Core and Main Inc vs Howmet Aerospace Inc — how do they compare? Core and Main Inc trades at $44.75 (market cap $8.46B), while Howmet Aerospace Inc trades at $279.15 (market cap $110.74B). The key difference: Howmet Aerospace Inc is far larger — about 13.1× Core and Main Inc's market cap, and Howmet Aerospace Inc pays a 0.17% dividend while Core and Main Inc pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| CNM | HWM | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $8.46B | $110.74B |
Sector | Technology | Industrials |
52-Week High | $66.98 | $283.23 |
52-Week Low | $44.29 | $171.00 |
Enterprise Value | $10.76B | $112.99B |
Dividend Yield | — | 0.17% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Core & Main (CNM) trades at $44.74, down 2.44% today, amid bearish technical signals but strong fundamentals. The stock shows consistent earnings beats, with Q1 2026 EPS of $0.72 exceeding expectations, and maintains solid profitability with a 23.73% ROE. Recent news highlights municipal strength and margin gains, though residential segments face weakness. Cash flow trends improved in 2026 projections, with net cash flow rising to $142M from $7M in 2025.
The outlook is mixed: analyst consensus leans bullish with 57% buy ratings, but technical indicators signal near-term pressure. Key risks include industry headwinds like high operating costs and residential market softness. Investors should weigh strong fundamentals against current bearish momentum for entry timing.
Howmet Aerospace (HWM) trades at $271.28, up 0.16% on the day, with a neutral technical signal but strong fundamental performance. The company has consistently beaten earnings estimates in recent quarters, with Q1 2026 EPS of $1.22 exceeding expectations. Revenue growth and robust profit margins, including a 20.22% net income margin, support its premium valuation multiples. Recent news highlights strength in commercial aerospace demand as a key growth driver.
The outlook remains positive given analyst consensus with 84% buy ratings and a $317.63 price target, suggesting ~17% upside. However, elevated valuation ratios like a P/E of 64.22 pose risks if growth slows. Key catalysts include Q2 2026 results on August 6, 2026, while reliance on aerospace cycles and competitive pressures are monitoring points for investors.
Trailing returns across standard periods
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 →Howmet Aerospace provides advanced engineered solutions for the aerospace and transportation industries. It specializes in jet engine components, aerospace fastening systems, and forged aluminum wheels.
Read more on HWM →