MSA vs. SCL
MSA (MSA Safety Incorporated) and SCL (Stepan Company) are both stocks. MSA operates in Security & Protection Services (Industrials), while SCL operates in Specialty Chemicals (Basic Materials). Over the past 10 years, MSA returned 13.54%/yr vs -0.19%/yr for SCL. At a 0.36 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.
Performance
MSA vs. SCL - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, MSA achieves a -0.18% return, which is significantly lower than SCL's 10.27% return. Over the past 10 years, MSA has outperformed SCL with an annualized return of 13.54%, while SCL has yielded a comparatively lower -0.19% annualized return.
MSA
- 1D
- -1.46%
- 1M
- -6.18%
- YTD
- -0.18%
- 6M
- -0.35%
- 1Y
- -2.56%
- 3Y*
- 2.22%
- 5Y*
- 0.24%
- 10Y*
- 13.54%
SCL
- 1D
- 0.29%
- 1M
- -2.10%
- YTD
- 10.27%
- 6M
- 17.06%
- 1Y
- -3.04%
- 3Y*
- -17.43%
- 5Y*
- -15.44%
- 10Y*
- -0.19%
MSA vs. SCL - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MSA MSA Safety Incorporated | -0.18% | -2.14% | -0.71% | 18.52% | -3.15% | 2.14% | 19.79% | 36.10% | 23.61% | 13.97% |
SCL Stepan Company | 10.27% | -24.60% | -30.29% | -9.74% | -12.91% | 5.24% | 17.75% | 39.96% | -5.21% | -2.06% |
Correlation
The correlation between MSA and SCL is 0.53, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.53 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.48 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.51 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.53 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 18, 1992 | 0.36 |
The correlation between MSA and SCL shifts across timeframes, from 0.36 (all time) to 0.53 (10 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
Fundamentals
MSA:
$9.85
SCL:
-$0.62
MSA:
2.45
SCL:
0.50
MSA:
$1.92B
SCL:
$2.34B
MSA:
$897.30M
SCL:
$259.28M
MSA:
$465.55M
SCL:
$96.49M
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Return for Risk
MSA vs. SCL — Risk / Return Rank
MSA
SCL
MSA vs. SCL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for MSA Safety Incorporated (MSA) and Stepan Company (SCL). 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.
| MSA | SCL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.02 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.12 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.00 | 1.02 | -0.02 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.12 | -0.09 | -0.03 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -0.26 | -0.16 | -0.10 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| MSA | SCL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | -0.11 | -0.08 | -0.02 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.01 | -0.51 | +0.52 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.47 | -0.01 | +0.48 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.34 | 0.25 | +0.09 |
Drawdowns
MSA vs. SCL - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum MSA drawdown since its inception was -70.32%, which is greater than SCL's maximum drawdown of -66.78%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MSA and SCL.
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Drawdown Indicators
| MSA | SCL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -70.32% | -66.78% | -3.54% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -21.29% | -32.78% | +11.49% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -34.28% | -54.78% | +20.50% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -34.28% | -65.22% | +30.94% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -38.39% | -66.78% | +28.39% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -21.29% | -58.63% | +37.34% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -17.44% | -16.99% | -0.45% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 9.79% | 19.37% | -9.58% |
Volatility
MSA vs. SCL - Volatility Comparison
MSA Safety Incorporated (MSA) and Stepan Company (SCL) have volatilities of 6.61% and 6.53%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| MSA | SCL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 6.61% | 6.53% | +0.08% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 17.65% | 30.83% | -13.18% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 23.93% | 36.41% | -12.48% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 24.71% | 30.29% | -5.58% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 28.78% | 31.60% | -2.82% |
Dividends
MSA vs. SCL - Dividend Comparison
MSA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.34%, less than SCL's 3.05% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MSA MSA Safety Incorporated | 1.34% | 1.31% | 1.21% | 1.11% | 1.26% | 1.16% | 1.14% | 1.30% | 1.58% | 1.78% | 1.89% | 2.92% |
SCL Stepan Company | 3.05% | 3.27% | 2.33% | 1.55% | 1.63% | 1.01% | 0.95% | 1.00% | 1.25% | 1.06% | 0.95% | 1.47% |
Financials
MSA vs. SCL - Financials Comparison
This section allows you to compare key financial metrics between MSA Safety Incorporated and Stepan 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. SCL - 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%.
SCL - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Stepan Company reported a gross profit of 64.85M and revenue of 604.51M. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 10.7%.
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%.
SCL - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Stepan Company reported an operating income of -49.62M and revenue of 604.51M, resulting in an operating margin of -8.2%.
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%.
SCL - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Stepan Company reported a net income of -41.41M and revenue of 604.51M, resulting in a net margin of -6.9%.
Frequently Asked Questions
MSA and SCL have a correlation of 0.53, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
MSA has higher volatility (6.61%) compared to SCL (6.53%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MSA dropped -70.32% vs SCL's -66.78%.
SCL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (-0.08 vs -0.11), 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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