MSA Safety (MSA) vs Pool (POOL)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 7, 2026.
Summary
MSA Safety (MSA) has outperformed Pool (POOL) over the past year, gaining 4.2% versus a loss of 48.8%. Over five years, MSA leads with a +19.3% price change compared with -66.0% for POOL. MSA Safety is the larger company by market cap ($6.92 billion vs $5.60 billion), about 1.2 times the size.
On valuation, Pool trades at a lower forward P/E (13.0x vs 18.0x for MSA Safety). Pool offers the higher dividend yield (3.28% vs 1.19%). MSA Safety converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 14.9% versus 7.7%.
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 | POOL |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $179.28 | $154.14 |
| Market cap | $6.92B | $5.60B |
| 1-day change | -1.74% | -2.59% |
| YTD return | +11.95% | -32.62% |
| 1-year return | +4.18% | -48.81% |
| 5-year return | +19.26% | -65.99% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 22.30 | 14.15 |
| Forward P/E | 17.99 | 13.05 |
| EPS (TTM) | $8.04 | $10.89 |
| Dividend yield | 1.19% | 3.28% |
| Annual dividend | $2.13 | $5.05 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $1.87B | $5.29B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +3.69% | -0.41% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $278.92M | $406.40M |
| Gross margin | 46.46% | 29.73% |
| Operating margin | 19.83% | 10.97% |
| Net margin | 14.88% | 7.68% |
| 52-week high | $208.92 | $305.63 |
| 52-week low | $151.11 | $153.55 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -14.19% | -49.57% |
| Analyst consensus | none | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +16.66% | +40.78% |
| Average volume | 260.58K | 776.97K |
| Shares outstanding | 38.58M | 36.34M |
| Employees | 5,300 | 6,000 |
| Sector | Health Care | Consumer Discretionary |
| 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
- MSA has outperformed POOL by 53.0 percentage points over the past year.
- MSA Safety trades at a higher earnings multiple (22.3x vs 14.2x trailing P/E).
- Pool offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (3.28% vs 1.19%).
- MSA Safety is more profitable, keeping 14.9 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 7.7 cents for Pool.
- The two companies sit in different sectors: MSA Safety in Health Care and Pool in Consumer Discretionary.
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 Pool
POOL stock →Pool Corporation distributes swimming pool supplies, equipment, related leisure, irrigation, and landscape maintenance products in the United States and internationally. It offers maintenance products, including chemicals, supplies, and pool accessories; repair and replacement parts for pool equipment, such as cleaners, filters, heaters, pumps, and lights; and building materials, such as concrete, plumbing and electrical components, functional and decorative pool surfaces, decking materials, tiles, hardscapes, and natural stones for pool installations and remodeling.
Consumer Discretionary · Industrial Specialties · 6,000 employees
MSA vs POOL FAQ
Which is bigger, MSA Safety or Pool?
MSA Safety (MSA) is larger, with a market capitalization of $6.92B compared with $5.60B for Pool (POOL).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, MSA or POOL?
MSA returned +4.18% over the past 12 months, compared with -48.81% for POOL (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, MSA or POOL?
POOL has the lower trailing P/E at 14.2, versus 22.3 for MSA. 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 Pool?
Pool has the higher yield at 3.28%, compared with 1.19% for MSA Safety.
Are MSA Safety and Pool in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Industrial Specialties industry within the Health Care sector.