MSA Safety (MSA) vs Materion (MTRN)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Materion (MTRN) has outperformed MSA Safety (MSA) over the past year, gaining 133.1% versus a gain of 4.2%. Over five years, MTRN leads with a +303.2% price change compared with +19.3% for MSA. MSA Safety is the larger company by market cap ($6.87 billion vs $5.77 billion), about 1.2 times the size, while Materion is growing revenue faster (+6.0% vs +3.7%).
On valuation, MSA Safety trades at a lower forward P/E (17.9x vs 32.9x for Materion). MSA Safety offers the higher dividend yield (1.20% vs 0.20%). MSA Safety converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 14.9% versus 4.2%.
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 | MSA | MTRN |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $178.10 | $277.11 |
| Market cap | $6.87B | $5.77B |
| 1-day change | -0.66% | -4.68% |
| YTD return | +11.95% | +133.85% |
| 1-year return | +4.18% | +133.14% |
| 5-year return | +19.26% | +303.16% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 22.15 | 64.59 |
| Forward P/E | 17.87 | 32.86 |
| EPS (TTM) | $8.04 | $4.29 |
| Dividend yield | 1.20% | 0.20% |
| Annual dividend | $2.13 | $0.565 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $1.87B | $1.79B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +3.69% | +6.04% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $278.92M | $74.82M |
| Gross margin | 46.46% | 17.27% |
| Operating margin | 19.83% | 6.15% |
| Net margin | 14.88% | 4.19% |
| 52-week high | $208.92 | $324.99 |
| 52-week low | $151.11 | $109.61 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -14.75% | -14.73% |
| Analyst consensus | none | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +17.43% | +9.61% |
| Average volume | 260.31K | 315.10K |
| Shares outstanding | 38.58M | 20.83M |
| Employees | 5,300 | 3,000 |
| Sector | Health Care | Industrials |
| 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
- MTRN has outperformed MSA by 129.0 percentage points over the past year.
- Materion trades at a higher earnings multiple (64.6x vs 22.2x trailing P/E).
- MSA Safety is more profitable, keeping 14.9 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 4.2 cents for Materion.
- The two companies sit in different sectors: MSA Safety in Health Care and Materion in Industrials.
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
About Materion
MTRN stock →Materion Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, produces advanced engineered materials in the United States, Asia, Europe, and internationally. The company operates in four segments: Performance Materials, Electronic Materials, Precision Optics, and Other.
Industrials · Industrial Specialties · 3,000 employees
MSA vs MTRN FAQ
Which is bigger, MSA Safety or Materion?
MSA Safety (MSA) is larger, with a market capitalization of $6.87B compared with $5.77B for Materion (MTRN).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, MSA or MTRN?
MTRN returned +133.14% 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, MSA or MTRN?
MSA has the lower trailing P/E at 22.2, versus 64.6 for MTRN. 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, MSA Safety or Materion?
MSA Safety has the higher yield at 1.20%, compared with 0.20% for Materion.
Are MSA Safety and Materion in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Industrial Specialties industry within the Health Care sector.