Core & Main (CNM) Rises Amid Market Decline: Key Insights You Should Be Aware Of
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Aug 18 2025
0mins
Should l Buy CNM?
Source: NASDAQ.COM
Core & Main Stock Performance: Core & Main (CNM) closed at $64.83, up 1.11%, outperforming the S&P 500's slight loss and showing a monthly gain of 3.42% compared to the Industrial Products sector.
Upcoming Earnings Report: Investors are keenly awaiting Core & Main's earnings report, with projections of $0.78 per share, reflecting a 27.87% year-over-year growth, and anticipated revenue of $2.11 billion, a 7.54% increase from last year.
Analyst Estimates and Zacks Rank: Recent changes in analyst estimates suggest a favorable outlook for Core & Main, which currently holds a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold), indicating stable EPS projections over the past month.
Valuation Metrics: Core & Main has a Forward P/E ratio of 26.12, higher than the industry average of 20.26, and a PEG ratio of 1.89, slightly above the industry average of 1.73, suggesting a premium valuation amidst a challenging industry ranking.
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Analyst Views on CNM
Wall Street analysts forecast CNM stock price to rise
9 Analyst Rating
6 Buy
2 Hold
1 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 49.620
Low
40.00
Averages
58.88
High
65.00
Current: 49.620
Low
40.00
Averages
58.88
High
65.00
About CNM
Core & Main, Inc. specializes in advancing reliable infrastructure with local service, nationwide. The Company, as a specialty distributor with a focus on water, wastewater, storm drainage and fire protection products and related services, provides solutions to municipalities, private water companies and professional contractors across municipal, non-residential and residential end markets. With more than 370 locations across the United States, the Company provides its customers local expertise backed by a national supply chain. The Company also has operations in Canada. The Company’s products include pipes, valves, fittings, storm drainage products, fire protection products, meter products and other products. The Company complements its core products through additional offerings, including fusible high-density polyethylene (fusible HDPE) piping solutions, specifically engineered treatment plant products, geosynthetics and erosion control products.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Core & Main Announces Board Changes
- Board Member Changes: Core & Main announced that M. Susan Hardwick will join the board and the talent and compensation committee effective April 1, 2026, bringing extensive leadership experience from her tenure as CEO of American Water Works, which is expected to enhance the company's strategic growth.
- Executive Retirement and New Appointments: Stephen LeClair retired from his roles as executive chair and chair of the board, with James Castellano appointed as the new chair, while James Hope and Robert Buck took on key roles in the audit committee, reflecting ongoing governance improvements within the company.
- Independent Director Addition: Hardwick becomes the ninth independent director on Core & Main's ten-member board, enhancing the board's diversity and expertise, which will aid in executing the company's strategic priorities in the water utility sector.
- Leadership Appreciation and Future Outlook: The board expressed gratitude for LeClair's years of service, highlighting his pivotal role since the company's independence, and anticipates that Hardwick's insights will provide new perspectives and growth opportunities moving forward.
See More
CORE & MAIN INC NAMES JAMES CASTELLANO AS BOARD CHAIRMAN
- New Appointment: James Castellano has been appointed as the Chair of the Board at CORE & MAIN INC.
- Leadership Transition: This appointment signifies a leadership change within the company, potentially impacting its strategic direction.
See More
Core & Main Reports 3% Sales Growth for Fiscal 2025
- Strong Sales Performance: Core & Main Inc achieved net sales of $7.65 billion for fiscal 2025, reflecting a 3% increase, and a 5% growth when adjusted for one fewer selling week, indicating robust market share gains and successful acquisitions.
- Robust Cash Flow: The company generated $650 million in operating cash flow for fiscal 2025, with a conversion rate of 70%, which not only enhances financial flexibility but also provides funding for future investments and expansions.
- Gross Margin Improvement: The gross margin for fiscal 2025 reached 26.9%, up 30 basis points year-over-year, reflecting successful strategies in private label penetration and disciplined purchasing and pricing execution, further solidifying its competitive position.
- Positive Future Outlook: The company expects net sales for fiscal 2026 to range between $7.8 billion and $7.9 billion, with adjusted EBITDA projected at $950 million to $980 million, demonstrating confidence in future growth despite challenges in the residential market.
See More
Core & Main Projects 2026 Sales Growth
- Sales Forecast Increase: Core & Main anticipates net sales for 2026 to be between $7.80 billion and $7.90 billion, indicating a growth of 2% to 3%, which reflects stable demand in the water and fire protection product sectors.
- Market Performance Fluctuation: In pre-market trading on Tuesday, CNM's stock was priced at $47.40, down $1.01 or 2.09%, indicating a cautious market sentiment regarding its financial outlook.
- Financial Report Release: The company reported its fourth-quarter financial results on Tuesday, showcasing confidence in future sales growth despite market volatility, which underscores its competitive position in the industry.
- Industry Outlook Analysis: With the ongoing demand for water and fire protection products, Core & Main's sales forecast reflects a positive trend in the industry, potentially attracting more investor interest in its long-term growth prospects.
See More
Core & Main Reports Fourth Quarter Earnings Growth
- Earnings Growth: Core & Main, Inc. reported a fourth-quarter net income of $70 million, translating to earnings per share of $0.37, which is an increase from last year's $64 million and $0.33 per share, indicating improved profitability.
- Revenue Decline: Despite the earnings growth, the company's fourth-quarter revenue fell by 6.9% year-over-year, from $1.698 billion to $1.581 billion, primarily due to one less selling week, reflecting competitive pressures in the market.
- Future Outlook: For fiscal 2026, Core & Main anticipates adjusted EBITDA between $950 million and $980 million, with an EBITDA margin of 12.2% to 12.4%, and sales projected between $7.800 billion and $7.900 billion, demonstrating confidence in future growth.
- Market Reaction: In pre-market trading on the New York Stock Exchange, CNM shares fell by 2.09% to $47.40, reflecting investor concerns over the revenue decline despite the improvement in earnings.
See More
Core & Main Q4 Earnings Beat Expectations
- Earnings Beat: Core & Main reported a Q4 Non-GAAP EPS of $0.52, exceeding expectations by $0.19, indicating strong profitability despite revenue challenges.
- Revenue Decline: The Q4 revenue of $1.58 billion represents a 6.5% year-over-year decline, missing market expectations by $10 million, reflecting challenges in the current market environment that may impact future growth.
- Adjusted EBITDA Changes: Adjusted EBITDA decreased by 6.7% to $167 million, although the EBITDA margin increased by 10 basis points to 10.6%, demonstrating the company's efforts in cost control amidst declining revenues.
- Fiscal 2026 Outlook: Core & Main projects fiscal 2026 net sales between $7.8 billion and $7.9 billion, reflecting a growth of 2% to 3%, which is below the consensus estimate of $7.93 billion, indicating a cautious outlook on future market conditions.
See More
Core & Main Announces Board Changes
- Board Member Changes: Core & Main announced that M. Susan Hardwick will join the board and the talent and compensation committee effective April 1, 2026, bringing extensive leadership experience from her tenure as CEO of American Water Works, which is expected to enhance the company's strategic growth.
- Executive Retirement and New Appointments: Stephen LeClair retired from his roles as executive chair and chair of the board, with James Castellano appointed as the new chair, while James Hope and Robert Buck took on key roles in the audit committee, reflecting ongoing governance improvements within the company.
- Independent Director Addition: Hardwick becomes the ninth independent director on Core & Main's ten-member board, enhancing the board's diversity and expertise, which will aid in executing the company's strategic priorities in the water utility sector.
- Leadership Appreciation and Future Outlook: The board expressed gratitude for LeClair's years of service, highlighting his pivotal role since the company's independence, and anticipates that Hardwick's insights will provide new perspectives and growth opportunities moving forward.
See More
CORE & MAIN INC NAMES JAMES CASTELLANO AS BOARD CHAIRMAN
- New Appointment: James Castellano has been appointed as the Chair of the Board at CORE & MAIN INC.
- Leadership Transition: This appointment signifies a leadership change within the company, potentially impacting its strategic direction.
See More
Core & Main Reports 3% Sales Growth for Fiscal 2025
- Strong Sales Performance: Core & Main Inc achieved net sales of $7.65 billion for fiscal 2025, reflecting a 3% increase, and a 5% growth when adjusted for one fewer selling week, indicating robust market share gains and successful acquisitions.
- Robust Cash Flow: The company generated $650 million in operating cash flow for fiscal 2025, with a conversion rate of 70%, which not only enhances financial flexibility but also provides funding for future investments and expansions.
- Gross Margin Improvement: The gross margin for fiscal 2025 reached 26.9%, up 30 basis points year-over-year, reflecting successful strategies in private label penetration and disciplined purchasing and pricing execution, further solidifying its competitive position.
- Positive Future Outlook: The company expects net sales for fiscal 2026 to range between $7.8 billion and $7.9 billion, with adjusted EBITDA projected at $950 million to $980 million, demonstrating confidence in future growth despite challenges in the residential market.
See More
Core & Main Projects 2026 Sales Growth
- Sales Forecast Increase: Core & Main anticipates net sales for 2026 to be between $7.80 billion and $7.90 billion, indicating a growth of 2% to 3%, which reflects stable demand in the water and fire protection product sectors.
- Market Performance Fluctuation: In pre-market trading on Tuesday, CNM's stock was priced at $47.40, down $1.01 or 2.09%, indicating a cautious market sentiment regarding its financial outlook.
- Financial Report Release: The company reported its fourth-quarter financial results on Tuesday, showcasing confidence in future sales growth despite market volatility, which underscores its competitive position in the industry.
- Industry Outlook Analysis: With the ongoing demand for water and fire protection products, Core & Main's sales forecast reflects a positive trend in the industry, potentially attracting more investor interest in its long-term growth prospects.
See More
Core & Main Reports Fourth Quarter Earnings Growth
- Earnings Growth: Core & Main, Inc. reported a fourth-quarter net income of $70 million, translating to earnings per share of $0.37, which is an increase from last year's $64 million and $0.33 per share, indicating improved profitability.
- Revenue Decline: Despite the earnings growth, the company's fourth-quarter revenue fell by 6.9% year-over-year, from $1.698 billion to $1.581 billion, primarily due to one less selling week, reflecting competitive pressures in the market.
- Future Outlook: For fiscal 2026, Core & Main anticipates adjusted EBITDA between $950 million and $980 million, with an EBITDA margin of 12.2% to 12.4%, and sales projected between $7.800 billion and $7.900 billion, demonstrating confidence in future growth.
- Market Reaction: In pre-market trading on the New York Stock Exchange, CNM shares fell by 2.09% to $47.40, reflecting investor concerns over the revenue decline despite the improvement in earnings.
See More
Core & Main Q4 Earnings Beat Expectations
- Earnings Beat: Core & Main reported a Q4 Non-GAAP EPS of $0.52, exceeding expectations by $0.19, indicating strong profitability despite revenue challenges.
- Revenue Decline: The Q4 revenue of $1.58 billion represents a 6.5% year-over-year decline, missing market expectations by $10 million, reflecting challenges in the current market environment that may impact future growth.
- Adjusted EBITDA Changes: Adjusted EBITDA decreased by 6.7% to $167 million, although the EBITDA margin increased by 10 basis points to 10.6%, demonstrating the company's efforts in cost control amidst declining revenues.
- Fiscal 2026 Outlook: Core & Main projects fiscal 2026 net sales between $7.8 billion and $7.9 billion, reflecting a growth of 2% to 3%, which is below the consensus estimate of $7.93 billion, indicating a cautious outlook on future market conditions.
See More
