Start with its own history
At 27.95×, MSM is 52.2% above its 10-observation annual average. A lower multiple can reflect a lower price, higher earnings, or weaker growth expectations—not necessarily a bargain.
NYSE · MSMIndustrial - DistributionUpdated Nov 2, 2026
MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. P/E ratio
Current valuation, historical context, and peer comparisons.
Current P/E ratio
27.95×
52.2% abovethe 10-year annual average
Share price121.02
÷Earnings per share4.33
Price and EPS in quote currency. Calculation details
Investors are paying 27.95 for every 1 of reported earnings per share.
P/E over time
2017 – 2026
Annual P/ESelected-period average 18.36×
3-year average24.34×3 positive annual observations
5-year average20.50×5 positive annual observations
10-year average18.36×10 positive annual observations
Peer median · TTM24.26×8 peers with positive P/E
Historical P/E ratios
Annual period-end data · 25 observations
| Period end | P/E | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 29, 2026 | 29.87× | +18.2% |
| Aug 30, 2025 | 25.27× | +41.4% |
| Aug 31, 2024 | 17.88× | +8.0% |
| Sep 2, 2023 | 16.56× | +28.3% |
| Sep 3, 2022 | 12.90× | -41.2% |
| Aug 28, 2021 | 21.94× | +49.1% |
| Aug 29, 2020 | 14.71× | +13.8% |
| Aug 31, 2019 | 12.93× | -11.7% |
View all 25 annual observations +
| Period end | P/E | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 31, 2018 | 14.64× | -13.3% |
| Aug 31, 2017 | 16.88× | -12.6% |
| Aug 31, 2016 | 19.32× | +7.0% |
| Aug 31, 2015 | 18.05× | -24.3% |
| Aug 31, 2014 | 23.85× | +18.3% |
| Aug 31, 2013 | 20.16× | +19.8% |
| Aug 31, 2012 | 16.82× | -5.9% |
| Aug 31, 2011 | 17.88× | -4.1% |
| Aug 31, 2010 | 18.65× | -4.7% |
| Aug 31, 2009 | 19.56× | +18.3% |
| Aug 31, 2008 | 16.54× | -15.7% |
| Aug 31, 2007 | 19.62× | +1.7% |
| Aug 31, 2006 | 19.29× | -9.0% |
| Aug 31, 2005 | 21.21× | -17.4% |
| Aug 31, 2004 | 25.68× | -8.0% |
| Aug 31, 2003 | 27.92× | +14.0% |
| Aug 31, 2002 | 24.49× | N/M |
Change is relative to the preceding observation. N/M values are excluded from averages.
How MSM compares
Company P/E vs. peer trailing-12-month ratios
| Company | P/E ratio |
|---|---|
 MSM This stockMSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. | 27.95× |
 DXPEDXP Enterprises, Inc. | 29.22× |
 GICGlobal Industrial Co | 19.36× |
 GWWW.W. Grainger, Inc. | 34.64× |
 AITApplied Industrial Technologies, Inc. | 25.73× |
 WCCWESCO International, Inc. | 21.14× |
 FERGFerguson plc | 22.80× |
 CNMCore & Main, Inc. | 18.14× |
 SITESiteOne Landscape Supply, Inc. | 29.18× |
Peers are selected by the data provider. Business models and earnings definitions can differ.
Put the numbers in context
What does MSM’s P/E tell you?
Compare like with like
The median of the 8 positive peer ratios above is 24.26×. Check growth, margins, debt, and earnings quality before interpreting the gap. A faster-growing business may justify a higher multiple.
Check what drives earnings
One-off gains can temporarily lower P/E; unusual charges can raise it. Reported earnings and forward estimates answer different questions. Pair this view with return on equity and liquidity for a fuller picture.
Keep your research connected
Take MSM into your spreadsheet
Pull historical P/E into Excel or Google Sheets with Wisesheets. Build your own comparisons alongside the rest of your financial model.
Explore WisesheetsQuarterly P/E · latest quarterLQ selects the latest reported quarter. Requires the Wisesheets add-in. See available data
=WISE("MSM", "PE Ratio", "LQ")Sources & calculation methodology
Current P/E
Share price 121.02 ÷ EPS 4.33 = 27.95×. Data is supplied by Financial Modeling Prep through Wisesheets. Quote feed updated Nov 2, 2026; this is not a real-time trading quote.
History & averages
Annual and quarterly P/E observations are provided separately from the current quote. Averages use the latest 3, 5, or 10 annual observations, excluding missing and nonpositive ratios. Pre-IPO observations are omitted. These are period-end observations, not daily averages.
Data definitions and limitations
The current quote feed does not specify the exact EPS filing-period end or whether EPS is basic or diluted. We do not label it as forward P/E. Peer ratios are explicitly trailing-12-month (TTM) values. Historical observations do not include independently verified price and EPS inputs. Sources may update on different schedules; rounded inputs can produce small calculation differences. Historical comparisons describe past pricing, not an estimate of fair value.
MSM P/E ratio: common questions
The essentials behind the numbers.
MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc.'s current P/E is 27.95× based on the quote data last updated Nov 2, 2026. It represents the share price divided by reported earnings per share. Prices and earnings may refresh on different schedules.
Annual P/E uses earnings for a completed fiscal year. Trailing-12-month (TTM) P/E uses the latest four quarters, while forward P/E uses forecast earnings. These are not interchangeable. This page labels peer ratios as TTM and shows dated annual or quarterly historical observations; it does not show forward estimates.
N/M means not meaningful: the feed has no positive P/E for that observation. Negative or zero earnings should not be ranked as a low positive valuation multiple. N/M observations are excluded from the averages shown above.
Divide the share price by earnings per share (EPS). For example, a share price of 100 and EPS of 5 gives a P/E of 20×. This page uses the price and EPS supplied together in the quote when both are positive.
Price timestamps, EPS definitions, share classes, adjustments, and fiscal periods can differ. A forward P/E also uses forecast earnings rather than reported earnings. Compare the inputs and as-of dates before comparing two displayed ratios.
Not necessarily. The average describes previous market pricing, not fair value. Changes in earnings quality, growth expectations, debt, accounting, and business risk can justify a different multiple today.