Gates Industrial (GTES) 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 Gates Industrial (GTES) over the past year, gaining 44.0% versus a gain of 4.7%. Over five years, GTES leads with a +62.6% price change compared with +52.7% for MSM. On valuation, Gates Industrial trades at a lower forward P/E (13.9x vs 23.7x for MSC Industrial Direct).
MSC Industrial Direct pays a dividend yielding 2.70%, while Gates Industrial does not currently pay one. Gates Industrial converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 7.3% 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 | GTES | MSM |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $26.74 | $128.92 |
| Market cap | $6.77B | — |
| 1-day change | -2.44% | -1.12% |
| YTD return | +24.55% | +53.29% |
| 1-year return | +4.70% | +44.00% |
| 5-year return | +62.55% | +52.69% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 18.96 | 31.14 |
| Forward P/E | 13.86 | 23.67 |
| EPS (TTM) | $1.41 | $4.14 |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 2.70% |
| Annual dividend | $0.00 | $3.48 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $3.44B | $3.77B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +1.03% | -1.35% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $251.40M | $199.33M |
| Gross margin | 39.84% | 40.75% |
| Operating margin | 13.51% | 8.00% |
| Net margin | 7.30% | 5.29% |
| 52-week high | $30.34 | $132.33 |
| 52-week low | $20.88 | $78.80 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -11.87% | -2.58% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | hold |
| Avg. price target upside | +24.35% | +1.61% |
| Average volume | 1.85M | 691.51K |
| Shares outstanding | 253.15M | — |
| Employees | 13,000 | 7,077 |
| Sector | Industrials | 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 GTES by 39.3 percentage points over the past year.
- MSC Industrial Direct trades at a higher earnings multiple (31.1x vs 19.0x trailing P/E).
- MSC Industrial Direct offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (2.70% vs 0.00%).
About Gates Industrial
GTES stock →Gates Industrial Corporation Ltd. manufactures and sells engineered power transmission and fluid power solutions in the United States, rest of North America, South America, the United Kingdom, Luxembourg, rest of Europe, the Middle East, Africa, India, East Asia, and Greater China.
Industrials · Industrial Machinery/Components · 13,000 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
GTES vs MSM FAQ
Which stock has performed better over the past year, GTES or MSM?
MSM returned +44.00% over the past 12 months, compared with +4.70% for GTES (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, GTES or MSM?
GTES has the lower trailing P/E at 19.0, 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, Gates Industrial or MSC Industrial Direct?
MSC Industrial Direct pays a dividend yielding 2.70%, while Gates Industrial does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Gates Industrial and MSC Industrial Direct in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Industrial Machinery/Components industry within the Industrials sector.