Zacks Research Issues Negative Forecast for AIT Earnings

Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:AIT) – Equities researchers at Zacks Research reduced their Q3 2026 earnings per share estimates for shares of Applied Industrial Technologies in a research note issued on Tuesday, February 17th. Zacks Research analyst Team now forecasts that the industrial products company will post earnings of $2.62 per share for the quarter, down from their previous forecast of $2.69. 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’ Q4 2026 earnings at $2.82 EPS, Q1 2027 earnings at $2.79 EPS, Q2 2027 earnings at $2.69 EPS, Q3 2027 earnings at $2.81 EPS, Q4 2027 earnings at $3.22 EPS and FY2028 earnings at $12.63 EPS.

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

Applied Industrial Technologies Trading Up 0.4%

Shares of NYSE:AIT opened at $279.37 on Thursday. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $270.97 and a two-hundred day moving average of $263.02. 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 firm has a market capitalization of $10.42 billion, a P/E ratio of 26.58, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.67 and a beta of 0.84.

Applied Industrial Technologies (NYSE:AIT) last posted its quarterly 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 net margin of 8.49% and a return on equity of 21.74%. The business had revenue of $1.16 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $1.17 billion. During the same period last year, the company posted $2.39 earnings per share. The firm’s quarterly revenue was up 8.4% compared to the same quarter last year. Applied Industrial Technologies has set its FY 2026 guidance at 10.450-10.750 EPS.

Applied Industrial Technologies Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 27th. Investors of record on Friday, February 13th will be paid a $0.51 dividend. This represents a $2.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.7%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 13th. This is a positive change from Applied Industrial Technologies’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.46. Applied Industrial Technologies’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 19.41%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, VP Jason W. Vasquez sold 5,447 shares of the firm’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 transaction, the vice president directly owned 14,491 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,171,524.17. This trade represents a 27.32% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, CEO Neil A. Schrimsher sold 19,207 shares of Applied Industrial Technologies stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $285.85, for a total transaction of $5,490,320.95. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 130,528 shares in the company, valued at $37,311,428.80. This trade represents a 12.83% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 28,654 shares of company stock worth $8,212,829. 1.60% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Applied Industrial Technologies

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Capital International Investors bought a new stake in Applied Industrial Technologies during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $200,456,000. Corient Private Wealth LLC increased its position in Applied Industrial Technologies by 22,451.0% in the 4th quarter. Corient Private Wealth LLC now owns 585,423 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $150,319,000 after buying an additional 582,827 shares during the period. Norges Bank acquired a new position in shares of Applied Industrial Technologies during the fourth quarter worth approximately $125,044,000. Qube Research & Technologies Ltd bought a new stake in shares of Applied Industrial Technologies in the second quarter valued at approximately $81,722,000. Finally, M&T Bank Corp boosted its position in shares of Applied Industrial Technologies by 33,181.4% in the fourth quarter. M&T Bank Corp now owns 300,864 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $81,322,000 after acquiring an additional 299,960 shares during the period. 93.52% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.