MSC Industrial Direct (MSM) vs Zurn Elkay Water Solutions (ZWS)
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 Zurn Elkay Water Solutions (ZWS) over the past year, gaining 44.0% versus a loss of 2.3%. Over five years, MSM leads with a +52.7% price change compared with +29.6% for ZWS. On valuation, Zurn Elkay Water Solutions trades at a lower forward P/E (22.7x vs 23.7x for MSC Industrial Direct).
MSC Industrial Direct offers the higher dividend yield (2.70% vs 0.91%). Zurn Elkay Water Solutions converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 11.7% 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 | ZWS |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $128.92 | $46.24 |
| Market cap | — | $7.67B |
| 1-day change | -1.12% | -0.52% |
| YTD return | +53.29% | -0.54% |
| 1-year return | +44.00% | -2.30% |
| 5-year return | +52.69% | +29.60% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 31.14 | 28.72 |
| Forward P/E | 23.67 | 22.72 |
| EPS (TTM) | $4.14 | $1.61 |
| Dividend yield | 2.70% | 0.91% |
| Annual dividend | $3.48 | $0.42 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $3.77B | $1.70B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | -1.35% | +8.26% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $199.33M | $198.00M |
| Gross margin | 40.75% | 45.10% |
| Operating margin | 8.00% | 16.45% |
| Net margin | 5.29% | 11.68% |
| 52-week high | $132.33 | $55.00 |
| 52-week low | $78.80 | $43.06 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -2.58% | -15.93% |
| Analyst consensus | hold | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +1.61% | +25.43% |
| Average volume | 690.75K | 900.98K |
| Shares outstanding | — | 165.86M |
| Employees | 7,077 | 2,600 |
| Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| 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 ZWS by 46.3 percentage points over the past year.
- MSC Industrial Direct offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (2.70% vs 0.91%).
- Zurn Elkay Water Solutions is more profitable, keeping 11.7 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 5.3 cents for MSC Industrial Direct.
- Zurn Elkay Water Solutions grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+8.26% vs -1.35%).
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 Zurn Elkay Water Solutions
ZWS stock →Zurn Elkay Water Solutions Corporation engages in design, procurement, manufacture, and marketing of water management solutions in the United States, Canada, and internationally. It offers water dispensing and filtration products, such as filtered bottle filling stations, water fountains and water dispensers, and filtered faucets under the Elkay and Halsey Taylor brand names; filtered units including water filters; and water safety and control products, such as backflow preventers, fire system valves, pressure reducing valves, and thermostatic mixing valves under the Zurn and Wilkins brand names.
Industrials · Industrial Machinery/Components · 2,600 employees
MSM vs ZWS FAQ
Which stock has performed better over the past year, MSM or ZWS?
MSM returned +44.00% over the past 12 months, compared with -2.30% for ZWS (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, MSM or ZWS?
ZWS has the lower trailing P/E at 28.7, 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 Zurn Elkay Water Solutions?
MSC Industrial Direct has the higher yield at 2.70%, compared with 0.91% for Zurn Elkay Water Solutions.
Are MSC Industrial Direct and Zurn Elkay Water Solutions in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Industrial Machinery/Components industry within the Industrials sector.