Zacks Research Issues Optimistic Outlook for AIT Earnings

Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:AIT) – Equities research analysts at Zacks Research upped their Q1 2027 earnings per share estimates for shares of Applied Industrial Technologies in a research report issued to clients and investors on Tuesday, July 14th. Zacks Research analyst Team now anticipates that the industrial products company will post earnings of $2.81 per share for the quarter, up from their previous forecast of $2.80. The consensus estimate for Applied Industrial Technologies’ current full-year earnings is $10.71 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Applied Industrial Technologies’ Q2 2027 earnings at $2.72 EPS, Q3 2027 earnings at $2.88 EPS, FY2027 earnings at $11.65 EPS, Q1 2028 earnings at $3.13 EPS, Q3 2028 earnings at $3.20 EPS and FY2028 earnings at $12.73 EPS.

Applied Industrial Technologies (NYSE:AIT) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, April 28th. The industrial products company reported $2.65 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.63 by $0.02. Applied Industrial Technologies had a return on equity of 21.64% and a net margin of 8.34%.The business had revenue of $1.25 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.23 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $2.57 earnings per share. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 7.3% on a year-over-year basis. Applied Industrial Technologies has set its Q4 2026 guidance at 2.850-2.960 EPS and its FY 2026 guidance at 10.640-10.750 EPS.

Several other equities research analysts also recently weighed in on the company. KeyCorp increased their price objective on Applied Industrial Technologies from $350.00 to $375.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Monday. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Applied Industrial Technologies from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Saturday, May 2nd. DA Davidson started coverage on shares of Applied Industrial Technologies in a report on Tuesday, June 16th. They issued a “buy” rating and a $380.00 target price for the company. Weiss Ratings reissued a “buy (b)” rating on shares of Applied Industrial Technologies in a report on Friday, April 24th. Finally, Oppenheimer boosted their price target on Applied Industrial Technologies from $300.00 to $350.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 29th. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has given a Hold rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $329.57.

Applied Industrial Technologies Price Performance

Shares of AIT opened at $328.00 on Wednesday. Applied Industrial Technologies has a 1-year low of $238.34 and a 1-year high of $345.48. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.19, a current ratio of 2.95 and a quick ratio of 1.97. The stock has a market cap of $12.12 billion, a PE ratio of 30.97, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.85 and a beta of 0.83. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $319.57 and a 200 day moving average price of $291.09.

Applied Industrial Technologies Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, August 31st. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 14th will be paid a $0.51 dividend. This represents a $2.04 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.6%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 14th. Applied Industrial Technologies’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 19.26%.

Insider Activity

In other news, VP Warren E. Hoffner III sold 8,000 shares of Applied Industrial Technologies stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $306.04, for a total value of $2,448,320.00. Following the sale, the vice president owned 40,751 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $12,471,436.04. The trade was a 16.41% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, Director Madhuri A. Andrews sold 3,845 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, June 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $329.89, for a total transaction of $1,268,427.05. Following the transaction, the director owned 4,951 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,633,285.39. This trade represents a 43.71% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. 1.60% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Applied Industrial Technologies

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Compound Planning Inc. boosted its stake in Applied Industrial Technologies by 4.7% during the 4th quarter. Compound Planning Inc. now owns 822 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $211,000 after purchasing an additional 37 shares during the period. US Asset Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Applied Industrial Technologies by 3.3% during the fourth quarter. US Asset Management LLC now owns 1,266 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $325,000 after buying an additional 41 shares during the last quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. boosted its position in shares of Applied Industrial Technologies by 7.4% during the third quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 653 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $170,000 after buying an additional 45 shares during the period. Sanctuary Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of Applied Industrial Technologies by 4.5% during the first quarter. Sanctuary Advisors LLC now owns 1,160 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $308,000 after buying an additional 50 shares during the period. Finally, GAMMA Investing LLC increased its position in Applied Industrial Technologies by 3.6% in the 4th quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 1,585 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $407,000 after acquiring an additional 55 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 93.52% of the company’s stock.

Applied Industrial Technologies Company Profile

Applied Industrial Technologies, listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol AIT, is a leading distributor of industrial products and services. The company offers a comprehensive range of bearings, power transmission components, fluid power products, industrial rubber products, and automation solutions. Through its network of distribution centers and branch locations, Applied Industrial Technologies serves diverse end markets including manufacturing, oil and gas, mining, food and beverage, and wastewater treatment.

Founded in 1923 and headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Applied Industrial Technologies has grown through a combination of organic expansion and strategic acquisitions.