CNM vs. MSM: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at CNM and MSM, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | CNM | MSM |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Core & Main, Inc. | MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| GICS Industry | Trading Companies & Distributors | Trading Companies & Distributors |
| Market Capitalization | 12.61 billion USD | 4.88 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | July 22, 2021 | December 15, 1995 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of CNM and MSM by tracking the growth of an initial $10,000 investment in each. Use the tabs to select the desired time period. Data is adjusted for dividends and splits.
Historical Performance at a Glance
| Symbol | CNM | MSM |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -0.78% | 0.10% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 20.34% | 7.03% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 20.58% | 6.94% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 27.67% | 8.33% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 2.37% | 1.21% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 27.97% | 17.38% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 1.76M | 0.35M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 1.95M | 0.55M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 29.04% | 26.11% |
| Beta | 1.05 | 0.91 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
CNM
24.63%
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 32.33%
- Q3
- 19.92%
- Median
- 14.05%
- Q1
- 11.46%
- Min
- 0.91%
In the upper quartile for the Trading Companies & Distributors industry, CNM’s Return on Equity of 24.63% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
MSM
14.46%
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 32.33%
- Q3
- 19.92%
- Median
- 14.05%
- Q1
- 11.46%
- Min
- 0.91%
MSM’s Return on Equity of 14.46% is on par with the norm for the Trading Companies & Distributors industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
CNM
5.47%
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 17.73%
- Q3
- 10.81%
- Median
- 6.13%
- Q1
- 4.33%
- Min
- 2.09%
CNM’s Net Profit Margin of 5.47% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Trading Companies & Distributors industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
MSM
5.30%
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 17.73%
- Q3
- 10.81%
- Median
- 6.13%
- Q1
- 4.33%
- Min
- 2.09%
MSM’s Net Profit Margin of 5.30% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Trading Companies & Distributors industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
CNM
9.49%
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 25.50%
- Q3
- 15.13%
- Median
- 7.46%
- Q1
- 5.44%
- Min
- 3.55%
CNM’s Operating Profit Margin of 9.49% is around the midpoint for the Trading Companies & Distributors industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
MSM
8.23%
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 25.50%
- Q3
- 15.13%
- Median
- 7.46%
- Q1
- 5.44%
- Min
- 3.55%
MSM’s Operating Profit Margin of 8.23% is around the midpoint for the Trading Companies & Distributors industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | CNM | MSM |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 24.63% | 14.46% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 6.80% | 8.04% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 5.47% | 5.30% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 9.49% | 8.23% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 26.57% | 40.92% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
CNM
1.96
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 2.82
- Q3
- 2.13
- Median
- 1.60
- Q1
- 1.43
- Min
- 0.46
CNM’s Current Ratio of 1.96 aligns with the median group of the Trading Companies & Distributors industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
MSM
1.92
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 2.82
- Q3
- 2.13
- Median
- 1.60
- Q1
- 1.43
- Min
- 0.46
MSM’s Current Ratio of 1.92 aligns with the median group of the Trading Companies & Distributors industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
CNM
1.30
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 1.88
- Q3
- 1.18
- Median
- 0.74
- Q1
- 0.54
- Min
- 0.00
CNM’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Trading Companies & Distributors industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.30. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.
MSM
0.38
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 1.88
- Q3
- 1.18
- Median
- 0.74
- Q1
- 0.54
- Min
- 0.00
Falling into the lower quartile for the Trading Companies & Distributors industry, MSM’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.38 points to a conservative financing strategy. This results in lower financial risk but potentially limits strategic investments compared to more leveraged competitors.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
CNM
5.06
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 15.13
- Q3
- 7.93
- Median
- 5.75
- Q1
- 2.70
- Min
- -1.67
CNM’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 5.06 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Trading Companies & Distributors industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
MSM
14.52
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 15.13
- Q3
- 7.93
- Median
- 5.75
- Q1
- 2.70
- Min
- -1.67
MSM’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 14.52 is in the upper quartile for the Trading Companies & Distributors industry, signifying a strong and healthy capacity to meet its interest payments from operating profits.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | CNM | MSM |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.96 | 1.92 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 1.07 | 0.75 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 1.30 | 0.38 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 5.06 | 14.52 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
CNM
0.00%
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 4.99%
- Q3
- 3.04%
- Median
- 1.94%
- Q1
- 1.22%
- Min
- 0.00%
CNM currently does not pay a dividend, resulting in a yield of 0%. This is a common strategy for growth-focused companies that prioritize reinvesting earnings, though it may be less typical in mature, income-oriented sectors.
MSM
3.85%
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 4.99%
- Q3
- 3.04%
- Median
- 1.94%
- Q1
- 1.22%
- Min
- 0.00%
With a Dividend Yield of 3.85%, MSM offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the Trading Companies & Distributors industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
CNM
0.00%
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 95.14%
- Q3
- 62.08%
- Median
- 51.17%
- Q1
- 26.24%
- Min
- 0.00%
CNM has a Dividend Payout Ratio of 0%, indicating it does not currently pay a dividend. This is a common strategy for growth-oriented companies that reinvest all profits back into the business.
MSM
95.14%
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 95.14%
- Q3
- 62.08%
- Median
- 51.17%
- Q1
- 26.24%
- Min
- 0.00%
MSM’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 95.14% is in the upper quartile for the Trading Companies & Distributors industry. This indicates a strong commitment to shareholder returns but also suggests that a smaller portion of earnings is retained for reinvestment compared to many peers.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | CNM | MSM |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 3.85% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 95.14% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
CNM
30.31
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 48.55
- Q3
- 26.73
- Median
- 17.17
- Q1
- 10.78
- Min
- 1.62
A P/E Ratio of 30.31 places CNM in the upper quartile for the Trading Companies & Distributors industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.
MSM
24.73
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 48.55
- Q3
- 26.73
- Median
- 17.17
- Q1
- 10.78
- Min
- 1.62
MSM’s P/E Ratio of 24.73 is within the middle range for the Trading Companies & Distributors industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
CNM
1.66
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 4.88
- Q3
- 2.56
- Median
- 1.02
- Q1
- 0.60
- Min
- 0.29
CNM’s P/S Ratio of 1.66 aligns with the market consensus for the Trading Companies & Distributors industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
MSM
1.31
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 4.88
- Q3
- 2.56
- Median
- 1.02
- Q1
- 0.60
- Min
- 0.29
MSM’s P/S Ratio of 1.31 aligns with the market consensus for the Trading Companies & Distributors industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
CNM
6.03
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 8.77
- Q3
- 4.33
- Median
- 2.00
- Q1
- 1.11
- Min
- 0.35
CNM’s P/B Ratio of 6.03 is in the upper tier for the Trading Companies & Distributors industry. This indicates that investors are paying a premium relative to the company’s net assets, a valuation that hinges on its ability to generate superior profits.
MSM
3.26
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 8.77
- Q3
- 4.33
- Median
- 2.00
- Q1
- 1.11
- Min
- 0.35
MSM’s P/B Ratio of 3.26 is within the conventional range for the Trading Companies & Distributors industry. This shows a balanced market view, where the stock’s price is neither at a significant premium nor a discount to the book value of its peers.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | CNM | MSM |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 30.31 | 24.73 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 1.66 | 1.31 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 6.03 | 3.26 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 21.78 | 18.63 |