Core & Main stock reflects Q2 growth and reaffirmed guidance

Published on 10/07/2026 at 00:48 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS

Core & Main stock delivered USD 2.145 billion in fiscal Q2 sales, up 2.5 percent year over year on August 2, 2026. Adjusted EPS reached USD 0.94, up 8 percent, as fiscal 2026 guidance held at USD 7.8 billion to USD 7.9 billion.

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Core & Main stock (ISIN US21874C1027) was last at USD 42.10 on the NYSE on October 6, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. ET, up USD 0.28 or 0.67 percent from the prior close. The company’s September 9, 2026 fiscal second-quarter report delivered higher earnings and reaffirmed the full-year outlook, according to Core & Main.

Q2 earnings outpace sales growth

For the quarter ended August 2, 2026, net sales increased 2.5 percent year over year to USD 2.145 billion from USD 2.093 billion. Net income rose 6.4 percent to USD 150 million, while diluted GAAP EPS increased 10 percent to USD 0.77 from USD 0.70, according to Core & Main.

The stronger earnings line matters because sales growth remained modest. Adjusted EBITDA increased 3 percent to USD 274 million, and adjusted EBITDA margin reached 12.8 percent, up from 12.7 percent in the prior-year quarter, while adjusted diluted EPS climbed 8 percent to USD 0.94 from USD 0.87.

Guidance keeps the second half in view

Core & Main reaffirmed fiscal 2026 net sales guidance of USD 7.8 billion to USD 7.9 billion, representing expected growth of 2 percent to 3 percent. The company also maintained adjusted EBITDA guidance of USD 950 million to USD 980 million and an adjusted EBITDA margin range of 12.2 percent to 12.4 percent, according to Core & Main.

The report also showed USD 62 million in operating cash flow for the quarter and USD 169 million deployed to repurchase 3.7 million shares. Municipal demand, fire protection and large capital projects supported growth, while residential lot development remained a softer area in management’s outlook.

Analysts see a wider valuation gap

According to MarketBeat on October 5, 2026, 13 analysts carried a consensus Hold rating, with seven Buy ratings, five Hold ratings and one Sell rating. The average 12-month price target was USD 54.70, while the high and low targets were USD 63.00 and USD 45.00.

At USD 42.10, the stock stood 29.4 percent below its 52-week high of USD 59.66 and 5.2 percent above its 52-week low of USD 40.03 on October 6, 2026. The market capitalization was USD 7.9 billion and trading volume reached 3,015,326 shares.

Core & Main stock stays below its yearly high

Core & Main stock was last at USD 42.10 on the NYSE on October 6, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. ET. The combination of 2.5 percent sales growth, 8 percent adjusted EPS growth and unchanged fiscal 2026 guidance leaves margin execution and second-half demand as the key operating measures.