MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. (MSM) Fair Value 2026

MSM · Industrial Distribution ·

By CirclFi Research Team · Data from SEC EDGAR, FRED & GDELT

Quality Score

7.9 /10

32 fundamental signals · 11 models active

Value Trap Risk

SAFE (21/100)

Quick Summary — As of 2026-08-27, MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. (MSM) trades at $122.01, versus a $72.27 median fair value across its 11 active models — 40.8% below the current price. QOC: 7.9/10. Value Trap Risk: 21/100 (SAFE). 11/13 models active. Within that set, the Bayesian DCF component alone returns $47.19.

Key Facts

Ticker
MSM
Price
$122.01
Quality Score
7.9/10
Value Trap Risk
21/100
Models Active
11/13
Last Updated
Strength: First Chicago suggests +46.7% upside with 63% confidence
Risk: Majority of models suggest overvaluation

Is MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. (MSM) Undervalued or Overvalued in 2026?

According to CirclFi’s 11-model valuation engine, MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. (MSM) appears overvalued as of : the median of 11 independent fair value estimates is $72.27, 40.8% below the current price of $122.01. Estimates range from $32.58 to $179.02. MSM scores 7.9/10 on fundamental quality and 21/100 on value-trap risk.

For context, the median US equity CirclFi rates trades at an implied -23.7% versus its own 13-model consensus, across 3,801 rated companies as of 2026-08-27. MSM’s -40.8% gap is wider than that market norm, and the Industrial Distribution sector median is -33.0%. Full market index →

This verdict compares price to intrinsic value only — it is not a buy or sell rating. For the decision case (bull vs bear arguments, risk factors, peers), read Should You Buy MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. Stock in 2026? →

What Fair Value Does Each Model Give MSM?

11 Intrinsic Value Models vs. Current Price ($122.01)

Core Models (Unlocked)
Model Fair Value Upside
Intrinsic · High Conviction
 $47.19 -61.3%
Intrinsic · High Conviction
 $53.61 -56.1%
Ensemble · Low Conviction
 $72.27 -40.8%
Scenario · High Conviction
 $179.02 +46.7%
Unlock the Full Matrix

Access 7 additional models including EROIC Spread, Markov DDM, and more.

$1.30 / day

Billed monthly ($39/mo) or annually ($299/yr)

Unlock All 11 Models →

Cancel anytime · No contracts · Instant access

What Is MSM's Fair Value Range?

Spread across 11 independent models · $32.58 to $179.02

CirclFi's 11 active models place MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. (MSM) between $32.58 and $179.02 per share, a spread of 203% of the median. The median of that range — $72.27 — is the fair value CirclFi publishes for MSM, against a current price of $122.01.

Low · EROICHigh · First Chicago
$32.58median $72.27$179.02
Where the range comes from
Most bearish modelEROIC Spread$32.58
Most bullish modelFirst Chicago$179.02
Model agreement2 bullish · 8 bearishwide

A band this wide is itself the finding. When independent methods land far apart, they are reading a business whose value depends heavily on which lens you apply — volatile earnings, heavy reinvestment, or an asset base that cash-flow and asset-based methods score differently. That disagreement is information: it says the choice of method matters more than usual for MSM. Treat the median as one reading among several and compare the individual models below before acting.

Every figure above is one model's standalone output on MSM, not a CirclFi price target. How each model works →

What Is MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. (MSM) Worth in 2026?

According to the CirclFi Deep Alpha Valuation Engine, the balance of valuation evidence tilts cautious on MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. at its current price of $122.01. The median intrinsic value is estimated at $72.27 (-40.8% vs price), with 8 models flagging overvaluation risk. The most optimistic model, First Chicago, places fair value at $179.02 (+46.7%), while EROIC — the most conservative — estimates $32.58 (-73.3%). This +120.0% gap reflects genuine analytical uncertainty about MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc.'s intrinsic worth. Among models with highest confidence, Bayesian DCF, EPV lean bearish — adding weight to the bearish side of the thesis.

What Do the Models Say About MSM?

11 of 13 models are currently active for MSM. Of these, 3 models suggest upside while 8 models suggest overvaluation. Taken together, their median fair value for MSM is $72.27 — the figure CirclFi publishes as this stock's fair value. One component of that median, the Bayesian DCF, returns $47.19 on its own, implying -61.3% downside from the current price. See which stocks rank higher →

How Does MSM Rank in Industrial Distribution?

Among 23 Industrial Distribution stocks, MSM ranks #12 by Quality of Company score. CirclFi's QOC score of 7.9/10 evaluates 32 fundamental signals. A score of 7.9 indicates above-average quality.

Within the Industrial Distribution space, MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. competes in an environment where order backlog depth often separates market leaders from laggards. Understanding these industry-specific dynamics is essential context for interpreting our model outputs.

Is MSM a Value Trap?

CirclFi's Value Trap algorithm assigns MSM a score of 21/100 (SAFE). This indicates minimal risk. Fundamentals are healthy. The score cross-references apparent undervaluation against fundamental deterioration signals. Browse lowest value-trap stocks →

Multi-Model Methodology

11 of 13 models are active for MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc.. Broad coverage provides high confidence. Each model applies a fundamentally different valuation philosophy. See the complete methodology →

According to the CirclFi 32-factor quality framework, MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc.'s fundamental quality profile registers 7.9/10. This robust score captures the company's profitability depth, growth consistency, balance sheet resilience, and shareholder return track record.

The gap between the most bullish and bearish model spans +120.0% — demonstrating why single-model analysis is dangerous. Browse all stocks with 13-model coverage →

Data Sources & Confidence

Every MSM valuation is built from SEC EDGAR XBRL filings — 700+ standardized financial tags. Macroeconomic context from FRED calibrates discount rates, while GDELT news sentiment feeds into our Sentiment SOTP model. All pipelines run daily. Read the complete data methodology →

Across MSM's 11 active models, average confidence is 55%. Moderate confidence indicates reasonable fit.

CirclFi's output is a research starting point, not a buy/sell signal. All data updates daily. Read the full methodology →

This analysis is produced by the CirclFi Valuation Engine using quantitative models applied to SEC EDGAR filings, public market feeds, and FRED macroeconomic indicators. It is not financial advice.

Read the full investment analysis: Should You Buy MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. Stock in 2026? →

Bull case, bear case, risk factors & peer comparison — updated daily

Which Similar Industrial Distribution Stocks Should You Also Analyze?

11 related Industrial Distribution stocks with 13-model coverage

SITESiteOne Landscape Supply, Inc.QOC 8.0REZIResideo Technologies, Inc.QOC 7.7POOLPool CorporationQOC 8.1TLIHTen-League International Holdings LimitedQOC 7.5FERGFerguson Enterprises Inc.QOC 8.2EVIEVI Industries, Inc.QOC 7.5TITNTitan Machinery Inc.QOC 7.3TXRPTX Rail Products, IncQOC 3.5GICGlobal Industrial CompanyQOC 8.4GWWW.W. Grainger, Inc.QOC 9.3AITApplied Industrial Technologies, Inc.QOC 9.1

Read investment analysis: SITE · REZI · POOL · TLIH · FERG · EVI · TITN · TXRP · GIC · GWW · AIT

Which Other Stocks Have a Similar Quality Score to MSM?

7 companies across all industries closest to MSM’s Quality of Company score of 7.9/10.

JILLJ.Jill, Inc.QOC 7.9SFDSmithfield Foods, Inc.QOC 7.9PRVAPrivia Health Group, Inc.QOC 7.9RLGTRadiant Logistics, Inc.QOC 7.9THFFFirst Financial CorporationQOC 7.9WHWyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc.QOC 7.9NVDANVIDIA CorporationQOC 10.0

Read investment analysis: JILL · SFD · PRVA · RLGT · THFF · WH · NVDA

What Else Do Investors Ask About MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc.’s Valuation?

What is MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc.'s intrinsic value in 2026?

CirclFi puts MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. (MSM)'s intrinsic value at $72.27 — the median of 11 independent model estimates as of 2026-08-27, ranging from $32.58 to $179.02. One component of that median, the Bayesian DCF, runs 10,000 Monte Carlo simulations with jump-diffusion and returns $47.19 on its own. The Quality of Company score is 7.9/10 across 32 fundamental signals. All models use SEC EDGAR filings updated daily. See our methodology page for how each model works.

Is MSM overvalued or undervalued right now?

At $122.01, 3 of 11 active models suggest MSM may be undervalued, while 8 indicate potential overvaluation. The median of all 11 fair value estimates is $72.27, 40.8% below the current price of $122.01 — a consensus view that MSM is overvalued. The assessment depends on which methodology best fits MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc.'s business model in Industrial Distribution.

What does a Quality of Company score of 7.9 mean for MSM?

MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc.'s QOC of 7.9/10 reflects 32 fundamental signals: profitability margins, revenue growth consistency, balance sheet leverage, free cash flow generation, and capital allocation efficiency. Scores above 7 indicate strong fundamentals and disciplined management.

How many valuation models does CirclFi run on MSM?

CirclFi analyzes MSM with 13 institutional-grade models daily: Bayesian DCF (Monte Carlo + jump-diffusion), EPV (Greenwald zero-growth), EROIC Spread (McKinsey reinvestment), First Chicago (3-scenario), Markov DDM (regime-switching), ML-RIV (machine learning residual income), Dynamic NAV (asset-based), PWERM (option-theoretic), Regime Cross-Sectional (relative), Sentiment SOTP (hybrid), CUCE Ensemble (meta-model), FTNN Topology (neural network), and RCMH-DCF (conditional regime). Currently 11 of 13 are active for this stock. Read the full methodology →

Which valuation models are most bullish and most bearish on MSM?

Of the 11 models currently active on MSM, First Chicago is the most bullish at $179.02 per share, and EROIC Spread is the most bearish at $32.58. CirclFi's published fair value for MSM is the median of that range, $72.27, not either extreme. The gap between the two ends equals 203% of the median — a wide spread, meaning the methods genuinely disagree and the median should carry less weight. Browse stocks by value-trap risk →

Is MSM a value trap in 2026?

MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc.'s Value Trap score is 21/100 (SAFE). This low score indicates the current valuation is not artificially depressed by fundamental deterioration, suggesting genuine opportunity rather than a trap.

Cite this analysis — “According to CirclFi’s 11-model valuation engine, MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. (MSM) has a median fair value of $72.27 — 40.8% below the current price of $122.01 — as of 2026-08-27.” Source: circlfi.com/stock/MSM/ · Methodology
Primary sources for this MSM valuation
  • Financial statements: MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. 10-K and 10-Q filings on SEC EDGAR (CIK 0001003078) — 700+ standardized XBRL tags, published by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
  • Discount-rate inputs: FRED, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis — risk-free rates, VIX, yield curve, inflation.
  • News sentiment: The GDELT Project — global media tone, input to the Sentiment SOTP model.
  • Model definitions: CirclFi methodology — the published specification for all 13 models, including the academic sources each one implements.

Market data for MSM as of ; valuations recomputed .

You’ve done the research. Don’t stop at half the picture.

Stop collecting opinions. Let 11 mathematical frameworks give you clarity on MSM.

Unlock All 11 Fair Values — $39/mo

Cancel anytime · Less than a cup of coffee · Instant access

7 models hidden for MSM Unlock All 11 — $39/mo