MSA Safety (MSA) vs NAPCO Security Technologies (NSSC)
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 NAPCO Security Technologies (NSSC) over the past year, gaining 4.2% versus a loss of 19.9%. Over five years, NSSC leads with a +57.7% price change compared with +19.3% for MSA. MSA Safety is the larger company by market cap ($6.87 billion vs $1.26 billion), about 5.5 times the size.
On valuation, MSA Safety trades at a lower forward P/E (17.9x vs 19.5x for NAPCO Security Technologies). NAPCO Security Technologies offers the higher dividend yield (1.65% vs 1.20%).
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 | NSSC |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $178.10 | $35.16 |
| Market cap | $6.87B | $1.26B |
| 1-day change | -0.66% | -0.09% |
| YTD return | +11.95% | -15.68% |
| 1-year return | +4.18% | -19.93% |
| 5-year return | +19.26% | +57.67% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 22.15 | 29.30 |
| Forward P/E | 17.87 | 19.48 |
| EPS (TTM) | $8.04 | $1.20 |
| Dividend yield | 1.20% | 1.65% |
| Annual dividend | $2.13 | $0.58 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $1.87B | — |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +3.69% | — |
| Net income (latest FY) | $278.92M | — |
| Gross margin | 46.46% | — |
| Operating margin | 19.83% | — |
| Net margin | 14.88% | — |
| 52-week high | $208.92 | $51.77 |
| 52-week low | $151.11 | $33.91 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -14.75% | -32.08% |
| Analyst consensus | none | none |
| Avg. price target upside | +17.43% | +44.11% |
| Average volume | 260.31K | 377.92K |
| Shares outstanding | 38.58M | 35.77M |
| Employees | 5,300 | 1,049 |
| Sector | Health Care | Telecommunications |
| Industry | Industrial Specialties | Telecommunications Equipment |
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
- MSA Safety is about 5.5 times larger than NAPCO Security Technologies by market value ($6.87B vs $1.26B).
- MSA has outperformed NSSC by 24.1 percentage points over the past year.
- NAPCO Security Technologies trades at a higher earnings multiple (29.3x vs 22.2x trailing P/E).
- The two companies sit in different sectors: MSA Safety in Health Care and NAPCO Security Technologies in Telecommunications.
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 NAPCO Security Technologies
NSSC stock →Napco Security Technologies, Inc. engages in the development, manufacturing, and sale of electronic security systems for commercial, residential, institutional, industrial, and governmental applications in the United States and internationally.
Telecommunications · Telecommunications Equipment · 1,049 employees
MSA vs NSSC FAQ
Which is bigger, MSA Safety or NAPCO Security Technologies?
MSA Safety (MSA) is larger, with a market capitalization of $6.87B compared with $1.26B for NAPCO Security Technologies (NSSC).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, MSA or NSSC?
MSA returned +4.18% over the past 12 months, compared with -19.93% for NSSC (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, MSA or NSSC?
MSA has the lower trailing P/E at 22.2, versus 29.3 for NSSC. 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 NAPCO Security Technologies?
NAPCO Security Technologies has the higher yield at 1.65%, compared with 1.20% for MSA Safety.
Are MSA Safety and NAPCO Security Technologies in the same industry?
No. MSA Safety is in the Health Care sector, while NAPCO Security Technologies is in Telecommunications.