MSA Safety (MSA) vs Smith & Nephew SNATS (SNN)
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 Smith & Nephew SNATS (SNN) over the past year, gaining 4.2% versus a loss of 24.7%. Over five years, MSA leads with a +19.3% price change compared with -24.0% for SNN. Smith & Nephew SNATS is the larger company by market cap ($11.25 billion vs $6.92 billion), about 1.6 times the size.
On valuation, Smith & Nephew SNATS trades at a lower forward P/E (11.2x vs 18.0x for MSA Safety). Smith & Nephew SNATS offers the higher dividend yield (1.48% vs 1.19%). MSA Safety converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 14.9% versus 10.1%.
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 | SNN |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $179.28 | $26.89 |
| Market cap | $6.92B | $11.25B |
| 1-day change | -1.74% | +0.07% |
| YTD return | +11.95% | -18.04% |
| 1-year return | +4.18% | -24.74% |
| 5-year return | +19.26% | -24.02% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 22.30 | 18.29 |
| Forward P/E | 17.99 | 11.16 |
| EPS (TTM) | $8.04 | $1.47 |
| Dividend yield | 1.19% | 1.48% |
| Annual dividend | $2.13 | $0.397 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $1.87B | $6.16B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +3.69% | +6.09% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $278.92M | $625.00M |
| Gross margin | 46.46% | 68.01% |
| Operating margin | 19.83% | 12.88% |
| Net margin | 14.88% | 10.14% |
| 52-week high | $208.92 | $37.51 |
| 52-week low | $151.11 | $26.12 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -14.19% | -28.31% |
| Analyst consensus | none | hold |
| Avg. price target upside | +16.66% | +20.19% |
| Average volume | 260.58K | 1.67M |
| Shares outstanding | 38.58M | 418.52M |
| Employees | 5,300 | 17,000 |
| Sector | Industrials | Health Care |
| Industry | Security & Protection Services | 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 SNN by 28.9 percentage points over the past year.
- The two companies sit in different sectors: MSA Safety in Industrials and Smith & Nephew SNATS in Health Care.
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
About Smith & Nephew SNATS
SNN stock →Smith & Nephew plc, together with its subsidiaries, develops, manufactures, markets, and sells medical devices and services in the United Kingdom, the United States, and internationally. The company operates in three segments: Orthopaedics, Sports Medicine & ENT, and Advanced Wound Management.
Health Care · Industrial Specialties · 17,000 employees
MSA vs SNN FAQ
Which is bigger, MSA Safety or Smith & Nephew SNATS?
Smith & Nephew SNATS (SNN) is larger, with a market capitalization of $11.25B compared with $6.92B for MSA Safety (MSA).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, MSA or SNN?
MSA returned +4.18% over the past 12 months, compared with -24.74% for SNN (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, MSA or SNN?
SNN has the lower trailing P/E at 18.3, 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 Smith & Nephew SNATS?
Smith & Nephew SNATS has the higher yield at 1.48%, compared with 1.19% for MSA Safety.
Are MSA Safety and Smith & Nephew SNATS in the same industry?
No. MSA Safety is in the Industrials sector, while Smith & Nephew SNATS is in Health Care.