Which has the lower trailing P/E, MSM or POOL?

POOL has the lower trailing P/E: MSM trades at 29.47 and POOL at 17.33. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.

Which has grown faster, MSM or POOL?

Over the past five years, MSM grew revenue faster — MSM at a 4.34% CAGR versus POOL at 2.25%.

Does MSM or POOL pay a bigger dividend?

MSM yields 2.85% and POOL yields 3.37% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.

Is MSM or POOL more profitable?

POOL runs the higher net margin — MSM at 5.90% versus POOL at 7.41%.

How have MSM and POOL total returns compared?

Over the past 10 years, MSM delivered 10.07% and POOL delivered 7.74% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. (MSM) vs Pool Corporation (POOL)

A side-by-side comparison of MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. and Pool Corporation 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.

MSM

MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc.

$6.81B

$122.01IndustrialsDelayed quote: Aug 27, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT

POOL

Pool Corporation

$6.78B

$186.06IndustrialsDelayed quote: Aug 27, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT

Total return — MSM vs POOL

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10y

MSM +153.4% (+9.7%/yr)POOL +112.6% (+7.8%/yr)MSM compounded faster over this window

MSM POOL

MSM vs POOL: by the numbers

•MSM is the larger company ($6.81B vs $6.78B market cap).
•POOL trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (17.33 vs 29.47 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
•POOL converts more revenue to profit (7.41% vs 5.90% net margin).
•MSM grew revenue faster over the past five years (4.34% vs 2.25% CAGR).
•POOL pays the higher dividend yield (3.37% vs 2.85%).

Metrics side by side

Valuation

Metric	MSM	POOL
P/E ratio	29.47	17.33
Forward P/E	26.45	17.16
P/S ratio	1.75	1.27
P/B ratio	4.81	5.42
EV / EBITDA	16.49	13.15
FCF yield	3.22%	8.94%

Profitability

Metric	MSM	POOL
Gross margin	40.82%	29.58%
Operating margin	8.80%	10.76%
Net margin	5.90%	7.41%
ROE	16.24%	31.74%
ROIC	12.36%	14.64%

Dividends

Metric	MSM	POOL
Dividend yield	2.85%	3.37%
Payout ratio	97.48%	58.31%

Growth (annualized)

Metric	MSM	POOL
Revenue CAGR (5Y)	4.34%	2.25%
EPS CAGR (5Y)	-4.65%	3.57%
FCF CAGR (5Y)	5.48%	-3.81%
Total return CAGR (5Y)	11.51%	-15.76%

Frequently asked

Which has the lower trailing P/E, MSM or POOL?: POOL has the lower trailing P/E: MSM trades at 29.47 and POOL at 17.33. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
Which has grown faster, MSM or POOL?: Over the past five years, MSM grew revenue faster — MSM at a 4.34% CAGR versus POOL at 2.25%.
Does MSM or POOL pay a bigger dividend?: MSM yields 2.85% and POOL yields 3.37% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is MSM or POOL more profitable?: POOL runs the higher net margin — MSM at 5.90% versus POOL at 7.41%.
How have MSM and POOL total returns compared?: Over the past 10 years, MSM delivered 10.07% and POOL delivered 7.74% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Go deeper

Full MSM analysis Full POOL analysis Interactive comparison tool

Dig into the metrics

MSC Industrial Direct P/E ratio Pool P/E ratio MSC Industrial Direct dividend yield Pool dividend yield MSC Industrial Direct ROE Pool ROE MSC Industrial Direct operating margin Pool operating margin MSC Industrial Direct revenue growth Pool revenue growth MSC Industrial Direct free cash flow Pool free cash flow

MSC Industrial Direct & Pool appear in these rankings

Highest Dividend Yield Stocks Highest ROE Stocks Highest FCF Yield Stocks

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.