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AIT vs GWW
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Applied Industrial Technologies (AIT) vs. W.W. Grainger (GWW) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- AIT is a value-added distributor focused on industrial motion, fluid power, automation, and engineered solutions, while GWW is a broad-line MRO (maintenance, repair, and operations) distributor with far greater scale.
- GWW delivered accelerating double-digit sales and EPS (earnings per share) growth in its most recent quarter and raised full-year guidance, signaling broad-based demand momentum.
- AIT continues to expand through acquisitions and automation, but has faced near-term margin pressure in its Service Center segment and softer volumes outside the U.S.
- On relative performance, GWW offers larger scale, 55 consecutive years of dividend increases, and steadier trend consistency, while AIT carries a higher-growth, higher-valuation profile.
- Tickeron AI Verdict: Based on trend consistency, stability, catalysts, and relative market positioning, the AI currently favors GWW.
- For more details on each company's developments and daily price action, explore AIT Major News and AIT Today's Price Move, as well as GWW Major News and GWW Today's Price Move.
- To see which strategies are leading in the current market, explore Trending AI Robots.
Introduction
Industrial distribution is a sector where scale, technical expertise, and supply-chain reliability define competitive positioning. This stock comparison examines two established players with different models: AIT (Applied Industrial Technologies), a technical distributor of motion, fluid power, and automation solutions, and GWW (W.W. Grainger), a broad-line MRO (maintenance, repair, and operations) distributor serving millions of customers. Both have posted strong recent results, but their growth drivers, risk profiles, and valuation levels differ. This comparison is relevant for investors and traders evaluating relative momentum, margin trends, and market positioning within the industrials sector.
AIT Overview and Recent Performance
AIT (Applied Industrial Technologies) operates two segments: Service Center, which distributes bearings, power transmission, fluid power, and automation products, and Engineered Solutions, which provides technical and design-intensive offerings. In recent weeks, the company has highlighted momentum in automation, fluid power, and flow control, with its Engineered Solutions segment posting double-digit organic growth and a backlog at multi-year highs.
Recent market activity has reflected both opportunity and caution. AIT's latest quarterly results were broadly in line with expectations, yet the stock pulled back as investors weighed softer volumes in Canada and Mexico, higher employee health costs, and margin headwinds in the Service Center business. Management has also cited limited visibility around trade policy, geopolitics, and interest rates. On the growth side, the company continues to pursue acquisitions — including recent additions in industrial supply and factory automation — and has signaled interest in emerging areas such as drones and AI through a letter of intent for a joint venture.
GWW Overview and Recent Performance
GWW (W.W. Grainger) is one of the world's largest broad-line MRO distributors, serving more than 4.6 million customers primarily across North America and Japan. Its two segments are High-Touch Solutions N.A. and Endless Assortment, which includes the Zoro and MonotaRO online businesses.
Recent performance has been notably strong. In its most recent quarter, GWW grew sales at a double-digit rate and expanded operating margin, driven by broad-based demand across manufacturing, government, and contractor customers. Its Endless Assortment segment grew even faster, led by Zoro and MonotaRO. The company raised its full-year sales and EPS guidance and announced its 55th consecutive annual dividend increase. Management acknowledged ongoing cost pressures from tariffs, fuel, and geopolitical factors, but has maintained a focus on price-cost neutrality. This combination of scale, accelerating growth, and consistent shareholder returns has supported a steadier uptrend in recent market activity.
Trending AI Robots
Tickeron's Trending AI Robots page showcases a curated selection of automated trading strategies from a broader library of hundreds of AI trading bots that trade thousands of different tickers. Only the bots best suited to current market conditions earn a place in this section. These robots vary widely in trading style, strategy, timeframe, performance, and the set of tickers they monitor, allowing traders to compare statistics and match a bot's approach to their own objectives. The page is designed to surface the strategies currently showing the most relevant momentum and positioning. Explore Trending AI Robots to review the available bots and their performance metrics.
Head-to-Head Comparison
The two companies differ most sharply in business model and scale. AIT is a specialized, technical distributor generating roughly $5 billion in annual revenue, with growth increasingly tied to automation and engineered solutions. GWW is a broad-line distributor with annual revenue around $18 billion, offering a far wider product assortment and a larger, more diversified customer base.
Growth drivers also diverge. AIT leans on technical expertise, backlog growth in automation, and M&A (mergers and acquisitions), while GWW benefits from scale, price realization, and a rapidly growing digital/endless-assortment channel. On risk, AIT carries a higher valuation and is more exposed to margin volatility in its Service Center business and to non-U.S. demand softness; GWW faces tariff, fuel, and geopolitical cost pressures but has a longer track record of consistent margin expansion and dividend growth. Market sentiment has favored GWW's steadier acceleration, while AIT offers a higher-growth, higher-beta profile for investors comfortable with more valuation risk.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Based on observable factors — trend consistency, stability, catalysts, and relative positioning — Tickeron's AI would currently favor GWW. The company's recent acceleration in both sales and profitability, its raised guidance, and its 55-year record of dividend increases suggest more durable trend consistency. While AIT presents a compelling automation-driven growth story, its near-term margin headwinds and softer international volumes introduce greater variability. Accordingly, the AI's probabilistic assessment leans toward GWW for stability and confirmed momentum, while still recognizing AIT's potential under a higher-growth, higher-risk lens.
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 GWW is a StrongBuy.
AIT's RSI Indicator descends into oversold zone
The RSI Oscillator for AIT moved into overbought territory on October 30, 2026. Be on the watch for a price drop or consolidation in the future -- when this happens, think about selling the stock or exploring put options.
Technical Analysis (Indicators)
Bullish Trend Analysis
The Stochastic Oscillator shows that the ticker has stayed in the oversold zone for 4 days. The price of this ticker is presumed to bounce back soon, since the longer the ticker stays in the oversold zone, the more promptly an upward trend is expected.
Following a +1.63% 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where AIT advanced for three days, in 227 of 339 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 67%.
AIT may jump back above the lower band and head toward the middle band. Traders may consider buying the stock or exploring call options.
The Aroon Indicator entered an Uptrend today. In 192 of 276 cases where AIT Aroon's Indicator entered an Uptrend, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued Uptrend are 70%.
Bearish Trend Analysis
The Momentum Indicator moved below the 0 level on October 22, 2026. You may want to consider selling the stock, shorting the stock, or exploring put options on AIT as a result. In 59 of 94 cases where the Momentum Indicator fell below 0, the stock fell further within the subsequent month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 63%.
The Moving Average Convergence Divergence Histogram (MACD) for AIT turned negative on October 13, 2026. This could be a sign that the stock is set to turn lower in the coming weeks. Traders may want to sell the stock or buy put options. Tickeron's A.I.dvisor looked at 52 similar instances when the indicator turned negative. In 30 of the 52 cases the stock turned lower in the days that followed. This puts the odds of success at 58%.
AIT moved below its 50-day moving average on October 22, 2026 date and that indicates a change from an upward trend to a downward trend.
The 10-day moving average for AIT crossed bearishly below the 50-day moving average on October 22, 2026. This indicates that the trend has shifted lower and could be considered a sell signal. In 7 of 19 past instances when the 10-day crossed below the 50-day, the stock continued to move higher over the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 37%.
Following a 3-day decline, the stock is projected to fall further. Considering past instances where AIT declined for three days, the price rose further in 50 of 62 cases within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 48%.
Fundamental Analysis (Ratings)
The Tickeron Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for this company is 10 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating low risk on high returns. The average Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for the industry is 65, placing this stock better than average.
The Tickeron PE Growth Rating for this company is 36 (best 1 - 100 worst), pointing to consistent earnings growth. The PE Growth rating is based on a comparative analysis of stock PE ratio increase over the last 12 months compared against S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron SMR rating for this company is 43 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating strong sales and a profitable business model. SMR (Sales, Margin, Return on Equity) rating is based on comparative analysis of weighted Sales, Income Margin and Return on Equity values compared against S&P 500 index constituents. The weighted SMR value is a proprietary formula developed by Tickeron and represents an overall profitability measure for a stock.
The Tickeron Price Growth Rating for this company is 60 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating fairly steady price growth. AIT’s price grows at a lower rate over the last 12 months as compared to S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron Valuation Rating of 86 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is significantly overvalued in the industry. This rating compares market capitalization estimated by our proprietary formula with the current market capitalization. This rating is based on the following metrics, as compared to industry averages: P/B Ratio (5.803) is normal, around the industry mean (4.070). P/E Ratio (26.521) is within average values for comparable stocks, (0.373). Projected Growth (PEG Ratio) (2.812) is also within normal values, averaging (2.538). Dividend Yield (0.007) settles around the average of (0.467) among similar stocks. P/S Ratio (2.402) is also within normal values, averaging (3.013).
Momentum Indicator for GWW turns positive, indicating new upward trend
GWW saw its Momentum Indicator move above the 0 level on October 09, 2026. This is an indication that the stock could be shifting in to a new upward move. Traders may want to consider buying the stock or buying call options. Tickeron's A.I.dvisor looked at 85 similar instances where the indicator turned positive. In 60 of the 85 cases, the stock moved higher in the following days. The odds of a move higher are at 71%.
Technical Analysis (Indicators)
Bullish Trend Analysis
The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) for GWW just turned positive on October 01, 2026. Looking at past instances where GWW's MACD turned positive, the stock continued to rise in 30 of 46 cases over the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 65%.
GWW moved above its 50-day moving average on October 12, 2026 date and that indicates a change from a downward trend to an upward trend.
The 10-day moving average for GWW crossed bullishly above the 50-day moving average on October 14, 2026. This indicates that the trend has shifted higher and could be considered a buy signal. In 9 of 16 past instances when the 10-day crossed above the 50-day, the stock continued to move higher over the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 56%.
Following a +1.80% 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where GWW advanced for three days, in 199 of 336 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 59%.
The Aroon Indicator entered an Uptrend today. In 104 of 232 cases where GWW Aroon's Indicator entered an Uptrend, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued Uptrend are 45%.
Bearish Trend Analysis
The 10-day RSI Indicator for GWW moved out of overbought territory on October 23, 2026. This could be a bearish sign for the stock. Traders may want to consider selling the stock or buying put options. Tickeron's A.I.dvisor looked at 42 similar instances where the indicator moved out of overbought territory. In 19 of the 42 cases, the stock moved lower in the following days. This puts the odds of a move lower at 45%.
The Stochastic Oscillator has been in the overbought zone for 1 day. Expect a price pull-back in the near future.
Following a 3-day decline, the stock is projected to fall further. Considering past instances where GWW declined for three days, the price rose further in 50 of 62 cases within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 47%.
GWW broke above its upper Bollinger Band on October 12, 2026. This could be a sign that the stock is set to drop as the stock moves back below the upper band and toward the middle band. You may want to consider selling the stock or exploring put options.
Fundamental Analysis (Ratings)
The Tickeron Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for this company is 6 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating low risk on high returns. The average Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for the industry is 65, placing this stock better than average.
The Tickeron PE Growth Rating for this company is 12 (best 1 - 100 worst), pointing to outstanding earnings growth. The PE Growth rating is based on a comparative analysis of stock PE ratio increase over the last 12 months compared against S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron SMR rating for this company is 21 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating very strong sales and a profitable business model. SMR (Sales, Margin, Return on Equity) rating is based on comparative analysis of weighted Sales, Income Margin and Return on Equity values compared against S&P 500 index constituents. The weighted SMR value is a proprietary formula developed by Tickeron and represents an overall profitability measure for a stock.
The Tickeron Price Growth Rating for this company is 41 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating steady price growth. GWW’s price grows at a higher rate over the last 12 months as compared to S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron Valuation Rating of 88 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is significantly overvalued in the industry. This rating compares market capitalization estimated by our proprietary formula with the current market capitalization. This rating is based on the following metrics, as compared to industry averages: GWW's P/B Ratio (15.497) is very high in comparison to the industry average of (4.070). P/E Ratio (34.593) is within average values for comparable stocks, (0.373). Projected Growth (PEG Ratio) (1.712) is also within normal values, averaging (2.538). Dividend Yield (0.007) settles around the average of (0.467) among similar stocks. P/S Ratio (3.175) is also within normal values, averaging (3.013).
AIT | GWW | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 50 | 50 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 86 Overvalued | 88 Overvalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 10 | 6 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 43 | 21 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 60 | 41 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 36 | 12 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 50 | 50 |
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.
AIT's Valuation (86) in the Wholesale Distributors industry is in the same range as GWW (88). This means that AIT’s stock grew similarly to GWW’s over the last 12 months.
GWW's Profit vs Risk Rating (6) in the Wholesale Distributors industry is in the same range as AIT (10). This means that GWW’s stock grew similarly to AIT’s over the last 12 months.
GWW's SMR Rating (21) in the Wholesale Distributors industry is in the same range as AIT (43). This means that GWW’s stock grew similarly to AIT’s over the last 12 months.
GWW's Price Growth Rating (41) in the Wholesale Distributors industry is in the same range as AIT (60). This means that GWW’s stock grew similarly to AIT’s over the last 12 months.
GWW's P/E Growth Rating (12) in the Wholesale Distributors industry is in the same range as AIT (36). This means that GWW’s stock grew similarly to AIT’s over the last 12 months.
| AIT | GWW | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 90% | 4 days ago 45% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 73% | 4 days ago 48% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 63% | 4 days ago 71% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 58% | 4 days ago 65% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 51% | 4 days ago 61% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 54% | 4 days ago 59% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 5 days ago 67% | 12 days ago 59% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 11 days ago 48% | 6 days ago 47% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 88% | 4 days ago 46% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 70% | 4 days ago 45% |
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 overvalued. 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 1 FA rating(s) are green while GWW’s FA Score has 3 green FA rating(s).
- AIT’s FA Score: 1 green, 4 red.
- GWW’s FA Score: 3 green, 2 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 5 TA indicator(s) are bullish while GWW’s TA Score has 6 bullish TA indicator(s).
- AIT’s TA Score: 5 bullish, 5 bearish.
- GWW’s TA Score: 6 bullish, 4 bearish.
Price Growth
AIT (@Electronics Distributors) experienced а -7.22% price change this week, while GWW (@Electronics Distributors) price change was +0.69% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Electronics Distributors industry was +4.00%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +1.08%, and the average quarterly price growth was +6.34%.
Reported Earning Dates
AIT is expected to report earnings on Jan 28, 2027.
GWW is expected to report earnings on Nov 04, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Electronics Distributors (+4.00% 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.
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AIT and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, AIT has been loosely correlated with MSM. These tickers have moved in lockstep 57% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is some statistical probability that if AIT jumps, then MSM could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To AIT | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AIT | 100% | -2.75% | ||
| MSM - AIT | 57% Loosely correlated | -1.55% | ||
| WCC - AIT | 57% Loosely correlated | -6.44% | ||
| FERG - AIT | 54% Loosely correlated | -0.74% | ||
| FAST - AIT | 52% Loosely correlated | -1.22% | ||
| CNM - AIT | 48% Loosely correlated | +0.25% | ||
More | ||||
GWW and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, GWW has been loosely correlated with FAST. These tickers have moved in lockstep 56% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is some statistical probability that if GWW jumps, then FAST could also see price increases.
| 1 Day | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| ETFs / NAME | Price $ | Chg $ | Chg % |
| VUS | 30.11 | N/A | N/A |
| Virtus US Dividend ETF (VUS) | |||
| XEMD | 43.25 | -0.12 | -0.28% |
| BondBloxx JP Morgan USD Emerging Markets 1-10 Year Bond ETF (XEMD) | |||
| GTR | 27.09 | -0.35 | -1.28% |
| WisdomTree Target Range Fund (GTR) | |||
| LDRX | 36.01 | -0.75 | -2.03% |
| SGI Enhanced Market Leaders ETF (LDRX) | |||
| IEMG | 74.25 | -2.11 | -2.76% |
| iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (IEMG) | |||