Core and Main Inc vs McDonald's Corp — how do they compare? Core and Main Inc trades at $45.66 (market cap $8.73B), while McDonald's Corp trades at $275.05 (market cap $194.00B). The key difference: McDonald's Corp is far larger — about 22.2× Core and Main Inc's market cap, and McDonald's Corp pays a 2.71% dividend while Core and Main Inc pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| CNM | MCD | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $8.73B | $194.00B |
Sector | Technology | Consumer Cyclical |
52-Week High | $66.98 | $341.06 |
52-Week Low | $42.37 | $262.80 |
Enterprise Value | $11.02B | $247.77B |
Volume | — | 2,230,036 |
Dividend Yield | — | 2.71% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Core & Main (CNM) trades at $45.85, down 0.97% on the day, with a bullish technical signal despite mixed moving averages. The company reported strong Q1 2026 earnings of $0.57 per share, beating estimates, and maintains solid fundamentals including a 23.73% ROE and 5.87% net margin. Recent news highlights institutional activity, such as California State Teachers Retirement System increasing its stake by 22.3% in Q1 2026 (Defense World, 2026-08-04).
The outlook is positive with analyst consensus at 57% buy ratings, supported by revenue growth to $7.6B in 2026 and expanding margins. Risks include high debt levels at $2.24B long-term and competitive pressures in the tools sector. Investors should monitor execution against FY26 guidance of $7.8–$7.9B revenue.
McDonald's (MCD) trades at $273.72, down 0.28% on the day, with a neutral technical signal and strong fundamentals including a 31.72% net margin and consistent earnings beats. The company recently unveiled its 'McDonald's NEXT' growth strategy focusing on automation and menu innovation to drive future performance. Revenue growth remains steady, with 2025 revenue at $26.89 billion.
Outlook is positive with a consensus price target of $322.45 offering 17.8% upside, supported by 60% analyst buy ratings. Risks include inflationary pressures on franchisee margins and high long-term debt of $38.42 billion. The stock presents a value opportunity with stable dividends and strategic initiatives aimed at enhancing competitiveness.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
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 →McDonald's Corporation franchises and operates fast-food restaurants in the global restaurant industry. The Company's restaurants serves a variety of value-priced menu products in countries around the world.
Read more on MCD →