MSC Industrial Direct (MSM) vs Simpson Manufacturing (SSD)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
MSC Industrial Direct (MSM) has outperformed Simpson Manufacturing (SSD) over the past year, gaining 44.5% versus a gain of 0.6%. Over five years, MSM leads with a +54.4% price change compared with +48.2% for SSD. On valuation, Simpson Manufacturing trades at a lower forward P/E (17.7x vs 23.7x for MSC Industrial Direct).
MSC Industrial Direct offers the higher dividend yield (2.70% vs 0.68%). Simpson Manufacturing converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 14.8% versus 5.3%.
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 | MSM | SSD |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $128.88 | $172.03 |
| Market cap | — | $7.05B |
| 1-day change | -1.15% | +0.47% |
| YTD return | +55.03% | +6.04% |
| 1-year return | +44.48% | +0.62% |
| 5-year return | +54.42% | +48.15% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 31.13 | 18.80 |
| Forward P/E | 23.66 | 17.72 |
| EPS (TTM) | $4.14 | $9.15 |
| Dividend yield | 2.70% | 0.68% |
| Annual dividend | $3.48 | $1.17 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $3.77B | $2.33B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | -1.35% | +4.51% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $199.33M | $345.08M |
| Gross margin | 40.75% | 45.85% |
| Operating margin | 8.00% | 19.64% |
| Net margin | 5.29% | 14.79% |
| 52-week high | $132.33 | $213.49 |
| 52-week low | $78.80 | $156.32 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -2.61% | -19.42% |
| Analyst consensus | hold | none |
| Avg. price target upside | +1.64% | +27.30% |
| Average volume | 690.75K | 278.03K |
| Shares outstanding | — | 40.98M |
| Employees | 7,077 | 5,545 |
| Sector | Industrials | Consumer Discretionary |
| Industry | Industrial Machinery/Components | Industrial Machinery/Components |
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
- MSM has outperformed SSD by 43.9 percentage points over the past year.
- MSC Industrial Direct trades at a higher earnings multiple (31.1x vs 18.8x trailing P/E).
- MSC Industrial Direct offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (2.70% vs 0.68%).
- Simpson Manufacturing is more profitable, keeping 14.8 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 5.3 cents for MSC Industrial Direct.
- Simpson Manufacturing grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+4.51% vs -1.35%).
- The two companies sit in different sectors: MSC Industrial Direct in Industrials and Simpson Manufacturing in Consumer Discretionary.
About MSC Industrial Direct
MSM stock →MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the distribution of metalworking and maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO) products and services in the United States, Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, and internationally. The company's metalworking and MRO products include cutting tools, abrasives, machining fluids, measuring instruments, metalworking products, machinery and accessories, tooling components, fasteners, flat stock products, raw materials, machinery hand and power tools, safety and janitorial supplies, plumbing supplies, materials handling products, power transmission components, and electrical supplies.
Industrials · Industrial Machinery/Components · 7,077 employees
About Simpson Manufacturing
SSD stock →Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc., together with its subsidiaries, designs, engineers, manufactures, and sells structural solutions for wood, concrete, and steel connections in the North America, Europe, and the Asia Pacific. The company provides structural products for wood construction, such as connectors, fasteners, and lateral-force resisting systems; anchor, repair, protection and strengthening products including coatings, sealers, mortars, fiberglass and fiber-reinforced polymer systems and asphalt products.
Consumer Discretionary · Industrial Machinery/Components · 5,545 employees
MSM vs SSD FAQ
Which stock has performed better over the past year, MSM or SSD?
MSM returned +44.48% over the past 12 months, compared with +0.62% for SSD (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, MSM or SSD?
SSD has the lower trailing P/E at 18.8, versus 31.1 for MSM. 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, MSC Industrial Direct or Simpson Manufacturing?
MSC Industrial Direct has the higher yield at 2.70%, compared with 0.68% for Simpson Manufacturing.
Are MSC Industrial Direct and Simpson Manufacturing in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Industrial Machinery/Components industry within the Industrials sector.