Zacks Research Issues Pessimistic Forecast for AIT Earnings

Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:AIT) – Equities researchers at Zacks Research dropped their Q1 2027 earnings per share estimates for Applied Industrial Technologies in a report released on Thursday, April 2nd. Zacks Research analyst Team now forecasts that the industrial products company will post earnings per share of $2.76 for the quarter, down from their prior estimate of $2.79. 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’ FY2027 earnings at $11.48 EPS.

Other analysts have also issued reports about the stock. KeyCorp upped their target price on shares of Applied Industrial Technologies from $300.00 to $330.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Thursday, February 26th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “buy (b)” rating on shares of Applied Industrial Technologies in a research note on Monday, December 29th. Finally, Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Applied Industrial Technologies from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Saturday, March 21st. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $294.38.

Applied Industrial Technologies Stock Up 0.6%

Shares of AIT traded up $1.68 during midday trading on Tuesday, hitting $271.23. The company had a trading volume of 90,946 shares, compared to its average volume of 338,309. The company’s 50-day simple moving average is $271.48 and its 200-day simple moving average is $263.97. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.31, a quick ratio of 2.56 and a current ratio of 3.68. The firm has a market capitalization of $10.12 billion, a P/E ratio of 25.80, a P/E/G ratio of 2.56 and a beta of 0.82. Applied Industrial Technologies has a 1 year low of $202.41 and a 1 year high of $296.70.

Applied Industrial Technologies (NYSE:AIT) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, January 27th. The industrial products company reported $2.51 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.48 by $0.03. Applied Industrial Technologies had a return on equity of 21.74% and a net margin of 8.49%.The firm had revenue of $1.16 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $1.17 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $2.39 EPS. Applied Industrial Technologies’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.

Applied Industrial Technologies Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 27th. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 13th were issued a $0.51 dividend. This represents a $2.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.8%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 13th. This is an increase from Applied Industrial Technologies’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.46. Applied Industrial Technologies’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 19.41%.

Insider Transactions at Applied Industrial Technologies

In other news, VP Jason W. Vasquez sold 5,447 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $287.87, for a total transaction of $1,568,027.89. Following the sale, the vice president owned 14,491 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $4,171,524.17. This trade represents a 27.32% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, VP Warren E. Hoffner III sold 4,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $288.62, for a total value of $1,154,480.00. Following the sale, the vice president owned 52,751 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $15,224,993.62. The trade was a 7.05% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 28,654 shares of company stock valued at $8,212,829. Corporate insiders own 1.60% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Torren Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Applied Industrial Technologies in the 4th quarter valued at $25,000. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC lifted its position in Applied Industrial Technologies by 890.0% in the third quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 99 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $26,000 after acquiring an additional 89 shares during the last quarter. Root Financial Partners LLC purchased a new stake in Applied Industrial Technologies in the third quarter valued at $27,000. Abich Financial Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in Applied Industrial Technologies in the third quarter valued at $29,000. Finally, Anchor Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in Applied Industrial Technologies in the fourth quarter valued at $32,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 93.52% of the company’s stock.

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.