MSA vs. ITW
MSA (MSA Safety Incorporated) and ITW (Illinois Tool Works Inc.) are both stocks. Both are in the Industrials sector — MSA in Security & Protection Services, ITW in Specialty Industrial Machinery. Over the past 10 years, MSA returned 14.82%/yr vs 12.18%/yr for ITW. Their 0.34 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship.
Performance
MSA vs. ITW - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, MSA achieves a 19.50% return, which is significantly higher than ITW's 17.95% return. Over the past 10 years, MSA has outperformed ITW with an annualized return of 14.82%, while ITW has yielded a comparatively lower 12.18% annualized return.
MSA
- 1D
- 9.13%
- 1M
- 11.74%
- 6M
- 8.02%
- YTD
- 19.50%
- 1Y
- 8.28%
- 3Y*
- 3.11%
- 5Y*
- 4.23%
- 10Y*
- 14.82%
- ALL TIME*
- 12.40%
ITW
- 1D
- 1.15%
- 1M
- 6.68%
- 6M
- 11.20%
- YTD
- 17.95%
- 1Y
- 14.94%
- 3Y*
- 6.96%
- 5Y*
- 7.33%
- 10Y*
- 12.18%
- ALL TIME*
- 13.71%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $528.12M | $430.35M | $385.52M | |
| $52.68M | $45.55M | $54.48M |
MSA vs. ITW - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MSA MSA Safety Incorporated | 19.50% | -2.14% | -0.71% | 18.52% | -3.15% | 2.14% | 19.79% | 36.10% | 23.61% | 13.97% |
ITW Illinois Tool Works Inc. | 17.95% | -0.43% | -0.97% | 21.56% | -8.46% | 23.60% | 16.42% | 45.60% | -22.10% | 38.92% |
Correlation
The correlation between MSA and ITW is 0.64, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.64 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.57 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.58 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | 0.57 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 26, 1990 | 0.34 |
Over the past year, MSA and ITW have become more correlated (0.64) than their long-term average of 0.34, meaning their price movements have been converging.
Fundamentals
MSA:
$7.35B
ITW:
$82.56B
MSA:
$10.68
ITW:
$11.03
MSA:
17.81
ITW:
26.01
MSA:
0.07
ITW:
4.31
MSA:
2.87
ITW:
5.04
MSA:
$1.95B
ITW:
$16.47B
MSA:
$925.88M
ITW:
$7.27B
MSA:
$483.61M
ITW:
$4.64B
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Return for Risk
MSA vs. ITW — Risk / Return Rank
MSA
ITW
MSA vs. ITW - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for MSA Safety Incorporated (MSA) and Illinois Tool Works Inc. (ITW). 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 | ITW | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.37 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.49 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.08 | 1.14 | -0.06 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.37 | 0.86 | -0.49 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 0.71 | 1.76 | -1.05 |
Loading charts...
Drawdowns
MSA vs. ITW - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum MSA drawdown since its inception was -70.32%, which is greater than ITW's maximum drawdown of -54.90%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MSA and ITW.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| MSA | ITW | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -70.32% | -54.90% | -15.42% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -22.60% | -17.44% | -5.16% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -34.28% | -20.63% | -13.65% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -34.28% | -28.05% | -6.23% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -38.39% | -37.85% | -0.54% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -5.77% | -3.03% | -2.74% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -17.44% | -9.83% | -7.61% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 11.64% | 8.50% | +3.14% |
Volatility
MSA vs. ITW - Volatility Comparison
MSA Safety Incorporated (MSA) has a higher volatility of 10.41% compared to Illinois Tool Works Inc. (ITW) at 8.35%. This indicates that MSA's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ITW based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| MSA | ITW | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 10.41% | 8.35% | +2.06% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 19.77% | 16.82% | +2.95% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 26.09% | 21.70% | +4.39% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 25.16% | 21.42% | +3.74% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 28.80% | 23.88% | +4.92% |
Dividends
MSA vs. ITW - Dividend Comparison
MSA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.12%, less than ITW's 2.24% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ITW Illinois Tool Works Inc. | 2.24% | 2.53% | 2.29% | 2.07% | 2.30% | 1.91% | 2.17% | 2.30% | 2.81% | 1.71% | 1.96% | 2.23% |
MSA MSA Safety Incorporated | 1.12% | 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. ITW - Financials Comparison
This section allows you to compare key financial metrics between MSA Safety Incorporated and Illinois Tool Works Inc.. 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. ITW - Profitability Comparison
MSA - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Aug 2026, MSA Safety Incorporated reported a gross profit of 249.29M and revenue of 503.33M. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 49.5%.
ITW - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Aug 2026, Illinois Tool Works Inc. reported a gross profit of 1.90B and revenue of 4.30B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 44.1%.
MSA - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Aug 2026, MSA Safety Incorporated reported an operating income of 107.24M and revenue of 503.33M, resulting in an operating margin of 21.3%.
ITW - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Aug 2026, Illinois Tool Works Inc. reported an operating income of 1.15B and revenue of 4.30B, resulting in an operating margin of 26.7%.
MSA - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Aug 2026, MSA Safety Incorporated reported a net income of 86.19M and revenue of 503.33M, resulting in a net margin of 17.1%.
ITW - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Aug 2026, Illinois Tool Works Inc. reported a net income of 815.00M and revenue of 4.30B, resulting in a net margin of 19.0%.
Frequently Asked Questions
MSA and ITW have a correlation of 0.64, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
MSA has higher volatility (10.41%) compared to ITW (8.35%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MSA dropped -70.32% vs ITW's -54.90%.
ITW currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.69 vs 0.32), 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.
Find the right allocation for MSA and ITW
Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Optimizer