Edwards Lifesciences (EW) 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
Edwards Lifesciences (EW) has outperformed MSA Safety (MSA) over the past year, gaining 11.8% versus a gain of 4.2%. Over five years, MSA leads with a +19.3% price change compared with -23.5% for EW. Edwards Lifesciences is the larger company by market cap ($49.44 billion vs $6.92 billion), about 7.1 times the size.
On valuation, MSA Safety trades at a lower forward P/E (18.0x vs 25.4x for Edwards Lifesciences). MSA Safety pays a dividend yielding 1.19%, while Edwards Lifesciences does not currently pay one. Edwards Lifesciences converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 17.7% 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 | EW | MSA |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $85.78 | $179.28 |
| Market cap | $49.44B | $6.92B |
| 1-day change | -0.81% | -1.74% |
| YTD return | +0.62% | +11.95% |
| 1-year return | +11.81% | +4.18% |
| 5-year return | -23.52% | +19.26% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 51.06 | 22.30 |
| Forward P/E | 25.40 | 17.99 |
| EPS (TTM) | $1.68 | $8.04 |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 1.19% |
| Annual dividend | $0.00 | $2.13 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $6.07B | $1.87B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +11.55% | +3.69% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $1.07B | $278.92M |
| Gross margin | 78.01% | 46.46% |
| Operating margin | 20.84% | 19.83% |
| Net margin | 17.69% | 14.88% |
| 52-week high | $96.29 | $208.92 |
| 52-week low | $72.30 | $151.11 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -10.91% | -14.19% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | none |
| Avg. price target upside | +18.86% | +16.66% |
| Average volume | 3.82M | 260.58K |
| Shares outstanding | 576.40M | 38.58M |
| Employees | 16,000 | 5,300 |
| Sector | Health Care | 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
- Edwards Lifesciences is about 7.1 times larger than MSA Safety by market value ($49.44B vs $6.92B).
- Edwards Lifesciences trades at a higher earnings multiple (51.1x vs 22.3x trailing P/E).
- MSA Safety offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (1.19% vs 0.00%).
- Edwards Lifesciences grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+11.55% vs +3.69%).
About Edwards Lifesciences
EW stock →Edwards Lifesciences Corporation provides products and technologies to treat advanced cardiovascular diseases in the United States, Europe, Japan, and internationally. It offers transcatheter heart valve replacement products for minimally invasive replacement of aortic heart valves under the Edwards SAPIEN family of valves system; and transcatheter heart valve repair and replacement products to treat mitral and tricuspid valve diseases under the PASCAL and EVOQUE brands.
Health Care · Industrial Specialties · 16,000 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
EW vs MSA FAQ
Which is bigger, Edwards Lifesciences or MSA Safety?
Edwards Lifesciences (EW) is larger, with a market capitalization of $49.44B compared with $6.92B for MSA Safety (MSA).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, EW or MSA?
EW returned +11.81% 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, EW or MSA?
MSA has the lower trailing P/E at 22.3, versus 51.1 for EW. 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, Edwards Lifesciences or MSA Safety?
MSA Safety pays a dividend yielding 1.19%, while Edwards Lifesciences does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Edwards Lifesciences and MSA Safety in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Industrial Specialties industry within the Health Care sector.