Zacks Research Brokers Boost Earnings Estimates for AIT

Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:AIT) – Research analysts at Zacks Research raised their Q1 2027 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for shares of Applied Industrial Technologies in a research report issued on Tuesday, July 14th. Zacks Research analyst Team now forecasts 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 posted its earnings results on Tuesday, April 28th. The industrial products company reported $2.65 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.63 by $0.02. The business had revenue of $1.25 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $1.23 billion. Applied Industrial Technologies had a return on equity of 21.64% and a net margin of 8.34%.Applied Industrial Technologies’s revenue for the quarter was up 7.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $2.57 EPS. 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.

A number of other equities research analysts have also commented on AIT. Weiss Ratings restated a “buy (b)” rating on shares of Applied Industrial Technologies in a report on Friday, April 24th. 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. Oppenheimer upped their target price on shares of Applied Industrial Technologies from $300.00 to $350.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 29th. KeyCorp increased their target price on Applied Industrial Technologies from $350.00 to $375.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Monday. Finally, Robert W. Baird set a $317.00 price target on Applied Industrial Technologies in a research note on Wednesday, April 29th. Six analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Applied Industrial Technologies currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $329.57.

Applied Industrial Technologies Stock Up 1.4%

Applied Industrial Technologies stock opened at $332.14 on Wednesday. The stock has a market capitalization of $12.28 billion, a PE ratio of 31.36, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.84 and a beta of 0.83. Applied Industrial Technologies has a twelve month low of $238.34 and a twelve month high of $345.48. The company has a quick ratio of 1.97, a current ratio of 2.95 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.19. The company has a 50 day moving average of $320.23 and a 200-day moving average of $292.01.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Applied Industrial Technologies

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Torren Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Applied Industrial Technologies in the 4th quarter valued at about $25,000. Anchor Investment Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Applied Industrial Technologies in the fourth quarter valued at about $32,000. V Square Quantitative Management LLC bought a new stake in Applied Industrial Technologies during the fourth quarter worth about $34,000. Allworth Financial LP raised its holdings in Applied Industrial Technologies by 446.4% during the third quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 153 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $40,000 after acquiring an additional 125 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Smartleaf Asset Management LLC boosted its position in Applied Industrial Technologies by 78.8% during the fourth quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 177 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $46,000 after purchasing an additional 78 shares during the last quarter. 93.52% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, VP Warren E. Hoffner III sold 8,000 shares of Applied Industrial Technologies stock in a transaction that occurred on 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 directly owned 40,751 shares in the company, valued at $12,471,436.04. This trade represents a 16.41% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, Director Madhuri A. Andrews sold 3,845 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on 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 completion of the sale, the director directly owned 4,951 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,633,285.39. This represents a 43.71% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. 1.60% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Applied Industrial Technologies Announces Dividend

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

Key Headlines Impacting Applied Industrial Technologies

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

• Positive Sentiment: Zacks Research raised multiple earnings estimates for Applied Industrial Technologies across 2027 and 2028, including higher forecasts for FY2027 and FY2028. That suggests analysts see continued profit growth ahead, which can support the stock. Article: Are Industrial Products Stocks Lagging Applied Industrial Technologies (AIT) This Year?
• Positive Sentiment: The company announced it will report fiscal fourth-quarter 2026 earnings on August 13 and hold a conference call the same day. A scheduled earnings update can keep attention on the name, especially when expectations are constructive. Article: Applied Industrial Technologies to Report Fiscal Fourth Quarter Earnings and Conduct Conference Call on August 13, 2026
• Neutral Sentiment: A Zacks comparison piece on industrial products stocks versus Applied Industrial Technologies appears to be a relative-performance discussion rather than a new fundamental catalyst. Article: Are Industrial Products Stocks Lagging Applied Industrial Technologies (AIT) This Year?

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.