Applied Industrial Technologies logo

Applied Industrial Technologies(AIT)

upturn advisory logo
EXPLORE ADVISORIES AND THEIR HISTORY
QUALITY SIGNAL
1-STAR RATING
PASS
LAST CLOSE
$317
10/23/2026
(24-hour delay)

Advisory History & Simulated Performance *

*as per simulation (see disclosures)
  • ALL
  • 1Y
  • 1M
  • 1W
  • BUY Advisory
  • SELL Advisory (Profit)
  • SELL Advisory (Loss)
  • Profit
  • Loss
  • PASS (Skip)
Upturn Stock price based on last close iconStock price based on last close
Simulated performance—not actual client returns. Excludes advisory subscription fees, trading commissions, and taxes, which would reduce returns. Results depend on calculation assumptions and do not guarantee future outcomes. See Disclosures for full methodology, assumptions, and limitations.

Advisory Performance History (Simulated)Advisory Performance History info

Simulated performance—not actual client returns. Excludes advisory subscription fees, trading commissions, and taxes, which would reduce returns. Results depend on calculation assumptions and do not guarantee future outcomes. See Disclosures for full methodology, assumptions, and limitations.

Upturn Advisory & Investor View for AIT

10/23/2026: AIT (1-star) is currently NOT-A-BUY. Pass it for now.

Applied Industrial Technologies is a leading technical distributor that specializes in motion, fluid power, and automation solutions for a broad range of industrial customers. The company distinguishes itself through deep engineering expertise and a reliable network of service centers, which supports consistent cash flow and dividend growth. Its primary growth opportunity lies in the ongoing shift toward industrial automation and smart factory technologies. However, investors should monitor risks such as cyclical demand in industrial manufacturing, increasing competitive pressure from e-commerce players, and potential supply chain disruptions. The stock may best suit value and dividend-focused investors seeking exposure to the industrial sector with lower relative volatility.

How to Read the Upturn Advisory

The Upturn Star Rating and the current BUY, SELL, or PASS advisory are generated by Upturn’s AI advisory engine based on proprietary signal analysis, price behavior, advisory history, and historical signal performance.

Company fundamentals, valuation, risks, and news provide supporting context about the business.

Investor Fit

Investor styleFitWhy
Growth investorMixed fitGrowth is steady rather than explosive, tied closely to industrial output cycles.
Momentum investorMixed fitPerformance is generally consistent, though it can lag during periods of sharp industrial decline.
Value investorStrong fitOften trades at reasonable valuations relative to its long-term earnings power.
Dividend investorStrong fitHas a long history of consistent and growing dividend payments.
Low-risk investorStrong fitThe company's stable business model and strong cash generation provide a relatively low-risk profile.

Risk Profile

Risk factorLevelWhy it matters
Price volatilityMediumThe stock can experience swings aligned with broader economic and industrial cycles.
Valuation riskLowThe company typically trades at moderate multiples, limiting downside from valuation contraction.
Competition risk (industrial distribution)Medium / highIntense competition from large-scale distributors like Grainger requires constant operational excellence.
Business qualityStrongLong-term track record of operational efficiency and consistent profitability.
Dividend incomeLow / noneThe dividend is considered very stable, reducing income risk for investors.
Execution riskMediumSuccessfully integrating tuck-in acquisitions is key to maintaining growth targets.

Price Behavior

Rolling Over
PRICE PATH

Rolling Over

The price momentum is slowing down and beginning to turn downward.

Smooth
PRICE STABILITY

Smooth

The stock has moved along a generally orderly path with only modest fluctuations.

Analysis of Past Performance

Type Stock
Historic Profit 4.3%
Avg. Invested days 49
Today’s Advisory PASS
Upturn Advisory Rating upturn star rating icon
Upturn Advisory Performance Upturn Advisory Performance icon 3.0
Stock Returns Performance Upturn Returns Performance icon 1.0
Upturn Profits based on simulation icon Profits based on simulation
Upturn last close icon Last Close 10/23/2026

Upturn Scorecard

Upturn Star Rating

★★★★★
AIT receives a 4-star rating, supported by solid company fundamentals, solid quantitative characteristics, and solid analyst coverage. The rating is constrained by weak price momentum.

Company Fundamentals

★★★★★
AIT has solid overall fundamentals (4 stars), with moderate financial health, moderate growth momentum, and solid ownership. In FY2026 versus FY2025, moderate earnings growth (+5.5%) and solid cash generation (FCF margin 9.3%) are partially offset by moderate revenue growth (+8.8%), soft profitability (net margin 8.3%), very low insider ownership of 0.79%.

Financial Health Rating

★★★★★
AIT's financial health is supported by solid liquidity, including working-capital and asset support (WC/assets 32.1%). Profitability is moderate (3 stars), which helps explain the 3-star overall score.

Growth Momentum Score

★★★★★
Revenue growth is AIT's strongest growth driver at +8.8% FY2026 versus FY2025 (moderate, 3 stars). By comparison, while free-cash-flow growth (-1.0%, slightly negative) holds the profile back, so recent growth is not broad-based across the business.

Ownership

★★★★★
Institutional ownership is 98.7% and approximately 99.0% of outstanding shares are publicly tradable, supporting liquidity and institutional participation. Insider ownership is only 0.79%, which materially reduces the ownership score.

Top 5 Institutional Investors

BlackRock Inc 10.76%
Vanguard Portfolio Management, LLC 5.75%
Vanguard Capital Management, LLC 4.54%
AQR Capital Management LLC 3.66%
State Street Corp 3.34%

Unit Economics (Per $1K Revenue)

★★★★★
AIT generates approximately $303 of gross profit, $111 of operating income, and $93 of free cash flow for every $1,000 of revenue. Based on FY2026 results. Soft margins and solid cash conversion support a 3-star rating, while capital efficiency is solid.

Economic Dimensions

★★★★★
Effective Tax Rate: 23.84%

Quantitative Style Profile

★★★★★
AIT has a high-quality, large-cap, liquid profile. Weak momentum is the primary drawback, while valuation that is moderately attractive rather than deeply discounted.

Style Classification

Quality Focused

Quality TiltLarge / Mega Cap StabilityHighly Liquid / Institution-Friendly

Key Highlights

Company Size Large-Cap Stock
Market Capitalization 11.64B USD
Price to earnings Ratio 28.95
1Y Target Price 398.33
Price to earnings Ratio 28.95
1Y Target Price 398.33
Volume (30-day avg) 270.7K shares
Beta 0.85
52 Weeks Range 237.56 - 374.27
Updated Date 10/25/2026
52 Weeks Range 237.56 - 374.27
Updated Date 10/25/2026
Dividends yield (FY) 0.61%
Basic EPS (TTM) 10.95

How Company Makes Money

Business areaWhat it includesRetail investor read
Industrial DistributionSale of bearings, power transmission, and fluid power products.The company earns money by acting as a critical supply link for factories and maintenance operations.
Engineered SolutionsDesign and installation of automation and hydraulic systems.This is a higher-margin segment that provides specialized technical expertise to clients.
North American GeographyPrimary operations across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.The company is deeply tied to the health of the North American industrial manufacturing sector.

Analyzing Revenue: Products, Geography and Growth

Revenue by Products

Product revenue - Year on Year

Revenue by Geography

Geography revenue - Year on Year

Advertisement

Earnings Date

Report Date 2026-10-27
When Before Market
Estimate 2.86
Actual -

Profitability

Profit Margin 8.35%
Operating Margin (TTM) 11.77%

Management Effectiveness

Return on Assets (TTM) 11.1%
Return on Equity (TTM) 22.37%

Valuation

Trailing PE 28.95
Forward PE 26.39
Enterprise Value 11.78B
Price to Sales(TTM) 2.34
Enterprise Value 11.78B
Price to Sales(TTM) 2.34
Enterprise Value to Revenue 2.37
Enterprise Value to EBITDA 18.77
Shares Outstanding 36.73M
Shares Floating 36.38M
Shares Outstanding 36.73M
Shares Floating 36.38M
Percent Insiders 0.79
Percent Institutions 98.66

Financial Metrics

🧭 Investment Snapshot

Total Revenue (Scale)

Information icon Total money earned from selling products or services before any costs. It is needed to understand the scale of the business and its ability to generate income.

Net Income (Profit)

Information icon Final profit after all expenses, interest, and taxes are deducted. It is needed to determine the overall profitability available to shareholders.

Free Cash Flow (Cash Strength)

Information icon Cash remaining after operating activities and capital expenditures, showing cash available for growth. It is needed to evaluate the company’s ability to invest, pay dividends, or reduce debt.

📈 Growth & Strength

Operating Income (Core Profit)

Information icon Profit from core operations after deducting all operating expenses. It is needed to measure how efficiently the company runs its primary business activities.

EBITDA (Cash Earnings)

Information icon Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization, indicating operating cash potential. It is needed to compare operating performance across companies without accounting or financing differences.

Gross Profit (Unit Profitability)

Information icon Revenue minus cost of revenue, showing profit after direct production costs. It is needed to evaluate core business profitability before overhead expenses.

🛡️ Financial Safety

Cash (Liquidity Buffer)

Information icon Total cash and cash equivalents on hand. It is needed to evaluate immediate liquidity and financial flexibility.

Total Debt (Leverage Risk)

Information icon Total debt including both short-term and long-term components. It is needed to assess the company’s leverage and financial risk.

Net Working Capital (Short-Term Health)

Information icon Current assets minus current liabilities, indicating short-term liquidity strength. It is needed to assess whether the company can meet its short-term obligations.

🧱 Balance Sheet Strength

Stockholder Equity (Net Worth)

Information icon Total equity value held by shareholders. It is needed to understand the net worth of the company from the owners’ perspective.

Total Assets (Asset Base)

Information icon The full value of everything the company owns, including cash, inventory, equipment, and investments. It is needed to understand the resource base used to generate revenue.

Income Before Tax (Pre-Tax Earnings)

Information icon Income before provision for income taxes. It is needed to analyze profitability independent of tax structures.

⚙️ Cost & Drag Factors

Cost of Revenue (Production Cost)

Information icon Direct costs required to produce and deliver the products or services sold. It is needed to assess efficiency in production and service delivery.

Total Operating Expenses (Operating Cost)

Information icon Indirect costs of running the business such as salaries, marketing, and administration. It is needed to understand how much it costs to sustain ongoing business operations.

Income Tax Expense (Tax Drag)

Information icon Amount of taxes paid or payable to the government. It is needed to evaluate the impact of taxation on overall profitability.

Form CRS provides a relationship summary of our automated advisory services, flat subscription fees, and conflicts of interest. Form ADV Part 2A brochure contains complete details on services, billing, and disclosures. If any summary differs from our current regulatory filings, the filed Form ADV controls.