MSC Industrial Direct (MSM) vs Watsco (WSO.B)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 9, 2026.
Summary
MSC Industrial Direct (MSM) has outperformed Watsco (WSO.B) over the past year, gaining 44.0% versus a loss of 22.8%. Over five years, MSM leads with a +52.7% price change compared with +11.9% for WSO.B. On valuation, Watsco trades at a lower trailing P/E (26.6x vs 31.1x for MSC Industrial Direct).
Watsco offers the higher dividend yield (3.96% vs 2.70%). Watsco converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 6.9% 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 | WSO.B |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $128.92 | $310.90 |
| Market cap | — | $12.83B |
| 1-day change | -1.12% | 0.00% |
| YTD return | +53.29% | -8.25% |
| 1-year return | +44.00% | -22.77% |
| 5-year return | +52.69% | +11.87% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 31.14 | 26.64 |
| Forward P/E | 23.67 | — |
| EPS (TTM) | $4.14 | $11.67 |
| Dividend yield | 2.70% | 3.96% |
| Annual dividend | $3.48 | $12.30 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $3.77B | $7.24B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | -1.35% | -4.98% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $199.33M | $496.99M |
| Gross margin | 40.75% | 28.05% |
| Operating margin | 8.00% | 9.95% |
| Net margin | 5.29% | 6.87% |
| 52-week high | $132.33 | $453.37 |
| 52-week low | $78.80 | $306.82 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -2.58% | -31.42% |
| Analyst consensus | hold | — |
| Avg. price target upside | +1.61% | — |
| Average volume | 691.51K | 98 |
| Shares outstanding | — | 5.66M |
| Employees | 7,077 | 6,950 |
| Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| Industry | Industrial Machinery/Components | Industrial Distribution |
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 WSO.B by 66.8 percentage points over the past year.
- Watsco offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (3.96% vs 2.70%).
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 Watsco
WSO.B stock →Watsco, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the distribution of air conditioning, heating, and refrigeration equipment, and related parts and supplies in the United States, Canada, Latin America, and the Caribbean. It distributes equipment, including residential ducted and ductless air conditioners, such as gas, electric, and oil furnaces; commercial air conditioning and heating equipment systems; and other specialized equipment.
Industrials · Industrial Distribution · 6,950 employees
MSM vs WSO.B FAQ
Which stock has performed better over the past year, MSM or WSO.B?
MSM returned +44.00% over the past 12 months, compared with -22.77% for WSO.B (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, MSM or WSO.B?
WSO.B has the lower trailing P/E at 26.6, 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 Watsco?
Watsco has the higher yield at 3.96%, compared with 2.70% for MSC Industrial Direct.
Are MSC Industrial Direct and Watsco in the same industry?
Both are in the Industrials sector, but in different industries: Industrial Machinery/Components for MSC Industrial Direct and Industrial Distribution for Watsco.