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Computacenter (LSE:CCC) may not be a household name yet, but it’s the fastest growing stock on the Footsie this year. Up 79% so far in 2026, it’s ticked up more than double Rolls-Royce shares at just 31.4%.
Even more impressive is that the company only joined the main FTSE index less than two months ago (22 June 2026). So I decided to take a closer look and find out if I’ve missed the opportunity — or if it’s just getting started.
A global IT giant
Computacenter is an IT infrastructure and services provider that serves large corporate and public-sector customers. It helps clients source, transform and manage technology across workplace computing, cloud, data centres, networks, cybersecurity and managed IT services.
Rather than sell a single product, it supplies a wide range of complex technology services, deployment and support. Basically, if you use computers, you’re a potential customer. So the demand’s clear.
And not just in the UK. Operating internationally, it also helps clients in Germany, Western Europe and North America. That diversity helps reduce region-specific risk.
So how do the numbers look?
A revenue-heavy business model
Computacenter splits its business across three distinct divisions:
| Division | What it does | Investment relevance |
|---|---|---|
| Technology sourcing | Procures hardware, software and related technology | High revenue, but relatively low margins |
| Professional services | Designs, integrates and deploys IT infrastructure | Higher-value project work |
| Managed services | Operates, supports and manages IT environments | Recurring and more defensive revenue |
Profitability-wise, this model uses revenue from its technology sourcing to maintain customers via its services divisions. Subsequently, it has high revenue with thin margins but resilient earnings, which can add defensiveness to a portfolio.
Adding to that is a customer base that spans 70 countries, supported by a global workforce of approximately 20,000 staff.
What’s most astounding is its market-cap growth — from below £2.4bn last September (2025), it’s more than doubled to over £5.2bn today.
On balance, it presents like a company going from strength to strength — so the recent growth is understandable. But chasing past gains is not a smart way to make investment decisions, so does it have long-term viability?
In my opinion, the key concern now is valuation. Computacenter’s spectacular price rise means it’s now trading at 30 times trailing earnings. That’s about double the FTSE 100 average.
On top of that, it already has thin margins. The loss of a big contract, rising costs, or supply chain issues, could lead to missed expectations in its next results. That could spook investors and hurt the share price.
My verdict
Computacenter has a lot going for it. It’s a credible, financially sound technology-services business with exposure to long-term digitisation and IT outsourcing. But its dividends are negligible and its earnings, while stable, aren’t risk-free.
In the long term, I expect it to maintain fairly steady by moderate growth. Ideally, opening a position at a lower valuation would be preferable but I still think it’s worth a closer look.
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Mark Hartley does not hold any positions in the companies mentioned.
This story originally appeared on Motley Fool
