Robert W. Baird Issues Positive Forecast for Applied Industrial Technologies (NYSE:AIT) Stock Price

Applied Industrial Technologies (NYSE:AIT) had its price objective upped by Robert W. Baird from $317.00 to $400.00 in a report released on Friday, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Robert W. Baird currently has an outperform rating on the industrial products company’s stock.

Several other equities analysts also recently commented on the company. DA Davidson initiated coverage on Applied Industrial Technologies in a research report on Tuesday, June 16th. They issued a “buy” rating and a $380.00 target price for the company. Wall Street Zen downgraded Applied Industrial Technologies from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Saturday, May 2nd. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “buy (b)” rating on shares of Applied Industrial Technologies in a report on Tuesday, July 21st. Oppenheimer lifted 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 report on Wednesday, April 29th. Finally, KeyCorp boosted their target price on shares of Applied Industrial Technologies from $375.00 to $420.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Friday. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, According to MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Buy” and a consensus price target of $384.29.

Applied Industrial Technologies Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:AIT opened at $362.18 on Friday. Applied Industrial Technologies has a one year low of $238.34 and a one year high of $374.80. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.14, a current ratio of 2.58 and a quick ratio of 1.97. The company has a market cap of $13.39 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 33.05, a PEG ratio of 3.08 and a beta of 0.84. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $337.04 and a 200 day simple moving average of $303.32.

Applied Industrial Technologies (NYSE:AIT) last announced its quarterly earnings results 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 during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.29 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $2.80 earnings per share. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 10.5% compared to the same quarter last year. Applied Industrial Technologies has set its FY 2027 guidance at 11.650-12.150 EPS. Research analysts predict that Applied Industrial Technologies will post 11.8 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Applied Industrial Technologies Announces Dividend

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

Insider Activity at Applied Industrial Technologies

In related news, Director Madhuri A. Andrews sold 3,845 shares of Applied Industrial Technologies stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, June 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $329.89, for a total value of $1,268,427.05. Following the transaction, the director directly 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 transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. 1.60% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Applied Industrial Technologies

Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Torren Management LLC bought a new stake in Applied Industrial Technologies during the fourth quarter valued at $25,000. Anchor Investment Management LLC bought a new position in Applied Industrial Technologies during the fourth quarter valued at $32,000. Global Retirement Partners LLC purchased a new position in shares of Applied Industrial Technologies in the second quarter worth about $37,000. Kilter Group LLC purchased a new stake in Applied Industrial Technologies during the 2nd quarter worth about $40,000. Finally, Smartleaf Asset Management LLC grew its position in shares of Applied Industrial Technologies by 78.8% during the 4th 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 in the last quarter. 93.52% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Key Stories Impacting Applied Industrial Technologies

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.