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AIT vs WCC
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Applied Industrial Technologies (AIT) vs. WESCO International (WCC) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- Both AIT and WCC operate in the industrial distribution sector, with WCC showing stronger recent exposure to data center demand.
- AIT has delivered approximately 40% year-to-date returns amid steady industrial demand, while WCC has posted around 49% year-to-date gains supported by robust quarterly results.
- WCC reported record second-quarter 2026 sales and raised its full-year outlook following double-digit growth and margin expansion.
- AIT is positioned ahead of its fiscal fourth-quarter earnings release scheduled for August 13, 2026, with shares trading near recent highs.
- Sector sentiment remains supported by infrastructure and electrification trends, though both stocks face typical cyclical risks tied to manufacturing and construction activity.
- Relative performance highlights trade-offs between AIT’s broad industrial focus and WCC’s data-center-driven momentum.
Introduction
Applied Industrial Technologies (AIT) and WESCO International (WCC) are two established players in the industrial products and services distribution space. Investors and traders often compare these stocks when evaluating exposure to manufacturing, maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO) demand, as well as emerging growth areas such as data centers and electrification. This analysis examines their recent market positioning, performance trends, and key differentiators to assist those seeking balanced insights into relative value and momentum within the sector.
AIT Overview and Recent Performance
Applied Industrial Technologies (AIT) distributes bearings, power transmission components, fluid power products, and automation solutions primarily to industrial customers. In recent weeks, shares have traded near record levels, supported by consistent year-to-date gains of approximately 40% that outpaced broader market benchmarks. Market activity has reflected investor positioning ahead of the company’s fiscal fourth-quarter earnings report, scheduled for August 13, 2026. Sentiment has remained constructive amid steady industrial end-market demand, though near-term focus centers on earnings visibility and any commentary regarding organic growth trends.
WCC Overview and Recent Performance
WESCO International (WCC) provides electrical, industrial, and communications products and services, with notable strength in data center infrastructure. Recent market activity has been driven by the company’s second-quarter 2026 results, which included record net sales of $6.7 billion, a 13% year-over-year increase, and a raised full-year outlook. Adjusted earnings per share reached $4.57, exceeding consensus estimates, while data center sales grew approximately 45% year-over-year. Shares have reflected this momentum, contributing to year-to-date returns near 49%, with analysts noting continued backlog expansion and margin improvement.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
Applied Industrial Technologies (AIT) maintains a broader industrial distribution model focused on MRO supplies and automation, whereas WESCO International (WCC) emphasizes electrical products with accelerating data center exposure. Recent momentum favors WCC following its earnings beat and guidance raise, while AIT offers a more diversified customer base that may provide relative stability during cyclical slowdowns. Both companies benefit from secular trends in infrastructure and electrification, yet WCC carries higher concentration risk tied to data center capital spending. Market sentiment appears supportive for both, with valuation multiples reflecting growth expectations; investors may weigh AIT’s earnings catalyst against WCC’s demonstrated execution.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Based on observable factors such as recent earnings consistency, backlog growth, and relative positioning within high-demand end markets, Tickeron’s AI would currently assign a higher probability of favorable near-term momentum to WCC. The company’s second-quarter results and raised outlook provide clearer catalysts compared with AIT’s pending earnings release. This assessment remains probabilistic and subject to new data, including macroeconomic indicators and sector-specific developments.
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 Hold and WCC is a StrongBuy.
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 whileWCC’s FA Score has 2 green FA rating(s).
- AIT’s FA Score: 2 green, 3 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 5 TA indicator(s) are bullish while WCC’s TA Score has 6 bullish TA indicator(s).
- AIT’s TA Score: 5 bullish, 4 bearish.
- WCC’s TA Score: 6 bullish, 3 bearish.
Price Growth
AIT (@Electronics Distributors) experienced а -1.63% price change this week, while WCC (@Electronics Distributors) price change was -2.27% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Electronics Distributors industry was +0.02%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +8.18%, and the average quarterly price growth was +5.93%.
Reported Earning Dates
AIT is expected to report earnings on Oct 22, 2026.
WCC is expected to report earnings on Oct 29, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Electronics Distributors (+0.02% 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 | WCC | AIT / WCC | |
| Capitalization | 13.2B | 17.5B | 75% |
| EBITDA | 612M | 1.58B | 39% |
| Gain YTD | 37.674 | 49.542 | 76% |
| P/E Ratio | 32.66 | 24.86 | 131% |
| Revenue | 4.84B | 25B | 19% |
| Total Cash | 172M | 809M | 21% |
| Total Debt | 365M | 6.71B | 5% |
AIT | WCC | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 39 | 74 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 81 Overvalued | 56 Fair valued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 6 | 8 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 44 | 59 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 43 | 41 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 28 | 15 | |
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 (56) in the Wholesale Distributors industry is in the same range as AIT (81). This means that WCC’s stock grew similarly to 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 WCC (8). This means that AIT’s stock grew similarly to WCC’s over the last 12 months.
AIT's SMR Rating (44) in the Wholesale Distributors industry is in the same range as WCC (59). This means that AIT’s stock grew similarly to WCC’s over the last 12 months.
WCC's Price Growth Rating (41) in the Wholesale Distributors industry is in the same range as AIT (43). This means that WCC’s stock grew similarly to AIT’s over the last 12 months.
WCC's P/E Growth Rating (15) in the Wholesale Distributors industry is in the same range as AIT (28). This means that WCC’s stock grew similarly to AIT’s over the last 12 months.
| AIT | WCC | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 58% | N/A |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 51% | 2 days ago 68% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 69% | 2 days ago 83% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 70% | 2 days ago 77% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 51% | 2 days ago 64% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 66% | 2 days ago 74% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 7 days ago 66% | 10 days ago 78% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 48% | 2 days ago 64% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 56% | 2 days ago 52% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 66% | 2 days ago 74% |
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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 59% 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% | -0.43% | ||
| AIT - WCC | 59% Loosely correlated | -0.02% | ||
| FERG - WCC | 53% Loosely correlated | -2.52% | ||
| QXO - WCC | 52% Loosely correlated | -3.34% | ||
| TITN - WCC | 49% Loosely correlated | -1.75% | ||
| CNM - WCC | 47% Loosely correlated | -1.22% | ||
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