Applied Industrial Technologies (AIT) vs MSA Safety (MSA)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 7, 2026.
Summary
Applied Industrial Technologies (AIT) has outperformed MSA Safety (MSA) over the past year, gaining 32.3% versus a gain of 4.2%. Over five years, AIT leads with a +250.5% price change compared with +19.3% for MSA. Applied Industrial Technologies is the larger company by market cap ($12.29 billion vs $6.92 billion), about 1.8 times the size.
On valuation, MSA Safety trades at a lower forward P/E (18.0x vs 25.3x for Applied Industrial Technologies). MSA Safety offers the higher dividend yield (1.19% vs 0.58%). MSA Safety converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 14.9% versus 8.3%.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | AIT | MSA |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $334.58 | $179.28 |
| Market cap | $12.29B | $6.92B |
| 1-day change | -3.02% | -1.74% |
| YTD return | +30.26% | +11.95% |
| 1-year return | +32.34% | +4.18% |
| 5-year return | +250.53% | +19.26% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 30.56 | 22.30 |
| Forward P/E | 25.29 | 17.99 |
| EPS (TTM) | $10.95 | $8.04 |
| Dividend yield | 0.58% | 1.19% |
| Annual dividend | $1.94 | $2.13 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $4.97B | $1.87B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +8.84% | +3.69% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $414.52M | $278.92M |
| Gross margin | 30.34% | 46.46% |
| Operating margin | 11.06% | 19.83% |
| Net margin | 8.35% | 14.88% |
| 52-week high | $374.80 | $208.92 |
| 52-week low | $238.34 | $151.11 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -10.73% | -14.19% |
| Analyst consensus | none | none |
| Avg. price target upside | +19.55% | +16.66% |
| Average volume | 280.12K | 260.58K |
| Shares outstanding | 36.73M | 38.58M |
| Employees | 6,900 | 5,300 |
| Sector | Consumer Discretionary | Health Care |
| Industry | Industrial Specialties | Industrial Specialties |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- AIT has outperformed MSA by 28.2 percentage points over the past year.
- Applied Industrial Technologies trades at a higher earnings multiple (30.6x vs 22.3x trailing P/E).
- MSA Safety is more profitable, keeping 14.9 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 8.3 cents for Applied Industrial Technologies.
- Applied Industrial Technologies grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+8.84% vs +3.69%).
- The two companies sit in different sectors: Applied Industrial Technologies in Consumer Discretionary and MSA Safety in Health Care.
About Applied Industrial Technologies
AIT stock →Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc. distributes industrial motion, fluid power, flow control, automation technologies, and related maintenance supplies in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, and Costa Rica.
Consumer Discretionary · Industrial Specialties · 6,900 employees
About MSA Safety
MSA stock →MSA Safety Incorporated develops, manufactures, and supplies safety products and technology solutions that protect workers and facility infrastructures worldwide. The company offers breathing apparatus products, including self-contained breathing apparatus; firefighter helmets and protective apparel; and fixed gas and flame detection systems, such as fixed gas detection monitoring systems, flame detectors and open-path infrared gas detectors, and refrigerant detection and identification solution, as well as hand-held portable gas detection instruments to detect the presence or absence of various gases in the air.
Health Care · Industrial Specialties · 5,300 employees
AIT vs MSA FAQ
Which is bigger, Applied Industrial Technologies or MSA Safety?
Applied Industrial Technologies (AIT) is larger, with a market capitalization of $12.29B compared with $6.92B for MSA Safety (MSA).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, AIT or MSA?
AIT returned +32.34% over the past 12 months, compared with +4.18% for MSA (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, AIT or MSA?
MSA has the lower trailing P/E at 22.3, versus 30.6 for AIT. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, Applied Industrial Technologies or MSA Safety?
MSA Safety has the higher yield at 1.19%, compared with 0.58% for Applied Industrial Technologies.
Are Applied Industrial Technologies and MSA Safety in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Industrial Specialties industry within the Consumer Discretionary sector.