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AIT vs WCC
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Applied Industrial Technologies (AIT) vs. WESCO International (WCC) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- Tickeron AI Verdict: Based on trend consistency, growth catalysts, and relative momentum, Tickeron's AI currently favors WCC over AIT.
- AIT offers steadier, lower-leverage execution in industrial MRO (maintenance, repair, and operations) and automation, while WCC is posting faster, data-center-led growth with higher cyclicality and debt.
- WCC recently delivered record quarterly sales with roughly 17% organic growth, driven by surging AI data-center demand, versus mid-to-high single-digit growth at AIT.
- AIT carries a materially stronger balance sheet and higher-quality earnings mix, while WCC offers greater upside exposure to electrification and AI infrastructure themes.
- For more detail, explore AIT Major News and AIT Today's Price Move, as well as WCC Major News and WCC Today's Price Move.
- To see how automated strategies are positioning across the market, explore Trending AI Robots.
Introduction
Applied Industrial Technologies and WESCO International are two prominent names in the industrial distribution space, yet they serve that market in notably different ways. AIT is a focused distributor and technical solutions provider for motion, fluid power, flow control, and automation products, while WCC is a much larger global distributor of electrical, data-center, utility, and communications equipment. Because both stocks sit at the intersection of industrial demand and fast-evolving technology themes, this comparison is especially relevant for investors weighing consistent, quality-oriented growth against higher-momentum, cycle-sensitive exposure. Understanding their relative performance and market positioning helps clarify which profile may fit a given strategy.
AIT Overview and Recent Performance
Applied Industrial Technologies operates through two segments: a service-center-based distribution business serving MRO (maintenance, repair, and operations) and OEM (original equipment manufacturing) customers, and an engineered-solutions business spanning fluid power, flow control, and automation. Recent market activity reflects solid, if more measured, execution. The company closed a record fiscal year with sales rising roughly 9% and accelerating organic growth in its engineered-solutions segment, driven by automation and fluid power demand.
In recent weeks, the company reported its latest quarterly results with revenue up about 7.6% year over year and earnings per share (EPS) up approximately 13%, alongside continued margin discipline. Sentiment has been supported by a low-leverage balance sheet, active share buybacks, dividend increases, and targeted acquisitions that expand its automation reach. The main trade-off is growth pace: management's forward sales guidance sits in the low-to-mid single-digit range, and a rising LIFO (last-in, first-out) inventory expense has modestly pressured reported margins, keeping valuation expectations in check.
WCC Overview and Recent Performance
WESCO International is a FORTUNE 500 distributor and supply-chain solutions provider with three reporting units: Electrical and Electronic Solutions (EES), Communications and Security Solutions (CSS), and Utility and Broadband Solutions (UBS). Recent performance has been markedly stronger than its historical norm. The company posted record quarterly net sales of roughly $7.2 billion, up about 17% year over year, with organic growth near that same level.
The standout driver is data-center demand: quarterly data-center sales approached $1.8 billion, up roughly 55% year over year, while non-data-center sales still grew about 7%. A record total backlog—up more than 80% year over year—and multiple upward revisions to full-year guidance have reinforced positive sentiment, prompting several analysts to raise price targets. The trade-off is higher leverage, with long-term debt in the multi-billion-dollar range, and greater sensitivity to the pace of data-center and grid investment, which introduces more cyclical variability than AIT's steadier MRO profile.
Trending AI Robots
Tickeron's Trending AI Robots page curates a selection of automated trading strategies from a platform that hosts hundreds of AI trading bots covering thousands of tickers. Rather than surfacing every available strategy, the section highlights only those bots whose performance, risk profile, and trading style are considered most suitable for prevailing market conditions. These bots vary widely in approach—spanning different timeframes, strategies, and baskets of tickers—so traders can review each bot's statistics and historical performance before engaging. For investors interested in how quantitative systems are positioning across names like AIT and WCC, browsing the Trending AI Robots section offers a practical starting point.
Head-to-Head Comparison
The core contrast between these two stocks is scale, growth profile, and risk structure. WCC is roughly a $16 billion-market-cap company with direct exposure to AI-driven data-center construction and grid electrification, giving it faster revenue growth and a larger, record-setting backlog. AIT, at a smaller market capitalization, is more diversified across broad industrial maintenance and automation, producing steadier but slower growth.
On financial positioning, AIT holds a clearly stronger balance sheet, with minimal net debt and robust free-cash-flow generation, supporting buybacks and acquisitions. WCC carries substantial long-term debt and thinner margins, though its operating leverage has been improving as data-center mix expands. Valuation also differs: WCC trades at a lower earnings multiple but with higher leverage, while AIT trades at a premium multiple that prices in its steadier earnings quality. In essence, this is a choice between cyclical momentum and infrastructure catalysts versus consistency and balance-sheet strength.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Based on observable factors, Tickeron's AI would likely favor WCC in the current environment. The case rests on stronger and more durable recent momentum: double-digit organic growth, a record backlog providing forward visibility, and successive upward revisions to full-year guidance tied to structural AI and electrification demand. These catalysts give WCC a clearer relative growth trajectory even as AIT maintains a steadier, lower-risk profile. That said, the preference is probabilistic rather than absolute—higher leverage and cyclical sensitivity at WCC mean the ranking could shift if data-center demand softens or margins compress. The verdict reflects current trend consistency and positioning, not a fixed forecast.
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 WCC is a Hold.
AIT in upward trend: price may jump up because it broke its lower Bollinger Band on October 27, 2026
AIT may jump back above the lower band and head toward the middle band. Traders may consider buying the stock or exploring call options. In 30 of 34 cases where AIT's price broke its lower Bollinger Band, its price rose further in the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 88%.
Technical Analysis (Indicators)
Bullish Trend Analysis
The RSI Indicator points to a transition from a downward trend to an upward trend -- in cases where AIT's RSI Indicator exited the oversold zone, 14 of 16 resulted in an increase in price. Tickeron's analysis proposes that the odds of a continued upward trend are 88%.
The Stochastic Oscillator shows that the ticker has stayed in the oversold zone for 5 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%.
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 51 similar instances when the indicator turned negative. In 27 of the 51 cases the stock turned lower in the days that followed. This puts the odds of success at 53%.
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 9 of 18 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 50%.
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%.
The Aroon Indicator for AIT entered a downward trend on November 02, 2026. This could indicate a strong downward move is ahead for the stock. Traders may want to consider selling the stock or buying put options.
Fundamental Analysis (Ratings)
The Tickeron Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for this company is 9 (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 35 (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 (5.890) is normal, around the industry mean (4.091). P/E Ratio (26.916) is within average values for comparable stocks, (0.309). 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).
WCC saw its Stochastic Oscillator peaks and leaves the overbought zone
The Stochastic Oscillator for WCC moved out of overbought territory on November 02, 2026. This could be a bearish sign for the stock and investors may want to consider selling or taking a defensive position. A.I.dvisor looked at 62 similar instances where the indicator exited the overbought zone. In 42 of the 62 cases the stock moved lower. This puts the odds of a downward move at 68%.
Technical Analysis (Indicators)
Bearish Trend Analysis
The Momentum Indicator moved below the 0 level on November 02, 2026. You may want to consider selling the stock, shorting the stock, or exploring put options on WCC as a result. In 57 of 86 cases where the Momentum Indicator fell below 0, the stock fell further within the subsequent month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 66%.
The Moving Average Convergence Divergence Histogram (MACD) for WCC turned negative on November 02, 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 48 similar instances when the indicator turned negative. In 31 of the 48 cases the stock turned lower in the days that followed. This puts the odds of success at 65%.
WCC moved below its 50-day moving average on October 30, 2026 date and that indicates a change from an upward trend to a downward trend.
The 10-day moving average for WCC crossed bearishly below the 50-day moving average on October 21, 2026. This indicates that the trend has shifted lower and could be considered a sell signal. In 11 of 21 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 52%.
Following a 3-day decline, the stock is projected to fall further. Considering past instances where WCC 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 65%.
Bullish Trend Analysis
The RSI Indicator points to a transition from a downward trend to an upward trend -- in cases where WCC's RSI Indicator exited the oversold zone, 23 of 25 resulted in an increase in price. Tickeron's analysis proposes that the odds of a continued upward trend are 90%.
Following a +8.14% 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where WCC advanced for three days, in 265 of 337 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 79%.
WCC 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 193 of 279 cases where WCC Aroon's Indicator entered an Uptrend, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued Uptrend are 69%.
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 26 (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 Price Growth Rating for this company is 50 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating fairly steady price growth. WCC’s price grows at a lower rate over the last 12 months as compared to S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron SMR rating for this company is 58 (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 Valuation Rating of 71 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is slightly 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 (3.133) is normal, around the industry mean (4.091). P/E Ratio (22.827) is within average values for comparable stocks, (0.309). Projected Growth (PEG Ratio) (1.553) is also within normal values, averaging (2.538). Dividend Yield (0.006) settles around the average of (0.467) among similar stocks. P/S Ratio (0.664) is also within normal values, averaging (3.013).
AIT | WCC | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 79 | 82 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 86 Overvalued | 71 Overvalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 9 | 10 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 43 | 58 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 60 | 50 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 35 | 26 | |
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.
WCC's Valuation (71) in the Wholesale Distributors industry is in the same range as AIT (86). This means that WCC’s stock grew similarly to AIT’s over the last 12 months.
AIT's Profit vs Risk Rating (9) in the Wholesale Distributors industry is in the same range as WCC (10). This means that AIT’s stock grew similarly to WCC’s over the last 12 months.
AIT's SMR Rating (43) in the Wholesale Distributors industry is in the same range as WCC (58). This means that AIT’s stock grew similarly to WCC’s over the last 12 months.
WCC's Price Growth Rating (50) in the Wholesale Distributors industry is in the same range as AIT (60). This means that WCC’s stock grew similarly to AIT’s over the last 12 months.
WCC's P/E Growth Rating (26) in the Wholesale Distributors industry is in the same range as AIT (35). This means that WCC’s stock grew similarly to AIT’s over the last 12 months.
| AIT | WCC | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 88% | 2 days ago 90% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 75% | 2 days ago 68% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 63% | 2 days ago 66% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 53% | 2 days ago 65% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 51% | 2 days ago 76% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 54% | 2 days ago 64% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 6 days ago 67% | 6 days ago 79% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 12 days ago 48% | 2 days ago 65% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 88% | 2 days ago 85% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 41% | 2 days ago 69% |
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 WCC’s FA Score has 2 green FA rating(s).
- AIT’s FA Score: 1 green, 4 red.
- WCC’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 4 TA indicator(s) are bullish while WCC’s TA Score has 4 bullish TA indicator(s).
- AIT’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 6 bearish.
- WCC’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 6 bearish.
Price Growth
AIT (@Electronics Distributors) experienced а -8.06% price change this week, while WCC (@Electronics Distributors) price change was +1.84% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Electronics Distributors industry was +1.96%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +0.23%, and the average quarterly price growth was +5.81%.
Reported Earning Dates
AIT is expected to report earnings on Jan 28, 2027.
WCC is expected to report earnings on Feb 16, 2027.
Industries' Descriptions
@Electronics Distributors (+1.96% 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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WCC and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, WCC has been loosely correlated with AIT. These tickers have moved in lockstep 57% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is some statistical probability that if WCC jumps, then AIT could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To WCC | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WCC | 100% | -2.20% | ||
| AIT - WCC | 57% Loosely correlated | +1.49% | ||
| FERG - WCC | 52% Loosely correlated | +1.46% | ||
| CNM - WCC | 50% Loosely correlated | +2.03% | ||
| TITN - WCC | 49% Loosely correlated | -1.38% | ||
| QXO - WCC | 47% Loosely correlated | +5.80% | ||
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