MSC Industrial Q4 Profit Falls, Guides Q1 Sales Growth of About 10%

MSC Industrial Direct Co. (MSM) reported lower fourth-quarter profit Thursday and forecast roughly 10% first-quarter sales growth, with shares flat in pre-market NYSE trading at $132.82 after closing Wednesday up 2.54%. Net income attributable to MSC fell to $47.94 million, or $0.85 per share, from $56.55 million, or $1.01 per share, a year earlier. Operating income declined to $72.79 million from $84.30 million. On an adjusted basis, net income rose to $81.5 million, or $1.45 per share, from $60.9 million, or $1.09 per share. Net sales increased to $1.08 billion from $978.18 million. For fiscal 2027's first quarter, MSC forecast average daily sales growth of 9.5% to 10.5% year over year and an adjusted operating margin of 9.5% to 10.1%. CEO Martina McIsaac cited inflationary headwinds and tougher comparisons ahead, but said strategic execution is building momentum as end markets improve, with first-quarter sales trends showing low double-digit growth to date.