MSC Industrial Direct Company, Inc. (MSM) - What Are Researchers Saying About This Stock?

Key Points

• Analyst sentiment is moderately bullish: Five of nine analysts rate MSC Industrial Direct a buy and four recommend holding the stock, producing a “Moderate Buy” consensus. The average 12-month price target is $127.62, with recent targets ranging up to $152.
• Institutional ownership remains substantial: Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 79.26% of the company, while several investors increased their positions during the third quarter.
• The stock is near its yearly high: Shares opened at $132, compared with a 52-week range of $78.80 to $132.55. MSC Industrial Direct has a $7.37 billion market capitalization and a relatively low debt-to-equity ratio of 0.06.

MSC Industrial Direct Company, Inc. (NYSE:MSM - Get Free Report) has earned an average recommendation of "Moderate Buy" from the nine analysts that are presently covering the firm, Marketbeat.com reports. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and five have given a buy recommendation to the company. The average 1 year price target among brokers that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $127.62.

A number of brokerages recently issued reports on MSM. Jefferies Financial Group set a $130.00 price target on shares of MSC Industrial Direct in a research note on Wednesday, July 1st. Wolfe Research started coverage on shares of MSC Industrial Direct in a report on Tuesday, September 15th. They set a "peer perform" rating for the company. Barclays initiated coverage on shares of MSC Industrial Direct in a research report on Tuesday. They issued an "overweight" rating and a $152.00 price objective on the stock. KeyCorp raised their price objective on shares of MSC Industrial Direct from $132.00 to $145.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Wednesday, July 1st. Finally, Weiss Ratings upgraded shares of MSC Industrial Direct from a "hold (c+)" rating to a "buy (b-)" rating in a report on Monday, September 28th.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On MSC Industrial Direct

Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of MSM. Krilogy Financial LLC raised its stake in MSC Industrial Direct by 58.8% in the third quarter. Krilogy Financial LLC now owns 5,029 shares of the industrial products company's stock valued at $647,000 after buying an additional 1,863 shares in the last quarter. NorthCrest Asset Manangement LLC purchased a new stake in MSC Industrial Direct during the 3rd quarter worth about $783,000. GAMMA Investing LLC boosted its position in shares of MSC Industrial Direct by 12.2% during the 3rd quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 1,721 shares of the industrial products company's stock worth $213,000 after acquiring an additional 187 shares in the last quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of MSC Industrial Direct by 43.6% during the 3rd quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 2,840 shares of the industrial products company's stock worth $351,000 after acquiring an additional 862 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Elevation Wealth Partners LLC boosted its position in shares of MSC Industrial Direct by 125.3% during the 3rd quarter. Elevation Wealth Partners LLC now owns 552 shares of the industrial products company's stock worth $68,000 after acquiring an additional 307 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 79.26% of the company's stock.

MSC Industrial Direct Stock Performance

Shares of MSC Industrial Direct stock opened at $132.00 on Wednesday. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $122.63 and a 200-day simple moving average of $114.68. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.06, a quick ratio of 0.72 and a current ratio of 1.55. MSC Industrial Direct has a one year low of $78.80 and a one year high of $132.55. The company has a market cap of $7.37 billion, a PE ratio of 31.88 and a beta of 0.82.

About MSC Industrial Direct

MSC Industrial Direct Co, Inc is a distributor of metalworking and industrial products serving manufacturers and other organizations across North America. The company provides products used in maintenance, repair and operations, including cutting tools, abrasives, tooling components, fasteners, safety equipment, material handling supplies, and janitorial and facility-maintenance products.

MSC serves customers through an omnichannel platform that includes e-commerce, sales representatives, customer service teams, catalogs, and branch locations.

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