Federal Signal Corporation (FSS) vs MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. (MSM)
A side-by-side comparison of Federal Signal Corporation and MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of September 3, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
FSS
Federal Signal Corporation
$115.86IndustrialsDelayed quote: Sep 3, 2026, 1:20 PM EDT
MSM
MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc.
$117.23IndustrialsDelayed quote: Sep 3, 2026, 1:20 PM EDT
Total return — FSS vs MSM
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10yFSS +867.8% (+25.5%/yr)MSM +152.2% (+9.7%/yr)FSS compounded faster over this window
FSS MSM
FSS vs MSM: by the numbers
- •FSS is the larger company ($7.07B vs $6.55B market cap).
- •FSS trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (24.81 vs 28.13 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •FSS converts more revenue to profit (11.66% vs 5.90% net margin).
- •FSS grew revenue faster over the past five years (15.56% vs 4.34% CAGR).
- •MSM pays the higher dividend yield (2.99% vs 0.51%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | FSS | MSM |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 24.81 | 28.13 |
| Forward P/E | 22.01 | 25.24 |
| P/S ratio | 2.89 | 1.67 |
| P/B ratio | 4.70 | 4.59 |
| EV / EBITDA | 14.93 | 15.79 |
| FCF yield | 4.79% | 3.37% |
Profitability
| Metric | FSS | MSM |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 29.17% | 40.82% |
| Operating margin | 16.84% | 8.80% |
| Net margin | 11.66% | 5.90% |
| ROE | 18.93% | 16.24% |
| ROIC | 14.80% | 12.36% |
Dividends
| Metric | FSS | MSM |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 0.51% | 2.99% |
| Payout ratio | 14.53% | 97.48% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | FSS | MSM |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 15.56% | 4.34% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 20.62% | -4.65% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 31.04% | 5.48% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 23.68% | 10.89% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, FSS or MSM?
- FSS has the lower trailing P/E: FSS trades at 24.81 and MSM at 28.13. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, FSS or MSM?
- Over the past five years, FSS grew revenue faster — FSS at a 15.56% CAGR versus MSM at 4.34%.
- Does FSS or MSM pay a bigger dividend?
- FSS yields 0.51% and MSM yields 2.99% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is FSS or MSM more profitable?
- FSS runs the higher net margin — FSS at 11.66% versus MSM at 5.90%.
- How have FSS and MSM total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, FSS delivered 25.35% and MSM delivered 9.49% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Federal Signal P/E ratioMSC Industrial Direct P/E ratioFederal Signal dividend yieldMSC Industrial Direct dividend yieldFederal Signal ROEMSC Industrial Direct ROEFederal Signal operating marginMSC Industrial Direct operating marginFederal Signal revenue growthMSC Industrial Direct revenue growthFederal Signal free cash flowMSC Industrial Direct free cash flow
Federal Signal & 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 September 3, 2026.