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).
Total return — CDW vs GEN
growth of $100 · last 13yCDW +625.6%GEN +8.7%CDW compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
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 14It 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
| Metric | CDW | GEN |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 16.22 | 15.47● |
| Forward P/E | 12.41 | 9.59● |
| P/S ratio | 0.75● | 2.98 |
| P/B ratio | 6.76 | 5.70● |
| PEG ratio | 19.29 | 0.22● |
| EV / EBITDA | 11.60 | 8.64● |
| FCF yield | 6.23% | 10.22%● |
Profitability
| Metric | CDW | GEN |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 21.57% | 76.28%● |
| Operating margin | 7.30% | 42.82%● |
| Net margin | 4.70% | 19.46%● |
| ROE | 42.15%● | 37.27% |
| ROIC | 12.13%● | 10.61% |
Dividends
| Metric | CDW | GEN |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 1.89% | 2.04%● |
| Payout ratio | 31.00% | 31.45% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | CDW | GEN |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
CDW P/E ratioGen Digital P/E ratioCDW dividend yieldGen Digital dividend yieldCDW ROEGen Digital ROECDW operating marginGen Digital operating marginCDW revenue growthGen Digital revenue growthCDW free cash flowGen Digital free cash flow
CDW & Gen Digital appear in these rankings
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.