AZZ (AZZ) 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
AZZ (AZZ) has outperformed MSA Safety (MSA) over the past year, gaining 31.8% versus a gain of 4.2%. Over five years, AZZ leads with a +159.9% price change compared with +19.3% for MSA. MSA Safety is the larger company by market cap ($6.92 billion vs $4.16 billion), about 1.7 times the size, while AZZ is growing revenue faster (+4.6% vs +3.7%).
On valuation, AZZ trades at a lower forward P/E (17.8x vs 18.0x for MSA Safety). MSA Safety offers the higher dividend yield (1.19% vs 0.58%). AZZ converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 19.2% versus 14.9%.
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 | AZZ | MSA |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $138.51 | $179.28 |
| Market cap | $4.16B | $6.92B |
| 1-day change | -2.18% | -1.74% |
| YTD return | +29.23% | +11.95% |
| 1-year return | +31.81% | +4.18% |
| 5-year return | +159.92% | +19.26% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 21.11 | 22.30 |
| Forward P/E | 17.77 | 17.99 |
| EPS (TTM) | $6.56 | $8.04 |
| Dividend yield | 0.58% | 1.19% |
| Annual dividend | $0.80 | $2.13 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $1.65B | $1.87B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +4.58% | +3.69% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $317.26M | $278.92M |
| Gross margin | 23.94% | 46.46% |
| Operating margin | 16.04% | 19.83% |
| Net margin | 19.23% | 14.88% |
| 52-week high | $162.20 | $208.92 |
| 52-week low | $92.98 | $151.11 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -14.61% | -14.19% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | none |
| Avg. price target upside | +18.40% | +16.66% |
| Average volume | 262.54K | 260.58K |
| Shares outstanding | 30.05M | 38.58M |
| Employees | 3,767 | 5,300 |
| Sector | Industrials | 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
- AZZ has outperformed MSA by 27.6 percentage points over the past year.
- The two companies sit in different sectors: AZZ in Industrials and MSA Safety in Health Care.
About AZZ
AZZ stock →AZZ Inc. provides hot-dip galvanizing and coil coating solutions in North America.
Industrials · Industrial Specialties · 3,767 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
AZZ vs MSA FAQ
Which is bigger, AZZ or MSA Safety?
MSA Safety (MSA) is larger, with a market capitalization of $6.92B compared with $4.16B for AZZ (AZZ).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, AZZ or MSA?
AZZ returned +31.81% 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, AZZ or MSA?
AZZ has the lower trailing P/E at 21.1, versus 22.3 for MSA. 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, AZZ or MSA Safety?
MSA Safety has the higher yield at 1.19%, compared with 0.58% for AZZ.
Are AZZ and MSA Safety in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Industrial Specialties industry within the Industrials sector.