AIT

We rate APPLIED INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGIES INC (AIT) as a Hold with a composite score of 56.1/100 at a current price of $282.38. The stock presents a mixed quantitative picture — neither compelling enough to warrant new accumulation nor weak enough to justify selling for existing holders. Our factors are split, and the overall profile suggests patience is warranted.

The rating is primarily driven by strength in quality (66th percentile) and stability (63th percentile), which together account for the majority of the composite score. All factors score above the 40th percentile, indicating no material weakness in the quantitative profile. We assign a Wide Moat rating (71/100), Medium uncertainty, and Standard capital allocation.

Key items to watch: quarterly earnings execution and sector-level competitive dynamics. Any material change in these dynamics could warrant a reassessment of our rating. The moat trend is stable, which suggests the competitive landscape is stable for now.

APPLIED INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGIES INC holds an above-average position (#23 of 50) within the Wholesale Trade sector, based on our composite quantitative scoring across quality, value, momentum, and stability factors. The composite score of 56.1/100 places it at rank #1141 in our full 7,333-stock universe. At $9.7B in market capitalization, APPLIED INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGIES INC is a mid-cap player in the Wholesale Trade space, which limits certain scale advantages but may allow for more agile strategic execution.

Revenue is growing at 6%, though momentum at the 55th percentile suggests the market has not yet fully recognized this trajectory. This potential disconnect between fundamental improvement and market recognition could represent an opportunity for patient investors if the growth trend persists.

The margin cascade tells an important story: gross margins of 30% (+7.9pp vs sector) narrow to operating margins of 11% (+7.7pp vs sector) and net margins of 8.5%, yielding a gross-to-net conversion rate of 28%. This conversion rate is typical for the sector, suggesting a standard cost structure without notable efficiency advantages or disadvantages.

At a current price of $282.38, APPLIED INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGIES INC is trading near fair value based on current fundamentals. Our value factor score of 42/100 reflects a composite assessment across multiple valuation metrics including price-to-earnings, price-to-book, EV/EBITDA, and price-to-sales ratios relative to both sector peers and the broader market. Valuation metrics are mixed, with no strong signal of mispricing in either direction.

The stock currently trades at a P/E of 27.0x (a 42% premium to the sector median of 19.1x), EV/EBITDA of 20.9x (at a premium), P/B of 5.6x, P/S of 2.3x. The above-sector P/E multiple suggests the market is pricing in superior growth or quality, which our analysis partially supports given strong quality metrics.

We assign a Medium uncertainty rating to APPLIED INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGIES INC. The stock presents a balanced risk profile: risk factors are within normal ranges. While not risk-free, the core business fundamentals are adequate to withstand moderate economic stress, and the range of potential outcomes around our fair value estimate is manageable.

We identify no major risk factors at this time. The company's stability factor sits at the 63th percentile with quality at the 66th percentile, both of which support our low-risk assessment. The absence of material leverage, profitability, or volatility concerns reduces the likelihood of a permanent capital loss scenario.

Key risk mitigants include: above-average stability (63th percentile) suggests predictable business dynamics. These factors partially offset the identified risks and provide downside protection in adverse scenarios. On balance, the risk-reward profile is favorable for long-term investors.

We rate APPLIED INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGIES INC's capital allocation as Standard. Management has shown adequate — though not exceptional — stewardship of shareholder capital. Returns on equity stand at 20.8%, and the balance sheet is managed within acceptable parameters (D/E: 69%). Exemplary allocators typically sustain ROE above 20% and D/E below 50%; APPLIED INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGIES INC falls short on at least one dimension.

There is room for improvement in optimizing the capital structure or enhancing shareholder returns. The 0.72% dividend yield provides some income return, but the overall capital allocation framework would benefit from either higher reinvestment returns, improved balance sheet efficiency, or increased shareholder distributions. We will monitor for signs of strategic improvement that could warrant an upgrade.

In summary, APPLIED INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGIES INC receives a Hold rating with a composite score of 56.1/100 (rank #1141 of 7,333). Our quantitative framework assigns a Wide Moat (71/100, trend: stable), Medium uncertainty, and Standard capital allocation. The average factor score across quality, value, momentum, stability, and investment is 54/100.

Our analysis supports a neutral stance on APPLIED INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGIES INC. While the quantitative profile is not weak enough to warrant selling, it lacks the multi-factor strength required for a buy recommendation. Existing holders should maintain positions and monitor for catalysts — either fundamental improvement or valuation compression — that would shift the risk-reward balance.