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AIT or FAST or GWW
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Applied Industrial Technologies (AIT) vs. Fastenal (FAST) vs. W.W. Grainger (GWW) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- AIT, FAST, and GWW are leading industrial distributors focused on maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO) products, serving overlapping end markets such as manufacturing and construction.
- Year-to-date through late July 2026, GWW posted the strongest gains at approximately 37.5%, followed by AIT at 34.9% and FAST at 20.8%, reflecting differentiated momentum amid steady industrial demand.
- FAST reported robust second-quarter 2026 results with sales up 14.7% year-over-year, while AIT and GWW delivered double-digit organic growth in their most recent reported quarters.
- All three companies maintain healthy operating margins and consistent dividend policies, with limited sector-specific volatility observed in recent market activity.
- Valuation sensitivity varies, as larger-scale operators like GWW trade at premiums relative to peers amid growth expectations.
- Relative performance highlights trade-offs between scale advantages at GWW and FAST versus niche positioning at AIT.
Introduction
Applied Industrial Technologies (AIT), Fastenal (FAST), and W.W. Grainger (GWW) represent core holdings in the industrial distribution sector. These companies supply essential maintenance, repair, and operations products to manufacturing, construction, and other commercial end markets. Investors and traders often compare the three to assess relative positioning within a cyclical yet resilient industry. The comparison is particularly relevant for those evaluating exposure to industrial production trends, supply-chain efficiency, and pricing power in the current market environment.
AIT Overview and Recent Performance
Applied Industrial Technologies (AIT) specializes in distributing bearings, power transmission components, and fluid power products, serving a broad customer base in industrial and maintenance applications. In recent weeks, the stock has traded near its 52-week highs around $350, closing at $345.21 on July 31, 2026. Year-to-date returns reached 34.9%, supported by steady demand and a recent quarterly dividend declaration of $0.51 per share. Upcoming fiscal fourth-quarter earnings scheduled for mid-August have contributed to ongoing market attention without notable sentiment shifts in the immediate period.
FAST Overview and Recent Performance
Fastenal (FAST) operates an extensive network of branches and vending solutions focused on fasteners, tools, and safety products. The company delivered strong second-quarter 2026 results with net sales rising 14.7% year-over-year to $2.39 billion and earnings per share increasing 15.9%. As of the July 31, 2026 close, shares stood at $47.71, contributing to year-to-date gains of 20.8%. Recent market activity reflects continued emphasis on digital tools and contract customer growth, maintaining stable performance relative to broader industrial peers.
GWW Overview and Recent Performance
W.W. Grainger (GWW) provides a comprehensive range of maintenance, repair, and operating supplies through its distribution network and digital platforms. First-quarter 2026 results showed sales of $4.7 billion, up 10.1% year-over-year, prompting raised full-year guidance. The stock closed at $1,382.22 on July 31, 2026, delivering year-to-date returns of 37.5%. Recent market activity has been influenced by consistent operational execution and dividend increases, positioning the company with measured resilience amid industrial sector dynamics.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
The three companies share exposure to industrial MRO demand but differ in scale and focus. GWW and FAST operate larger national footprints with broader product assortments, providing scale advantages in pricing and logistics. AIT emphasizes specialized technical products such as bearings and fluid power, offering differentiated exposure within the sector. Recent momentum has favored GWW and AIT on a year-to-date basis compared with FAST, though all posted positive returns amid stable industrial activity. Risk factors include sensitivity to manufacturing cycles and input costs, with valuation multiples reflecting varying growth expectations. Market sentiment remains constructive across the group, supported by earnings consistency rather than outsized catalysts.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Based on observable factors such as trend consistency and relative positioning in recent market activity, Tickeron’s AI would currently assign a modest probabilistic preference to GWW for its stronger year-to-date performance and scale-driven stability, while recognizing competitive positioning at AIT and FAST. Outcomes remain subject to evolving industrial demand patterns and broader market conditions.
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.
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 whileFAST’s FA Score has 2 green FA rating(s), and GWW’s FA Score reflects 3 green FA rating(s).
- AIT’s FA Score: 2 green, 3 red.
- FAST’s FA Score: 2 green, 3 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 FAST’s TA Score has 5 bullish TA indicator(s), and GWW’s TA Score reflects 5 bullish TA indicator(s).
- AIT’s TA Score: 5 bullish, 4 bearish.
- FAST’s TA Score: 5 bullish, 4 bearish.
- GWW’s TA Score: 5 bullish, 3 bearish.
Price Growth
AIT (@Electronics Distributors) experienced а +4.26% price change this week, while FAST (@Electronics Distributors) price change was +8.66% , and GWW (@Electronics Distributors) price fluctuated -7.57% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Electronics Distributors industry was +11.31%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +14.24%, and the average quarterly price growth was +4.49%.
Reported Earning Dates
AIT is expected to report earnings on Aug 13, 2026.
FAST is expected to report earnings on Oct 14, 2026.
GWW is expected to report earnings on Nov 04, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Electronics Distributors (+11.31% 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 | FAST | GWW | |
| Capitalization | 13.3B | 59.5B | 60.2B |
| EBITDA | 612M | 1.96B | 2.88B |
| Gain YTD | 40.648 | 31.304 | 27.105 |
| P/E Ratio | 34.02 | 44.31 | 32.57 |
| Revenue | 4.84B | 8.75B | 18.4B |
| Total Cash | 172M | 205M | 695M |
| Total Debt | 365M | 442M | 2.78B |
AIT | FAST | GWW | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 49 | 50 | 53 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 83 Overvalued | 88 Overvalued | 85 Overvalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 6 | 60 | 12 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 44 | 30 | 22 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 41 | 26 | 50 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 26 | 58 | 24 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 50 | 65 | 55 |
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 (83) in the Wholesale Distributors industry is in the same range as GWW (85) and is in the same range as FAST (88). This means that AIT's stock grew similarly to GWW’s and similarly to FAST’s over the last 12 months.
AIT's Profit vs Risk Rating (6) in the Wholesale Distributors industry is in the same range as GWW (12) and is somewhat better than the same rating for FAST (60). This means that AIT's stock grew similarly to GWW’s and somewhat faster than FAST’s over the last 12 months.
GWW's SMR Rating (22) in the Wholesale Distributors industry is in the same range as FAST (30) and is in the same range as AIT (44). This means that GWW's stock grew similarly to FAST’s and similarly to AIT’s over the last 12 months.
FAST's Price Growth Rating (26) in the Wholesale Distributors industry is in the same range as AIT (41) and is in the same range as GWW (50). This means that FAST's stock grew similarly to AIT’s and similarly to GWW’s over the last 12 months.
GWW's P/E Growth Rating (24) in the Wholesale Distributors industry is in the same range as AIT (26) and is somewhat better than the same rating for FAST (58). This means that GWW's stock grew similarly to AIT’s and somewhat faster than FAST’s over the last 12 months.
| AIT | FAST | GWW | |
|---|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 57% | 3 days ago 44% | 3 days ago 61% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 54% | 3 days ago 48% | 3 days ago 63% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 74% | 3 days ago 73% | 3 days ago 45% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 66% | 3 days ago 73% | N/A |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 65% | 3 days ago 64% | 3 days ago 50% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 66% | 3 days ago 67% | 3 days ago 50% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 66% | 3 days ago 63% | 14 days ago 62% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 12 days ago 48% | 11 days ago 49% | 3 days ago 48% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 58% | 3 days ago 42% | 3 days ago 58% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 66% | 3 days ago 46% | 3 days ago 49% |
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AIT and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, AIT has been loosely correlated with WCC. These tickers have moved in lockstep 59% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is some statistical probability that if AIT jumps, then WCC could also see price increases.
FAST and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, FAST has been loosely correlated with GWW. These tickers have moved in lockstep 55% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is some statistical probability that if FAST jumps, then GWW could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To FAST | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FAST | 100% | +2.05% | ||
| GWW - FAST | 55% Loosely correlated | -0.39% | ||
| AIT - FAST | 46% Loosely correlated | +0.28% | ||
| WSO - FAST | 42% Loosely correlated | +2.83% | ||
| BXC - FAST | 41% Loosely correlated | +5.25% | ||
| FERG - FAST | 39% Loosely correlated | +1.31% | ||
More | ||||
GWW and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, GWW has been loosely correlated with MSM. These tickers have moved in lockstep 51% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is some statistical probability that if GWW jumps, then MSM could also see price increases.