Intuitive Surgical (ISRG) 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
MSA Safety (MSA) has outperformed Intuitive Surgical (ISRG) over the past year, gaining 4.2% versus a loss of 6.0%. Over five years, ISRG leads with a +25.0% price change compared with +19.3% for MSA. Intuitive Surgical is the larger company by market cap ($146.44 billion vs $6.92 billion), about 21.2 times the size.
On valuation, MSA Safety trades at a lower forward P/E (18.0x vs 34.2x for Intuitive Surgical). MSA Safety pays a dividend yielding 1.19%, while Intuitive Surgical does not currently pay one. Intuitive Surgical converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 28.4% 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 | ISRG | MSA |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $414.52 | $179.28 |
| Market cap | $146.44B | $6.92B |
| 1-day change | +2.41% | -1.74% |
| YTD return | -26.81% | +11.95% |
| 1-year return | -5.99% | +4.18% |
| 5-year return | +25.04% | +19.26% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 46.42 | 22.30 |
| Forward P/E | 34.22 | 17.99 |
| EPS (TTM) | $8.93 | $8.04 |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 1.19% |
| Annual dividend | $0.00 | $2.13 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $10.06B | $1.87B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +20.51% | +3.69% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $2.86B | $278.92M |
| Gross margin | 66.00% | 46.46% |
| Operating margin | 29.27% | 19.83% |
| Net margin | 28.38% | 14.88% |
| 52-week high | $603.88 | $208.92 |
| 52-week low | $328.57 | $151.11 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -31.36% | -14.19% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | none |
| Avg. price target upside | +15.19% | +16.66% |
| Average volume | 2.93M | 260.58K |
| Shares outstanding | 353.28M | 38.58M |
| Employees | 17,021 | 5,300 |
| Sector | Health Care | Industrials |
| Industry | Industrial Specialties | Security & Protection Services |
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
- Intuitive Surgical is about 21.2 times larger than MSA Safety by market value ($146.44B vs $6.92B).
- MSA has outperformed ISRG by 10.2 percentage points over the past year.
- Intuitive Surgical trades at a higher earnings multiple (46.4x vs 22.3x trailing P/E).
- MSA Safety offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (1.19% vs 0.00%).
- Intuitive Surgical is more profitable, keeping 28.4 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 14.9 cents for MSA Safety.
- Intuitive Surgical grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+20.51% vs +3.69%).
- The two companies sit in different sectors: Intuitive Surgical in Health Care and MSA Safety in Industrials.
About Intuitive Surgical
ISRG stock →Intuitive Surgical, Inc. develops, manufactures, and markets products that enable physicians and healthcare providers to enhance the quality of and access to minimally invasive care in the United States and internationally.
Health Care · Industrial Specialties · 17,021 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.
Industrials · Security & Protection Services · 5,300 employees
ISRG vs MSA FAQ
Which is bigger, Intuitive Surgical or MSA Safety?
Intuitive Surgical (ISRG) is larger, with a market capitalization of $146.44B compared with $6.92B for MSA Safety (MSA).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, ISRG or MSA?
MSA returned +4.18% over the past 12 months, compared with -5.99% for ISRG (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, ISRG or MSA?
MSA has the lower trailing P/E at 22.3, versus 46.4 for ISRG. 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, Intuitive Surgical or MSA Safety?
MSA Safety pays a dividend yielding 1.19%, while Intuitive Surgical does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Intuitive Surgical and MSA Safety in the same industry?
No. Intuitive Surgical is in the Health Care sector, while MSA Safety is in Industrials.