NYSE$MSM
MSC Industrial Direct Co. Inc. · Q4 2020 earnings
Q4 2020 earnings · · Investor relations
Briefing
MSC's Q4 2020 earnings report showed a decrease in net sales and diluted EPS compared to the prior year quarter, reflecting a weak industrial demand environment impacted by COVID-19, while strategic initiatives like cost containment and structural cost actions were implemented.
MSC Industrial Supply Co. reported a decrease in net sales of 11.3% year-over-year, with net sales of $747.7 million. Diluted EPS was $0.94 compared to $1.20 in the prior year quarter. Despite the weak industrial demand environment, the company saw sequential improvement in sales of non-safety and non-janitorial products, and sales of safety and janitorial products continued to grow.
- Net sales decreased by 11.3% year-over-year to $747.7 million.
- Operating income was $72.9 million, or $84.1 million excluding restructuring costs.
- Diluted EPS was $0.94, compared to $1.20 in the prior year quarter.
- Average daily sales were $11.7 million due to weak industrial demand.
Headline financials
Revenue & EPS history
MSC · Revenue · Quarterly
$748M
Forward guidance
MSC is focused on reaccelerating market share capture and improving profitability through a program named Mission Critical, targeting above-market growth and ROIC in the high-teens by 2023.
Tailwinds
- Repositioning MSC as a mission-critical partner.
- Focus on reaccelerating market share capture.
- Program named Mission Critical to improve profitability.
- Targeting above-market growth of at least 400 basis points.
- Aiming for ROIC in the high-teens by 2023.
Headwinds
- Weak industrial demand environment.
- COVID-19 uncertainty impacting manufacturing end markets.
- Gross margin decline due to PPE mix headwinds.
- Operating margin down 90 basis points versus the prior year.
- Adjusted operating margin down 30 basis points versus the prior year.
Historical earnings impact
How earnings announcements have historically affected this stock's price.
Avg. return before/after earnings
Based on 18 quarterly earnings reports · overlaid with Q4 2020
-0.9%
Avg return
Earnings day
-0.8%
Avg return
5 days after
+2.5%
Avg return
30 days after
43%
29 / 67 earnings
Positive
+8.1%
Q1 2017
Best reaction
-17.1%
Q3 2017
Worst reaction
| Quarter | Report date | Reaction (Day 0) | +5 days | +30 days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q3 2026 | — | — | — | |
| Q2 2026 | +0.8% | +6.7% | — | |
| Q1 2026 | -4.4% | -1.6% | +12.5% | |
| Q4 2025 | +3.0% | -3.1% | +1.2% | |
| Q3 2025 | -1.9% | -3.0% | -2.9% | |
| Q2 2025 | -5.2% | -11.5% | -2.1% | |
| Q1 2025 | +0.1% | +3.4% | +0.5% | |
| Q4 2024 | -2.7% | +2.0% | +5.7% | |
| Q3 2024 | +0.4% | -1.1% | +7.8% | |
| Q2 2024 | -3.6% | -4.9% | -6.3% | |
| Q1 2024 | -1.9% | +0.4% | +2.9% | |
| Q4 2023 | -1.9% | -1.7% | +3.8% | |
| Q3 2023 | -0.7% | -0.2% | +4.1% | |
| Q2 2023 | +0.2% | +0.1% | +6.2% | |
| Q1 2023 | -3.9% | -1.9% | +9.0% | |
| Q4 2022 | +1.9% | +3.5% | +9.9% | |
| Q3 2022 | +2.1% | +1.5% | +12.4% | |
| Q2 2022 | +3.1% | +2.0% | +0.3% | |
| Q1 2022 | -0.0% | +0.6% | -1.6% | |
| Q4 2021 | -4.1% | -4.1% | -2.4% | |
| Q3 2021 | -1.0% | -0.4% | -5.4% | |
| Q2 2021 | -1.8% | -2.5% | +2.2% | |
| Q1 2021 | +2.7% | +0.5% | +4.0% | |
| Q4 2020 | +1.3% | +5.1% | +28.8% | |
| Q3 2020 | -12.9% | -12.0% | -6.4% | |
| Q2 2020 | +3.7% | -1.7% | +4.3% | |
| Q1 2020 | -1.2% | +0.9% | -7.5% | |
| Q4 2019 | +1.3% | -0.2% | -0.3% | |
| Q3 2019 | -1.6% | -0.2% | -5.9% | |
| Q2 2019 | -3.1% | -2.0% | -8.1% | |
| Q1 2019 | +0.9% | +1.9% | +5.1% | |
| Q4 2018 | +5.9% | +9.6% | +14.3% | |
| Q3 2018 | -4.2% | -3.7% | +0.3% | |
| Q2 2018 | -3.9% | -3.1% | +0.2% | |
| Q1 2018 | -2.6% | -3.0% | -8.7% | |
| Q4 2017 | +1.6% | +3.1% | +13.3% | |
| Q3 2017 | -17.1% | -14.6% | -19.9% | |
| Q2 2017 | -7.0% | -8.5% | -12.7% | |
| Q1 2017 | +8.1% | +7.2% | +13.3% | |
| Q4 2016 | -1.2% | +1.0% | +23.4% | |
| Q3 2016 | +4.3% | +2.6% | +2.9% | |
| Q2 2016 | -0.5% | — | — | |
| Q1 2016 | +6.7% | — | — | |
| Q4 2015 | +3.3% | — | — | |
| Q3 2015 | +4.1% | — | — | |
| Q2 2015 | -1.3% | — | — | |
| Q1 2015 | -5.1% | — | — | |
| Q4 2014 | -5.4% | — | — | |
| Q3 2014 | -5.3% | — | — | |
| Q2 2014 | +2.0% | — | — | |
| Q1 2014 | +4.0% | — | — | |
| Q4 2013 | -8.4% | — | — | |
| Q3 2013 | -0.2% | — | — | |
| Q2 2013 | -5.3% | — | — | |
| Q1 2013 | -1.3% | — | — | |
| Q4 2012 | +4.1% | — | — | |
| Q3 2012 | +5.0% | — | — | |
| Q2 2012 | -3.2% | — | — | |
| Q1 2012 | -0.2% | — | — | |
| Q2 2011 | +4.2% | — | — | |
| Q4 2009 | +4.2% | — | — | |
| Q4 2011 | +4.2% | — | — | |
| Q3 2010 | +1.8% | — | — | |
| Q3 2011 | +1.8% | — | — | |
| Q2 2010 | -4.2% | — | — | |
| Q1 2010 | -7.0% | — | — | |
| Q1 2011 | -7.0% | — | — | |
| Q4 2010 | -7.0% | — | — |
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