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Core & Main Inc (CNM)


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Upturn Advisory Summary
10/20/2025: CNM (1-star) is currently NOT-A-BUY. Pass it for now.
1 Year Target Price $59.75
1 Year Target Price $59.75
6 | Strong Buy |
4 | Buy |
3 | Hold |
1 | Sell |
0 | Strong Sell |
Analysis of Past Performance
Type Stock | Historic Profit 49.95% | Avg. Invested days 66 | Today’s Advisory PASS |
Upturn Star Rating ![]() | Upturn Advisory Performance ![]() | Stock Returns Performance ![]() |
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Key Highlights
Company Size Large-Cap Stock | Market Capitalization 10.30B USD | Price to earnings Ratio 23.3 | 1Y Target Price 59.75 |
Price to earnings Ratio 23.3 | 1Y Target Price 59.75 | ||
Volume (30-day avg) 14 | Beta 0.99 | 52 Weeks Range 41.64 - 67.18 | Updated Date 10/20/2025 |
52 Weeks Range 41.64 - 67.18 | Updated Date 10/20/2025 | ||
Dividends yield (FY) - | Basic EPS (TTM) 2.24 |
Analyzing Revenue: Products, Geography and Growth
Revenue by Products
Product revenue - Year on Year
Revenue by Geography
Earnings Date
Report Date - | When - | Estimate - | Actual - |
Profitability
Profit Margin 5.57% | Operating Margin (TTM) 10.18% |
Management Effectiveness
Return on Assets (TTM) 7.37% | Return on Equity (TTM) 24.61% |
Valuation
Trailing PE 23.3 | Forward PE 22.88 | Enterprise Value 12644105521 | Price to Sales(TTM) 1.33 |
Enterprise Value 12644105521 | Price to Sales(TTM) 1.33 | ||
Enterprise Value to Revenue 1.63 | Enterprise Value to EBITDA 13.65 | Shares Outstanding 190688721 | Shares Floating 178860300 |
Shares Outstanding 190688721 | Shares Floating 178860300 | ||
Percent Insiders 0.55 | Percent Institutions 112.27 |
Upturn AI SWOT
Core & Main Inc

Company Overview
History and Background
Core & Main was established in August 2017, when Clayton, Dubilier & Rice (CD&R) acquired the Waterworks division from HD Supply. This strategic move positioned Core & Main as an independent, specialized distributor focused on water, wastewater, storm drainage, and fire protection products. It has grown through organic expansion and acquisitions.
Core Business Areas
- Waterworks: Distribution of water, wastewater, and storm drainage products, primarily serving municipalities and private water companies. This segment includes pipes, fittings, valves, hydrants, and related services.
- Fire Protection: Distribution of fire protection products, including fire hydrants, valves, and related accessories, catering to contractors and municipalities.
- Other Related Products: Includes metering products, engineered materials, tools, and other infrastructure products.
Leadership and Structure
Steve LeClair is the Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer. The company operates with a decentralized structure, with regional teams managing local operations and customer relationships. Core & Main also has a CFO, COO, and other VPs for specific divisions
Top Products and Market Share
Key Offerings
- Ductile Iron Pipe: Used for water and wastewater transmission. Market share information is difficult to get because there is a wide range of competitors. Competitors include McWane and US Pipe.
- High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) Pipe: Used for storm drainage and other applications. Market share information is difficult to get because there is a wide range of competitors. Competitors include WL Plastics.
- Fire Hydrants: Used for fire suppression systems. Market share information is difficult to get because there is a wide range of competitors. Competitors include Mueller Water Products.
Market Dynamics
Industry Overview
The waterworks industry is driven by infrastructure spending, aging infrastructure replacement needs, and population growth. The industry is fragmented, with many local and regional distributors.
Positioning
Core & Main is one of the largest distributors in the waterworks industry, benefiting from scale, a national footprint, and strong supplier relationships. Its competitive advantage lies in its breadth of product offerings and value-added services.
Total Addressable Market (TAM)
The estimated TAM for water infrastructure in the US is very difficult to give an exact number. The EPA estimates that hundreds of billions will need to be invested to maintain and improve. Core & Main is positioned to capture a significant portion of this market.
Upturn SWOT Analysis
Strengths
- National Footprint
- Broad Product Offering
- Strong Supplier Relationships
- Extensive Branch Network
- Experienced Management Team
Weaknesses
- Dependence on Infrastructure Spending
- Exposure to Economic Cycles
- Potential for Supply Chain Disruptions
- Sensitivity to commodity prices
Opportunities
- Increased Infrastructure Investment
- Acquisitions of Smaller Distributors
- Expansion into New Markets
- Offering Value-Added Services
- Further digital integration to increase efficiency and reduce costs
Threats
- Economic Downturns
- Increased Competition
- Fluctuations in Raw Material Costs
- Changes in Government Regulations
Competitors and Market Share
Key Competitors
- Mueller Water Products (MWA)
- Ferguson plc (FERG)
- HD Supply (no US stock symbol - acquired by Home Depot)
- McWane, Inc. (Private Company)
Competitive Landscape
Core & Main competes with a mix of national, regional, and local distributors. Its size and national footprint provide a competitive advantage, but it also faces competition from more specialized distributors and manufacturers.
Major Acquisitions
L&M Bag & Supply
- Year: 2023
- Acquisition Price (USD millions):
- Strategic Rationale: Enhance the product portfolio and offer a complementary product line to enhance customer experience and increase the wallet-share.
Growth Trajectory and Initiatives
Historical Growth: Core & Main has grown rapidly through acquisitions and organic expansion since its founding in 2017. It has benefited from increased infrastructure spending and the need to replace aging water infrastructure.
Future Projections: Analysts expect Core & Main to continue to grow revenue and earnings in the coming years, driven by infrastructure investment and acquisitions.
Recent Initiatives: Core & Main has been focused on acquiring smaller distributors to expand its geographic footprint and product offerings, expanding its digital capabilities, and improving operational efficiency.
Summary
Core & Main is a leading distributor in a fragmented market, poised to capitalize on infrastructure spending. Its strengths lie in its size and national presence, but it faces risks from economic cycles and competition. The company's growth strategy includes acquisitions and expansion into new markets. Overall, Core & Main demonstrates a moderately strong fundamental profile within its sector, though economic and competitive factors warrant ongoing monitoring.
Peer Comparison
Sources and Disclaimers
Data Sources:
- Company Filings
- Industry Reports
- Analyst Estimates
Disclaimers:
The information provided is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Market share data is approximate. AI rating is based on available information and may not reflect all factors.
AI Summarization is directionally correct and might not be accurate.
Summarized information shown could be a few years old and not current.
Fundamental Rating based on AI could be based on old data.
AI-generated summaries may have inaccuracies (hallucinations). Please verify the information before taking action.
About Core & Main Inc
Exchange NYSE | Headquaters Saint Louis, MO, United States | ||
IPO Launch date 2021-07-22 | CEO & Director Mr. Mark R. Witkowski CPA | ||
Sector Industrials | Industry Industrial Distribution | Full time employees 5700 | Website https://www.coreandmain.com |
Full time employees 5700 | Website https://www.coreandmain.com |
Core & Main, Inc. distributes water, wastewater, storm drainage, and fire protection products and related services in the United States. Its products portfolio include pipes, valves, hydrants, fittings, and other products and services used for service, repair and replacement of underground water infrastructure; storm drainage products, such as corrugated HDPE and metal piping systems, retention basins, inline drains, manholes, grates, geosynthetics, erosion control, and other related products; fire protection products, including fire protection pipes, valves, fittings, sprinkler heads and other accessories, as well as fabrication and kitting services; smart meter products; and smart metering solutions which include meter accessories, meter installation, network infrastructure and software installation, training, and long-term services, as well as engineered treatment plant products. The company's specialty products and services are used in the maintenance, repair, replacement, and construction of water, wastewater, storm drainage, and fire protection infrastructure. It serves municipalities, private water companies, and professional contractors in the municipal, non-residential, and residential end markets. Core & Main, Inc. was founded in 1874 and is headquartered in Saint Louis, Missouri.

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