MSA Safety (MSA) vs Zimmer Biomet (ZBH)
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 Zimmer Biomet (ZBH) over the past year, gaining 4.2% versus a loss of 10.7%. Over five years, MSA leads with a +19.3% price change compared with -37.7% for ZBH. Zimmer Biomet is the larger company by market cap ($16.95 billion vs $6.87 billion), about 2.5 times the size.
On valuation, Zimmer Biomet trades at a lower forward P/E (9.8x vs 17.9x for MSA Safety). MSA Safety offers the higher dividend yield (1.20% vs 1.08%). MSA Safety converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 14.9% versus 8.6%.
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 | ZBH |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $178.10 | $88.88 |
| Market cap | $6.87B | $16.95B |
| 1-day change | -0.66% | +0.44% |
| YTD return | +11.95% | -1.59% |
| 1-year return | +4.18% | -10.67% |
| 5-year return | +19.26% | -37.73% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 22.15 | 21.57 |
| Forward P/E | 17.87 | 9.80 |
| EPS (TTM) | $8.04 | $4.12 |
| Dividend yield | 1.20% | 1.08% |
| Annual dividend | $2.13 | $0.96 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $1.87B | $8.23B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +3.69% | +7.20% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $278.92M | $705.10M |
| Gross margin | 46.46% | 69.71% |
| Operating margin | 19.83% | 13.34% |
| Net margin | 14.88% | 8.57% |
| 52-week high | $208.92 | $106.88 |
| 52-week low | $151.11 | $79.12 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -14.75% | -16.84% |
| Analyst consensus | none | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +17.43% | +20.65% |
| Average volume | 260.31K | 2.16M |
| Shares outstanding | 38.58M | 190.74M |
| Employees | 5,300 | 17,000 |
| 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
- Zimmer Biomet is about 2.5 times larger than MSA Safety by market value ($16.95B vs $6.87B).
- MSA has outperformed ZBH by 14.8 percentage points over the past year.
- MSA Safety is more profitable, keeping 14.9 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 8.6 cents for Zimmer Biomet.
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 Zimmer Biomet
ZBH stock →Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, operates as a medical technology company worldwide. The company designs, manufactures, and markets orthopedic reconstructive products, such as knee and hip products; S.E.T.
Health Care · Industrial Specialties · 17,000 employees
MSA vs ZBH FAQ
Which is bigger, MSA Safety or Zimmer Biomet?
Zimmer Biomet (ZBH) is larger, with a market capitalization of $16.95B compared with $6.87B for MSA Safety (MSA).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, MSA or ZBH?
MSA returned +4.18% over the past 12 months, compared with -10.67% for ZBH (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, MSA or ZBH?
ZBH has the lower trailing P/E at 21.6, versus 22.2 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 Zimmer Biomet?
MSA Safety has the higher yield at 1.20%, compared with 1.08% for Zimmer Biomet.
Are MSA Safety and Zimmer Biomet in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Industrial Specialties industry within the Health Care sector.