MSA vs. HTO
MSA (MSA Safety Incorporated) and HTO (H2O America) are both stocks. MSA operates in Security & Protection Services (Industrials), while HTO operates in Utilities - Regulated Water (Utilities). Over the past 10 years, MSA returned 13.24%/yr vs 6.53%/yr for HTO. At a 0.27 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.
Performance
MSA vs. HTO - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, MSA achieves a 0.42% return, which is significantly lower than HTO's 18.36% return. Over the past 10 years, MSA has outperformed HTO with an annualized return of 13.24%, while HTO has yielded a comparatively lower 6.53% annualized return.
MSA
- 1D
- 0.25%
- 1M
- -6.63%
- YTD
- 0.42%
- 6M
- -0.98%
- 1Y
- -0.20%
- 3Y*
- 1.68%
- 5Y*
- 0.39%
- 10Y*
- 13.24%
HTO
- 1D
- 0.74%
- 1M
- 3.29%
- YTD
- 18.36%
- 6M
- 18.21%
- 1Y
- 11.35%
- 3Y*
- -4.86%
- 5Y*
- -0.18%
- 10Y*
- 6.53%
MSA vs. HTO - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MSA MSA Safety Incorporated | 0.42% | -2.14% | -0.71% | 18.52% | -3.15% | 2.14% | 19.79% | 36.10% | 23.61% | 13.97% |
HTO H2O America | 18.36% | 2.92% | -22.57% | -17.78% | 13.40% | 7.66% | -0.43% | 30.19% | -11.20% | 16.22% |
Correlation
The correlation between MSA and HTO is 0.11, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.11 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.22 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.28 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.30 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 26, 1990 | 0.27 |
The correlation between MSA and HTO shifts across timeframes, from 0.11 (1 year) to 0.30 (10 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
Fundamentals
MSA:
$9.85
HTO:
$2.90
MSA:
16.23
HTO:
19.70
MSA:
0.06
HTO:
2.04
MSA:
2.46
HTO:
2.54
MSA:
$1.92B
HTO:
$816.28M
MSA:
$897.30M
HTO:
$335.79M
MSA:
$465.55M
HTO:
$273.35M
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Return for Risk
MSA vs. HTO — Risk / Return Rank
MSA
HTO
MSA vs. HTO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for MSA Safety Incorporated (MSA) and H2O America (HTO). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.
Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.
| MSA | HTO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.52 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.71 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.01 | 1.09 | -0.08 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.08 | 0.64 | -0.72 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -0.18 | 1.48 | -1.66 |
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Drawdowns
MSA vs. HTO - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum MSA drawdown since its inception was -70.32%, which is greater than HTO's maximum drawdown of -54.53%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MSA and HTO.
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Drawdown Indicators
| MSA | HTO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -70.32% | -54.53% | -15.79% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -22.60% | -16.19% | -6.41% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -34.28% | -35.14% | +0.86% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -34.28% | -42.85% | +8.57% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -38.39% | -42.85% | +4.46% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -20.82% | -24.64% | +3.82% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -17.44% | -15.90% | -1.54% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 10.15% | 6.98% | +3.17% |
Volatility
MSA vs. HTO - Volatility Comparison
MSA Safety Incorporated (MSA) has a higher volatility of 7.25% compared to H2O America (HTO) at 6.85%. This indicates that MSA's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than HTO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| MSA | HTO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 7.25% | 6.85% | +0.40% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 17.89% | 16.54% | +1.35% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 24.14% | 23.12% | +1.02% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 24.75% | 24.06% | +0.69% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 28.78% | 29.56% | -0.78% |
Dividends
MSA vs. HTO - Dividend Comparison
MSA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.33%, less than HTO's 3.01% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
HTO H2O America | 3.01% | 3.43% | 3.25% | 2.33% | 1.77% | 1.86% | 1.85% | 1.69% | 2.01% | 1.63% | 1.45% | 2.63% |
MSA MSA Safety Incorporated | 1.33% | 1.31% | 1.21% | 1.11% | 1.26% | 1.16% | 1.14% | 1.30% | 1.58% | 1.78% | 1.89% | 2.92% |
Financials
MSA vs. HTO - Financials Comparison
This section allows you to compare key financial metrics between MSA Safety Incorporated and H2O America. You can select fields from income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements to easily visualize and compare the financial health of both companies.
Total Revenue: Total amount of money received from sales and other business activities
MSA vs. HTO - Profitability Comparison
MSA - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, MSA Safety Incorporated reported a gross profit of 219.58M and revenue of 463.63M. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 47.4%.
HTO - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, H2O America reported a gross profit of 0.00 and revenue of 183.29M. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 0.0%.
MSA - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, MSA Safety Incorporated reported an operating income of 93.01M and revenue of 463.63M, resulting in an operating margin of 20.1%.
HTO - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, H2O America reported an operating income of 37.43M and revenue of 183.29M, resulting in an operating margin of 20.4%.
MSA - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, MSA Safety Incorporated reported a net income of 71.27M and revenue of 463.63M, resulting in a net margin of 15.4%.
HTO - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, H2O America reported a net income of 19.01M and revenue of 183.29M, resulting in a net margin of 10.4%.
Frequently Asked Questions
MSA and HTO have a correlation of 0.11, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
MSA has higher volatility (7.25%) compared to HTO (6.85%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MSA dropped -70.32% vs HTO's -54.53%.
HTO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.45 vs -0.08), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.
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