<PAGE>
                 KENT ELECTRONICS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   COMPUTATION OF EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE
                                                                      EXHIBIT 11
                     (In thousands, except per share data)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                            For the Thirteen Weeks Ended                          For the Thirteen Weeks Ended
                                                   January 1, 2000                                       December 26, 1998
                                            ----------------------------------------        -------------------------------------
                                                                           Per-Share        Earnings                   Per-Share
                                            Earnings         Shares         Amount           (Loss)         Shares        Amount
                                            --------        --------       ----------       --------       --------     ---------
<S>                                         <C>              <C>           <C>              <C>            <C>         <C>
BASIC EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE

Net earnings (loss)                         $  5,228          28,057           $ 0.19       $   (939)        27,916     $   (0.03)
                                                                           ==========                                   =========
EFFECT OF DILUTIVE SECURITIES
Excess of shares issuable upon
  exercise of stock options over
  shares deemed retired utilizing
  the treasury stock method                     -                914                              -             -
                                            --------        --------                        --------       --------

DILUTED EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE

Net earnings (loss) plus assumed
  conversions                               $ 5,228           28,971           $ 0.18       $   (939)        27,916     $   (0.03)
                                            ========        ========       ==========       ========       ========     =========
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                               For the Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended                 For the Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended
                                                       January 1, 2000                                December 26, 1998
                                            ----------------------------------------        -------------------------------------
                                                                           Per-Share        Earnings                   Per-Share
                                            Earnings         Shares         Amount           (Loss)         Shares        Amount
                                            --------        --------       ----------       --------       --------     ---------
<S>                                         <C>              <C>           <C>              <C>            <C>         <C>
BASIC EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE

Net earnings (loss)                         $ 10,821          28,008           $ 0.39       $   (352)        27,577     $   (0.01)
                                                                            =========                                   =========
EFFECT OF DILUTIVE SECURITIES
Excess of shares issuable upon
  exercise of stock options over
  shares deemed retired utilizing
  the treasury stock method                     -                672                              -             -
                                            --------        --------                        --------       --------

DILUTED EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE

Net earnings (loss) plus assumed
  conversions                               $ 10,821          28,680           $ 0.38       $   (352)        27,577     $   (0.01)
                                            ========        ========       ==========       ========       ========     =========
</TABLE>