Core and Main Inc vs Li Auto Inc — how do they compare? Core and Main Inc trades at $46.03 (market cap $8.73B), while Li Auto Inc trades at $12.5 (market cap $12.28B). The key difference: Li Auto Inc is the larger of the two by market cap. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| CNM | LI | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $8.73B | $12.28B |
Sector | Technology | Consumer Cyclical |
52-Week High | $66.98 | $26.69 |
52-Week Low | $42.37 | $11.74 |
Enterprise Value | $11.02B | $1.11B |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
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.
Li Auto (LI) trades at $12.505, down 2.61% on the day, with a bearish technical signal and mixed earnings performance. Recent quarterly results show misses on EPS estimates, while revenue declined to $112.31 billion in 2025. The company maintains strong delivery growth, with 30,468 vehicles delivered in July 2026, but faces intense competition in China's EV market. Cash flow trends indicate operational challenges, with negative net cash flow of $9.00 billion in 2025.
Outlook remains cautious due to profitability pressures and competitive headwinds, though analyst consensus suggests moderate upside to a $14.80 price target. Key risks include execution on new model launches and macroeconomic volatility in the EV sector. The stock's current valuation metrics, such as a P/S of 0.83, may appeal to value-oriented investors if operational improvements materialize.
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 →Li Auto is a leading Chinese NEV manufacturer that designs, develops, manufactures, and sells premium smart NEVs. The company started volume production of its first model Li One in November 2019. The model is a six-seater, large, premium plug-in electric SUV equipped with a range extension system and advanced smart vehicle solutions. It sold over 90,000 EVs in 2021, accounting for about 2.7% of China's passenger new energy vehicle market. Beyond Li One, the company will expand its product line, including both BEVs and PHEVs, to target a broader consumer base.
Read more on LI →