Alta Equipment Group (ALTG) vs MSC Industrial Direct (MSM)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
MSC Industrial Direct (MSM) has outperformed Alta Equipment Group (ALTG) over the past year, gaining 44.5% versus a loss of 2.8%. Over five years, MSM leads with a +54.4% price change compared with -52.2% for ALTG. MSC Industrial Direct pays a dividend yielding 2.67%, while Alta Equipment Group does not currently pay one.
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 | ALTG | MSM |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $6.48 | $130.38 |
| Market cap | $211.68M | — |
| 1-day change | -3.86% | +0.05% |
| YTD return | +40.87% | +55.03% |
| 1-year return | -2.85% | +44.48% |
| 5-year return | -52.25% | +54.42% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | — | 31.49 |
| Forward P/E | — | 23.94 |
| EPS (TTM) | $-2.47 | $4.14 |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 2.67% |
| Annual dividend | $0.00 | $3.48 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | — | $3.77B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | — | -1.35% |
| Net income (latest FY) | — | $199.33M |
| Gross margin | — | 40.75% |
| Operating margin | — | 8.00% |
| Net margin | — | 5.29% |
| 52-week high | $8.69 | $132.33 |
| 52-week low | $4.16 | $78.80 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -25.43% | -1.47% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | hold |
| Avg. price target upside | +51.54% | +0.48% |
| Average volume | 183.68K | 680.03K |
| Shares outstanding | 32.67M | — |
| Employees | 2,750 | 7,077 |
| Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| Industry | Industrial Distribution | Industrial Distribution |
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
- MSM has outperformed ALTG by 47.3 percentage points over the past year.
- MSC Industrial Direct offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (2.67% vs 0.00%).
About Alta Equipment Group
ALTG stock →Alta Equipment Group Inc. owns and operates integrated equipment dealership platforms in the United States and Canada.
Industrials · Industrial Distribution · 2,750 employees
About MSC Industrial Direct
MSM stock →MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the distribution of metalworking and maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO) products and services in the United States, Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, and internationally. The company's metalworking and MRO products include cutting tools, abrasives, machining fluids, measuring instruments, metalworking products, machinery and accessories, tooling components, fasteners, flat stock products, raw materials, machinery hand and power tools, safety and janitorial supplies, plumbing supplies, materials handling products, power transmission components, and electrical supplies.
Industrials · Industrial Distribution · 7,077 employees
ALTG vs MSM FAQ
Which stock has performed better over the past year, ALTG or MSM?
MSM returned +44.48% over the past 12 months, compared with -2.85% for ALTG (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which pays a higher dividend, Alta Equipment Group or MSC Industrial Direct?
MSC Industrial Direct pays a dividend yielding 2.67%, while Alta Equipment Group does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Alta Equipment Group and MSC Industrial Direct in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Industrial Distribution industry within the Industrials sector.