MSA Safety (MSA) vs STERIS (Ireland) (STE)
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 STERIS (Ireland) (STE) over the past year, gaining 4.2% versus a loss of 13.2%. Over five years, MSA leads with a +19.3% price change compared with -6.8% for STE. STERIS (Ireland) is the larger company by market cap ($20.44 billion vs $6.92 billion), about 3.0 times the size.
On valuation, STERIS (Ireland) trades at a lower forward P/E (17.1x vs 18.0x for MSA Safety). STERIS (Ireland) offers the higher dividend yield (1.20% vs 1.19%). MSA Safety converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 14.9% versus 13.2%.
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 | STE |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $179.28 | $209.68 |
| Market cap | $6.92B | $20.44B |
| 1-day change | -1.74% | +0.49% |
| YTD return | +11.95% | -17.29% |
| 1-year return | +4.18% | -13.20% |
| 5-year return | +19.26% | -6.85% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 22.30 | 25.63 |
| Forward P/E | 17.99 | 17.12 |
| EPS (TTM) | $8.04 | $8.18 |
| Dividend yield | 1.19% | 1.20% |
| Annual dividend | $2.13 | $2.52 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $1.87B | $5.94B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +3.69% | +8.73% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $278.92M | $782.30M |
| Gross margin | 46.46% | 44.25% |
| Operating margin | 19.83% | 18.56% |
| Net margin | 14.88% | 13.18% |
| 52-week high | $208.92 | $269.44 |
| 52-week low | $151.11 | $195.14 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -14.19% | -22.18% |
| Analyst consensus | none | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +16.66% | +25.49% |
| Average volume | 260.58K | 694.18K |
| Shares outstanding | 38.58M | 97.50M |
| Employees | 5,300 | 17,937 |
| Sector | Health Care | Health Care |
| 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
- STERIS (Ireland) is about 3.0 times larger than MSA Safety by market value ($20.44B vs $6.92B).
- MSA has outperformed STE by 17.4 percentage points over the past year.
- STERIS (Ireland) grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+8.73% vs +3.69%).
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 STERIS (Ireland)
STE stock →STERIS plc provides infection prevention products and services in the United States, Ireland, and internationally. It operates through three segments: Healthcare, Applied Sterilization Technologies, and Life Sciences.
Health Care · Industrial Specialties · 17,937 employees
MSA vs STE FAQ
Which is bigger, MSA Safety or STERIS (Ireland)?
STERIS (Ireland) (STE) is larger, with a market capitalization of $20.44B compared with $6.92B for MSA Safety (MSA).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, MSA or STE?
MSA returned +4.18% over the past 12 months, compared with -13.20% for STE (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, MSA or STE?
MSA has the lower trailing P/E at 22.3, versus 25.6 for STE. 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 STERIS (Ireland)?
STERIS (Ireland) has the higher yield at 1.20%, compared with 1.19% for MSA Safety.
Are MSA Safety and STERIS (Ireland) in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Industrial Specialties industry within the Health Care sector.