Zacks Research Has Pessimistic Outlook of AIT Q1 Earnings

Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:AIT) – Equities researchers at Zacks Research reduced their Q1 2028 EPS estimates for Applied Industrial Technologies in a research report issued on Tuesday, February 17th. Zacks Research analyst Team now expects that the industrial products company will post earnings of $3.02 per share for the quarter, down from their prior forecast of $3.03. The consensus estimate for Applied Industrial Technologies’ current full-year earnings is $9.90 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Applied Industrial Technologies’ Q2 2028 earnings at $3.00 EPS.

Applied Industrial Technologies (NYSE:AIT) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, January 27th. The industrial products company reported $2.51 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.48 by $0.03. Applied Industrial Technologies had a net margin of 8.49% and a return on equity of 21.74%. The firm had revenue of $1.16 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $1.17 billion. During the same period last year, the firm earned $2.39 earnings per share. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 8.4% on a year-over-year basis. Applied Industrial Technologies has set its FY 2026 guidance at 10.450-10.750 EPS.

AIT has been the topic of several other research reports. Wall Street Zen lowered Applied Industrial Technologies from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Saturday, January 31st. Mizuho set a $305.00 price target on shares of Applied Industrial Technologies in a research report on Wednesday, October 29th. KeyCorp reduced their price objective on shares of Applied Industrial Technologies from $310.00 to $300.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, January 28th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “buy (b)” rating on shares of Applied Industrial Technologies in a research note on Monday, December 29th. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has given a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Applied Industrial Technologies presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $290.63.

Applied Industrial Technologies Stock Up 0.2%

NYSE:AIT opened at $281.58 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 2.56, a current ratio of 3.68 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.31. Applied Industrial Technologies has a 12-month low of $199.96 and a 12-month high of $296.70. The stock’s fifty day simple moving average is $271.73 and its 200-day simple moving average is $263.25. The firm has a market capitalization of $10.50 billion, a P/E ratio of 26.79, a P/E/G ratio of 2.70 and a beta of 0.84.

Applied Industrial Technologies Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 27th. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 13th will be issued a $0.51 dividend. This represents a $2.04 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.7%. This is a boost from Applied Industrial Technologies’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.46. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 13th. Applied Industrial Technologies’s dividend payout ratio is currently 19.41%.

Insider Transactions at Applied Industrial Technologies

In related news, VP Jason W. Vasquez sold 5,447 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $287.87, for a total value of $1,568,027.89. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president directly owned 14,491 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $4,171,524.17. This represents a 27.32% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, CEO Neil A. Schrimsher sold 19,207 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $285.85, for a total value of $5,490,320.95. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 130,528 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $37,311,428.80. This trade represents a 12.83% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders sold 28,654 shares of company stock valued at $8,212,829 over the last quarter. Corporate insiders own 1.60% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of AIT. Wolverine Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Applied Industrial Technologies during the 3rd quarter valued at $1,044,000. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. increased its position in shares of Applied Industrial Technologies by 38.6% in the second quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 73,784 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $17,151,000 after purchasing an additional 20,535 shares during the period. Alps Advisors Inc. raised its stake in Applied Industrial Technologies by 33.0% in the third quarter. Alps Advisors Inc. now owns 32,824 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $8,569,000 after purchasing an additional 8,153 shares in the last quarter. Regents Gate Capital LLP bought a new stake in Applied Industrial Technologies during the second quarter worth about $11,387,000. Finally, Mitsubishi UFJ Trust & Banking Corp lifted its position in Applied Industrial Technologies by 27.3% during the third quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Trust & Banking Corp now owns 46,126 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $12,041,000 after purchasing an additional 9,898 shares during the period. 93.52% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Applied Industrial Technologies News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting Applied Industrial Technologies this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Zacks raised Q4 2027 EPS to $3.22 from $3.16, a meaningful bump that suggests stronger late‑year profitability expectations and supports multiple expansion. MarketBeat AIT
• Positive Sentiment: Zacks increased Q4 2026 EPS to $2.82 (from $2.79) and raised Q1 2027 to $2.79 (from $2.77), reinforcing a view of modestly improving sequential earnings into the company’s fiscal second half. MarketBeat AIT
• Neutral Sentiment: Zacks made very small adjustments (Q2 2027 to $2.69 from $2.68; Q2 2028 to $3.00 from $2.99) — immaterial individually but part of an overall refinement of their model. MarketBeat AIT
• Neutral Sentiment: Zacks trimmed Q1 2028 slightly to $3.02 from $3.03 — a de minimis change that likely won’t move fundamentals on its own. MarketBeat AIT
• Negative Sentiment: Zacks cut Q3 2027 EPS to $2.81 from $2.90 and lowered Q3 2026 to $2.62 from $2.69, signalling potential softness in mid‑year demand that could pressure near‑term results. MarketBeat AIT
• Negative Sentiment: Zacks trimmed its FY2028 EPS view to $12.63 from $12.70 — a small downward revision to the longer‑term outlook that slightly reduces upside in modeled valuation. MarketBeat AIT

About Applied Industrial Technologies

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.