Air Products & Chemicals, Inc. vs Core and Main Inc — how do they compare? Air Products & Chemicals, Inc. trades at $304.86 (market cap $68.88B), while Core and Main Inc trades at $46.17 (market cap $8.73B). The key difference: Air Products & Chemicals, Inc. is far larger — about 7.9× Core and Main Inc's market cap, and Air Products & Chemicals, Inc. pays a 2.34% dividend while Core and Main Inc pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| APD | CNM | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $68.88B | $8.73B |
Sector | Basic Materials | Technology |
52-Week High | $314.19 | $66.98 |
52-Week Low | $230.42 | $42.37 |
Enterprise Value | $86.06B | $11.02B |
Dividend Yield | 2.34% | — |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
APD trades at $305.54, down 0.86% on the day, with a bullish technical outlook supported by moving averages and recent earnings beats. The company reported Q3 2026 EPS of $3.47, exceeding expectations, and secured a long-term semiconductor supply deal in Taiwan. However, negative net income margin and elevated debt levels present fundamental concerns.
The stock offers upside to the $346 consensus price target, driven by volume growth and strategic contracts, but faces risks from high valuation multiples and leverage. Investor sentiment is positive amid raised guidance, though profitability challenges warrant caution.
Core & Main (CNM) trades at $45.9, down 0.86% today, with a bullish technical signal despite near-term pressure. The company demonstrates strong fundamentals with consistent earnings beats, including Q1 2026 EPS of $0.57 beating expectations of $0.534. Revenue reached $7.44B in 2025 with 5.87% net margin, while analyst consensus remains positive with 57% buy ratings. Recent news highlights institutional activity including California State Teachers Retirement System increasing its position by 22.3% in Q1 2026.
CNM presents a compelling investment case with robust profitability (23.73% ROE) and improving cash flow trends, though elevated debt levels and competitive pressures warrant caution. The stock's current valuation at 19.76 P/E appears reasonable given growth prospects, with technical support at $46 providing downside protection. Upside potential exists if the company maintains its earnings beat streak and executes on FY26 guidance of $7.8-7.9B revenue.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Since its founding in 1940, Air Products has become one of the leading industrial gas suppliers globally, with operations in 50 countries and 19,000 employees. The company is the largest supplier of hydrogen and helium in the world. It has a unique portfolio serving customers in a number of industries, including chemicals, energy, healthcare, metals, and electronics. Air Products generated $10.3 billion in revenue in fiscal 2021.
Read more on APD →Core & Main is a leading US distributor of water, wastewater, storm drainage, and fire protection products. It provides essential infrastructure solutions to municipalities, private water companies, and contractors.
Read more on CNM →