CDW Corporation (CDW) vs Gen Digital Inc. (GEN)

GEN leads on 14 of 17 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of CDW Corporation and Gen Digital Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 29, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Compare

Total return — CDW vs GEN

growth of $100 · last 13y
CDW +625.6%GEN +8.7%CDW compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
101001k10kStart $1002016201920222025$726$109
CDW GEN

CDW vs GEN: by the numbers

  • CDW is the larger company ($17.03B vs $15.10B market cap).
  • GEN trades at the lower earnings multiple (15.47 vs 16.22 P/E).
  • GEN converts more revenue to profit (19.46% vs 4.70% net margin).
  • GEN grew revenue faster over the past five years (14.38% vs 3.90% CAGR).
  • GEN pays the higher dividend yield (2.04% vs 1.89%).

Which is better, CDW or GEN?

Metric tally: CDW 3 · GEN 14

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueGEN(lower P/E)
GrowthGEN(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeGEN(higher dividend yield)
QualityCDW(higher ROIC)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricCDWGEN
P/E ratio16.2215.47
Forward P/E12.419.59
P/S ratio0.752.98
P/B ratio6.765.70
PEG ratio19.290.22
EV / EBITDA11.608.64
FCF yield6.23%10.22%

Profitability

MetricCDWGEN
Gross margin21.57%76.28%
Operating margin7.30%42.82%
Net margin4.70%19.46%
ROE42.15%37.27%
ROIC12.13%10.61%

Dividends

MetricCDWGEN
Dividend yield1.89%2.04%
Payout ratio31.00%31.45%

Growth (annualized)

MetricCDWGEN
Revenue CAGR (5Y)3.90%14.38%
EPS CAGR (5Y)8.01%11.08%
FCF CAGR (5Y)-3.45%16.79%
Total return CAGR (5Y)-3.68%0.35%

Frequently asked

Which is better, CDW or GEN?
It depends on your goal. value: GEN (lower P/E); growth: GEN (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: GEN (higher dividend yield); quality: CDW (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, GEN leads 14 to 3.
Is CDW or GEN cheaper?
On trailing earnings, GEN is cheaper: CDW trades at a 16.22 P/E and GEN at 15.47.
Which has grown faster, CDW or GEN?
Over the past five years, GEN grew revenue faster — CDW at a 3.90% CAGR versus GEN at 14.38%.
Does CDW or GEN pay a bigger dividend?
CDW yields 1.89% and GEN yields 2.04% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is CDW or GEN more profitable?
GEN runs the higher net margin — CDW at 4.70% versus GEN at 19.46%.
Which has been the better investment, CDW or GEN?
Over the past 10-year, CDW delivered the higher annualized total return — CDW at 14.27% versus GEN at 4.03%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Figures are sourced from reported fundamentals and the latest end-of-day price. This comparison is informational only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not predict future results. See our methodology. Compiled by TGMCharts Research · data verified June 29, 2026.