Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corporation (BAH) vs MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. (MSM)

A side-by-side comparison of Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corporation and MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of October 4, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.

Compare

Total return — BAH vs MSM

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10y
BAH +166.7% (+10.3%/yr)MSM +184.5% (+11.0%/yr)MSM compounded faster over this window
200400600Start $10020182020202220242026$267$284
BAH MSM

BAH vs MSM: by the numbers

  • •BAH is the larger company ($8.10B vs $7.27B market cap).
  • •BAH trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (10.56 vs 31.43 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
  • •BAH converts more revenue to profit (7.01% vs 5.90% net margin).
  • •BAH grew revenue faster over the past five years (7.05% vs 4.34% CAGR).
  • •BAH pays the higher dividend yield (3.44% vs 2.67%).

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricBAHMSM
P/E ratio10.5631.43
Forward P/E10.5923.70
PEG ratio1.10N/A
P/S ratio0.731.86
P/B ratio6.745.12
EV / EBITDA9.5817.47
FCF yield13.78%3.03%

Profitability

MetricBAHMSM
Gross margin20.91%40.82%
Operating margin9.51%8.80%
Net margin7.01%5.90%
ROE64.73%16.24%
ROIC15.99%12.36%

Dividends

MetricBAHMSM
Dividend yield3.44%2.67%
Payout ratio36.36%84.06%

Growth (annualized)

MetricBAHMSM
Revenue CAGR (5Y)7.05%4.34%
EPS CAGR (5Y)9.45%-4.65%
FCF CAGR (5Y)17.83%5.48%
Total return CAGR (5Y)-1.66%14.01%

Frequently asked

Which has the lower trailing P/E, BAH or MSM?
BAH has the lower trailing P/E: BAH trades at 10.56 and MSM at 31.43. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
Which has grown faster, BAH or MSM?
Over the past five years, BAH grew revenue faster — BAH at a 7.05% CAGR versus MSM at 4.34%.
Does BAH or MSM pay a bigger dividend?
BAH yields 3.44% and MSM yields 2.67% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is BAH or MSM more profitable?
BAH runs the higher net margin — BAH at 7.01% versus MSM at 5.90%.
How have BAH and MSM total returns compared?
Over the past 10 years, BAH delivered 9.84% and MSM delivered 10.82% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Figures are sourced from reported fundamentals and the latest end-of-day price. This comparison is informational only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not predict future results. See our methodology. Compiled by TGMCharts Research · data verified October 4, 2026.