Tearsheet

Applied Industrial Technologies (AIT)


Market Price (12/4/2025): $260.83 | Market Cap: $9.8 Bil
Sector: Industrials | Industry: Trading Companies & Distributors

Applied Industrial Technologies (AIT)


Market Price (12/4/2025): $260.83
Market Cap: $9.8 Bil
Sector: Industrials
Industry: Trading Companies & Distributors

Investment Highlights Why It Matters Which of these 2 stories sounds closer for this stock?

1. Generates cash flow

The stock generated 4% or more of the share price (called cash flow yield), and shows moderate 10-15% or more growth.

2. Riding a trend

Think Tesla during the pandemic of 2020 when EVs were riding a cultural high, or Nvidia in the current AI boom, or even Figma. These companies don’t have enough yield, or, enough growth, or both - however - they are riding a trend. They have momentum. These can be more volatile - they don’t have the floor of strong cash flow


0 Attractive cash flow generation
CFO/Rev LTMCash Flow from Operations / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is 10%
 
1 Low stock price volatility
Vol 12M is 33%
 
2 Megatrend and thematic drivers
Megatrends include Automation & Robotics, Water Infrastructure, and Sustainable Infrastructure. Themes include Factory Automation, Show more.
 
0 Attractive cash flow generation
CFO/Rev LTMCash Flow from Operations / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is 10%
1 Low stock price volatility
Vol 12M is 33%
2 Megatrend and thematic drivers
Megatrends include Automation & Robotics, Water Infrastructure, and Sustainable Infrastructure. Themes include Factory Automation, Show more.

Valuation, Metrics & Events

AIT Stock


Why The Stock Moved


Qualitative Assessment

AI Generated Analysis | Feedback

**1. Lingering Concerns from Fiscal 2026 Guidance (from Q4 2025 Report)**

Although Applied Industrial Technologies reported its fiscal 2025 fourth quarter and full-year results on August 14, 2025, before the start of the specified period, the shares experienced a pre-market decline of approximately 4.2% due to investor concerns regarding the fiscal 2026 guidance. The guidance, which projected total sales growth of 4% to 7% and earnings per share (EPS) of $10.00 to $10.75, may have been perceived as cautious or not strong enough by some investors, contributing to a subdued sentiment that extended into the period from August 31, 2025.

**2. Premium Valuation and Slower Projected Growth**

During October and November 2025, Applied Industrial Technologies' stock was noted to be trading at a higher price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio compared to its industry peers and its own estimated fair value. Analysts also highlighted concerns about the company's projected annual earnings growth of 5.67% and revenue growth of 4.9%, which were below broader industry benchmarks for U.S. industrial distributors. This premium valuation combined with a slower growth outlook could have led to investor caution and exerted slight downward pressure on the stock during the period.

**3. Significant Insider Selling Activity**

Insider sentiment for Applied Industrial Technologies was notably negative, primarily driven by substantial open-market selling by key executives. Over the past year, high-impact open-market transactions from insiders amounted to approximately $30.4 million in sales, with total insider sales reaching $48.5 million. This considerable volume of insider selling, exceeding the $5 million threshold, may have been interpreted by the market as a lack of confidence from company leadership, contributing to negative investor sentiment during the period.

**4. Mixed Reaction to Q1 Fiscal 2026 Earnings Despite Beat**

On October 28, 2025, Applied Industrial Technologies announced its first-quarter fiscal 2026 results, reporting earnings and revenue that surpassed analyst expectations, and modestly increasing its fiscal 2026 EPS guidance. While the stock initially saw a positive reaction, with pre-market trading showing gains of 1.9% to 3.04%, the overall -0.8% movement for the broader period suggests that this positive momentum was either short-lived or insufficient to entirely offset other existing pressures. The "modest" nature of the guidance increase may not have fully satisfied market expectations or alleviated underlying concerns.

**5. Ongoing Macroeconomic Uncertainty**

The industrial sector continued to face macroeconomic uncertainties, including potential impacts from shifts in trade policy and interest rate volatility. This cautious economic backdrop, acknowledged by the company's CEO in earlier discussions, likely limited the stock's potential for significant upside and contributed to a slight negative drift. This broader market sentiment for industrial companies could have outweighed positive company-specific news to a degree, resulting in the slight decline.

Show more

Stock Movement Drivers

Return vs. Risk


Price Returns Compared

 202020212022202320242025Total [1]
Returns
AIT Return19%34%24%38%40%8%313%
Peers Return30%23%-15%53%66%9%274%
S&P 500 Return16%27%-19%24%23%16%112%

Monthly Win Rates [3]
AIT Win Rate50%58%58%58%75%40% 
Peers Win Rate45%45%32%52%60%60% 
S&P 500 Win Rate58%75%42%67%75%70% 

Max Drawdowns [4]
AIT Max Drawdown-52%-10%-12%-7%-5%-14% 
Peers Max Drawdown-37%-5%-27%-8%-6%-27% 
S&P 500 Max Drawdown-31%-1%-25%-1%-2%-15% 


[1] Cumulative total returns since the beginning of 2020
[2] Peers: URI, MHH, FERG, FAST, FTAI. See AIT Returns vs. Peers.
[3] Win Rate = % of calendar months in which monthly returns were positive
[4] Max drawdown represents maximum peak-to-trough decline within a year
[5] 2025 data is for the year up to 12/3/2025 (YTD)

How Low Can It Go

Unique KeyEventAITS&P 500
2022 Inflation Shock2022 Inflation Shock  
2022 Inflation Shock% Loss% Loss-21.3%-25.4%
2022 Inflation Shock% Gain to Breakeven% Gain to Breakeven27.0%34.1%
2022 Inflation ShockTime to BreakevenTime to Breakeven53 days464 days
2020 Covid Pandemic2020 Covid Pandemic  
2020 Covid Pandemic% Loss% Loss-54.5%-33.9%
2020 Covid Pandemic% Gain to Breakeven% Gain to Breakeven119.8%51.3%
2020 Covid PandemicTime to BreakevenTime to Breakeven237 days148 days
2018 Correction2018 Correction  
2018 Correction% Loss% Loss-36.6%-19.8%
2018 Correction% Gain to Breakeven% Gain to Breakeven57.6%24.7%
2018 CorrectionTime to BreakevenTime to Breakeven701 days120 days
2008 Global Financial Crisis2008 Global Financial Crisis  
2008 Global Financial Crisis% Loss% Loss-58.4%-56.8%
2008 Global Financial Crisis% Gain to Breakeven% Gain to Breakeven140.3%131.3%
2008 Global Financial CrisisTime to BreakevenTime to Breakeven889 days1480 days

Compare to URI, MHH, FERG, FAST, FTAI


In The Past

Applied Industrial Technologies's stock fell -21.3% during the 2022 Inflation Shock from a high on 5/14/2021. A -21.3% loss requires a 27.0% gain to breakeven.

Preserve Wealth

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Asset Allocation

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About Applied Industrial Technologies (AIT)

Better Bets than Applied Industrial Technologies (AIT)

Trade Ideas

Select past ideas related to AIT. For more, see Trefis Trade Ideas.

Unique KeyDateTickerCompanyCategoryTrade Strategy6M Fwd Rtn12M Fwd Rtn12M Max DD
CNM_11212025_Dip_Buyer_FCFYield11212025CNMCore & MainDip BuyDB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High Margin
Buying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin
7.3%7.3%-1.6%
VRRM_11212025_Dip_Buyer_FCFYield11212025VRRMVerra MobilityDip BuyDB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High Margin
Buying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin
2.3%2.3%-1.2%
LII_11212025_Dip_Buyer_ValueBuy11212025LIILennox InternationalDip BuyDB | P/E OPMDip Buy with Low PE and High Margin
Buying dips for companies with tame PE and meaningfully high operating margin
4.8%4.8%0.0%
ADP_11212025_Monopoly_xInd_xCD_Getting_Cheaper11212025ADPAutomatic Data ProcessingMonopolyMY | Getting CheaperMonopoly-Like with P/S Decline
Large cap with monopoly-like margins or cash flow generation and getting cheaper based on P/S multiple
1.6%1.6%-1.2%
CW_11212025_Quality_Momentum_RoomToRun_10%11212025CWCurtiss-WrightQualityQ | Momentum | UpsideQuality Stocks with Momentum and Upside
Buying quality stocks with strong momentum but still having room to run
2.2%2.2%0.0%
Unique KeyDateTickerCompanyCategoryTrade Strategy6M Fwd Rtn12M Fwd Rtn12M Max DD
CNM_11212025_Dip_Buyer_FCFYield11212025CNMCore & MainDip BuyDB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High Margin
Buying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin
7.3%7.3%-1.6%
VRRM_11212025_Dip_Buyer_FCFYield11212025VRRMVerra MobilityDip BuyDB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High Margin
Buying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin
2.3%2.3%-1.2%
LII_11212025_Dip_Buyer_ValueBuy11212025LIILennox InternationalDip BuyDB | P/E OPMDip Buy with Low PE and High Margin
Buying dips for companies with tame PE and meaningfully high operating margin
4.8%4.8%0.0%
ADP_11212025_Monopoly_xInd_xCD_Getting_Cheaper11212025ADPAutomatic Data ProcessingMonopolyMY | Getting CheaperMonopoly-Like with P/S Decline
Large cap with monopoly-like margins or cash flow generation and getting cheaper based on P/S multiple
1.6%1.6%-1.2%
CW_11212025_Quality_Momentum_RoomToRun_10%11212025CWCurtiss-WrightQualityQ | Momentum | UpsideQuality Stocks with Momentum and Upside
Buying quality stocks with strong momentum but still having room to run
2.2%2.2%0.0%

Recent Active Movers

Recent Active Movers

More From Trefis

Peer Comparisons for Applied Industrial Technologies

Peers to compare with:

Financials

AITURIMHHFERGFASTFTAIMedian
NameApplied .United R.Mastech .Ferguson.Fastenal FTAI Avi. 
Mkt Price260.88813.667.80252.8441.22170.99211.92
Mkt Cap9.952.20.149.847.317.532.4
Rev LTM4,66415,98620030,7627,9982,3446,331
Op Inc LTM5144,00912,6831,6167291,173
FCF LTM45545071,603965-1,212453
FCF 3Y Avg407446111,7951,069-979426
CFO LTM4844,98281,9081,210-173847
CFO 3Y Avg4344,812112,1681,279-63856

Growth & Margins

AITURIMHHFERGFASTFTAIMedian
NameApplied .United R.Mastech .Ferguson.Fastenal FTAI Avi. 
Rev Chg LTM4.0%6.7%5.2%3.8%6.9%51.4%5.9%
Rev Chg 3Y Avg5.5%13.2%-5.5%2.5%5.5%66.9%5.5%
Rev Chg Q9.2%5.9%-0.9%6.9%11.7%43.2%8.0%
QoQ Delta Rev Chg LTM2.2%1.5%-0.2%1.8%2.9%9.4%2.0%
Op Mgn LTM11.0%25.1%0.3%8.7%20.2%31.1%15.6%
Op Mgn 3Y Avg11.0%26.5%0.9%9.0%20.4%24.7%15.7%
QoQ Delta Op Mgn LTM0.1%-0.4%-0.8%0.2%0.1%-0.6%-0.2%
CFO/Rev LTM10.4%31.2%3.8%6.2%15.1%-7.4%8.3%
CFO/Rev 3Y Avg9.6%32.2%5.2%7.2%16.9%-1.9%8.4%
FCF/Rev LTM9.8%2.8%3.6%5.2%12.1%-51.7%4.4%
FCF/Rev 3Y Avg9.0%2.9%5.0%6.0%14.2%-60.0%5.5%

Valuation

AITURIMHHFERGFASTFTAIMedian
NameApplied .United R.Mastech .Ferguson.Fastenal FTAI Avi. 
Mkt Cap9.952.20.149.847.317.532.4
P/S2.13.80.41.47.07.33.0
P/EBIT18.415.0124.416.434.720.719.5
P/E24.524.297.223.145.935.129.8
P/CFO20.412.311.022.546.5-98.716.3
Total Yield4.4%4.9%1.0%4.3%3.9%3.6%4.1%
Dividend Yield0.4%0.7%0.0%0.0%1.7%0.7%0.5%
FCF Yield 3Y Avg5.1%0.9%10.4%-2.7%-11.5%2.7%
D/E0.10.20.00.10.00.20.1
Net D/E0.00.2-0.30.10.00.20.1

Returns

AITURIMHHFERGFASTFTAIMedian
NameApplied .United R.Mastech .Ferguson.Fastenal FTAI Avi. 
1M Rtn3.2%-4.9%9.1%2.1%0.4%-1.0%1.3%
3M Rtn-0.1%-13.7%-0.4%10.4%-16.3%13.6%-0.2%
6M Rtn14.2%17.3%20.6%17.9%1.8%39.8%17.6%
12M Rtn-5.2%-5.5%-50.0%16.4%1.7%7.1%-1.7%
3Y Rtn102.8%135.6%-44.0%-72.8%941.4%102.8%
1M Excs Rtn3.2%-4.9%9.1%2.2%0.5%-1.0%1.3%
3M Excs Rtn-7.8%-20.8%-6.7%1.2%-22.9%4.8%-7.3%
6M Excs Rtn-0.5%2.6%5.8%3.1%-12.9%25.1%2.9%
12M Excs Rtn-17.9%-18.8%-62.9%5.6%-12.8%-11.3%-15.3%
3Y Excs Rtn32.5%68.9%-118.4%-0.8%935.8%32.5%

Financials

Segment Financials

Revenue by Segment

$ Mil20252024202320222021
Service Center Based Distribution3,0572,9672,5662,2002,242
Engineered Solutions1,4231,4461,245  
Engineered Solutions 1   1,0361,004
Total4,4794,4133,8113,2363,246


Operating Income by Segment
$ Mil20252024202320222021
Service Center Based Distribution397371298170199
Engineered Solutions181175128  
Corporate and other expense, net-82-73-69-58-60
Engineered Solutions 1   93-50
Total49647335820589


Assets by Segment
$ Mil20252024202320222021
Service Center Based Distribution1,8651,7361,4551,3331,314
Engineered Solutions1,0871,007   
Engineered Solutions 1  997939970
Total2,9522,7432,4532,2722,284


Price Behavior

Short Interest

Short Interest: As Of Date11142025
Short Interest: Shares Quantity834,188
Short Interest: % Change Since 1031202518.7%
Average Daily Volume253,903
Days-to-Cover Short Interest3.29
Basic Shares Quantity37,757,000
Short % of Basic Shares2.2%

SEC Filings

Expand for More

Report DateFiling DateFiling
93020251028202510-Q 9/30/2025
6302025815202510-K 6/30/2025
3312025501202510-Q 3/31/2025
12312024129202510-Q 12/31/2024
93020241025202410-Q 9/30/2024
6302024816202410-K 6/30/2024
3312024426202410-Q 3/31/2024
12312023126202410-Q 12/31/2023
93020231027202310-Q 9/30/2023
6302023811202310-K 6/30/2023
3312023428202310-Q 3/31/2023
12312022127202310-Q 12/31/2022
93020221028202210-Q 9/30/2022
6302022812202210-K 6/30/2022
3312022428202210-Q 3/31/2022
12312021128202210-Q 12/31/2021

Insider Activity

Expand for More

 OwnerTitleFiling DateActionPriceSharesTransacted
Value
Value of
Held Shares
Form
0Loring Kurt W.VP-Chief HR Officer8252025Sell267.068,5232,276,1525,147,047Form
1Vasquez Jason WVP-Sales & Marketing-USSC8222025Sell259.222,019523,3655,168,328Form
2Schrimsher Neil APresident and CEO8222025Sell262.4626,6717,000,07139,299,448Form
3Vasquez Jason WVP-Sales & Marketing-USSC2262025Sell248.104,4751,110,2605,383,084Form
4Schrimsher Neil APresident and CEO2202025Sell269.1810,6802,874,84246,731,263Form