Advertisement
AIT vs FERG
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Applied Industrial Technologies (AIT) vs. Ferguson Enterprises (FERG) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- Applied Industrial Technologies (AIT) has delivered stronger year-to-date performance, advancing approximately 40.65% compared to Ferguson Enterprises (FERG)’s roughly 15% gain amid broader market conditions.
- FERG benefited from its addition to the S&P 500 index effective August 5, 2026, which supported a notable price increase and enhanced visibility for institutional investors.
- AIT trades near its 52-week high with upward analyst revisions to earnings estimates ahead of its fiscal fourth-quarter report scheduled for August 13, 2026.
- Both companies operate as leading industrial distributors but differ in end-market exposure, with AIT focused on motion, power, and automation technologies while FERG emphasizes plumbing, HVAC, and water solutions.
- Recent market activity shows AIT exhibiting greater price momentum, whereas FERG maintains a larger market capitalization and ongoing capital return programs including share repurchases.
- Sector sentiment remains constructive for both stocks, supported by steady demand in industrial and construction-related markets, though relative positioning varies by timeframe and catalysts.
Introduction
Applied Industrial Technologies (AIT) and Ferguson Enterprises (FERG) represent two prominent players in the industrial distribution sector, each serving essential supply chains with specialized products and services. This comparison examines their business models, recent price behavior, and market positioning to assist traders and investors evaluating relative performance within the broader industrials space. Portfolio managers, sector-focused analysts, and active traders monitoring distribution companies may find the analysis relevant when assessing diversification opportunities or tactical allocations. The review emphasizes verifiable developments from recent weeks while providing context suitable for longer-term reference.
AIT Overview and Recent Performance
Applied Industrial Technologies (AIT) is a leading distributor of industrial motion, power transmission, fluid power, flow control, and automation technologies, serving maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO) as well as original equipment manufacturer (OEM) customers across North America and select international markets. In recent market activity, the stock has traded near record levels, closing at approximately $359.90 on August 7, 2026, just below its 52-week high of $362.93. Year-to-date returns reached about 40.65%, significantly outpacing the S&P 500. Positive sentiment has been supported by modest upward revisions to fiscal 2027 and 2028 earnings per share estimates from analysts, alongside anticipation of the company’s fiscal fourth-quarter results. Broader industrial demand trends have contributed to sustained investor interest in the shares.
FERG Overview and Recent Performance
Ferguson Enterprises (FERG) is North America’s largest value-added distributor of plumbing, heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC), waterworks, and related products, serving residential and non-residential construction markets through an extensive branch network. In recent market activity, the stock traded around $256.69 on August 7, 2026, following inclusion in the S&P 500 effective August 5, 2026, which prompted a meaningful price advance. Year-to-date performance stands near 15%, with the 52-week range spanning $207.64 to $271.64. Steady execution in core segments, ongoing acquisitions, and a new $2 billion share repurchase authorization have underpinned sentiment. The company’s larger scale and focus on essential infrastructure products have provided relative stability amid fluctuating construction activity.
Trending AI Robots
Tickeron’s Trending AI Robots page showcases a curated selection of high-performing AI trading bots drawn from hundreds available on the platform. These bots trade thousands of different tickers using varied strategies, timeframes, and risk parameters, yet only those demonstrating the strongest alignment with prevailing market conditions earn placement in the trending section. Available bots display a wide range of historical performance metrics, win rates, and drawdown statistics, allowing users to review detailed backtested results and live trading statistics. The platform emphasizes diversity in approaches, from short-term momentum tactics to longer-horizon trend-following systems. Investors seeking automated strategies tailored to current conditions may explore the full suite via the Trending AI Robots link.
Head-to-Head Comparison
Applied Industrial Technologies (AIT) and Ferguson Enterprises (FERG) both function as specialized industrial distributors yet target distinct end markets: AIT emphasizes motion control, automation, and fluid power components, while FERG concentrates on plumbing, HVAC, and water infrastructure solutions. Market capitalization favors FERG at approximately $50 billion versus AIT’s roughly $14 billion, reflecting differences in scale and revenue base. Recent momentum has tilted toward AIT, with superior year-to-date gains and proximity to all-time highs, whereas FERG’s S&P 500 inclusion provided a discrete catalyst and improved index-related flows. Risk factors include exposure to cyclical construction and manufacturing spending for both, though FERG’s larger size and capital return programs may offer greater resilience. Sector sentiment remains positive overall, supported by infrastructure spending and industrial automation trends, with trade-offs centered on growth consistency versus stability and liquidity.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Based on observable factors such as trend consistency, price stability near highs, and analyst estimate revisions, Tickeron’s AI would currently assign a modestly higher probabilistic preference to Applied Industrial Technologies (AIT) over Ferguson Enterprises (FERG). Stronger recent relative performance and positioning ahead of earnings provide measurable support, while FERG’s index inclusion represents a one-time event whose sustained effects remain to be confirmed in subsequent trading periods. This assessment reflects pattern recognition across available data and does not constitute investment advice.
Disclaimer
The information on this webpage is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice, a recommendation to purchase or sell any security, or an offer or solicitation related to investments. It does not consider your personal financial situation, goals, or risk profile, and all investing carries inherent risks, including the possibility of losing your entire investment. For more details, please review our full disclaimer.
To compare these two companies we present long-term analysis, their fundamental ratings and make comparative short-term technical analysis which are presented below. The conclusion is AIT is a Buy and FERG is a Buy.
Long-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a long-term outlook for a ticker by using Fundamental Analysis (FA) ratings. The rating of 1 to 100, where 1 is best and 100 is worst, is divided into thirds. The first third (a green rating of 1-33) indicates that the ticker is undervalued; the second third (a grey number between 34 and 66) means that the ticker is valued fairly; and the last third (red number of 67 to 100) reflects that the ticker is undervalued. We use an FA Score to show how many ratings show the ticker to be undervalued (green) or overvalued (red).
AIT’s FA Score shows that 2 FA rating(s) are green whileFERG’s FA Score has 2 green FA rating(s).
- AIT’s FA Score: 2 green, 3 red.
- FERG’s FA Score: 2 green, 3 red.
Short-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a short-term outlook for a ticker by using Technical Analysis (TA) indicators. We use Odds of Success as the percentage of outcomes which confirm successful trade signals in the past.
If the Odds of Success (the likelihood of the continuation of a trend) for each indicator are greater than 50%, then the generated signal is confirmed. A green percentage from 90% to 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bullish trend. A red percentage from 90% - 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bearish trend. All grey percentages are below 50% and are considered not to confirm the trend signal.
AIT’s TA Score shows that 3 TA indicator(s) are bullish while FERG’s TA Score has 6 bullish TA indicator(s).
- AIT’s TA Score: 3 bullish, 5 bearish.
- FERG’s TA Score: 6 bullish, 4 bearish.
Price Growth
AIT (@Electronics Distributors) experienced а -0.36% price change this week, while FERG (@Electronics Distributors) price change was -2.07% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Electronics Distributors industry was -0.52%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +8.51%, and the average quarterly price growth was +6.60%.
Reported Earning Dates
AIT is expected to report earnings on Oct 22, 2026.
FERG is expected to report earnings on Nov 09, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Electronics Distributors (-0.52% weekly)Electronics distributors are companies that are involved in distribution of one or more of the following: electronic components, computer products/ peripherals and software products & services. Several electronics distributors are also becoming the point of contact for technical/pre- & post-sale support in many cases, in an attempt to bolster their position in the market. Tariffs and/or cross-border trade barriers are some of the potential threats to the electronics supply chain, but that could also potentially lead to re-directing to markets where tariffs/restrictions are lower depending on demand. The industry is also vulnerable in the event of economic slowdowns. Arrow Electronics, Inc., SYNNEX Corporation and Versum Materials, Inc. are some of the major electronics distributors in the U.S.
| AIT | FERG | AIT / FERG | |
| Capitalization | 13.2B | 48B | 28% |
| EBITDA | 612M | 3.08B | 20% |
| Gain YTD | 39.757 | 12.746 | 312% |
| P/E Ratio | 32.66 | 24.42 | 134% |
| Revenue | 4.84B | 31.2B | 16% |
| Total Cash | 172M | 820M | 21% |
| Total Debt | 365M | 6.08B | 6% |
AIT | FERG | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 38 | 46 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 83 Overvalued | 43 Fair valued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 6 | 30 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 44 | 31 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 43 | 51 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 30 | 65 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 50 | 85 |
Tickeron ratings are formulated such that a rating of 1 designates the most successful stocks in a given industry, while a rating of 100 points to the least successful stocks for that industry.
FERG's Valuation (43) in the null industry is somewhat better than the same rating for AIT (83) in the Wholesale Distributors industry. This means that FERG’s stock grew somewhat faster than AIT’s over the last 12 months.
AIT's Profit vs Risk Rating (6) in the Wholesale Distributors industry is in the same range as FERG (30) in the null industry. This means that AIT’s stock grew similarly to FERG’s over the last 12 months.
FERG's SMR Rating (31) in the null industry is in the same range as AIT (44) in the Wholesale Distributors industry. This means that FERG’s stock grew similarly to AIT’s over the last 12 months.
AIT's Price Growth Rating (43) in the Wholesale Distributors industry is in the same range as FERG (51) in the null industry. This means that AIT’s stock grew similarly to FERG’s over the last 12 months.
AIT's P/E Growth Rating (30) in the Wholesale Distributors industry is somewhat better than the same rating for FERG (65) in the null industry. This means that AIT’s stock grew somewhat faster than FERG’s over the last 12 months.
| AIT | FERG | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 51% | 2 days ago 49% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 54% | 2 days ago 64% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 66% | 2 days ago 74% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 49% | 2 days ago 69% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 51% | 2 days ago 55% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 67% | 2 days ago 66% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 8 days ago 66% | 11 days ago 68% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 48% | 3 days ago 57% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 52% | 2 days ago 57% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 66% | 2 days ago 59% |
Advertisement
AIT and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, AIT has been loosely correlated with WCC. These tickers have moved in lockstep 59% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is some statistical probability that if AIT jumps, then WCC could also see price increases.
FERG and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, FERG has been loosely correlated with WSO. These tickers have moved in lockstep 56% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is some statistical probability that if FERG jumps, then WSO could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To FERG | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FERG | 100% | +1.20% | ||
| WSO - FERG | 56% Loosely correlated | +0.71% | ||
| AIT - FERG | 56% Loosely correlated | +1.51% | ||
| WCC - FERG | 53% Loosely correlated | -1.42% | ||
| CNM - FERG | 49% Loosely correlated | +0.17% | ||
| BXC - FERG | 49% Loosely correlated | +0.46% | ||
More | ||||