MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. (MSM) vs Powell Industries, Inc. (POWL)
A side-by-side comparison of MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. and Powell Industries, 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.
MSM
MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc.
$122.01IndustrialsDelayed quote: Aug 27, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
POWL
Powell Industries, Inc.
$192.55IndustrialsDelayed quote: Aug 27, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
Total return — MSM vs POWL
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10yMSM +153.4% (+9.7%/yr)POWL +2698.5% (+39.5%/yr)POWL compounded faster over this window
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
MSM POWL
MSM vs POWL: by the numbers
- •POWL is the larger company ($7.01B vs $6.81B market cap).
- •MSM trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (29.47 vs 36.76 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •POWL converts more revenue to profit (16.49% vs 5.90% net margin).
- •POWL grew revenue faster over the past five years (20.49% vs 4.34% CAGR).
- •MSM pays the higher dividend yield (2.85% vs 0.19%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | MSM | POWL |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 29.47 | 36.76 |
| Forward P/E | 26.45 | 35.41 |
| P/S ratio | 1.75 | 6.06 |
| P/B ratio | 4.81 | 9.27 |
| EV / EBITDA | 16.49 | 27.01 |
| FCF yield | 3.22% | 3.48% |
Profitability
| Metric | MSM | POWL |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 40.82% | 30.08% |
| Operating margin | 8.80% | 19.67% |
| Net margin | 5.90% | 16.49% |
| ROE | 16.24% | 25.24% |
| ROIC | 12.36% | 22.63% |
Dividends
| Metric | MSM | POWL |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 2.85% | 0.19% |
| Payout ratio | 97.48% | 7.18% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | MSM | POWL |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 4.34% | 20.49% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | -4.65% | 59.98% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 5.48% | 38.80% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 11.51% | 94.27% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, MSM or POWL?
- MSM has the lower trailing P/E: MSM trades at 29.47 and POWL at 36.76. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, MSM or POWL?
- Over the past five years, POWL grew revenue faster — MSM at a 4.34% CAGR versus POWL at 20.49%.
- Does MSM or POWL pay a bigger dividend?
- MSM yields 2.85% and POWL yields 0.19% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is MSM or POWL more profitable?
- POWL runs the higher net margin — MSM at 5.90% versus POWL at 16.49%.
- How have MSM and POWL total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, MSM delivered 10.07% and POWL delivered 39.63% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
MSC Industrial Direct P/E ratioPowell Industries P/E ratioMSC Industrial Direct dividend yieldPowell Industries dividend yieldMSC Industrial Direct ROEPowell Industries ROEMSC Industrial Direct operating marginPowell Industries operating marginMSC Industrial Direct revenue growthPowell Industries revenue growthMSC Industrial Direct free cash flowPowell Industries free cash flow
MSC Industrial Direct & Powell Industries 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.