CAE Inc. (CAE) vs MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. (MSM)
A side-by-side comparison of CAE Inc. and MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of October 6, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
CAE
CAE Inc.
$23.71IndustrialsDelayed quote: Oct 5, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
MSM
MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc.
$130.16IndustrialsDelayed quote: Oct 5, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
Total return — CAE vs MSM
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10yCAE +76.2% (+5.8%/yr)MSM +173.8% (+10.6%/yr)MSM compounded faster over this window
CAE MSM
CAE vs MSM: by the numbers
- •CAE is the larger company ($7.62B vs $7.27B market cap).
- •MSM trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (31.44 vs 36.97 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •MSM converts more revenue to profit (5.90% vs 5.78% net margin).
- •CAE grew revenue faster over the past five years (9.86% vs 4.34% CAGR).
- •MSM pays a dividend (2.67% yield), while CAE is a former payer with no current dividend run rate.
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | CAE | MSM |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 36.97 | 31.44 |
| Forward P/E | N/A | 23.71 |
| P/S ratio | 2.13 | 1.86 |
| P/B ratio | 2.00 | 5.12 |
| EV / EBITDA | 12.07 | 17.48 |
| FCF yield | 6.90% | 3.03% |
Profitability
| Metric | CAE | MSM |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 28.57% | 40.82% |
| Operating margin | 12.59% | 8.80% |
| Net margin | 5.78% | 5.90% |
| ROE | 5.43% | 16.24% |
| ROIC | 5.72% | 12.36% |
Dividends
| Metric | CAE | MSM |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | N/A | 2.67% |
| Payout ratio | N/A | 84.06% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | CAE | MSM |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 9.86% | 4.34% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | N/A | -4.65% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 46.44% | 5.48% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | -4.20% | 13.77% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, CAE or MSM?
- MSM has the lower trailing P/E: CAE trades at 36.97 and MSM at 31.44. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, CAE or MSM?
- Over the past five years, CAE grew revenue faster — CAE at a 9.86% CAGR versus MSM at 4.34%.
- Does CAE or MSM pay a bigger dividend?
- MSM pays a dividend (2.67% yield), while CAE is a former payer with no current dividend run rate.
- Is CAE or MSM more profitable?
- MSM runs the higher net margin — CAE at 5.78% versus MSM at 5.90%.
- How have CAE and MSM total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, CAE delivered 5.76% and MSM delivered 10.73% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
CAE P/E ratioMSC Industrial Direct P/E ratioMSC Industrial Direct dividend yieldCAE ROEMSC Industrial Direct ROECAE operating marginMSC Industrial Direct operating marginCAE revenue growthMSC Industrial Direct revenue growthCAE free cash flowMSC Industrial Direct free cash flow
CAE & MSC Industrial Direct appear in these rankings
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 6, 2026.