MSA vs. MMM
MSA (MSA Safety Incorporated) and MMM (3M Company) are both stocks. Both are in the Industrials sector — MSA in Security & Protection Services, MMM in Conglomerates. Over the past 10 years, MSA returned 13.24%/yr vs 4.58%/yr for MMM. At a 0.31 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.
Performance
MSA vs. MMM - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, MSA achieves a 0.42% return, which is significantly higher than MMM's -0.15% return. Over the past 10 years, MSA has outperformed MMM with an annualized return of 13.24%, while MMM has yielded a comparatively lower 4.58% 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%
MMM
- 1D
- 0.26%
- 1M
- 8.84%
- YTD
- -0.15%
- 6M
- -5.36%
- 1Y
- 13.32%
- 3Y*
- 26.46%
- 5Y*
- 2.22%
- 10Y*
- 4.58%
MSA vs. MMM - 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% |
MMM 3M Company | -0.15% | 26.36% | 46.13% | -3.33% | -29.63% | 4.85% | 2.77% | -4.29% | -16.90% | 34.90% |
Correlation
The correlation between MSA and MMM is 0.45, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.45 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.37 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.42 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.45 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 26, 1990 | 0.31 |
The correlation between MSA and MMM shifts across timeframes, from 0.31 (all time) to 0.45 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
Fundamentals
MSA:
$9.85
MMM:
$5.17
MSA:
16.23
MMM:
30.65
MSA:
2.46
MMM:
3.41
MSA:
$1.92B
MMM:
$25.02B
MSA:
$897.30M
MMM:
$9.89B
MSA:
$465.55M
MMM:
$5.28B
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Return for Risk
MSA vs. MMM — Risk / Return Rank
MSA
MMM
MSA vs. MMM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for MSA Safety Incorporated (MSA) and 3M Company (MMM). 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 | MMM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.52 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.74 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.01 | 1.10 | -0.09 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.08 | 0.61 | -0.69 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -0.18 | 1.35 | -1.53 |
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Drawdowns
MSA vs. MMM - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum MSA drawdown since its inception was -70.32%, which is greater than MMM's maximum drawdown of -59.10%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MSA and MMM.
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Drawdown Indicators
| MSA | MMM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -70.32% | -59.10% | -11.22% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -22.60% | -18.77% | -3.83% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -34.28% | -22.87% | -11.41% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -34.28% | -53.34% | +19.06% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -38.39% | -59.10% | +20.71% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -20.82% | -8.45% | -12.37% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -17.44% | -16.10% | -1.34% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 10.15% | 8.48% | +1.67% |
Volatility
MSA vs. MMM - Volatility Comparison
MSA Safety Incorporated (MSA) has a higher volatility of 7.25% compared to 3M Company (MMM) at 6.23%. This indicates that MSA's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than MMM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| MSA | MMM | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 7.25% | 6.23% | +1.02% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 17.89% | 19.26% | -1.37% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 24.14% | 25.96% | -1.82% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 24.75% | 28.30% | -3.55% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 28.78% | 26.53% | +2.25% |
Dividends
MSA vs. MMM - Dividend Comparison
MSA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.33%, less than MMM's 1.91% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MMM 3M Company | 1.91% | 1.82% | 16.27% | 5.49% | 4.97% | 3.33% | 3.36% | 3.26% | 2.86% | 2.00% | 2.49% | 2.72% |
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. MMM - Financials Comparison
This section allows you to compare key financial metrics between MSA Safety Incorporated and 3M Company. 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. MMM - 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%.
MMM - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, 3M Company reported a gross profit of 2.46B and revenue of 6.03B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 40.7%.
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%.
MMM - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, 3M Company reported an operating income of 1.40B and revenue of 6.03B, resulting in an operating margin of 23.2%.
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%.
MMM - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, 3M Company reported a net income of 653.00M and revenue of 6.03B, resulting in a net margin of 10.8%.
Frequently Asked Questions
MSA and MMM have a correlation of 0.45, 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 MMM (6.23%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MSA dropped -70.32% vs MMM's -59.10%.
MMM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.44 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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