CompX International (CIX) vs MSA Safety (MSA)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
CompX International (CIX) has outperformed MSA Safety (MSA) over the past year, gaining 71.4% versus a gain of 4.2%. Over five years, CIX leads with a +82.3% price change compared with +19.3% for MSA. MSA Safety is the larger company by market cap ($6.81 billion vs $485.9 million), about 14.0 times the size.
On valuation, MSA Safety trades at a lower trailing P/E (22.0x vs 22.1x for CompX International). CompX International offers the higher dividend yield (3.05% vs 1.21%).
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 | CIX | MSA |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $39.39 | $176.50 |
| Market cap | $485.94M | $6.81B |
| 1-day change | +0.23% | -1.55% |
| YTD return | +68.89% | +11.95% |
| 1-year return | +71.39% | +4.18% |
| 5-year return | +82.28% | +19.26% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 22.13 | 21.95 |
| Forward P/E | — | 17.71 |
| EPS (TTM) | $1.78 | $8.04 |
| Dividend yield | 3.05% | 1.21% |
| Annual dividend | $1.20 | $2.13 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | — | $1.87B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | — | +3.69% |
| Net income (latest FY) | — | $278.92M |
| Gross margin | — | 46.46% |
| Operating margin | — | 19.83% |
| Net margin | — | 14.88% |
| 52-week high | $40.29 | $208.92 |
| 52-week low | $20.29 | $151.11 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -2.23% | -15.52% |
| Analyst consensus | — | none |
| Avg. price target upside | — | +18.49% |
| Average volume | 17.85K | 260.31K |
| Shares outstanding | 12.34M | 38.58M |
| Employees | 549 | 5,300 |
| Sector | Consumer Discretionary | Health Care |
| Industry | Industrial Machinery/Components | 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
- MSA Safety is about 14.0 times larger than CompX International by market value ($6.81B vs $485.94M).
- CIX has outperformed MSA by 67.2 percentage points over the past year.
- CompX International offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (3.05% vs 1.21%).
- The two companies sit in different sectors: CompX International in Consumer Discretionary and MSA Safety in Health Care.
About CompX International
CIX stock →CompX International Inc. manufactures and sells security products and recreational marine components primarily in North America.
Consumer Discretionary · Industrial Machinery/Components · 549 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
CIX vs MSA FAQ
Which is bigger, CompX International or MSA Safety?
MSA Safety (MSA) is larger, with a market capitalization of $6.81B compared with $485.94M for CompX International (CIX).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, CIX or MSA?
CIX returned +71.39% 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, CIX or MSA?
MSA has the lower trailing P/E at 22.0, versus 22.1 for CIX. 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, CompX International or MSA Safety?
CompX International has the higher yield at 3.05%, compared with 1.21% for MSA Safety.
Are CompX International and MSA Safety in the same industry?
No. CompX International is in the Consumer Discretionary sector, while MSA Safety is in Health Care.