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ASTE vs CMCO
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Astec Industries (ASTE) vs. Columbus McKinnon (CMCO) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- Astec Industries and Columbus McKinnon are both industrial-equipment manufacturers, but they serve different end markets: road-building and aggregate processing versus material handling and lifting.
- Astec is growing revenue and backlog rapidly, led by its Materials Solutions segment, though near-term margins have been pressured by tariffs, freight, and trade-show costs.
- Columbus McKinnon has roughly doubled its business through the transformative Kito Crosby acquisition, but it carries elevated debt and reported sizable one-time charges.
- Both stocks have declined over the past year, with relative performance diverging based on earnings quality, balance-sheet strength, and integration risk.
- Investors weighing these names are effectively comparing organic backlog momentum against a high-leverage, integration-heavy growth story.
Introduction
Astec Industries (ASTE) and Columbus McKinnon (CMCO) are both mid-cap names in the broader industrial and capital-goods universe, yet their market positioning and near-term drivers could hardly be more different. This stock comparison is relevant for investors evaluating how relative performance, momentum, and risk factors shape two companies operating in cyclical, infrastructure-linked niches. Astec serves the road construction and aggregate-processing sectors, while Columbus McKinnon supplies hoists, cranes, and motion-control products. Traders focused on momentum and catalysts, as well as longer-term investors assessing balance-sheet quality and secular demand, may find the contrast between these two tickers instructive in the current market environment.
ASTE Overview and Recent Performance
Astec Industries, headquartered in Chattanooga, Tennessee, designs and manufactures specialized equipment for asphalt road building, aggregate processing, and concrete production. The company operates through two primary segments: Infrastructure Solutions and Materials Solutions. In recent weeks, Astec's stock has shown a defensive, range-bound pattern, trading near the lower end of its 52-week range after a sustained pullback over the prior year. Recent market activity reflects mixed earnings signals: strong top-line growth and an expanding backlog have been offset by profitability pressures.
In its most recent quarters, Astec reported double-digit revenue growth driven largely by the Materials Solutions segment, which benefited from organic demand and recent acquisitions. Consolidated backlog rose sharply on strong demand for aggregate crushing, screening, and conveying equipment. However, adjusted earnings have trailed consensus estimates, as higher freight, duty, and tariff expenses, elevated trade-show costs, and higher interest expense compressed margins. This tension between robust orders and thinner profitability has been the central driver of investor sentiment.
CMCO Overview and Recent Performance
Columbus McKinnon, based in Charlotte, North Carolina, is a global manufacturer of material-handling and lifting equipment, including hoists, cranes, actuators, and linear-motion components. The company's fiscal 2026 was defined by a transformative acquisition of Kito Crosby, completed in February 2026, which approximately doubled its revenue base, alongside the divestiture of its legacy U.S. power chain hoist operations. In recent weeks, the stock has remained well below prior-year levels following a sustained decline that management cited in connection with a non-cash goodwill impairment charge.
Reported results show very strong sales and order growth—driven by the Kito Crosby contribution—but generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) profitability has been weighed down by one-time items including the goodwill impairment, debt extinguishment costs, and higher interest expense. Adjusted metrics improved sequentially, and the company issued fiscal 2027 guidance pointing to meaningful growth. Sentiment has therefore centered on the pace of integration, synergy realization, and deleveraging rather than on the raw growth rate.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
The core contrast between these two tickers lies in their growth profiles and risk structures. Astec is executing an organic, acquisition-augmented strategy tied to U.S. infrastructure spending, with a healthy book-to-bill ratio (a measure of orders received versus sales shipped) above 1.0x and a growing backlog. Its challenge is converting that backlog into sustained margin expansion amid cost inflation.
Columbus McKinnon, by contrast, is in the early stages of integrating a large, highly leveraged transaction. The Kito Crosby deal has dramatically expanded revenue and order flow, but it has also pushed the company's net leverage ratio to roughly 5.1x and introduced substantial integration risk and interest expense. Adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization) margins improved on the acquisition's scale benefits, yet GAAP losses persist due to one-time charges.
On sector exposure, Astec is leveraged to road construction, aggregates, and public infrastructure budgets, while Columbus McKinnon serves broader industrial end markets including manufacturing, energy, and construction. In terms of market sentiment, Astec's story is one of momentum offset by margin headwinds, whereas Columbus McKinnon's narrative hinges on successful deleveraging and synergy delivery. Both carry cyclical sensitivity, but their risk profiles—lower leverage and steadier cash generation versus higher leverage and integration execution—differ materially.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Based on observable trend consistency, balance-sheet stability, and relative positioning, Tickeron's AI would likely express a modest preference for ASTE in the current environment. Astec's above-1.0x book-to-bill ratio, growing backlog, and more conservative capital structure suggest a steadier, more transparent earnings trajectory than Columbus McKinnon's integration-heavy, higher-leverage profile. That said, the verdict is probabilistic rather than definitive: CMCO offers a substantially larger, faster-growing revenue base and clear synergy catalysts that could support momentum if deleveraging proceeds ahead of schedule. In short, Astec appears better positioned on stability and visibility, while Columbus McKinnon presents a higher-risk, higher-potential-reward transformation story.
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 ASTE is a Hold and CMCO is a Hold.
ASTE's MACD Histogram just turned positive
The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) for ASTE turned positive on October 20, 2026. Looking at past instances where ASTE's MACD turned positive, the stock continued to rise in 35 of 42 cases over the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 83%.
Technical Analysis (Indicators)
Bullish Trend Analysis
The Momentum Indicator moved above the 0 level on October 29, 2026. You may want to consider a long position or call options on ASTE as a result. In 59 of 84 past instances where the momentum indicator moved above 0, the stock continued to climb. The odds of a continued upward trend are 70%.
Following a +3.77% 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where ASTE advanced for three days, in 216 of 316 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 68%.
ASTE may jump back above the lower band and head toward the middle band. Traders may consider buying the stock or exploring call options.
Bearish Trend Analysis
The Stochastic Oscillator may be shifting from an upward trend to a downward trend. In 49 of 64 cases where ASTE's Stochastic Oscillator exited the overbought zone, the price fell further within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 77%.
Following a 3-day decline, the stock is projected to fall further. Considering past instances where ASTE 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 75%.
The Aroon Indicator for ASTE entered a downward trend on November 03, 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 PE Growth Rating for this company is 5 (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 Valuation Rating of 68 (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 (1.339) is normal, around the industry mean (2.422). P/E Ratio (47.129) is within average values for comparable stocks, (4.018). Projected Growth (PEG Ratio) (0.895) is also within normal values, averaging (1.745). Dividend Yield (0.013) settles around the average of (0.016) among similar stocks. P/S Ratio (0.611) is also within normal values, averaging (1.169).
The Tickeron Price Growth Rating for this company is 72 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating slightly worse than average price growth. ASTE’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 88 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating weak sales and an unprofitable 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 Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for this company is 100 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating that the returns do not compensate for the risks. ASTE’s unstable profits reported over time resulted in significant Drawdowns within these last five years. A stable profit reduces stock drawdown and volatility. The average Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for the industry is 79, placing this stock worse than average.
CMCO's MACD Histogram crosses above signal line
The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) for CMCO turned positive on October 28, 2026. Looking at past instances where CMCO's MACD turned positive, the stock continued to rise in 39 of 49 cases over the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 80%.
Technical Analysis (Indicators)
Bullish Trend Analysis
The Momentum Indicator moved above the 0 level on October 29, 2026. You may want to consider a long position or call options on CMCO as a result. In 64 of 81 past instances where the momentum indicator moved above 0, the stock continued to climb. The odds of a continued upward trend are 79%.
CMCO moved above its 50-day moving average on November 03, 2026 date and that indicates a change from a downward trend to an upward trend.
Following a +21.24% 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where CMCO advanced for three days, in 195 of 282 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 69%.
Bearish Trend Analysis
The RSI Indicator demonstrated that the stock has entered the overbought zone. This may point to a price pull-back soon.
The Stochastic Oscillator demonstrated that the ticker has stayed in the overbought zone for 3 days. The longer the ticker stays in the overbought zone, the sooner a price pull-back is expected.
The 50-day moving average for CMCO moved below the 200-day moving average on October 27, 2026. This could be a long-term bearish signal for the stock as the stock shifts to an downward trend.
Following a 3-day decline, the stock is projected to fall further. Considering past instances where CMCO 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 75%.
CMCO broke above its upper Bollinger Band on November 03, 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.
The Aroon Indicator for CMCO entered a downward trend on October 19, 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 Seasonality Score of 8 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is seriously undervalued in the industry. The Tickeron Seasonality score describes the variance of predictable price changes around the same period every calendar year. These changes can be tied to a specific month, quarter, holiday or vacation period, as well as a meteorological or growing season.
The Tickeron Valuation Rating of 32 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is slightly undervalued 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 (0.930) is normal, around the industry mean (2.422). P/E Ratio (-1.935) is within average values for comparable stocks, (4.018). Projected Growth (PEG Ratio) (0.460) is also within normal values, averaging (1.745). Dividend Yield (0.015) settles around the average of (0.016) among similar stocks. P/S Ratio (0.311) is also within normal values, averaging (1.169).
The Tickeron Price Growth Rating for this company is 70 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating slightly worse than average price growth. CMCO’s price grows at a lower rate over the last 12 months as compared to S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron PE Growth Rating for this company is 97 (best 1 - 100 worst), pointing to worse than average 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 97 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating weak sales and an unprofitable 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 Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for this company is 100 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating that the returns do not compensate for the risks. CMCO’s unstable profits reported over time resulted in significant Drawdowns within these last five years. A stable profit reduces stock drawdown and volatility. The average Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for the industry is 79, placing this stock worse than average.
ASTE | CMCO | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 10 | 29 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 68 Overvalued | 32 Undervalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 100 | 100 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 88 | 97 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 72 | 70 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 5 | 97 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | n/a | 8 |
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.
CMCO's Valuation (32) in the Trucks Or Construction Or Farm Machinery industry is somewhat better than the same rating for ASTE (68). This means that CMCO’s stock grew somewhat faster than ASTE’s over the last 12 months.
CMCO's Profit vs Risk Rating (100) in the Trucks Or Construction Or Farm Machinery industry is in the same range as ASTE (100). This means that CMCO’s stock grew similarly to ASTE’s over the last 12 months.
ASTE's SMR Rating (88) in the Trucks Or Construction Or Farm Machinery industry is in the same range as CMCO (97). This means that ASTE’s stock grew similarly to CMCO’s over the last 12 months.
CMCO's Price Growth Rating (70) in the Trucks Or Construction Or Farm Machinery industry is in the same range as ASTE (72). This means that CMCO’s stock grew similarly to ASTE’s over the last 12 months.
ASTE's P/E Growth Rating (5) in the Trucks Or Construction Or Farm Machinery industry is significantly better than the same rating for CMCO (97). This means that ASTE’s stock grew significantly faster than CMCO’s over the last 12 months.
| ASTE | CMCO | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | N/A | 2 days ago 78% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 77% | 2 days ago 74% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 70% | 2 days ago 79% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 83% | 2 days ago 80% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 72% | 2 days ago 69% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 74% | 2 days ago 71% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 7 days ago 68% | 2 days ago 69% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 10 days ago 75% | 13 days ago 75% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 78% | 2 days ago 75% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 75% | 2 days ago 75% |
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).
ASTE’s FA Score shows that 1 FA rating(s) are green while CMCO’s FA Score has 1 green FA rating(s).
- ASTE’s FA Score: 1 green, 4 red.
- CMCO’s FA Score: 1 green, 4 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.
ASTE’s TA Score shows that 4 TA indicator(s) are bullish while CMCO’s TA Score has 4 bullish TA indicator(s).
- ASTE’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 3 bearish.
- CMCO’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 6 bearish.
Price Growth
ASTE (@Trucks/Construction/Farm Machinery) experienced а +4.16% price change this week, while CMCO (@Trucks/Construction/Farm Machinery) price change was +21.57% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Trucks/Construction/Farm Machinery industry was -2.49%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was -11.57%, and the average quarterly price growth was -3.30%.
Reported Earning Dates
ASTE is expected to report earnings on Nov 05, 2026.
CMCO is expected to report earnings on Jan 28, 2027.
Industries' Descriptions
@Trucks/Construction/Farm Machinery (-2.49% weekly)The industry designs and builds agricultural, construction and other large commercial and transportation equipment. Tractors, planters and harvesters, as well as rock-crushing, railroad, demolition and other construction implements are produced by this industry. Rapid urbanization and industrialization has been bolstering the expansion of the construction sector in the past few decades, thereby boosting demand for heavy equipment businesses. Caterpillar Inc., Deere & Company and Cummins Inc (Ex. Cummins Engine Inc) are some prominent companies in this industry.
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ASTE and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, ASTE has been loosely correlated with MTW. These tickers have moved in lockstep 56% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is some statistical probability that if ASTE jumps, then MTW could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To ASTE | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASTE | 100% | -0.07% | ||
| MTW - ASTE | 56% Loosely correlated | +0.93% | ||
| TEX - ASTE | 55% Loosely correlated | -0.28% | ||
| HY - ASTE | 51% Loosely correlated | +0.34% | ||
| CNH - ASTE | 50% Loosely correlated | -0.68% | ||
| TWI - ASTE | 48% Loosely correlated | +0.40% | ||
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CMCO and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, CMCO has been loosely correlated with CAT. These tickers have moved in lockstep 49% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is some statistical probability that if CMCO jumps, then CAT could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To CMCO | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CMCO | 100% | +15.16% | ||
| CAT - CMCO | 49% Loosely correlated | +1.68% | ||
| ACA - CMCO | 48% Loosely correlated | N/A | ||
| OSK - CMCO | 47% Loosely correlated | -1.93% | ||
| FSS - CMCO | 42% Loosely correlated | +0.11% | ||
| ASTE - CMCO | 40% Loosely correlated | -0.07% | ||
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