Brady (BRC) 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
Brady (BRC) has outperformed MSA Safety (MSA) over the past year, gaining 13.7% versus a gain of 4.2%. Over five years, BRC leads with a +67.1% price change compared with +19.3% for MSA. MSA Safety is the larger company by market cap ($6.92 billion vs $3.98 billion), about 1.7 times the size, while Brady is growing revenue faster (+9.8% vs +3.7%).
On valuation, Brady trades at a lower forward P/E (11.8x vs 18.0x for MSA Safety). MSA Safety offers the higher dividend yield (1.19% vs 1.15%). MSA Safety converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 14.9% versus 12.4%.
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 | BRC | MSA |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $84.85 | $179.28 |
| Market cap | $3.98B | $6.92B |
| 1-day change | -0.31% | -1.74% |
| YTD return | +8.27% | +11.95% |
| 1-year return | +13.68% | +4.18% |
| 5-year return | +67.09% | +19.26% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 19.82 | 22.30 |
| Forward P/E | 11.76 | 17.99 |
| EPS (TTM) | $4.28 | $8.04 |
| Dividend yield | 1.15% | 1.19% |
| Annual dividend | $0.98 | $2.13 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $1.66B | $1.87B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +9.78% | +3.69% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $205.38M | $278.92M |
| Gross margin | 51.75% | 46.46% |
| Operating margin | 15.86% | 19.83% |
| Net margin | 12.36% | 14.88% |
| 52-week high | $99.29 | $208.92 |
| 52-week low | $70.57 | $151.11 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -14.54% | -14.19% |
| Analyst consensus | strong_buy | none |
| Avg. price target upside | +29.64% | +16.66% |
| Average volume | 221.55K | 260.58K |
| Shares outstanding | 43.36M | 38.58M |
| Employees | 6,325 | 5,300 |
| Sector | Consumer Discretionary | Health Care |
| Industry | Miscellaneous manufacturing industries | 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
- Brady grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+9.78% vs +3.69%).
- The two companies sit in different sectors: Brady in Consumer Discretionary and MSA Safety in Health Care.
About Brady
BRC stock →Brady Corporation manufactures and supplies identification solutions and workplace safety products that identify and protect premises, products, and people in the Americas, Asia, Europe, and Australia. The company offers safety signs, traffic signs and control products, floor-marking tapes, pipe markers, labeling systems, spill control products, lockout/tagout devices, personal protection equipment, first aid products, and software and services for safety compliance auditing, procedures writing, and training; materials, radio frequency identification and barcode scanners for product identification, direct part marking, engraving equipment, brand protection labeling, work in process labeling, finished product identification, asset tracking labels, asset tags, and industrial track and trace applications; and handheld printers, wire markers, sleeves, and tags.
Consumer Discretionary · Miscellaneous manufacturing industries · 6,325 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
BRC vs MSA FAQ
Which is bigger, Brady or MSA Safety?
MSA Safety (MSA) is larger, with a market capitalization of $6.92B compared with $3.98B for Brady (BRC).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, BRC or MSA?
BRC returned +13.68% 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, BRC or MSA?
BRC has the lower trailing P/E at 19.8, 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, Brady or MSA Safety?
MSA Safety has the higher yield at 1.19%, compared with 1.15% for Brady.
Are Brady and MSA Safety in the same industry?
No. Brady is in the Consumer Discretionary sector, while MSA Safety is in Health Care.