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MSA Safety Incorporated (MSA)
NYSE:MSA

MSA Safety (MSA) AI Stock Analysis

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MSA Safety

(NYSE:MSA)

73Outperform
MSA Safety showcases robust financial performance with strong revenue growth and profitability, supported by a debt-free balance sheet. Despite technical weakness and valuation concerns, the company's strategic focus and resilience in demand contribute positively. Challenges in sales growth and margin contraction outlined in the earnings call are notable, but are offset by strong financial positioning and strategic initiatives.
Positive Factors
Market Expansion
MSA appears uniquely positioned to expand into adjacent markets, suggesting an edge in the wider pursuit of a ubiquitous connected worker platform.
Recurring Revenue
Recurring revenue through software and parts & services represents approximately 15% of MSA’s revenue and is increasing.
Technology Innovation
Advancements in connected worker technology have reached a tipping point within portable gas detection, as the benefits of enhanced safety and productivity now justify a return on investment.
Negative Factors
Leadership Change
MSA Safety announced the resignation of CFO Lee McChesney, who has accepted a position at a larger, undisclosed public company.
Market Challenges
Fire Safety (-9% Y/Y) and Industrial PPE (-4% Y/Y) were softer but faced tough comps/EMEA macro.
Sales Performance
3Q sales timing/lumpiness caused a -4% shortfall, but expense discipline insulated margins better than forecast, delivering EPS in line.

MSA Safety (MSA) vs. S&P 500 (SPY)

MSA Safety Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionMSA Safety Incorporated (MSA) is a global leader in the development, manufacture, and supply of safety products that protect people and facility infrastructures. Founded in 1914 and headquartered in Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania, MSA operates in sectors such as industrial safety, construction, mining, and firefighting. The company's core products include advanced safety equipment and solutions like self-contained breathing apparatus, fixed gas and flame detection systems, portable gas detection instruments, industrial head protection products, and fall protection devices.
How the Company Makes MoneyMSA Safety generates revenue through the sale of its wide range of safety products and solutions primarily to industrial and commercial customers. The company's key revenue streams include direct sales to end-users, distribution through third-party distributors, and comprehensive service offerings including maintenance and training. MSA's earnings are bolstered by its strong global presence and strategic partnerships, which enable the company to effectively reach diverse markets and customer bases. Additionally, investments in research and development help MSA to continuously innovate and maintain its competitive edge, further driving sales and revenue growth.

MSA Safety Financial Statement Overview

Summary
MSA Safety exhibits strong financial health with consistent revenue growth, high profitability, and a robust balance sheet with no debt. The company's efficient cost management and impressive cash flow generation support its solid financial position.
Income Statement
85
Very Positive
MSA Safety has demonstrated a strong performance with consistent revenue growth. The Gross Profit Margin for TTM (Trailing-Twelve-Months) is approximately 47.6%, indicating effective cost management. The Net Profit Margin has significantly improved to 15.8% TTM, showcasing enhanced profitability. EBIT and EBITDA margins are also robust at 21.9% and 25.0% respectively, reflecting operational efficiency and strong earnings before and after depreciation.
Balance Sheet
90
Very Positive
The balance sheet is strong with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.0 TTM, indicating zero debt and a healthy equity base. The Return on Equity (ROE) has significantly increased to 24.9% TTM, reflecting high profitability relative to equity. Additionally, the Equity Ratio is sound at 51.8%, suggesting a stable financial structure with substantial shareholder equity backing the total assets.
Cash Flow
80
Positive
MSA Safety's cash flow generation is solid with a Free Cash Flow growth of 168% TTM. The Operating Cash Flow to Net Income Ratio is 0.66, indicating efficient cash conversion from earnings. The Free Cash Flow to Net Income Ratio stands at 0.47, demonstrating a strong ability to generate cash from operations after capital expenditures.
Breakdown
Dec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income StatementTotal Revenue
1.81B1.79B1.53B1.40B1.35B
Gross Profit
860.45M852.14M673.83M615.35M590.45M
EBIT
389.18M231.32M239.14M51.01M166.85M
EBITDA
476.23M314.19M316.51M84.68M217.25M
Net Income Common Stockholders
284.97M58.58M179.63M21.34M124.08M
Balance SheetCash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments
164.56M146.44M162.90M140.90M160.67M
Total Assets
2.21B2.17B2.38B2.40B1.87B
Total Debt
72.38M646.19M572.83M597.65M351.80M
Net Debt
-92.19M499.75M409.93M456.76M191.12M
Total Liabilities
1.06B1.20B1.45B1.56B1.06B
Stockholders Equity
1.14B966.80M923.74M834.39M809.89M
Cash FlowFree Cash Flow
242.21M50.09M113.51M150.02M157.65M
Operating Cash Flow
296.43M92.86M157.46M199.15M206.56M
Investing Cash Flow
-53.76M-39.95M-4.48M-415.47M-72.77M
Financing Cash Flow
-208.69M-52.25M-113.35M203.93M-126.53M

MSA Safety Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Negative
Last Price141.87
Price Trends
50DMA
155.33
Negative
100DMA
161.92
Negative
200DMA
169.65
Negative
Market Momentum
MACD
-2.93
Positive
RSI
32.41
Neutral
STOCH
12.16
Positive
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For MSA, the sentiment is Negative. The current price of 141.87 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 146.98, below the 50-day MA of 155.33, and below the 200-day MA of 169.65, indicating a bearish trend. The MACD of -2.93 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 32.41 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 12.16 is Positive, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Negative sentiment for MSA.

MSA Safety Risk Analysis

MSA Safety disclosed 27 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. MSA Safety reported the most risks in the “Legal & Regulatory” category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

MSA Safety Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (62)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
ADADT
78
Outperform
$6.74B15.3014.41%2.92%-13.19%10.03%
BRBRC
74
Outperform
$3.25B16.9617.92%1.48%6.20%5.12%
MSMSA
73
Outperform
$5.64B19.9227.01%1.53%1.15%388.76%
BCBCO
71
Outperform
$3.81B24.2455.57%1.17%2.82%95.64%
70
Outperform
$2.40B22.943.83%8.31%-49.90%
68
Neutral
$737.49M15.5329.13%1.76%5.14%12.03%
62
Neutral
$7.67B13.253.04%3.47%3.63%-13.99%
* Industrials Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
MSA
MSA Safety
141.87
-49.24
-25.77%
BRC
Brady
67.07
8.62
14.75%
BCO
Brink's Company
83.06
-4.31
-4.93%
NSSC
Napco Security Technologies
21.01
-17.58
-45.56%
ADT
Adt
7.96
1.69
26.95%
REZI
Resideo Technologies
15.58
-6.03
-27.90%

MSA Safety Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date: Feb 12, 2025 | % Change Since: -12.63% | Next Earnings Date: May 5, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Neutral
The earnings call presented a mix of positive achievements, such as strong order growth and successful new contracts, alongside challenges like lower than expected sales and margin contraction. Despite these challenges, the company demonstrated resilience in demand and maintained a strong financial position.
Highlights
Resilient Demand and Order Growth
Order pace remained solid in the fourth quarter, up 14% year over year, and second-half orders are up 10% versus the same prior year period. This indicates strong demand across top product categories.
Successful New Contracts and Competitive Wins
MSA announced the award of a ten-year $33 million breathing apparatus contract with the US Coast Guard, delivered on the second tranche of the US Air Force order, and received the largest ever order for MSA Plus connected portables from a large energy customer.
Adjusted Earnings Growth
Adjusted earnings grew by 10% year over year, driven by strong operating leverage, resilient gross margins, and effective SG&A management.
Strong Financial Position
MSA strengthened its financial position with an adjusted EBITDA of $469 million, net leverage of 0.7 times, and significant liquidity.
Lowlights
Lower Than Expected Sales Growth
Sales growth was lower than expectations, impacted by industrial market weakness, softer US fire service demand, and foreign exchange headwinds.
Gross Margin Contraction
Gross margin in the fourth quarter contracted by 120 basis points over the prior year, due to inflation and large project mix, despite price and productivity programs.
Detection and Industrial PPE Sales Decline
Detection sales were down low single digits year over year, and industrial PPE sales were down mid-single digits for the year, with a double-digit contraction in other PPE sales.
Company Guidance
During MSA Safety's earnings call, the company outlined its financial performance for the fourth quarter and full year 2024, while providing guidance for 2025. The company reported a 1% increase in sales to $500 million for the quarter, with organic growth at 2%. Margins showed improvement with an adjusted operating margin of 24.0%, up 70 basis points year-over-year, driven by effective SG&A management. Adjusted diluted earnings per share rose 9% to $2.25. For the full year, MSA Safety achieved net sales growth of 1% on a reported basis and 2% organically, alongside a 10% increase in adjusted earnings per share. The company's focus on innovation, particularly in fire service and detection, and its Accelerate strategy are expected to drive low single-digit organic sales growth in 2025, despite anticipated headwinds from foreign exchange and challenging comparisons due to previous large orders. The company remains optimistic about its financial targets for 2028, supported by its strong financial position and strategic initiatives.

MSA Safety Corporate Events

Executive/Board Changes
MSA Safety Announces CFO Resignation and Interim Appointment
Neutral
Mar 13, 2025

On March 13, 2025, MSA Safety Incorporated announced the resignation of its Chief Financial Officer, Lee B. McChesney, effective March 21, 2025, as he leaves to pursue a similar role at another public company. Elyse L. Brody, the Executive Director of Financial Planning and Analysis and Strategy, has been appointed as interim CFO while the company conducts a comprehensive search for a permanent replacement. The transition is not due to any disagreements with the company, and adjustments have been made to Brody’s compensation in her interim role.

Glossary
OutperformA stock rated as "Outperform" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests that the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to the average returns of other stocks in the same sector or market index. Investors might consider this stock a good buying opportunity.
NeutralA stock rated as "Neutral" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly attractive nor unattractive for investment. Investors may consider holding onto the stock, as it is not expected to either significantly outperform or underperform the market.
UnderperformA stock rated as "Underperform" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests that the stock may deliver lower returns compared to the average returns of other stocks in the same sector or market index. Investors might consider selling the stock or avoiding it as an investment.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.