Casella Waste Systems, Inc. (CWST) vs MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. (MSM)
A side-by-side comparison of Casella Waste Systems, Inc. and MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of August 28, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
CWST
Casella Waste Systems, Inc.
$93.00IndustrialsDelayed quote: Aug 27, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
MSM
MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc.
$122.01IndustrialsDelayed quote: Aug 27, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
Total return — CWST vs MSM
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10yCWST +917.5% (+26.1%/yr)MSM +164.2% (+10.2%/yr)CWST compounded faster over this window
CWST MSM
CWST vs MSM: by the numbers
- •MSM is the larger company ($6.81B vs $5.82B market cap).
- •MSM trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (29.47 vs 997.85 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •MSM converts more revenue to profit (5.90% vs 0.29% net margin).
- •CWST grew revenue faster over the past five years (19.33% vs 4.34% CAGR).
- •MSM pays a dividend (2.85% yield), while CWST has no payments in the available dividend history.
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | CWST | MSM |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 997.85 | 29.47 |
| Forward P/E | N/A | 26.45 |
| P/S ratio | 3.03 | 1.75 |
| P/B ratio | 3.75 | 4.81 |
| EV / EBITDA | 17.18 | 16.49 |
| FCF yield | 1.78% | 3.22% |
Profitability
| Metric | CWST | MSM |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 17.06% | 40.82% |
| Operating margin | 4.45% | 8.80% |
| Net margin | 0.29% | 5.90% |
| ROE | 0.36% | 16.24% |
| ROIC | 1.72% | 12.36% |
Dividends
| Metric | CWST | MSM |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | N/A | 2.85% |
| Payout ratio | N/A | 97.48% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | CWST | MSM |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 19.33% | 4.34% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | -42.27% | -4.65% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 19.24% | 5.48% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 4.87% | 11.51% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, CWST or MSM?
- MSM has the lower trailing P/E: CWST trades at 997.85 and MSM at 29.47. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, CWST or MSM?
- Over the past five years, CWST grew revenue faster — CWST at a 19.33% CAGR versus MSM at 4.34%.
- Does CWST or MSM pay a bigger dividend?
- MSM pays a dividend (2.85% yield), while CWST has no payments in the available dividend history.
- Is CWST or MSM more profitable?
- MSM runs the higher net margin — CWST at 0.29% versus MSM at 5.90%.
- How have CWST and MSM total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, CWST delivered 26.01% and MSM delivered 10.07% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Casella Waste Systems P/E ratioMSC Industrial Direct P/E ratioMSC Industrial Direct dividend yieldCasella Waste Systems ROEMSC Industrial Direct ROECasella Waste Systems operating marginMSC Industrial Direct operating marginCasella Waste Systems revenue growthMSC Industrial Direct revenue growthCasella Waste Systems free cash flowMSC Industrial Direct free cash flow
Casella Waste Systems & 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 August 28, 2026.