Fortive (FTV) vs Mesa Laboratories (MLAB)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Mesa Laboratories (MLAB) has outperformed Fortive (FTV) over the past year, gaining 90.6% versus a gain of 13.9%. Over five years, FTV leads with a +3.2% price change compared with -58.0% for MLAB. Fortive is the larger company by market cap ($17.07 billion vs $727.2 million), about 23.5 times the size.
On valuation, Mesa Laboratories trades at a lower forward P/E (12.7x vs 17.4x for Fortive). Mesa Laboratories offers the higher dividend yield (0.49% vs 0.21%).
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 | FTV | MLAB |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $56.52 | $129.96 |
| Market cap | $17.07B | $727.24M |
| 1-day change | -2.37% | -4.48% |
| YTD return | +2.37% | +65.55% |
| 1-year return | +13.93% | +90.56% |
| 5-year return | +3.22% | -58.04% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 29.75 | 152.89 |
| Forward P/E | 17.37 | 12.65 |
| EPS (TTM) | $1.90 | $0.85 |
| Dividend yield | 0.21% | 0.49% |
| Annual dividend | $0.12 | $0.64 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $4.16B | — |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +1.92% | — |
| Net income (latest FY) | $579.20M | — |
| Gross margin | 63.50% | — |
| Operating margin | 17.32% | — |
| Net margin | 13.93% | — |
| 52-week high | $64.56 | $144.35 |
| 52-week low | $47.71 | $66.56 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -12.45% | -9.97% |
| Analyst consensus | hold | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +12.60% | -3.82% |
| Average volume | 2.44M | 147.22K |
| Shares outstanding | 302.02M | 5.60M |
| Employees | 10,000 | 717 |
| Sector | Technology | Technology |
| Industry | Scientific & Technical Instruments | Scientific & Technical Instruments |
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
- Fortive is about 23.5 times larger than Mesa Laboratories by market value ($17.07B vs $727.24M).
- MLAB has outperformed FTV by 76.6 percentage points over the past year.
- Mesa Laboratories trades at a higher earnings multiple (152.9x vs 29.7x trailing P/E).
About Fortive
FTV stock →Fortive Corporation designs, develops, manufactures, and markets products, software, and services in the United States, China, and internationally. It operates through Intelligent Operating Solutions and Advanced Healthcare Solutions segments.
Technology · Scientific & Technical Instruments · 10,000 employees
About Mesa Laboratories
MLAB stock →Mesa Laboratories, Inc. develops, designs, manufactures, sells, and services life sciences tools and quality control products and services in North America, Europe, the Asia Pacific, and internationally.
Technology · Scientific & Technical Instruments · 717 employees
FTV vs MLAB FAQ
Which is bigger, Fortive or Mesa Laboratories?
Fortive (FTV) is larger, with a market capitalization of $17.07B compared with $727.24M for Mesa Laboratories (MLAB).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, FTV or MLAB?
MLAB returned +90.56% over the past 12 months, compared with +13.93% for FTV (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, FTV or MLAB?
FTV has the lower trailing P/E at 29.7, versus 152.9 for MLAB. 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, Fortive or Mesa Laboratories?
Mesa Laboratories has the higher yield at 0.49%, compared with 0.21% for Fortive.
Are Fortive and Mesa Laboratories in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Scientific & Technical Instruments industry within the Technology sector.