CAE (CAE) vs MSC Industrial Direct (MSM)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 9, 2026.
Summary
MSC Industrial Direct (MSM) has outperformed CAE (CAE) over the past year, gaining 44.0% versus a loss of 19.0%. Over five years, MSM leads with a +52.7% price change compared with -26.1% for CAE. On valuation, CAE trades at a lower forward P/E (22.7x vs 23.8x for MSC Industrial Direct).
MSC Industrial Direct pays a dividend yielding 2.68%, while CAE 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 | CAE | MSM |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $23.59 | $129.74 |
| Market cap | $7.59B | — |
| 1-day change | +1.90% | +0.64% |
| YTD return | -23.90% | +53.29% |
| 1-year return | -19.03% | +44.00% |
| 5-year return | -26.06% | +52.69% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 36.86 | 31.34 |
| Forward P/E | 22.69 | 23.82 |
| EPS (TTM) | $0.64 | $4.14 |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 2.68% |
| 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 | $34.24 | $132.33 |
| 52-week low | $22.76 | $78.80 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -31.10% | -1.96% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | hold |
| Avg. price target upside | +25.90% | +0.97% |
| Average volume | 771.13K | 691.51K |
| Shares outstanding | 321.85M | — |
| Employees | — | 7,077 |
| Sector | Miscellaneous | Industrials |
| Industry | Industrial Machinery/Components | Industrial Machinery/Components |
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 CAE by 63.0 percentage points over the past year.
- MSC Industrial Direct offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (2.68% vs 0.00%).
- The two companies sit in different sectors: CAE in Miscellaneous and MSC Industrial Direct in Industrials.
About CAE
CAE stock →CAE Inc., together with its subsidiaries, provides training, simulation, and critical operation solutions in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Europe, Asia, the Oceania, Africa, and rest of the Americas. The company operates through two segments, Civil Aviation; and Defense and Security.
Miscellaneous · Industrial Machinery/Components
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 Machinery/Components · 7,077 employees
CAE vs MSM FAQ
Which stock has performed better over the past year, CAE or MSM?
MSM returned +44.00% over the past 12 months, compared with -19.03% for CAE (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, CAE or MSM?
MSM has the lower trailing P/E at 31.3, versus 36.9 for CAE. 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, CAE or MSC Industrial Direct?
MSC Industrial Direct pays a dividend yielding 2.68%, while CAE does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are CAE and MSC Industrial Direct in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Industrial Machinery/Components industry within the Miscellaneous sector.