Applied Industrial Technologies (NYSE:AIT) Upgraded to “Buy” at Wall Street Zen

Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Applied Industrial Technologies (NYSE:AIT) from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note issued to investors on Saturday morning.

Several other equities research analysts also recently weighed in on AIT. KeyCorp increased their target price on shares of Applied Industrial Technologies from $375.00 to $420.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Friday. DA Davidson boosted their price target on Applied Industrial Technologies from $380.00 to $400.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday. Robert W. Baird boosted their price target on Applied Industrial Technologies from $317.00 to $400.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Friday. Bank of America upped their price objective on Applied Industrial Technologies from $380.00 to $390.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday. Finally, Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “buy (b)” rating on shares of Applied Industrial Technologies in a research report on Tuesday, July 21st. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, According to data from MarketBeat.com, Applied Industrial Technologies currently has an average rating of “Buy” and a consensus target price of $384.29.

Applied Industrial Technologies Stock Up 1.3%

AIT stock opened at $362.18 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $13.39 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 33.05, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.12 and a beta of 0.84. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $337.04 and a 200 day moving average price of $303.32. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.14, a current ratio of 2.58 and a quick ratio of 1.97. Applied Industrial Technologies has a 12 month low of $238.34 and a 12 month high of $374.80.

Applied Industrial Technologies (NYSE:AIT) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 13th. The industrial products company reported $3.17 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.92 by $0.25. Applied Industrial Technologies had a net margin of 8.35% and a return on equity of 22.17%. The company had revenue of $1.35 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.29 billion. During the same period last year, the firm posted $2.80 EPS. Applied Industrial Technologies’s revenue for the quarter was up 10.5% on a year-over-year basis. Applied Industrial Technologies has set its FY 2027 guidance at 11.650-12.150 EPS. Sell-side analysts expect that Applied Industrial Technologies will post 11.95 earnings per share for the current year.

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 18.61%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Applied Industrial Technologies

In other news, Director Madhuri A. Andrews sold 3,845 shares of Applied Industrial Technologies stock in a transaction dated Thursday, June 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $329.89, for a total value of $1,268,427.05. Following the sale, the director owned 4,951 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,633,285.39. The trade was a 43.71% 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. 1.60% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Torren Management LLC purchased a new stake in Applied Industrial Technologies in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Global Retirement Partners LLC purchased a new position in shares of Applied Industrial Technologies during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $37,000. Kilter Group LLC purchased a new position in shares of Applied Industrial Technologies during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $40,000. Anchor Investment Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Applied Industrial Technologies in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $32,000. Finally, Silvant Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Applied Industrial Technologies in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $54,000. 93.52% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

More Applied Industrial Technologies News

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

• Positive Sentiment: Quarterly results beat expectations: Fiscal Q4 earnings were $3.17 per share versus the $2.92 consensus, while revenue reached approximately $1.35 billion-$1.4 billion, ahead of the $1.29 billion estimate. Sales rose about 10.5% year over year, helped by organic growth, while margin gains further supported the results. AIT Q4 Earnings Beat Estimates on Strong Organic Sales Growth
• Positive Sentiment: Constructive fiscal 2027 outlook: AIT forecast revenue of $5.2 billion-$5.3 billion and adjusted EPS of $11.65-$12.15. The company also increased its intermediate financial targets, signaling confidence in continued demand and operating improvement. Fiscal 2026 Results and Fiscal 2027 Guidance
• Positive Sentiment: Analysts raised targets and ratings: Mizuho lifted its target from $355 to $400 and upgraded AIT to “outperform.” Robert W. Baird also raised its target from $317 to $400 with an “outperform” rating, while DA Davidson increased its target from $380 to $400 and maintained a “buy” rating. Bank of America raised its target from $380 to $390 and assigned a “buy” rating. Mizuho Raises AIT Price Target

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.