Applied Industrial Technologies Reports Fiscal 2026 Third Quarter Results

via Business Wire
  • Net Sales of $1.3 Billion Up 7.3% YoY; Up 6.0% on an Organic Basis
  • Net Income of $99.8 Million; EPS of $2.65 Up 3.1% YoY
  • Operating Income of $137.9 Million; EBITDA of $153.9 Million Up 6.2% YoY
  • Operating Cash Flow of $100.1 Million; Free Cash Flow of $95.4 Million
  • Adjusting FY26 Guidance; EPS Now $10.64 to 10.75 on Sales of +7.2% to +7.7%
  • Announcing New 3.0 Million Share Repurchase Authorization

Applied Industrial Technologies (NYSE: AIT), a leading value-added distributor and technical solutions provider of industrial motion, fluid power, flow control, automation technologies, and related maintenance supplies, today reported results for its fiscal 2026 third quarter ended March 31, 2026.

Net sales for the quarter of $1.3 billion increased 7.3% over the prior year. The change includes a 0.5% increase from acquisitions and a positive 0.8% impact from foreign currency translation. Excluding these factors, sales increased 6.0% on an organic basis reflecting a 4.2% increase in the Service Center segment and a 9.3% increase in the Engineered Solutions segment. The Company reported net income of $­­­99.8 million, or $2.65 per share, and EBITDA of $153.9 million. Results include $1.7 million ($0.05 per share) of non-routine discrete tax expense related to prior-year tax provision adjustments. In addition, on a pre-tax basis, results include $5.6 million ($0.11 after tax per share) of LIFO expense compared to $2.2 million ($0.04 after tax per share) of LIFO expense in the prior-year period.

Neil A. Schrimsher, Applied’s President & Chief Executive Officer, commented, “We delivered a solid third quarter underscored by strengthening organic sales growth across both segments. Growth was led by our Engineered Solutions segment where ongoing positive order trends, improving demand across legacy and emerging industry verticals, and our deep application and engineering expertise is accelerating sales momentum. This is an encouraging sign that highlights our differentiated position, as well as distinct growth tailwinds emerging across the segment. In addition, Service Center segment demand is building nicely. Benefits from our sales initiatives and One Applied value proposition are reading through as we support our customers’ heightened technical MRO requirements within an increasingly positive U.S. industrial backdrop. Combined with steady underlying gross margin performance, we reported record quarterly EBITDA at the high end of our expectations. Overall, these are strong results that further demonstrate our favorable industry position and the Applied team’s consistent execution.”

Mr. Schrimsher added, “I am encouraged by our performance year to date and the company-specific opportunities that continue to develop. Organic sales month to date in April are trending up by a high single-digit percent year over year, while orders and business funnel activity remain favorable. We are mindful of recent geopolitical developments and ongoing trade policy uncertainty, which we have incorporated into our fourth quarter outlook. That said, the demand backdrop across our North American centric operations is showing favorable signs with U.S. industrial macro indicators now in more positive territory, break-fix activity firming, and customers’ capital spending gradually improving. Combined with our balance sheet capacity, we are in a solid position moving forward.”

Updated Fiscal 2026 Guidance

Guidance for our fiscal 2026 year ending June 30, 2026 is updated as follows:

  • EPS: $10.64 to $10.75 (prior $10.45 to $10.75)
  • Total sales growth: 7.2% to 7.7% (prior 5.5% to 7.0%)
  • Organic sales growth: 3.8% to 4.2% (prior 2.5% to 4.0%)
  • EBITDA margin: 12.3% to 12.4% (prior 12.2% to 12.4%)

Updated guidance assumes the following for our fiscal fourth quarter ending June 30, 2026:

  • EPS: $2.85 to $2.96
  • Total sales growth: 4.5% to 6.0%
  • Organic sales growth: 4.0% to 5.5% year over year
  • EBITDA margin: 12.6% to 12.8%

Guidance incorporates macro uncertainty tied to recent geopolitical events and ongoing trade policy dynamics, as well as broader inflationary headwinds and growth investments. Guidance does not assume contribution from future acquisitions or share buybacks.

Share Repurchase Authorization

Today, the Company announced that its Board of Directors authorized a new share buyback program to repurchase up to 3.0 million shares of the Company’s common stock. The updated plan replaces the prior share repurchase plan. Shares may be purchased in open market and negotiated transactions.

Dividend

The Company also announced that its Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.51 per common share, payable on May 29, 2026, to shareholders of record on May 15, 2026.

Conference Call Information

The Company will host a conference call at 10 a.m. ET today to discuss the quarter’s results and outlook. A live audio webcast and supplemental presentation can be accessed on our Investor Relations site at https://ir.applied.com. To join by telephone, dial 833-461-5787 (toll free) or 585-542-9983 using conference ID 381460398. Replays of the call will be available via webcast, as well as by telephone for one week by dialing 833-461-5787 (toll free) using conference ID 381460398.

About Applied®

Applied Industrial Technologies is a leading value-added distributor and technical solutions provider of industrial motion, fluid power, flow control, automation technologies, and related maintenance supplies. Our leading brands, specialized services, and comprehensive knowledge serve MRO (maintenance, repair, and operations) and OEM (original equipment manufacturing), and new system install applications in virtually all industrial markets through our multi-channel capabilities that provide choice, convenience, and expertise. For more information, visit www.applied.com.

This press release contains statements that are forward-looking, as that term is defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission in its rules, regulations and releases. Applied intends that such forward-looking statements be subject to the safe harbors created thereby. Forward-looking statements are often identified by qualifiers such as “assume,” “expectation,” “guidance,” and derivative or similar expressions. All forward-looking statements are based on current expectations regarding important risk factors including trends and events in the industrial sector of the economy (such as the inflationary environment and supply chain strains), results of operations, and financial condition, and other risk factors identified in Applied's most recent periodic report and other filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Accordingly, actual results may differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements, and the making of such statements should not be regarded as a representation by Applied or any other person that the results expressed therein will be achieved. Applied assumes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements, whether due to new information, or events, or otherwise.

APPLIED INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGIES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED INCOME
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except per share data)
 

Three Months Ended
March 31,

 

Nine Months Ended
March 31,

2026

2025

 

2026

2025

Net sales

$

1,251,453

 

$

1,166,749

 

$

3,613,999

 

$

3,338,694

 

Cost of sales

 

870,649

 

 

811,459

 

 

2,518,432

 

 

2,330,272

 

Gross profit

 

380,804

 

 

355,290

 

 

1,095,567

 

 

1,008,422

 

Selling, distribution and administrative expense,
including depreciation

 

242,879

 

 

225,888

 

 

705,403

 

 

644,978

 

Operating income

 

137,925

 

 

129,402

 

 

390,164

 

 

363,444

 

Interest expense (income), net

 

2,447

 

 

853

 

 

4,382

 

 

(710

)

Other expense (income), net

 

350

 

 

1,267

 

 

(703

)

 

(1,769

)

Income before income taxes

 

135,128

 

 

127,282

 

 

386,485

 

 

365,923

 

Income tax expense

 

35,359

 

 

27,483

 

 

90,560

 

 

80,771

 

Net income

$

99,769

 

$

99,799

 

$

295,925

 

$

285,152

 

Net income per share - basic

$

2.68

 

$

2.60

 

$

7.89

 

$

7.43

 

Net income per share - diluted

$

2.65

 

$

2.57

 

$

7.79

 

$

7.33

 

Average shares outstanding - basic

 

37,223

 

 

38,322

 

 

37,527

 

 

38,383

 

Average shares outstanding - diluted

 

37,684

 

 

38,847

 

 

38,002

 

 

38,920

 

APPLIED INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)
 
 
March 31,
2026
June 30,
2025
 
 
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents

$

171,576

$

388,417

Accounts receivable, net

 

792,849

 

 

769,699

 

Inventories

 

526,324

 

 

505,337

 

Other current assets

 

90,457

 

 

84,020

 

Total current assets

 

1,581,206

 

 

1,747,473

 

Property, net

 

128,037

 

 

128,154

 

Operating lease assets, net

 

181,830

 

 

188,654

 

Identifiable intangibles, net

 

322,689

 

 

348,600

 

Goodwill

 

704,998

 

 

699,374

 

Other assets

 

69,951

 

 

63,289

 

Total Assets

$

2,988,711

 

$

3,175,544

 

 
Liabilities
Accounts payable

$

303,057

 

$

280,124

 

Current portion of long-term debt

 

18,000

 

 

 

Other accrued liabilities

 

215,565

 

 

246,027

 

Total current liabilities

 

536,622

 

 

526,151

 

Long-term debt

 

347,300

 

 

572,300

 

Other liabilities

 

244,746

 

 

232,573

 

Total Liabilities

 

1,128,668

 

 

1,331,024

 

Shareholders' Equity

 

1,860,043

 

 

1,844,520

 

Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity

$

2,988,711

 

$

3,175,544

 

 
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1) Inventories are valued at average cost, using the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method for U.S. inventories. An actual valuation of inventory under the LIFO method can be made only at the end of each year based on the inventory levels and costs at that time. Accordingly, interim LIFO calculations are based on management’s estimates of expected year-end inventory levels and costs and are subject to the final year-end LIFO inventory determination.
APPLIED INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)
 

Nine Months Ended

March 31,

2026

 

2025

 
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Net Income

$

295,925

 

$

285,152

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided
by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization of property

 

19,472

 

 

18,433

 

Amortization of intangibles

 

30,213

 

 

25,385

 

Provision for losses on accounts receivable

 

1,095

 

 

2,652

 

Amortization of stock appreciation rights

 

4,174

 

 

3,570

 

Other share-based compensation expense

 

5,414

 

 

5,824

 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions

 

(55,310

)

 

5,371

 

Other, net

 

18,103

 

 

(1,050

)

Net Cash provided by Operating Activities

 

319,086

 

 

345,337

 

Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Net cash paid for acquisitions, net of cash acquired

 

(11,425

)

 

(273,312

)

Capital expenditures

 

(18,312

)

 

(18,295

)

Proceeds from property sales

 

986

 

 

1,022

 

Net Cash used in Investing Activities

 

(28,751

)

 

(290,585

)

Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Net payments under revolving credit facility

 

(207,000

)

 

 

Long-term debt repayments

 

 

 

(25,106

)

Interest rate swap settlement receipts

 

5,765

 

 

9,435

 

Purchases of treasury shares

 

(236,379

)

 

(79,794

)

Dividends paid

 

(53,727

)

 

(46,159

)

Payment of debt issuance costs

 

(1,611

)

 

 

Acquisition holdback payments

 

(1,393

)

 

(1,210

)

Taxes paid for shares withheld

 

(12,812

)

 

(14,332

)

Net Cash used in Financing Activities

 

(507,157

)

 

(157,166

)

Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash

 

(19

)

 

(5,361

)

Decrease in Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

(216,841

)

 

(107,775

)

Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period

 

388,417

 

 

460,617

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period

$

171,576

 

$

352,842

 

APPLIED INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

(Unaudited)
(In thousands)

The Company supplements the reporting of financial information determined under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) with reporting of non-GAAP financial measures. The Company believes that these non-GAAP measures provide meaningful information to assist shareholders in understanding financial results, assessing prospects for future performance, and provide a better baseline for analyzing trends in our underlying businesses. Because non-GAAP financial measures do not have a standard definition, it may not be possible to compare these non-GAAP financial measures with other companies' non-GAAP financial measures having the same or similar names. These non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for reported results. The Company believes these non-GAAP financial measures reflect an additional way of viewing aspects of operations that, when viewed with GAAP results, provide a more complete understanding of the financial results of the Company. The Company strongly encourages investors and shareholders to review the Company's financial statements and publicly filed reports in their entirety and not to rely on any single financial measure.
Reconciliation of Net Income, a GAAP financial measure, to EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure:
 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

March 31,

 

March 31,

2026

2025

 

2026

2025

Net Income

$

99,769

 

$

99,799

 

$

295,925

 

$

285,152

 

Interest expense (income), net

 

2,447

 

 

853

 

 

4,382

 

 

(710

)

Income tax expense

 

35,359

 

 

27,483

 

 

90,560

 

 

80,771

 

Depreciation and amortization of property

 

6,396

 

 

6,583

 

 

19,472

 

 

18,433

 

Amortization of intangibles

 

9,884

 

 

10,218

 

 

30,213

 

 

25,385

 

EBITDA

$

153,855

 

$

144,936

 

$

440,552

 

$

409,031

 

The Company defines EBITDA as Earnings from operations before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization. EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure which excludes items that may not be indicative of core operating results.
 
Reconciliation of Net Cash provided by Operating activities, a GAAP financial measure, to Free Cash Flow, a non-GAAP financial measure:
 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

March 31,

 

March 31,

2026

2025

 

2026

2025

Net Cash provided by Operating Activities

$

100,110

 

$

122,453

 

$

319,086

 

$

345,337

 

Capital expenditures

 

(4,734

)

 

(7,549

)

 

(18,312

)

 

(18,295

)

Free Cash Flow

$

95,376

 

$

114,904

 

$

300,774

 

$

327,042

 

 
Free cash flow is a non-GAAP financial measure and is defined as net cash provided by operating activities less capital expenditures.

 

Contacts

Ryan D. Cieslak
Vice President – Investor Relations & Treasury
216-426-4887 / rcieslak@applied.com