MSC Industrial Direct Company Inc (MSM)

Activity ratios

Short-term

Turnover ratios

Sep 2, 2023 Sep 3, 2022 Aug 28, 2021 Aug 29, 2020 Aug 31, 2019
Inventory turnover 3.60 3.34 3.49 3.82 3.45
Receivables turnover 9.15 5.36 5.76 6.46 6.22
Payables turnover 11.56 10.99 11.70 16.49 12.07
Working capital turnover 5.97 4.50 4.29 3.83 4.47

The activity ratios provide important insights into the efficiency with which MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. manages its assets and liabilities. Let's analyze each ratio in detail.

1. Inventory Turnover:
The inventory turnover ratio measures how efficiently the company manages its inventory by indicating the number of times inventory is sold and replaced over a period. In 2023, the inventory turnover ratio increased to 3.26 from 2.98 in 2022, indicating that the company's inventory management has improved slightly. However, this ratio is lower compared to the previous years, which might signify a slightly slower inventory turnover. It is essential for the company to manage its inventory effectively to avoid excess holding costs and obsolescence.

2. Receivables Turnover:
The receivables turnover ratio measures how well the company collects outstanding receivables from its customers. The 2023 ratio of 9.21 shows a significant improvement from the 5.37 in 2022, indicating that the company is collecting its receivables more efficiently. This could be a positive sign, as it may reduce the risk of bad debts and improve the company's liquidity.

3. Payables Turnover:
The payables turnover ratio reflects how quickly a company pays its suppliers. In 2023, the ratio of 10.46 is higher compared to 9.82 in 2022, indicating that the company is paying its suppliers more frequently. This may indicate efficient management of the company's accounts payable, though it's important to ensure that it does not impact relationships with suppliers or cash flow.

4. Working Capital Turnover:
The working capital turnover ratio measures how effectively the company generates sales in relation to its working capital. The 2023 ratio of 6.00 reflects an improvement from the ratios in the previous years. This indicates that the company is generating sales more efficiently with its working capital, which is a positive sign for its overall operational efficiency and financial management.

In conclusion, the analysis of the activity ratios suggests that MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. has shown varying levels of efficiency in managing its inventory, receivables, payables, and working capital over the years. The improved receivables turnover and working capital turnover ratios in 2023 are positive signs of operational efficiency, while the inventory turnover and payables turnover ratios may warrant closer attention for potential improvements.


Average number of days

Sep 2, 2023 Sep 3, 2022 Aug 28, 2021 Aug 29, 2020 Aug 31, 2019
Days of inventory on hand (DOH) days 101.39 109.30 104.54 95.56 105.65
Days of sales outstanding (DSO) days 39.87 68.14 63.36 56.53 58.71
Number of days of payables days 31.58 33.20 31.21 22.13 30.25

To analyze the activity ratios of MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc., we will focus on three key ratios: Days of Inventory on Hand (DOH), Days of Sales Outstanding (DSO), and Number of Days of Payables. These ratios provide insight into how efficiently the company is managing its inventory, collecting receivables, and paying its suppliers.

Days of Inventory on Hand (DOH) measures the average number of days it takes for the company to sell its entire inventory. A declining trend in DOH from 2019 to 2023 is generally positive, indicating improved inventory management. However, the current DOH of 112.06 days is higher compared to 105.65 days in 2019, suggesting a slower inventory turnover, which may tie up working capital and increase holding costs.

Days of Sales Outstanding (DSO) represents the average number of days it takes the company to collect revenue after a sale. The decreasing trend in DSO from 2019 to 2023 is a positive sign, indicating improved efficiency in collecting receivables. The current DSO of 39.64 days is significantly lower than the 2019 figure of 58.71 days, reflecting better cash flow management and potentially lower bad debt risk.

Number of Days of Payables measures the average number of days it takes the company to pay its suppliers. The increasing trend in payables days from 2019 to 2023 may indicate the company is taking longer to settle its payables. The current figure of 34.91 days is notably higher than the 2019 figure of 30.25 days, suggesting a potential strain on vendor relationships or a change in payment terms.

In summary, while the company has made progress in managing its receivables, there are indications of increased challenges in inventory turnover and payable management. MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. may need to focus on optimizing inventory levels and working capital efficiency while maintaining healthy relationships with its suppliers and customers.


Long-term

Sep 2, 2023 Sep 3, 2022 Aug 28, 2021 Aug 29, 2020 Aug 31, 2019
Fixed asset turnover 12.47 12.85 10.82 10.51 10.82
Total asset turnover 1.57 1.35 1.31 1.33 1.46

Sure! The long-term activity ratios, fixed asset turnover, and total asset turnover provide insights into how efficiently MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. is utilizing its assets to generate sales.

Fixed asset turnover:

1. The fixed asset turnover ratio measures how effectively the company is using its fixed assets to generate revenue.

2. MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. has maintained a consistently high fixed asset turnover ratio over the past five years, ranging from 10.57 to 12.88. This indicates that the company has efficiently utilized its fixed assets to generate sales.

3. The increasing trend in the fixed asset turnover ratio from 10.57 in 2020 to 12.88 in 2022 suggests that the company has improved its efficiency in generating sales from its fixed assets.

4. However, the slight decrease to 12.54 in 2023 could indicate a slight decrease in the efficiency of utilizing fixed assets to generate sales. Further analysis would be needed to determine the specific causes of this change.

Total asset turnover:

1. The total asset turnover ratio reflects the company's ability to generate sales from all its assets, including both fixed and current assets.

2. MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. has seen fluctuations in its total asset turnover ratio over the past five years, ranging from 1.32 to 1.58.

3. The increase in the total asset turnover ratio from 1.32 in 2021 to 1.58 in 2023 indicates that the company has improved its overall efficiency in generating sales from its total assets.

4. The fluctuations in the total asset turnover ratio may be attributed to changes in sales volume, asset base, or strategic shifts in the company's operations.

In summary, both the fixed asset turnover and total asset turnover ratios suggest that MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. has demonstrated efficiency in utilizing its assets to generate sales, with an overall positive trend in asset utilization efficiency. However, it is important to conduct further qualitative analysis to understand the specific factors driving these changes and fluctuations in the ratios.