olivLaw · US equity research
MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. MSM
Wholesale-Industrial Machinery & Equipment · SIC 5084 · Vertical: Wholesale — durable goods (SIC 508x)
MSC Industrial is a North American distributor of metalworking, maintenance, repair and operations (MRO) and production fastener products, serving customers with inventory management and technical support. In fiscal 2026 net sales rose 6.4%, and in the fourth quarter average daily sales grew 8.6%, a sign that industrial demand has firmed.
At the close of 04 Nov 2026, MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. (MSM) stock was 116.06 USD (−3.52% on the day), with market capitalisation 6.5 bn USD, P/E 29.2 on diluted EPS of 3.98 USD over the last 12 months, dividend yield 2.09%, beta 0.84, 52-week range 81.08–132.82 USD. Latest reported quarter (Q4 2026): revenue of 1.1 bn USD (+10.3% YoY), net income of 47.9 m USD (−15.2% YoY), diluted EPS 0.85 USD.
Data as of · AI analysis dated · Source: SEC filings and closing prices, computed by olivLaw.
Price history
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Technical reading
- RSI (14)
- 39.4
- weak (30–45)
- Bollinger (20, 2)
- 111.60 – 137.34
- in the lower half of the band · %B 0.17 · band width 20.7%
- SMA 50 / 200
- 123.16 / 109.90
- mixed trend
- MACD (12, 26, 9)
- -1.82 / -0.93
- MACD below signal
Indicators describe past prices; on their own they do not predict direction. On our history the RSI ≤ 40 filter added no return (see the signals methodology).
Performance
| Company | S&P 500 | vs S&P 500 | Vertical median | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 month | −10.8% | −1.1% | −9.7 pp | — |
| 3 months | −7.6% | −0.5% | −7.1 pp | — |
| 6 months | +10.5% | +4.4% | +6.1 pp | — |
| Year to date | +38.0% | +12.3% | +25.7 pp | — |
| 1 year | +34.3% | +13.5% | +20.8 pp | +26.2% |
| 3 years | +18.7% | +76.4% | −57.7 pp | +35.6% |
| 5 years | +36.6% | +63.7% | −27.1 pp | — |
Price returns, dividends excluded.
Quarterly results
Latest quarter: Q4 2026 · 29 Aug 2026
Quarterly margins
Quarterly statements · USD
| Fiscal year | Q1 '25 | Q2 '25 | Q3 '25 | Q4 '25 | Q1 '26 | Q2 '26 | Q3 '26 | Q4 '26 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 928.5 m | 891.7 m | 971.1 m | 978.2 m | 965.7 m | 917.8 m | 1.0 bn | 1.1 bn |
| Cost of revenue | 550.3 m | 526.5 m | 573.4 m | 583.2 m | 573.0 m | 540.2 m | 616.7 m | 640.6 m |
| Gross profit | 378.2 m | 365.2 m | 397.7 m | 395.0 m | 392.7 m | 377.6 m | 430.4 m | 438.6 m |
| Operating income | 72.3 m | 62.2 m | 82.7 m | 84.3 m | 76.2 m | 64.8 m | 106.7 m | 72.8 m |
| Depreciation & amortisation | 21.7 m | 23.0 m ≈ | 22.8 m ≈ | 23.1 m | 25.1 m | 25.3 m ≈ | 25.4 m ≈ | 25.6 m |
| Interest expense | 6.1 m | 6.2 m | 6.0 m | 5.7 m | 5.4 m | 5.6 m | 5.4 m | 5.3 m |
| Pre-tax income | 60.6 m | 51.7 m | 75.1 m | 76.1 m | 67.5 m | 56.0 m | 104.2 m | 64.3 m |
| Income tax | 14.9 m | 12.6 m | 18.3 m | 20.0 m | 16.4 m | 13.9 m | 25.5 m | 16.3 m |
| Net income | 46.6 m | 39.3 m | 56.8 m | 56.5 m | 51.8 m | 42.5 m | 80.4 m | 47.9 m |
| Diluted EPS | 0.83 | 0.70 | 1.02 | 1.01 ≈ | 0.93 | 0.76 | 1.44 | 0.85 ≈ |
| Operating cash flow | 101.9 m | 54.5 m ≈ | 97.1 m ≈ | 80.3 m | 29.4 m | 94.4 m ≈ | 101.7 m ≈ | 81.0 m |
| Capex | 20.2 m | 29.8 m ≈ | 21.2 m ≈ | 21.7 m | 22.0 m | 21.3 m ≈ | 20.8 m ≈ | 17.2 m |
| Dividends paid | 47.5 m | 47.4 m ≈ | 47.3 m ≈ | 47.4 m | 48.6 m | 48.5 m ≈ | 48.6 m ≈ | 48.6 m |
| Share repurchases | 18.1 m | 12.5 m ≈ | 8.6 m ≈ | 179.0 k | 13.0 m | 764.0 k ≈ | 171.0 k ≈ | 73.0 k |
≈ derived quarter (cumulative difference / share-days average)
E/P over time
E/P = trailing-12-month diluted EPS / price at quarter end. E/P is the inverse of P/E and stays defined when earnings are negative.
Today's P/E sits at the 97 percentile of its own 36-quarter history (min 12.8, median 17.5, max 29.9; quarters with earnings only).
Fiscal years
| Fiscal year | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 3.4 bn | 3.2 bn | 3.2 bn | 3.7 bn | 4.0 bn | 3.8 bn | 3.8 bn | 4.0 bn |
| Revenue YoY | +5.0% | −5.1% | +1.6% | +13.8% | +8.6% | −4.7% | −1.3% | +6.4% |
| Net income | 288.9 m | 251.1 m | 216.9 m | 339.8 m | 343.2 m | 258.6 m | 199.3 m | 222.6 m |
| Net income YoY | −12.3% | −13.1% | −13.6% | +56.7% | +1.0% | −24.7% | −22.9% | +11.7% |
| Diluted EPS | 5.20 | 4.51 | 3.87 | 6.06 | 6.11 | 4.58 | 3.57 | 3.98 |
| Diluted EPS YoY | −10.3% | −13.3% | −14.2% | +56.6% | +0.8% | −25.0% | −22.1% | +11.5% |
| net % | 8.6% | 7.9% | 6.7% | 9.2% | 8.6% | 6.8% | 5.3% | 5.6% |
| Free cash flow | 276.7 m | 349.7 m | 170.7 m | 184.8 m | 607.1 m | 311.3 m | 240.9 m | 225.2 m |
Reported results vs expectations
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Balance sheet & financial health
Fiscal year 2026 · 29 Aug 2026
- Cash
- 65.0 m USD
- Financial debt
- 476.5 m USD
- Net debt
- 411.4 m USD
- Equity
- 1.4 bn USD
- Total assets
- 2.5 bn USD
- Debt / equity
- 0.33x
- Current ratio
- 1.78x
- ROE
- 15.8%
- ROA
- 9.0%
- FCF margin
- 5.6%
Financial statements (source on every figure)
Revenue and net income (USD)
Margins
Income statement · USD
| Line | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | Source (latest year) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 3.2 bn | 3.7 bn | 4.0 bn | 3.8 bn | 3.8 bn | 4.0 bn | SEC (XBRL)· 22 Oct 2026verified |
| Cost of revenue | 1.9 bn | 2.1 bn | 2.4 bn | 2.2 bn | 2.2 bn | 2.4 bn | SEC (XBRL)· 22 Oct 2026verified |
| Gross profit | 1.3 bn | 1.6 bn | 1.6 bn | 1.6 bn | 1.5 bn | 1.6 bn | SEC (XBRL)· 22 Oct 2026verified |
| Operating income | 301.8 m | 468.7 m | 483.7 m | 390.4 m | 301.6 m | 320.6 m | SEC (XBRL)· 22 Oct 2026verified |
| Depreciation & amortisation | 68.8 m | 70.4 m | 75.1 m | 80.9 m | 90.6 m | 101.4 m | SEC (XBRL)· 22 Oct 2026verified |
| EBITDA | 370.6 m ≈ | 539.1 m ≈ | 558.9 m ≈ | 471.3 m ≈ | 392.2 m ≈ | 422.0 m ≈ | SEC (XBRL)· 22 Oct 2026derived |
| Interest expense | 14.5 m | 17.6 m | 22.5 m | 25.8 m | 24.1 m | 21.7 m | SEC (XBRL)· 22 Oct 2026verified |
| Pre-tax income | 288.4 m | 451.1 m | 456.2 m | 342.7 m | 263.6 m | 292.0 m | SEC (XBRL)· 22 Oct 2026verified |
| Income tax | 70.4 m | 110.7 m | 113.0 m | 86.8 m | 65.7 m | 72.1 m | SEC (XBRL)· 22 Oct 2026verified |
| Net income | 216.9 m | 339.8 m | 343.2 m | 258.6 m | 199.3 m | 222.6 m | SEC (XBRL)· 22 Oct 2026verified |
| Diluted EPS | 3.87 | 6.06 | 6.11 | 4.58 | 3.57 | 3.98 | SEC (XBRL)· 22 Oct 2026verified |
| Weighted average diluted shares | 56.1 m | 56.0 m | 56.2 m | 56.4 m | 55.9 m | 56.0 m | SEC (XBRL)· 22 Oct 2026verified |
≈ computed by olivLaw from the reported lines of the same year: Operating income + Depreciation & amortisation.
Balance sheet · USD
| Line | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | Source (latest year) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cash | 40.5 m | 43.5 m | 50.1 m | 29.6 m | 56.2 m | 65.0 m | SEC (XBRL)· 22 Oct 2026verified |
| Receivables | 560.4 m | 687.6 m | 435.4 m | 412.1 m | 423.3 m | 451.6 m | SEC (XBRL)· 22 Oct 2026verified |
| Inventories | 624.2 m | 715.6 m | 726.5 m | 643.9 m | 644.1 m | 688.7 m | SEC (XBRL)· 22 Oct 2026verified |
| Current assets | 1.3 bn | 1.5 bn | 1.3 bn | 1.2 bn | 1.2 bn | 1.3 bn | SEC (XBRL)· 22 Oct 2026verified |
| Property, plant & equipment, net | 298.4 m | 286.7 m | 319.7 m | 360.3 m | 346.7 m | 339.0 m | SEC (XBRL)· 22 Oct 2026verified |
| Goodwill | 692.7 m | 710.1 m | 718.2 m | 723.9 m | 723.7 m | 724.0 m | SEC (XBRL)· 22 Oct 2026verified |
| Intangibles (excl. goodwill) | 101.9 m | 114.3 m | 110.6 m | 101.1 m | 85.5 m | 69.9 m | SEC (XBRL)· 22 Oct 2026verified |
| Total assets | 2.5 bn | 2.7 bn | 2.5 bn | 2.5 bn | 2.5 bn | 2.5 bn | SEC (XBRL)· 22 Oct 2026verified |
| Accounts payable | 186.3 m | 217.4 m | 226.3 m | 205.9 m | 225.2 m | 238.0 m | SEC (XBRL)· 22 Oct 2026verified |
| Short-term debt | 201.2 m | 324.7 m | 229.7 m | 229.7 m | 316.7 m | 317.0 m | SEC (XBRL)· 22 Oct 2026verified |
| Long-term debt | 582.4 m | 468.7 m | 224.2 m | 278.4 m | 168.6 m | 159.4 m | SEC (XBRL)· 22 Oct 2026verified |
| Current liabilities | 561.9 m | 725.9 m | 649.4 m | 605.4 m | 729.3 m | 740.3 m | SEC (XBRL)· 22 Oct 2026verified |
| Total liabilities | 1.3 bn | 1.4 bn | 1.1 bn | 1.1 bn | 1.1 bn | 1.1 bn | SEC (XBRL)· 22 Oct 2026verified |
| Equity | 1.2 bn | 1.4 bn | 1.5 bn | 1.4 bn | 1.4 bn | 1.4 bn | SEC (XBRL)· 22 Oct 2026verified |
Cash flow · USD
| Line | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | Source (latest year) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Operating cash flow | 224.5 m | 246.2 m | 699.6 m | 410.7 m | 333.7 m | 306.5 m | SEC (XBRL)· 22 Oct 2026verified |
| Capex | 53.7 m | 61.4 m | 92.5 m | 99.4 m | 92.8 m | 81.3 m | SEC (XBRL)· 22 Oct 2026verified |
| Free cash flow | 170.7 m ≈ | 184.8 m ≈ | 607.1 m ≈ | 311.3 m ≈ | 240.9 m ≈ | 225.2 m ≈ | SEC (XBRL)· 22 Oct 2026derived |
| Investing cash flow | -75.7 m | -94.5 m | -112.7 m | -123.4 m | -63.3 m | -80.5 m | SEC (XBRL)· 22 Oct 2026verified |
| Financing cash flow | -233.7 m | -148.1 m | -580.4 m | -307.4 m | -243.6 m | -217.1 m | SEC (XBRL)· 22 Oct 2026verified |
| Dividends paid | 167.3 m | 167.4 m | 176.7 m | 187.3 m | 189.7 m | 194.3 m | SEC (XBRL)· 22 Oct 2026verified |
| Share repurchases | 71.3 m | 27.4 m | 95.8 m | 187.7 m | 39.3 m | 14.0 m | SEC (XBRL)· 22 Oct 2026verified |
≈ computed by olivLaw from the reported lines of the same year: Operating cash flow − Capex.
Computed indicators
Growth
Profitability
Returns
Balance sheet
Liquidity
Cash
Efficiency
Market and valuation
1 indicators that do not apply to the sector.
Valuation
olivLaw classification
Score: 49 / 100
A scoring methodology on indicators and valuation, not investment advice.
(margin_of_safety <= -0.25 & agreement in ['high', 'medium'])
Closing price
04 Nov 2026Source: olivLaw, closing series
Market cap: 6.5 bn USD
Key indicators
Coverage and freshness
Score by group
- Balance sheet90
- Growth0
- Quality80
- Returns47
- Valuation23
Estimated value range
The combined range = the median of the valid methods' low, central and high values; it is not a probability interval and does not cover every result. Envelope of all methods: 29.17 – 116.06 USD.
Valuation assumptions are editorial choices, not measured; beta is not measured.
Method ranges (USD per share)
— — Mid · ▏ Price
Valuation methods
- DCF (discounted cash flow)45.99 – 75.24 (Mid 57.25)WACC 9.0% · starting FCFF 241.5 m USD · terminal value share of EV 73%The WACC × g sensitivity gives the method's bounds; these are not probabilities.Reverse DCF: starting growth implied by the price (fading linearly to terminal growth, everything else fixed): 30.5%
- Peers: EV/EBITDA86.17 – 116.06 (Mid 110.58)4 companies used · median multiple 15.6x · quartiles 12.4x – 16.3xALTG, ASLE, DSGR, WLFC
- Peers: P/E80.48 – 109.49 (Mid 95.17)6 companies used · median multiple 23.9x · quartiles 20.2x – 27.5xAIT, DXPE, GIC, HDSN, TLIH, WLFC
- Dividend discount (DDM)29.17 – 39.23 (Mid 33.46)
Classification (SIC) comparables group by industry code, not by economic activity; the direct group is an editorial selection by activity. Members' multiples are on their own trailing twelve months, at their own latest close.
Assumptions (illustrative, editorial)
- Risk-free rate
- 4.3%
- Equity risk premium
- 5.0%
- Beta (default)
- 1.00
- Cost of equity
- 9.3%
- Terminal growth
- 2.5%
Factor scorecard
Unattractive profile · Score 49/100
| Factor | Value | Score | Weight used |
|---|---|---|---|
| ROIC · Quality | 13.2% | 83 (vs peers) | 10% |
| Net margin · Quality | 5.6% | 56 (vs peers) | 6% |
| FCF conversion · Quality | 101.2% | 100 (on a fixed band) | 6% |
| Revenue CAGR 3Y · Growth | 0.0% | 0 (on a fixed band) | 8% |
| EPS CAGR 3Y · Growth | -13.3% | 0 (on a fixed band) | 8% |
| Net debt / EBITDA · Balance sheet | 1.0x | 86 (on a fixed band) | 10% |
| Interest coverage · Balance sheet | 14.8x | 100 (on a fixed band) | 6% |
| Current ratio · Balance sheet | 1.8x | 82 (on a fixed band) | 4% |
| P/E (TTM) · Valuation | 29.2x | 29 (vs peers) | 10% |
| EV/EBITDA · Valuation | 16.3x | 0 (on a fixed band) | 10% |
| FCF yield · Valuation | 3.5% | 43 (on a fixed band) | 8% |
| Shareholder yield (distributions) · Returns | 3.2% | 46 (on a fixed band) | 6% |
| Payout ratio (FCF) · Returns | 86.3% | 48 (on a fixed band) | 4% |
Score groups
- Balance sheet90/100 · 3/3 factors with a value
- Growth0/100 · 2/2 factors with a value
- Quality80/100 · 3/3 factors with a value
- Returns47/100 · 2/2 factors with a value
- Valuation23/100 · 3/3 factors with a value
Memo
MSC INDUSTRIAL DIRECT CO., INC. (MSM). Latest full fiscal year: 2026; data up to 2026-08-29.
Figures computed from the financial statements: revenue 4.0 bn USD in 2026; YoY growth 6.4%; net margin 5.6%; ROE 15.8%; net debt/EBITDA 1.0x.
The estimated value range is 63.24–92.37 USD per share (median of 4 methods, agreement: medium); assumptions are illustrative. Against the central value of 76.21 USD, the price of 116.06 USD leaves a potential of -34.3% (value / price − 1) and a margin of safety of -52.3% (1 − price / value). The range is the median of the methods' low, central and high values, not a probability interval.
olivLaw score 49/100, methodological classification: unattractive profile (score, margin of safety and method agreement together; not a judgement of the right price). Not investment advice.
Text generated deterministically from the figures shown; no language model. Not investment advice.
What supports the thesis
- ROIC: 13.2%
- FCF conversion: 101.2%
- Net debt / EBITDA: 1.0x
- Interest coverage: 14.8x
- Current ratio: 1.8x
What contradicts it
- Revenue CAGR 3Y: 0.0%
- EPS CAGR 3Y: -13.3%
- P/E (TTM): 29.2x
- EV/EBITDA: 16.3x
- The price is above the estimated value range
Versus the vertical median
Wholesale — durable goods (SIC 508x) · same industry group (3-digit SIC) · compared with 9 companies
Multiples and returns vs the median
Price rebased to 100 (monthly, 5 years)
Companies in the vertical
| Market cap | P/E | ROE | Net margin | Revenue YoY | 1A / 3A | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AITApplied Industrial Technologies, Inc. | 10.9 bn | 26.4 | 22.5% | 8.4% | +8.8% | +15% / +86% |
| MSMMsc Industrial Direct Co., Inc. | 6.5 bn | 29.2 | 15.8% | 5.6% | +6.4% | +34% / +19% |
| DXPEDXP Enterprises, Inc. | 2.5 bn | 27.9 | 18.5% | 4.4% | +11.9% | +69% / +441% |
| GICGlobal Industrial Co | 1.8 bn | 19.8 | 27.6% | 6.3% | +4.8% | +66% / +34% |
| DSGRDistribution Solutions Group, Inc. | 1.6 bn | 180.0 | 1.4% | 0.4% | +9.8% | +26% / +38% |
| WLFCWillis Lease Finance Corp | 1.0 bn | 12.7 | 11.5% | 9.6% | +28.3% | +16% / +213% |
| ASLEAerSale Corporation | 237.2 m | — | -0.9% | -1.2% | −2.8% | −23% / −64% |
| ALTGAlta Equipment Group Inc. | 225.1 m | — | -2,085.7% | -4.4% | −2.2% | +41% / −28% |
| HDSNHudson Technologies Inc | 185.6 m | 21.4 | 3.6% | 3.5% | +4.0% | −35% / −64% |
| TLIHTen-League International Holdings Limited | 167.1 m | 37.9 | 49.6% | 7.3% | +38.4% | +59% / unavailable |
1- and 3-year price returns: for MSM from daily closes (the same as the performance table), for the other companies from month-end closes.
olivLaw engine forecast
The world engine ran after the company's latest material disclosure. Probabilities are of TOUCHING a level within the horizon (not closing there) and sit next to the random walk (p_rw), the no-information benchmark.
The engine has no published run for this company yet.
Valuation scenarios (editable assumptions)
Illustrative scenarios
Illustrative: not forecasts and without probabilities. Each case is one coherent set of assumptions, computed on today's figures.
Estimated price (USD)
| Estimated price | Bear | Base | Bull |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 years | 65.58 Total return -43% · Per year -43% | 116.21 Total return 0% · Per year 0% | 175.40 Total return 51% · Per year 51% |
| 3 years | 58.03 Total return -50% · Per year -21% | 116.21 Total return 0% · Per year 0% | 193.39 Total return 67% · Per year 19% |
| 5 years | 51.34 Total return -56% · Per year -15% | 116.22 Total return 0% · Per year 0% | 213.23 Total return 84% · Per year 13% |
- Exit P/E± 29.05
- Net margin± 20.34
- Annual revenue growth± 17.45
- Annual dilution± 1.71
AI analysis
AI-generatedAI-generated analysis (Claude) from cited public sources; it may contain errors. Not investment advice. As of 27 Oct 2026 · Model: claude-haiku-5-5.
In brief
MSC Industrial is a North American distributor of metalworking, maintenance, repair and operations (MRO) and production fastener products, serving customers with inventory management and technical support. In fiscal 2026 net sales rose 6.4% 1, and in the fourth quarter average daily sales grew 8.6% 2, a sign that industrial demand has firmed.
SWOT
Strengths
Weaknesses
- Dependence on manufacturing demand, which is cyclical and sensitive to economic conditions 1.
- Margins under pressure from lower pricing for national account customers and vending sales 1.
- Restructuring costs and asset impairment linked to the digital core implementation and sales force reorganization 1.
Opportunities
Threats
- Uncertain tariffs and trade policies could weigh on industrial activity and raise purchasing costs 1.
- Aggressive online competition and industry consolidation could pressure prices and margins 1.
- Rising energy, fuel and labor costs could affect profitability if they cannot be passed on to customers 1.
Risks
- Dependence on the economic cyclehigh
Demand from manufacturing customers is shaped by overall economic conditions and industrial activity levels 1.
- Pressure on gross marginsmedium
Shifts in customer and product mix, combined with rising supplier costs, could reduce margins 1.
- Competition and industry consolidationmedium
Rivals with lower-cost models or greater resources could reduce the company's market share 1.
- Customer credit riskmedium
The company generally does not require collateral from customers, which exposes it to non-payment during downturns 1.
- Supply chain interruptionslow
Transport disruptions, labor shortages or severe weather could affect deliveries and customer relationships 1.
Investment thesis
What would need to be true (bull case)
- Growth from core customers was the strongest in more than three years, which points to commercial momentum building 2.
- Adjusted operating margin exceeded the high end of the outlook, suggesting that cost measures are delivering results 2.
- The model of digital sales and inventory solutions could support long-term customer retention 1.
What to watch
- Delivery of first-quarter ADS growth guidance (9.5% to 10.5%)Q1 2027
- Adjusted operating margin in the first quarter (9.5% to 10.1%)Q1 2027
- Evolution of tariffs and refunds for IEEPA tariffs2027
- Pace of growth in core and national account customersnext 10-K
Products, market & competition
AI-generatedAI-generated analysis (Claude) from cited public sources; it may contain errors. Not investment advice. As of 27 Oct 2026 · Model: claude-haiku-5-5.
The business
MSC is a North American distributor of metalworking, MRO and production fastener products, with more than 80 years of experience 1. It offers approximately 2.5 million active SKUs 1, sourced directly from more than 3,000 suppliers 1, and aims to be a mission-critical partner for customers from individual machine shops to Fortune 1000 companies and government agencies. Its model combines a network of distribution centers with technical services and inventory solutions such as vending and in-plant programs. Most products are third-party manufactured, and MSC exclusive brands represented about 15% of net sales 1.
Digital channels are central to the model: sales through E-commerce platforms represented 63.7% of consolidated net sales in fiscal 2026 1. The company had 31,078 vending machines in service as of August 29, 2026 1, a segment that supports customer relationships through on-site presence and automatic replenishment.
The operating footprint includes five customer fulfillment centers, eight regional inventory centers, 37 warehouses and five manufacturing locations 1. The company guarantees same-day shipping of its core metalworking and MRO products and offers next-day delivery nationwide in the United States for qualifying orders placed by 8 p.m. Eastern Time 1.
Segments
Market context
Trends
- Recovery in industrial demandtailwind
Industrial production rose in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026, and the heavy manufacturing sector and aerospace showed signs of expansion 1. If this trend continues, volumes from manufacturing customers could support sales growth.
- Tariffs and trade uncertaintyheadwind
Tariffs pressured pricing and industrial activity, and after the Supreme Court ruling on IEEPA tariffs, new tariffs were introduced under other authorities 1. Uncertainty about their scope and duration could affect costs and margins.
- Artificial intelligence and digitalizationmixed
The company uses AI for recommendations, order error processing and product classification 1. These tools could improve productivity and customer experience, but they may also lower barriers for new entrants with lower costs 1.
- Energy and freight costsheadwind
Higher fuel costs linked to the conflict in Iran could raise freight expense and cost pressure on products offered 1. Persistent inflation may limit the ability to pass these costs on to customers.
Competitive position
Competition includes traditional distributors, online distributors, large warehouse stores and manufacturers' direct sales forces 1. Some competitors offer a wider product range, greater financial resources or additional services 1. Online competition with price transparency and fast delivery is a constant pressure on prices 1.
The company says it differentiates through technical expertise, inventory management solutions and customer experience, criteria it considers effective in competing with other distributors 1. Companies from outside the industry that can enter the market quickly are an additional risk 1.
- National and regional industrial distributors
Distributors with direct sales forces that compete on product range and services, named generically in the source 1.
- Large warehouse stores
Large stores with broad assortments of industrial and maintenance products, cited as a source of competition 1.
- Online and direct mail distributors
Online platforms with transparent pricing and fast delivery that put pressure on prices 1.
- Manufacturers with direct sales forces
Manufacturers of MRO products that sell directly, sometimes reaching customers without intermediaries 1.
Links, dependencies and risks
Who the company is tied to, from its own SEC filings (customers, suppliers, production, partners, competitors, countries, regulation), from the 5 %+ holders' statements (13D/13G) and from what other companies say about it. Click a node for its evidence; on a listed company the graph moves to it.
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News & filings
In the press
No news in our archive over the last 180 days.
SEC filings
- Annual report22 Oct 2026
- Current report22 Oct 2026Results of operations · Financial statements and exhibits
- Current report14 Oct 2026Regulation FD disclosure · Financial statements and exhibits
- Current report08 Sept 2026Departure or appointment of officers · Regulation FD disclosure · Financial statements and exhibits
- Current report19 Aug 2026Departure or appointment of officers
- Current report (amendment)17 Jul 2026Departure or appointment of officers · Financial statements and exhibits
- Quarterly report01 Jul 2026
- Current report01 Jul 2026Results of operations · Financial statements and exhibits
- Current report16 Jun 2026Regulation FD disclosure · Financial statements and exhibits
- Current report15 Apr 2026Departure or appointment of officers
Sources
- [1] Form 10-K, fiscal year ended 2026-08-29 · SEC / MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. · 22 Oct 2026
- [2] Form 8-K, results release (exhibit 99.1) · SEC / MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. · 22 Oct 2026
Figures computed by olivLaw from SEC filings and closing prices; the qualitative analysis is AI-generated from cited sources. Not investment advice.