faster (+11.9% vs +2.8%).
On valuation, Core & Main trades at a lower forward P/E (11.5x vs 23.6x for DXP Enterprises). Core & Main converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 5.8% versus 4.4%.
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 | CNM | DXPE |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $40.35 | $180.92 |
| Market cap | $7.44B | $2.81B |
| 1-day change | -0.05% | +1.31% |
| YTD return | -22.36% | +64.79% |
| 1-year return | -20.90% | +46.58% |
| 5-year return | +59.42% | +461.17% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 16.60 | 31.46 |
| Forward P/E | 11.52 | 23.62 |
| EPS (TTM) | $2.43 | $5.75 |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Annual dividend | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $7.65B | $2.02B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +2.77% | +11.89% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $441.00M | $88.68M |
| Gross margin | 26.93% | 31.54% |
| Operating margin | 9.44% | 8.77% |
| Net margin | 5.77% | 4.40% |
| 52-week high | $59.66 | $208.00 |
| 52-week low | $39.42 | $84.04 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -32.37% | -13.02% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | none |
| Avg. price target upside | +35.17% | +10.55% |
| Average volume | 2.25M | 131.16K |
| Shares outstanding | 184.44M | 15.52M |
| Employees | 5,600 | 3,286 |
| Sector | Consumer Discretionary | Industrials |
| Industry | Durable Goods | Industrial Machinery/Components |
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
- Core & Main is about 2.7 times larger than DXP Enterprises by market value ($7.44B vs $2.81B).
- DXPE has outperformed CNM by 67.5 percentage points over the past year.
- DXP Enterprises trades at a higher earnings multiple (31.5x vs 16.6x trailing P/E).
- DXP Enterprises grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+11.89% vs +2.77%).
- The two companies sit in different sectors: Core & Main in Consumer Discretionary and DXP Enterprises in Industrials.
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
About DXP Enterprises
DXPE stock →DXP Enterprises, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, engages in distributing maintenance, repair, and operating (MRO) products, equipment, and services in the United States, Canada, and internationally. The company operates in three segments: Service Centers, Supply Chain Services, and Innovative Pumping Solutions.
Industrials · Industrial Machinery/Components · 3,286 employees
CNM vs DXPE FAQ
Which is bigger, Core & Main or DXP Enterprises?
Core & Main (CNM) is larger, with a market capitalization of $7.44B compared with $2.81B for DXP Enterprises (DXPE).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, CNM or DXPE?
DXPE returned +46.58% over the past 12 months, compared with -20.90% for CNM (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, CNM or DXPE?
CNM has the lower trailing P/E at 16.6, versus 31.5 for DXPE. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Are Core & Main and DXP Enterprises in the same industry?
No. Core & Main is in the Consumer Discretionary sector, while DXP Enterprises is in Industrials.