<PAGE>

                 KENT ELECTRONICS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                       COMPUTATION OF EARNINGS PER SHARE

                                                                      EXHIBIT 11

                     (In thousands, except per share data)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                For the Thirteen Weeks Ended         For the Thirteen Weeks Ended
                                                       October 2, 1999                    September 26, 1998
                                              ---------------------------------   ----------------------------------
                                                                      Per-Share   Earnings                Per-Share
                                               Earnings     Shares     Amount      (Loss)     Shares       Amount
                                              ----------   --------   ---------   ---------   ------     -----------
<S>                                           <C>          <C>        <C>         <C>         <C>        <C>
BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE

Net earnings (loss)                               $3,684     27,993       $0.13    $(3,521)   27,603         $(0.13)
                                                                      =========                           =========
EFFECT OF DILUTIVE SECURITIES
Excess of shares issuable upon
  exercise of stock options over
  shares deemed retired utilizing
  the treasury stock method                            -        747                      -         -
                                                  ------   --------               --------    ------

DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE

Net earnings (loss) plus assumed
  conversions                                     $3,684     28,740       $0.13    $(3,521)   27,603         $(0.13)
                                                  ======   ========   =========   ========    ======      =========
</TABLE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                               For the Twenty-Six Weeks Ended       For the Twenty-Six Weeks Ended
                                                       October 2, 1999                     September 26, 1998
                                              ---------------------------------   ----------------------------------
                                                                      Per-Share                           Per-Share
                                               Earnings     Shares     Amount     Earnings    Shares       Amount
                                              ----------   --------   ---------   ---------   ------     -----------
<S>                                           <C>          <C>        <C>         <C>         <C>        <C>
BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE

Net earnings                                      $5,593      27,984       $0.20       $587   27,408           $0.02
                                                                           =====                               =====

EFFECT OF DILUTIVE SECURITIES
Excess of shares issuable upon
  exercise of stock options over
  shares deemed retired utilizing
  the treasury stock method                            -         550                      -      524
                                                  ------      ------               --------   ------

DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE

Net earnings plus assumed conversions             $5,593      28,534       $0.20       $587   27,932           $0.02
                                                  ======      ======       =====   ========   ======           =====
</TABLE>