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IEX vs NDSN
Which Stock Would AI Choose? IDEX Corporation (IEX) vs. Nordson Corporation (NDSN) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- IEX and NDSN are both established industrial companies with exposure to fluid handling, dispensing, and precision technologies, yet they operate in slightly different end markets.
- IEX reported stronger-than-expected first-quarter 2026 results and raised full-year guidance, supporting recent share-price resilience amid broader market volatility.
- NDSN continues to demonstrate consistent earnings beats and maintains a premium valuation supported by steady demand in adhesive and coating applications.
- Relative performance over recent weeks shows IEX benefiting from upgraded organic-sales forecasts, while NDSN trades near multi-month highs ahead of its second-quarter report.
- Both stocks exhibit moderate beta to industrial production trends, with NDSN displaying slightly lower volatility and IEX offering marginally higher growth-optionality in health and science segments.
- Market sentiment remains constructive for the pair, driven by stable capital spending rather than single-sector catalysts.
Introduction
This comparison examines two mid-cap industrial names, IEX and NDSN, that serve overlapping yet distinct customer bases within precision equipment and fluid-management markets. Investors seeking exposure to steady industrial demand, recurring revenue streams, and disciplined capital allocation often evaluate these stocks side by side. The analysis highlights recent earnings trends, valuation differentials, and sector positioning to help both experienced portfolio managers and individual traders assess relative attractiveness in the current environment. Emphasis is placed on verifiable developments from the past several weeks while preserving broader context for ongoing relevance.
IDEX Corporation (IEX) Overview and Recent Performance
IEX designs and manufactures fluid and metering technologies, health and science products, and fire and safety equipment. In recent market activity, shares have responded positively to the company’s first-quarter 2026 earnings release, which featured adjusted earnings per share of $2.00—exceeding consensus—and revenue of $886.9 million. Management subsequently raised full-year organic sales guidance to a 3–4 percent increase and adjusted earnings-per-share expectations to a range of $8.35–$8.55. These updates reflect strength in municipal water, pharmaceutical, semiconductor, and defense-related demand. Over recent weeks, the stock has shown resilience despite broader industrial-sector rotation, supported by consistent order visibility and margin expansion initiatives.
Nordson Corporation (NDSN) Overview and Recent Performance
NDSN provides dispensing, coating, and adhesive solutions for consumer, industrial, and medical applications. The company has maintained a pattern of modest but steady revenue growth and high operating margins. In the most recent reporting period, NDSN delivered earnings above expectations and continues to benefit from resilient demand in electronics assembly and medical-device manufacturing. Ahead of its second-quarter results, scheduled for release shortly, shares have traded within a narrow range near recent highs. Market participants note the firm’s conservative balance sheet and recurring aftermarket revenue as stabilizing factors during periods of uneven industrial capital spending.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
IEX and NDSN both generate the majority of revenue from engineered industrial products, yet their end-market mixes differ. IEX derives notable exposure from life-science and semiconductor consumables, offering higher cyclical sensitivity but also greater upside during technology-driven recoveries. NDSN maintains heavier weighting toward consumer-packaged goods and medical assembly, supporting more stable, recurring revenue streams. Recent momentum favors IEX following its upwardly revised guidance, while NDSN trades at a premium valuation reflecting its historically lower earnings volatility. Risk factors include input-cost inflation for both, though NDSN’s diversified geographic footprint provides modest hedging. Overall, IEX presents a modestly higher-growth profile, whereas NDSN emphasizes predictability and cash-flow consistency.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Based on observable trend consistency, recent earnings beats, and the magnitude of forward guidance upgrades, Tickeron’s AI models currently assign a modestly higher probability of outperformance to IEX over the near term. The combination of raised organic-sales targets and expansion in higher-margin health and science segments appears to provide clearer near-term catalysts relative to NDSN’s more measured outlook. Nevertheless, NDSN retains strong positioning for investors prioritizing lower volatility and premium margins. Any sustained shift in industrial capital-expenditure trends could alter this relative assessment.
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 IEX is a StrongBuy and NDSN 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).
IEX’s FA Score shows that 1 FA rating(s) are green whileNDSN’s FA Score has 1 green FA rating(s).
- IEX’s FA Score: 1 green, 4 red.
- NDSN’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.
IEX’s TA Score shows that 4 TA indicator(s) are bullish while NDSN’s TA Score has 4 bullish TA indicator(s).
- IEX’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 4 bearish.
- NDSN’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 4 bearish.
Price Growth
IEX (@Industrial Machinery) experienced а +2.14% price change this week, while NDSN (@Industrial Machinery) price change was -1.60% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Industrial Machinery industry was -0.03%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was -1.81%, and the average quarterly price growth was +3.38%.
Reported Earning Dates
IEX is expected to report earnings on Jul 28, 2026.
NDSN is expected to report earnings on Aug 24, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Industrial Machinery (-0.03% weekly)The industry makes and maintains machines for consumers, the industry, and most other companies. While it has traditionally been categorized as heavy industry, some smaller companies are also branching into the light category. The industry is pivotal in providing the equipment for production in businesses like agriculture, mining, industry and construction, gas, electricity and water utilities. It also supplies supporting equipment for almost all sectors of the economy, such as equipment for heating, and air conditioning of buildings. Illinois Tool Works Inc., Parker-Hannifin Corporation and Rockwell Automation Inc are some of the major U.S. companies operating in this industry.
| IEX | NDSN | IEX / NDSN | |
| Capitalization | 15.9B | 15.8B | 101% |
| EBITDA | 940M | 893M | 105% |
| Gain YTD | 21.898 | 17.955 | 122% |
| P/E Ratio | 31.86 | 30.21 | 105% |
| Revenue | 3.53B | 2.9B | 122% |
| Total Cash | 586M | 102M | 575% |
| Total Debt | 1.9B | 1.97B | 96% |
IEX | NDSN | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 50 | 50 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 26 Undervalued | 28 Undervalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 96 | 55 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 64 | 52 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 46 | 46 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 40 | 42 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 32 | 65 |
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.
IEX's Valuation (26) in the Industrial Machinery industry is in the same range as NDSN (28). This means that IEX’s stock grew similarly to NDSN’s over the last 12 months.
NDSN's Profit vs Risk Rating (55) in the Industrial Machinery industry is somewhat better than the same rating for IEX (96). This means that NDSN’s stock grew somewhat faster than IEX’s over the last 12 months.
NDSN's SMR Rating (52) in the Industrial Machinery industry is in the same range as IEX (64). This means that NDSN’s stock grew similarly to IEX’s over the last 12 months.
NDSN's Price Growth Rating (46) in the Industrial Machinery industry is in the same range as IEX (46). This means that NDSN’s stock grew similarly to IEX’s over the last 12 months.
IEX's P/E Growth Rating (40) in the Industrial Machinery industry is in the same range as NDSN (42). This means that IEX’s stock grew similarly to NDSN’s over the last 12 months.
| IEX | NDSN | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 62% | N/A |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 51% | 4 days ago 44% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 52% | 4 days ago 39% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 58% | 4 days ago 45% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 52% | 4 days ago 47% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 48% | 4 days ago 55% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 5 days ago 50% | 6 days ago 53% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 25 days ago 51% | 4 days ago 42% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 50% | 4 days ago 43% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 34% | 4 days ago 52% |
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IEX and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, IEX has been closely correlated with ROP. These tickers have moved in lockstep 69% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if IEX jumps, then ROP could also see price increases.
NDSN and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, NDSN has been closely correlated with SWK. These tickers have moved in lockstep 71% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if NDSN jumps, then SWK could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To NDSN | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NDSN | 100% | -1.31% | ||
| SWK - NDSN | 71% Closely correlated | -1.05% | ||
| GGG - NDSN | 71% Closely correlated | +0.04% | ||
| ROP - NDSN | 68% Closely correlated | +0.11% | ||
| HLMN - NDSN | 67% Closely correlated | +0.41% | ||
| IR - NDSN | 67% Closely correlated | +0.33% | ||
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