MSM
IndustrialsMSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. · Industrial - Distribution · $6B
What is MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc.?
MSC Industrial Direct is a leading distributor of metalworking and maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO) products across the United States, Canada, Mexico, and the United Kingdom. The company serves machine shops, large manufacturers, and government agencies from a broad distribution network.
MSC Industrial generates revenue by supplying industrial customers with a vast catalog of MRO products — from cutting tools and fasteners to safety supplies and power transmission components. Customers access roughly 1.9 million SKUs through e-commerce, printed catalogs, call centers, and branch offices. The company also provides inventory management solutions that embed it deeper into customer procurement workflows, supporting repeat purchasing and contract-based relationships.
MSC Industrial Direct was founded in 1941 and is headquartered in Melville, New York.
- Metalworking tools and cutting instruments
- Maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO) supplies
- Inventory management and vending solutions
- Safety, janitorial, and facility supplies
- E-commerce platform at mscdirect.com
Is MSM a Good Stock to Buy?
UQS Score rates MSM as Good overall, reflecting a balanced but mixed profile across its five quality pillars.
The Risk pillar and Valuation pillar are the relative bright spots in MSM's profile. The company's risk characteristics compare favorably within the industrials sector, and its current valuation is rated Attractive — suggesting the market may not be pricing in full long-term value.
The Moat and Growth pillars both register as Weak, pointing to limited competitive differentiation and subdued near-term expansion signals relative to sector peers.
Pro members can see the exact pillar breakdown and underlying financial metrics driving each score — sign up at UQS Score to unlock the full MSM analysis. Sign up free →
Past performance does not guarantee future results. UQS Score is based on fundamental data and is not a buy/sell recommendation.
Does MSM pay dividends?
Yes — MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. pays a dividend.
MSM pays a regular dividend, consistent with its mature, cash-generative distribution business model. Industrial distributors at this stage often return capital to shareholders rather than reinvesting aggressively in expansion. Investors seeking income alongside industrial exposure may find MSM's dividend cadence relevant to their screening criteria.
When does MSM report earnings?
MSC Industrial Direct reports earnings on a quarterly cadence, as is standard for US-listed equities.
The company's recent results reflect the broader softness in manufacturing activity that has weighed on MRO demand across the sector. Revenue trends and margin dynamics have been under pressure, consistent with the Weak Growth pillar rating in the UQS model.
For the most recent quarter's results and guidance, visit MSC Industrial Direct's investor relations page at ir.mscdirect.com.
MSM Price History
+24.4% over 5Y
Monthly close, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment.
What if I invested in MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc.?
Based on MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc.'s historical closing prices, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice.
MSM Long-term Outlook
MSM's fundamental outlook is shaped by two competing forces: a relatively low-risk balance sheet profile that provides stability, and a growth trajectory that currently lags sector peers. A recovery in US manufacturing activity would be the primary catalyst for improvement in the Growth pillar. Until demand conditions strengthen, the company's Attractive Valuation rating may reflect investor caution rather than near-term momentum.
Growth drivers
- Recovery in US manufacturing and industrial production volumes
- Expansion of inventory management and vending programs with large customers
- Cross-selling across a broad SKU catalog to existing accounts
Key risks
- Prolonged weakness in manufacturing end-markets suppressing MRO demand
- Limited pricing power in a fragmented, competitive distribution landscape
- Margin pressure from operating cost inflation and customer mix shifts
MSM vs Peers
MSM operates in the broader industrial distribution space alongside several specialty distributors, each serving distinct end-markets.
SiteOne focuses exclusively on landscape and outdoor products, serving a different customer base than MSM's manufacturing and MRO clientele.
Pool Corporation distributes swimming pool supplies and equipment, giving it a more seasonal and consumer-adjacent demand profile compared to MSM's industrial focus.
Core & Main specializes in water, wastewater, and fire protection infrastructure products, targeting municipal and construction customers rather than manufacturing facilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does MSC Industrial Direct do?
MSC Industrial Direct distributes metalworking and MRO products to manufacturers, machine shops, and government agencies across North America and the UK. Customers access roughly 1.9 million SKUs through e-commerce, catalogs, and branch locations. The company also provides inventory management solutions that integrate directly into customer procurement processes.
Does MSM pay dividends?
Yes, MSM pays a regular dividend. This is consistent with its profile as a mature industrial distributor that generates recurring cash flows. Investors focused on income alongside industrial sector exposure may find MSM's dividend policy worth examining in the context of their own criteria.
When does MSM report earnings?
MSC Industrial Direct reports on a quarterly cadence, standard for US-listed companies. The company does not pre-announce specific dates far in advance. For the most current earnings schedule, check MSC Industrial's investor relations page directly.
Is MSM a good stock to buy?
UQS Score rates MSM as Good overall. Its Risk and Valuation pillars are relative strengths, while Moat and Growth are rated Weak. Whether it fits a particular portfolio depends on individual goals and risk tolerance. The full pillar breakdown is available to Pro members on UQS Score.
Is MSM overvalued?
The UQS Valuation pillar for MSM is rated Attractive, suggesting the stock is not considered expensive relative to its fundamentals within the UQS framework. However, valuation should always be weighed alongside growth and moat considerations — both of which are currently rated Weak for MSM.
How does MSM compare to its competitors?
MSM competes in industrial distribution but differs from peers like SiteOne, Pool Corporation, and Core & Main in its focus on metalworking and MRO products for manufacturers. Each peer serves distinct end-markets. UQS Score's competitor comparison tool lets Pro members view side-by-side pillar ratings across these names.
What is MSM's market cap bracket?
MSM is classified as a mid-cap stock. This places it in a range that typically offers more liquidity than small-cap names while remaining more nimble than large-cap industrial conglomerates. Mid-cap industrials can be sensitive to shifts in manufacturing activity and broader economic cycles.
Who founded MSC Industrial Direct?
MSC Industrial Direct was founded in 1941, making it one of the longer-standing industrial distributors in the United States. Detailed founding history, including the names of its founders, is widely available through the company's official history and public filings.
Is MSM a long-term quality investment?
As a long-term quality indicator, MSM's UQS profile presents a mixed picture. The Good overall score reflects stability in risk management and reasonable valuation, but the Weak Moat and Growth ratings suggest limited structural competitive advantage and slower expansion. Long-term quality investors typically look for stronger moat characteristics.
What is the main competitive advantage of MSC Industrial Direct?
MSM's primary advantage lies in its broad SKU catalog, established distribution infrastructure, and inventory management programs that create switching costs for large customers. However, the UQS Moat pillar rates this advantage as Weak relative to sector peers, indicating the competitive edge may not be deeply entrenched.
What sector does MSM belong to?
MSM belongs to the Industrials sector, specifically within industrial distribution. The company's revenues are closely tied to US manufacturing activity, making it sensitive to industrial production cycles, capital expenditure trends among manufacturers, and broader economic conditions.
Unlock Full MSM Analysis
Sign in to unlock the detailed analysis behind the UQS Score.
- ✓View the exact UQS pillar scores for MSM
- ✓Access underlying financial metrics driving each rating
- ✓Compare MSM side-by-side with sector peers
- ✓Screen for Attractive-valued industrials like MSM
- ✓Track pillar changes as new data is released
Pro Analysis
MSM — Score History
| Date | UQS | Quality | Moat | Growth | Risk | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 7, 2026 | 52.2 | 58.8 | 35.0 | 39.1 | 71.4 | 68.1 | -0.1 |
| May 3, 2026 | 52.3 | 58.8 | 35.0 | 39.1 | 71.4 | 68.9 | -0.2 |
| Apr 29, 2026 | 52.5 | 58.8 | 35.0 | 39.1 | 71.4 | 70.4 | 0.0 |
| Apr 26, 2026 | 52.5 | 58.8 | 35.0 | 39.0 | 71.4 | 70.1 | +0.1 |
| Apr 19, 2026 | 52.4 | 58.8 | 35.0 | 39.0 | 71.4 | 69.9 | -0.2 |
| Apr 18, 2026 | 52.6 | 58.9 | 35.0 | 39.0 | 71.4 | 70.9 | -0.5 |
| Apr 14, 2026 | 53.1 | 58.9 | 35.0 | 39.0 | 71.4 | 73.8 | +0.1 |
| Apr 12, 2026 | 53.0 | 58.9 | 35.0 | 39.0 | 71.4 | 73.6 | -0.4 |
| Apr 10, 2026 | 53.4 | 58.9 | 35.0 | 39.0 | 71.4 | 75.9 | +0.1 |
| Apr 9, 2026 | 53.3 | 58.9 | 35.0 | 39.0 | 71.4 | 75.1 | +0.4 |
MSM — Pillar Breakdown
Quality
— 58.1/100 (25%)MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. shows solid profitability with healthy returns on capital and reasonable margins.
How effectively capital is deployed to generate returns.
Profitability relative to shareholders' equity.
Ability to convert revenue into operating profit.
Bottom-line profit as a share of revenue.
Asset productivity — how much gross profit each dollar of assets generates.
Free cash flow relative to market value.
Growth
— 39.1/100 (20%)MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. shows steady but unspectacular growth, typical for mature companies.
Revenue trajectory over the last twelve months.
Compound annual revenue growth rate over 3 years.
Year-over-year earnings per share growth.
Analyst consensus for future revenue growth.
Analyst consensus for future earnings growth.
Risk
— 71.4/100 (15%)MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. maintains a reasonable risk profile with manageable debt levels.
Debt levels relative to earnings capacity.
Total debt relative to shareholder equity.
Short-term liquidity — ability to pay near-term obligations.
Earnings capacity relative to interest payments.
Valuation
— 66.0/100 (15%)MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. trades at a reasonable valuation with decent earnings yield and FCF multiples.
Inverse of forward P/E — higher yield means cheaper stock.
How many years of FCF the market cap represents.
P/E relative to earnings growth — lower is more attractive.
Enterprise value multiple relative to sector median.
Moat
— 35/100 (25%)MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. possesses some competitive advantages but faces meaningful competition. The Moat pillar evaluates competitive advantages across five dimensions: Switching Costs, Network Effects, Cost Advantage, Intangible Assets, and Scale & Ecosystem. Sign in to customize moat ratings for MSM.
Score Composition
Financial Data
More Stock Analysis
How is the MSM UQS Score Calculated?
The UQS (Unified Quality Score) for MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. is calculated using a proprietary 6-pillar framework with 29 financial metrics. Each pillar evaluates a different dimension on a 0–100 scale, then combines into a single weighted score. Scoring thresholds are calibrated per sector. Momentum is an optional Pro toggle — without it, you get the 5-pillar / 25-metric core shown below.
Quality (25%) measures profitability and capital efficiency — ROIC, ROE, margins, GP/Assets, and FCF Yield.
Moat (25%) assesses MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc.'s competitive advantages across switching costs, network effects, cost advantages, intangible assets, and ecosystem scale.
Growth (20%) tracks revenue trajectory and earnings momentum, combining historical results with analyst forward estimates.
Risk (15%) is inversely scored — lower leverage and strong balance sheet health result in higher scores.
Valuation (15%) measures whether MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. is fairly priced using earnings yield, price-to-FCF, PEG ratio, and EV/EBITDA relative to sector peers.
Six investor-inspired presets are available, each with different pillar weights: Balanced, Buffett, Munger, Lynch, Cathie Wood, and Graham. The public score shown here uses the Balanced preset. Learn more in our FAQ.