EnerSys (ENS) 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
EnerSys (ENS) has outperformed MSC Industrial Direct (MSM) over the past year, gaining 56.5% versus a gain of 44.0%. Over five years, ENS leads with a +128.0% price change compared with +52.7% for MSM. On valuation, EnerSys trades at a lower forward P/E (12.5x vs 23.7x for MSC Industrial Direct).
MSC Industrial Direct offers the higher dividend yield (2.70% vs 0.59%). EnerSys converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 7.8% versus 5.3%.
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 | ENS | MSM |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $179.31 | $128.92 |
| Market cap | $6.47B | — |
| 1-day change | -1.74% | -1.12% |
| YTD return | +22.19% | +53.29% |
| 1-year return | +56.49% | +44.00% |
| 5-year return | +128.01% | +52.69% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 19.20 | 31.14 |
| Forward P/E | 12.47 | 23.67 |
| EPS (TTM) | $9.34 | $4.14 |
| Dividend yield | 0.59% | 2.70% |
| Annual dividend | $1.05 | $3.48 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $3.75B | $3.77B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +3.70% | -1.35% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $293.56M | $199.33M |
| Gross margin | 29.26% | 40.75% |
| Operating margin | 11.37% | 8.00% |
| Net margin | 7.83% | 5.29% |
| 52-week high | $244.30 | $132.33 |
| 52-week low | $108.88 | $78.80 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -26.60% | -2.58% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | hold |
| Avg. price target upside | +39.13% | +1.61% |
| Average volume | 516.89K | 690.75K |
| Shares outstanding | 36.07M | — |
| Employees | 9,682 | 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
- ENS has outperformed MSM by 12.5 percentage points over the past year.
- MSC Industrial Direct trades at a higher earnings multiple (31.1x vs 19.2x trailing P/E).
- MSC Industrial Direct offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (2.70% vs 0.59%).
- EnerSys grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+3.70% vs -1.35%).
- The two companies sit in different sectors: EnerSys in Miscellaneous and MSC Industrial Direct in Industrials.
About EnerSys
ENS stock →EnerSys engages in the provision of stored energy solutions for industrial applications worldwide. It operates through three segments: Network & Infrastructure Solutions, Industrial Mobility Solutions, and Precision Power Solutions.
Miscellaneous · Industrial Machinery/Components · 9,682 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 Machinery/Components · 7,077 employees
ENS vs MSM FAQ
Which stock has performed better over the past year, ENS or MSM?
ENS returned +56.49% over the past 12 months, compared with +44.00% for MSM (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, ENS or MSM?
ENS has the lower trailing P/E at 19.2, versus 31.1 for MSM. 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, EnerSys or MSC Industrial Direct?
MSC Industrial Direct has the higher yield at 2.70%, compared with 0.59% for EnerSys.
Are EnerSys and MSC Industrial Direct in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Industrial Machinery/Components industry within the Miscellaneous sector.