MSC Industrial Direct CoFRA:98M -0.48%78 Pretax Margin % is 6.10% as of Feb. 2026, which is 46% below its 10-year median of 11.39. GuruFocus rates FRA:98M with a GF Score™ of 78/100 and a GF Value™ of €80.81 (Modestly Overvalued). The stock has 8 warning signs investors should review. Among 156 Industrial Distribution companies, MSC Industrial Direct Co ranks better than 65.38% on this metric.
The historical rank and industry rank for MSC Industrial Direct Co's Pretax Margin % or its related term are showing as below:
FRA:98M'
s Pretax Margin % Range Over the Past 10 Years
Min: 6.99 Med: 11.39 Max: 12.98
Current: 7.17
FRA:98M's Pretax Margin % is ranked better than 65.38% of 156
companies
in the Industrial Distribution industry
Industry Median: 4.2
vs FRA:98M: 7.17
MSC Industrial Direct Co (FRA:98M) Pretax Margin % Explanation
The pretax margin, as know as pretax profit margin, is widely used to measure the operating efficiency of a company before deducting taxes.
The pretax margin is sometimes preferred over the net margin as tax expenditures can make profitability comparisons between companies misleading.
It is a useful tool to compare companies operating in the same sector and less effective when comparing companies from other sectors as each industry generally has different operating expenses and sales patterns.
The long term trend of the pretax margin is a good indicator of the competitiveness and health of the business.
MSC Industrial Direct Co Pretax Margin % Related Terms
MSC Industrial Direct Co Pretax Margin % Historical Data
* For Operating Data section: All numbers are indicated by the unit behind each term and all currency related amount are in USD. * For other sections: All numbers are in millions except for per share data, ratio, and percentage. All currency related amount are indicated in the company's associated stock exchange currency.
FRA:98M vs POOL, XMTR, SITE: Pretax Margin % Comparison
For the Industrial Distribution subindustry, MSC Industrial Direct Co's Pretax Margin %, along with its competitors' market caps and Pretax Margin % data, can be viewed below:
* Competitive companies are chosen from companies within the same industry, with headquarter located in same country, with closest market capitalization; x-axis shows the market cap, and y-axis shows the term value; the bigger the dot, the larger the market cap. Note that "N/A" values will not show up in the chart.
MSC Industrial Direct Co Pretax Margin % vs Industrial Distribution Industry
For the Industrial Distribution industry and Industrials sector, MSC Industrial Direct Co's Pretax Margin % distribution charts can be found below:
* The bar in red indicates where MSC Industrial Direct Co's Pretax Margin % falls into.
* For Operating Data section: All numbers are indicated by the unit behind each term and all currency related amount are in USD. * For other sections: All numbers are in millions except for per share data, ratio, and percentage. All currency related amount are indicated in the company's associated stock exchange currency.
MSC Industrial Direct Co (FRA:98M) has a Pretax Margin % of 6.10% as of Feb. 2026. Pre-Tax margin is the ratio of total pre-tax income to net sales. View historical data on MSC Industrial Direct Co and its competitors. This is 46% below median its historical median of 11.39. Over the past decade, MSC Industrial Direct Co's Pretax Margin % has ranged from 6.99 to 12.98. According to the industry distribution chart, MSC Industrial Direct Co ranks #54 out of 156 companies in the Industrial Distribution industry, placing it in the top 34.6%.
Is MSC Industrial Direct Co's Pretax Margin % too high?
MSC Industrial Direct Co's current Pretax Margin % of 6.10% is 46% below median its 10-year median of 11.39. Over the past 10 years, this metric has ranged from a low of 6.99 to a high of 12.98. The Industrial Distribution industry median Pretax Margin % is 4.20. MSC Industrial Direct Co's value of 6.10% is 45.2% above this industry median. Based on the distribution chart, MSC Industrial Direct Co ranks #54 out of 156 companies in the Industrial Distribution industry, which is above the industry midpoint. Overall, MSC Industrial Direct Co has a GF Score™ of 78/100 and is considered Modestly Overvalued, reflecting its overall financial health beyond just this single metric.
How does MSC Industrial Direct Co's Pretax Margin % compare to POOL and XMTR?
According to the Industrial Distribution industry distribution chart, MSC Industrial Direct Co ranks #54 out of 156 companies for Pretax Margin %. This puts MSC Industrial Direct Co in the upper half of its industry. The industry median Pretax Margin % is 4.20. MSC Industrial Direct Co's value of 6.10% is 45.2% above this benchmark. Historically, MSC Industrial Direct Co's own Pretax Margin % has ranged from 6.99 to 12.98 over the past decade. While the company's 10-year median is 11.39 vs. the industry median of 4.20, MSC Industrial Direct Co has consistently been above the industry average. See the competitive comparison table and distribution chart on this page for a detailed peer-by-peer breakdown.
What is a good Pretax Margin % for an Industrial Distribution company?
The median Pretax Margin % among Industrial Distribution companies is 4.20, based on 156 companies in the industry. Companies in the top quartile (top 25%) have a Pretax Margin % significantly above this median, while those in the bottom quartile fall well below. However, Pretax Margin % should not be evaluated in isolation — investors should consider it alongside profitability, growth, and financial strength metrics. MSC Industrial Direct Co's current Pretax Margin % of 6.10% is 45.2% above the industry median. Use the industry distribution chart on this page to see where any company falls relative to its peers.
What does a high Pretax Margin % mean?
A high Pretax Margin % can signal that a stock is expensive relative to its fundamentals. Pre-Tax margin is the ratio of total pre-tax income to net sales. View historical data on MSC Industrial Direct Co and its competitors. For the Industrial Distribution industry, the median Pretax Margin % is 4.20 — values significantly above this may indicate overvaluation, while values below may suggest a bargain or underlying issues. MSC Industrial Direct Co's current Pretax Margin % is 6.10%, which is 46% below median its own 10-year median of 11.39. However, context matters — high-growth companies often justify higher valuations. Always evaluate alongside other metrics like GF Score™ and GF Value™.
Is MSC Industrial Direct Co stock overvalued right now?
Based on GuruFocus' analysis, MSC Industrial Direct Co (FRA:98M) is currently considered Modestly Overvalued. The stock's GF Value™ is €80.81, compared to a current price of €103.40 — trading 28% above its estimated fair value. The current Pretax Margin % is 6.10%, which is 46% below median its 10-year median of 11.39 and 45.2% above the Industrial Distribution industry median of 4.20. MSC Industrial Direct Co's overall GF Score™ is 78/100 with 8 warning signs to review. Investors should evaluate multiple metrics — including profitability, growth, and financial strength — before making a decision.
How is Pretax Margin % calculated?
Pretax Margin % is calculated from a company's financial statements. For MSC Industrial Direct Co (FRA:98M), the current Pretax Margin % is 6.10% as of Feb. 2026. GuruFocus calculates this using data sourced from SEC filings and annual reports. See the calculation section and 30-year financial data on this page for the full breakdown.
Is MSC Industrial Direct Co (FRA:98M) Overvalued in 2026?
Based on GuruFocus' analysis, MSC Industrial Direct Co stock appears to be overvalued.
The current stock price of €103.40 is trading 28% above its estimated GF Value™ of €80.81.
GuruFocus considers MSC Industrial Direct Co to be Modestly Overvalued.
Key valuation signals for FRA:98M:
Pretax Margin %: 6.10% (46% below median its 10-year median of 11.39)
GF Value™: €80.81 vs. price of €103.40 (28% above fair value)
Industry Position: 45.2% above the Industrial Distribution median (#54 of 156)
No single metric tells the full story. See the FRA:98M stock analysis page for a complete view including 30-year financials, guru trades, and insider activity.
Founded in 1941, MSC Industrial Direct originally manufactured and sold cutting tools to metalworking shops in New York. Through a series of acquisitions and organic expansions, MSC has grown into an industrial distribution powerhouse with a focus on specialized metalworking products and services. The firm also distributes a wide breadth of maintenance, repair, and operations supplies. MSC primarily operates in North America, where it derives over 95% of its revenue.
78GF Score
Get the complete analysis for FRA:98M
Pretax Margin % is just one metric. See GF Value™, 30-year financials, guru trades, warning signs, and more.
Quick Browse
Personalize
Premium Gurus 
Create New Portfolio
FRA:98M has been successfully added to your 
