Core & Main (CNM) vs Pool (POOL)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 7, 2026.
Summary
Core & Main (CNM) has outperformed Pool (POOL) over the past year, losing 20.0% versus a loss of 48.8%. Over five years, CNM leads with a +60.8% price change compared with -66.0% for POOL. Core & Main is the larger company by market cap ($7.51 billion vs $5.60 billion), about 1.3 times the size.
On valuation, Core & Main trades at a lower forward P/E (11.6x vs 13.0x for Pool). Pool pays a dividend yielding 3.28%, while Core & Main does not currently pay one. Pool converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 7.7% 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 | CNM | POOL |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $40.70 | $154.14 |
| Market cap | $7.51B | $5.60B |
| 1-day change | -3.33% | -2.59% |
| YTD return | -21.69% | -32.62% |
| 1-year return | -19.96% | -48.81% |
| 5-year return | +60.81% | -65.99% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 16.75 | 14.15 |
| Forward P/E | 11.62 | 13.05 |
| EPS (TTM) | $2.43 | $10.89 |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 3.28% |
| Annual dividend | $0.00 | $5.05 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $7.65B | $5.29B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +2.77% | -0.41% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $441.00M | $406.40M |
| Gross margin | 26.93% | 29.73% |
| Operating margin | 9.44% | 10.97% |
| Net margin | 5.77% | 7.68% |
| 52-week high | $59.66 | $305.63 |
| 52-week low | $39.42 | $153.55 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -31.78% | -49.57% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +34.57% | +40.78% |
| Average volume | 2.23M | 776.97K |
| Shares outstanding | 184.44M | 36.34M |
| Employees | 5,600 | 6,000 |
| Sector | Consumer Discretionary | Consumer Discretionary |
| Industry | Durable Goods | Industrial Specialties |
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
- CNM has outperformed POOL by 28.8 percentage points over the past year.
- Pool offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (3.28% vs 0.00%).
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 Pool
POOL stock →Pool Corporation distributes swimming pool supplies, equipment, related leisure, irrigation, and landscape maintenance products in the United States and internationally. It offers maintenance products, including chemicals, supplies, and pool accessories; repair and replacement parts for pool equipment, such as cleaners, filters, heaters, pumps, and lights; and building materials, such as concrete, plumbing and electrical components, functional and decorative pool surfaces, decking materials, tiles, hardscapes, and natural stones for pool installations and remodeling.
Consumer Discretionary · Industrial Specialties · 6,000 employees
CNM vs POOL FAQ
Which is bigger, Core & Main or Pool?
Core & Main (CNM) is larger, with a market capitalization of $7.51B compared with $5.60B for Pool (POOL).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, CNM or POOL?
CNM returned -19.96% over the past 12 months, compared with -48.81% for POOL (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, CNM or POOL?
POOL has the lower trailing P/E at 14.2, versus 16.7 for CNM. 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, Core & Main or Pool?
Pool pays a dividend yielding 3.28%, while Core & Main does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Core & Main and Pool in the same industry?
Both are in the Consumer Discretionary sector, but in different industries: Durable Goods for Core & Main and Industrial Specialties for Pool.