APPLIED INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGIES INC (AIT) Stock Analysis — April 2026 Rating, Price, and Forecast
Company Overview — What Does APPLIED INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGIES INC Do?
Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc. distributes industrial products in North America, Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore. It operates through two segments, Service Center Based Distribution, and Fluid Power & Flow Control. The company distributes bearings, power transmission products, engineered fluid power components and systems, specialty flow control solutions, advanced automation products, industrial rubber products, linear motion components, tools, safety products, oilfield supplies, and other industrial and maintenance supplies; and motors, belting, drives, couplings, pumps, hydraulic and pneumatic components, filtration supplies, valves, fittings, process instrumentation, actuators, and hoses, as well as other related supplies for general operational needs of customers' machinery and equipment. It also operates fabricated rubber shops and service field crews that install, modify, and repair conveyor belts and rubber linings, as well as offer hose assemblies. In addition, the company provides equipment repair and technical support services. It distributes industrial products through a network of service centers. The company serves various industries, including agriculture and food processing, cement, chemicals and petrochemicals, fabricated metals, forest products, industrial machinery and equipment, life sciences, mining, oil and gas, primary metals, technology, transportation, and utilities, as well as to government entities. Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc. was founded in 1923 and is headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio. APPLIED INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGIES INC (AIT) is classified as a large-cap stock in the Consumer Staples sector, specifically within the Wholesale industry. The company is led by CEO Neil A. Schrimsher and employs approximately 6,100 people, headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio. With a market capitalization of $10.0B, AIT is one of the prominent companies in the Consumer Staples sector.
APPLIED INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGIES INC (AIT) Stock Rating — Hold (April 2026)
As of April 2026, APPLIED INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGIES INC receives a Hold rating with a composite score of 46.4/100 and 3 out of 5 stars from the Blank Capital Research quantitative model.AIT ranks #1,333 out of 4,446 stocks in our coverage universe. Within the Consumer Staples sector, APPLIED INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGIES INC ranks #45 of 180 stocks, placing it in the top quartile of its Consumer Staples peers. The rating is generated by a multi-factor model that weighs quality (30%), momentum (25%), value (15%), investment (10%), stability (10%), and short interest (10%).
AIT Stock Price and 52-Week Range
APPLIED INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGIES INC (AIT) currently trades at $286.41. The 52-week high for AIT is $296.69, which means the stock is currently trading -3.5% from its annual peak. The 52-week low is $199.96, putting the stock 43.2% above its annual trough. Recent trading volume was 0 shares, suggesting relatively thin trading activity.
Is AIT Overvalued or Undervalued? — Valuation Analysis
APPLIED INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGIES INC (AIT) carries a value factor score of 43/100 in the Blank Capital model, indicating fair valuation relative to historical norms. The trailing price-to-earnings ratio is 26.12x, compared to the Consumer Staples sector average of 33.11x — a discount of 21%. The price-to-book ratio stands at 5.42x, versus the sector average of 1.74x. The price-to-sales ratio is 2.21x, compared to 0.35x for the average Consumer Staples stock. On an enterprise value basis, AIT trades at 20.23x EV/EBITDA, versus 6.93x for the sector.
Overall, AIT's valuation appears roughly in line with sector benchmarks, suggesting the market is pricing the stock fairly given its current fundamentals and growth trajectory. Neither deep value nor significantly overpriced, the stock occupies a middle ground on valuation.
APPLIED INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGIES INC Profitability — ROE, Margins, and Quality Score
APPLIED INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGIES INC (AIT) earns a quality factor score of 50/100, indicating solid business quality with consistent operational execution. The return on equity (ROE) is 20.8%, compared to the Consumer Staples sector average of 7.7%, which demonstrates strong shareholder value creation. Return on assets (ROA) comes in at 12.3% versus the sector average of 3.1%.
On a margin basis, APPLIED INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGIES INC reports gross margins of 30.4%, compared to 26.2% for the sector. The operating margin is 10.9% (sector: 2.9%). Net profit margin stands at 8.5%, versus 1.6% for the average Consumer Staples stock. Revenue growth is running at 5.8% on a trailing basis, compared to 3.1% for the sector. The overall profitability profile is adequate, though there may be room for margin expansion.
AIT Debt, Balance Sheet, and Financial Health
APPLIED INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGIES INC has a debt-to-equity ratio of 69.0%, compared to the Consumer Staples sector average of 72.0%. Leverage is within a manageable range for the industry, though investors should monitor debt trends over time. The current ratio is 3.68x, indicating strong short-term liquidity. Total debt on the balance sheet is $572M. Cash and equivalents stand at $406M.
AIT has a beta of 1.21, meaning it is more volatile than the broader market — a $10,000 investment in AIT would be expected to move 21.0% more than the S&P 500 on any given day. The stability factor score for APPLIED INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGIES INC is 71/100, indicating low-volatility characteristics and consistent price behavior that appeals to risk-averse investors.
APPLIED INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGIES INC Revenue and Earnings History — Quarterly Trend
In TTM 2026, APPLIED INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGIES INC reported revenue of $4.60B and earnings per share (EPS) of $2.54. Net income for the quarter was $389M. Gross margin was 30.4%. Operating income came in at $503M.
In Q2 2026, APPLIED INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGIES INC reported revenue of $1.16B and earnings per share (EPS) of $2.54. Net income for the quarter was $95M. Gross margin was 30.4%. Revenue grew 8.4% year-over-year compared to Q2 2025. Operating income came in at $123M.
In Q1 2026, APPLIED INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGIES INC reported revenue of $1.20B and earnings per share (EPS) of $2.67. Net income for the quarter was $101M. Gross margin was 30.1%. Revenue grew 9.2% year-over-year compared to Q1 2025. Operating income came in at $129M.
In FY 2025, APPLIED INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGIES INC reported revenue of $4.56B and earnings per share (EPS) of $10.26. Net income for the quarter was $393M. Gross margin was 30.3%. Revenue grew 1.9% year-over-year compared to FY 2024. Operating income came in at $499M.
Over the past 8 quarters, APPLIED INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGIES INC has demonstrated a growth trajectory, with revenue expanding from $4.48B to $4.60B. Investors analyzing AIT stock should weigh these quarterly trends alongside the valuation and quality metrics discussed above.
AIT Dividend Yield and Income Analysis
APPLIED INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGIES INC (AIT) currently pays a dividend yield of 0.7%. At this yield, a $10,000 investment in AIT stock would generate approximately $$72.00 in annual dividend income. This compares to the Consumer Staples sector average dividend yield of 0.4%, meaning AIT offers above-average income for its sector. The net margin of 8.5% provides reasonable coverage for the dividend, though investors should monitor payout sustainability.
AIT Momentum and Technical Analysis Profile
APPLIED INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGIES INC (AIT) has a momentum factor score of 50/100, reflecting neutral trend characteristics. The stock is neither significantly outperforming nor underperforming the broader market on a momentum basis. The investment factor score is 31/100, which measures capital allocation efficiency and asset growth patterns. The short interest score of 21/100 signals elevated short interest, which can indicate bearish sentiment among institutional investors.
AIT vs Competitors — Consumer Staples Sector Ranking and Peer Comparison
Within the Consumer Staples sector, APPLIED INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGIES INC (AIT) ranks #45 out of 180 stocks based on the Blank Capital composite score. This places AIT in the top quartile of all Consumer Staples stocks in our coverage universe. Key competitors and sector peers include Ituran Location & Control Ltd. (ITRN) with a score of 60.3/100, DARLING INGREDIENTS INC. (DAR) with a score of 52.9/100, Bunge Global SA (BG) with a score of 53.0/100, SANFILIPPO JOHN B & SON INC (JBSS) with a score of 54.1/100, and Archer-Daniels-Midland Co (ADM) with a score of 52.2/100.
Comparing AIT against the S&P 500 benchmark is also instructive for understanding relative performance. Investors can view the full AIT vs S&P 500 (SPY) comparison to assess how APPLIED INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGIES INC stacks up against the broader market across all factor dimensions.
AIT Next Earnings Date
No upcoming earnings date has been announced for APPLIED INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGIES INC (AIT) at this time. Check the earnings calendar for the latest scheduling updates across all stocks in our coverage universe.
Should You Buy AIT? — Investment Thesis Summary
APPLIED INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGIES INC presents a balanced picture with arguments on both sides. Low volatility (stability score 71/100) reduces downside risk.
In summary, APPLIED INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGIES INC (AIT) earns a Hold rating with a composite score of 46.4/100 as of April 2026. The rating is derived from the Blank Capital Research methodology, which combines six factor dimensions into a single quantitative ranking. Investors should consider these quantitative signals alongside their own fundamental research, risk tolerance, and investment time horizon before making buy or sell decisions on AIT stock.
Related Resources for AIT Investors
Explore more research and tools: AIT vs S&P 500 comparison, top Consumer Staples stocks, stock screener, our methodology, quality factor explained, value factor explained, momentum factor explained. Compare AIT head-to-head with peers: AIT vs ITRN, AIT vs DAR, AIT vs BG.