COMPARE · Reviewed August 3, 2026
CNM vs WSO
Verdict: Side-by-side breakdown using the Bull Rankings model. CNM scored 67.3, WSO scored 58.6 — CNM leads.
Compare another set
CNM
Core & Main, Inc.
67.3
$46.37 · $9.0B
fundamentals as of
Score gap
8.7
CNM leads
WSO
Watsco, Inc.
58.6
$333.36 · $13.7B
fundamentals as of
The model, pillar by pillar (0–100 each)
CNM
stronger →← stronger
WSO
69
Qualityreturns · margins · balance sheet
85
63
Growthrevenue & earnings expansion
50
70
Valuevaluation vs sector peers
47
CNM is stronger on 2 of 3 pillars.
Fundamentals, head-to-head
CNM
WSO
$608mC+
FCF
$694mC+
+0.5%C
Rev
-4.5%D+
1.16C+
D/E
0.15A-
19.6xB+
P/E
29.7xB
1.26B
PEG
1.35B
Winner per row is the stronger grade in our model; a tie or a missing value shows no highlight.
Valuation · DCF cross-check
CNM
WSO
20% below
Price vs fair valuelower is cheaper
18% above
~1%/yr
Growth the price implies10-yr FCF · lower = less priced in
~11%/yr
+14%
1-yr DCF upside
-23%
+25%
5-yr DCF upside
-15%
+43%
10-yr DCF upside
-3%
The DCF is a cross-check on intrinsic value, separate from the quality-growth score above.
Model signals
CNM
Why this score
- Durable high returns
WSO
Why this score
- Raising its dividend
- Durable high returns
- Revenue shrinking
The companies
CNMCore & Main, Inc.
Why now
Industrial Distribution · market cap $9.0b. Down 31% from 52-week high of $67.18 — deep drawdown territory. 15 sell-side analysts rate this a Buy with a mean 1-yr target of $60.27 (implying +30% upside).
Moat
ROE 23% sits above Buffett's preferred 15% threshold — the equity base is compounding at a rate the market struggles to discount accurately. FCF converts 129% of net income — earnings translate cleanly into cash, a sign that working capital and capex are well-disciplined.
Risk
Down 31% from the 52-week high — the market is pricing in something the screen can't see; verify the bear case before sizing up.
WSOWatsco, Inc.
Why now
Industrial Distribution · market cap $13.7b. Down 27% from 52-week high of $459.00 — deep drawdown territory. 10 sell-side analysts rate this a Hold with a mean 1-yr target of $382.20 (implying +15% upside).
Moat
ROE 21% sits above Buffett's preferred 15% threshold — the equity base is compounding at a rate the market struggles to discount accurately. FCF converts 118% of net income — earnings translate cleanly into cash, a sign that working capital and capex are well-disciplined.
Risk
Dividend payout 110% of earnings on a 4.3% yield — distribution coverage is thin; one earnings stumble could force a dividend cut.
Verdict — model-derived comparison
Generating verdict… typically 5–10 seconds
Not investment advice. The Bull Rankings publishes a quantitative ranking model and accompanying analysis for general informational purposes only. Nothing on this page is a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any security; nothing is personalized to your circumstances, risk tolerance, or tax situation. Investing carries the risk of loss — invest at your own risk and consider consulting a licensed financial professional before acting on anything you read here. See terms and methodology for full disclosures.