Core & Main stock reports stronger earnings and reaffirmed guidance

Published on 10/04/2026 at 09:55 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS

Core & Main stock delivered adjusted EPS of USD 0.94 in the quarter ended August 2, 2026. Sales rose 2.5 percent as full-year guidance held.

CNM, US21874C1027, Illustration mit AI erstellt.

Core & Main stock (ISIN US21874C1027) was last at USD 41.35 on the NYSE on October 2, 2026, after the distributor reported higher adjusted earnings and reaffirmed its fiscal 2026 outlook. The reference quote was down USD 0.03, or 0.07 percent, from the prior close, while the market capitalization stood at USD 7.7 billion.

Quarterly earnings improve

According to Core & Main on September 9, 2026, net sales for the fiscal second quarter ended August 2, 2026, rose 2.5 percent year over year to USD 2.145 billion from USD 2.093 billion. Net income increased 6.4 percent to USD 150 million, while diluted GAAP EPS rose 10.0 percent to USD 0.77 from USD 0.70.

Adjusted diluted EPS increased 8.0 percent to USD 0.94 from USD 0.87 in the prior-year quarter. Adjusted EBITDA rose 3.0 percent to USD 274 million, and its margin was 12.8 percent for the period.

Guidance holds amid mixed demand

The company reaffirmed fiscal 2026 net sales guidance of USD 7.8 billion to USD 7.9 billion, alongside adjusted EBITDA guidance of USD 950 million to USD 980 million. The outlook implies sales growth of 2 percent to 3 percent, while operating cash flow is expected at 60 percent to 70 percent of adjusted EBITDA.

The operating mix remains uneven. The September 9, 2026 release said fire protection sales benefited from higher volumes and prices, while storm drainage was essentially flat in the quarter; pipes, valves and fittings gained from acquisitions. Core & Main also repurchased 3.7 million shares for USD 169 million during the quarter and opened seven greenfield locations in fiscal 2026.

Analyst target exceeds market price

As The Globe and Mail reported on September 12, 2026, Citi analyst Anthony Pettinari maintained a Hold rating and a USD 46.00 price target. That target is USD 4.65 above the October 2, 2026 reference price, or 11.2 percent higher.

CNM traded between USD 40.86 and USD 41.98 during the October 2 session, with volume of 1,391,329 shares. Its 52-week range was USD 40.03 to USD 59.66, putting the latest quote USD 1.32 above the low and USD 18.31 below the high.

CNM stock snapshot

Core & Main stock was last at USD 41.35 on the NYSE on October 2, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. ET. The balance between acquisition-led growth, stable guidance and slower storm-drainage demand remains the key operating measure for the next report.