Applied Industrial Technologies (AIT) vs Pool (POOL)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Applied Industrial Technologies (AIT) has outperformed Pool (POOL) over the past year, gaining 32.4% versus a loss of 48.8%. Over five years, AIT leads with a +250.6% price change compared with -66.0% for POOL. Applied Industrial Technologies is the larger company by market cap ($12.29 billion vs $5.60 billion), about 2.2 times the size.
On valuation, Pool trades at a lower forward P/E (13.0x vs 25.3x for Applied Industrial Technologies). Pool offers the higher dividend yield (3.28% vs 0.58%). Applied Industrial Technologies converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 8.3% versus 7.7%.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | AIT | POOL |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $334.58 | $154.14 |
| Market cap | $12.29B | $5.60B |
| 1-day change | -3.02% | -2.59% |
| YTD return | +30.30% | -32.62% |
| 1-year return | +32.38% | -48.81% |
| 5-year return | +250.64% | -65.99% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 30.56 | 14.53 |
| Forward P/E | 25.29 | 13.05 |
| EPS (TTM) | $10.95 | $10.61 |
| Dividend yield | 0.58% | 3.28% |
| Annual dividend | $1.94 | $5.05 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $4.97B | $5.29B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +8.84% | -0.41% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $414.52M | $406.40M |
| Gross margin | 30.34% | 29.73% |
| Operating margin | 11.06% | 10.97% |
| Net margin | 8.35% | 7.68% |
| 52-week high | $374.80 | $305.63 |
| 52-week low | $238.34 | $153.55 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -10.73% | -49.57% |
| Analyst consensus | none | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +19.55% | +40.78% |
| Average volume | 280.12K | 779.36K |
| Shares outstanding | 36.73M | 36.34M |
| Employees | 6,900 | 6,000 |
| Sector | Consumer Discretionary | Consumer Discretionary |
| Industry | Industrial Specialties | Industrial Specialties |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- Applied Industrial Technologies is about 2.2 times larger than Pool by market value ($12.29B vs $5.60B).
- AIT has outperformed POOL by 81.2 percentage points over the past year.
- Applied Industrial Technologies trades at a higher earnings multiple (30.6x vs 14.5x trailing P/E).
- Pool offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (3.28% vs 0.58%).
- Applied Industrial Technologies grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+8.84% vs -0.41%).
About Applied Industrial Technologies
AIT stock →Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc. distributes industrial motion, fluid power, flow control, automation technologies, and related maintenance supplies in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, and Costa Rica.
Consumer Discretionary · Industrial Specialties · 6,900 employees
About Pool
POOL stock →Pool Corporation distributes swimming pool supplies, equipment, related leisure, irrigation, and landscape maintenance products in the United States and internationally. It offers maintenance products, including chemicals, supplies, and pool accessories; repair and replacement parts for pool equipment, such as cleaners, filters, heaters, pumps, and lights; and building materials, such as concrete, plumbing and electrical components, functional and decorative pool surfaces, decking materials, tiles, hardscapes, and natural stones for pool installations and remodeling.
Consumer Discretionary · Industrial Specialties · 6,000 employees
AIT vs POOL FAQ
Which is bigger, Applied Industrial Technologies or Pool?
Applied Industrial Technologies (AIT) is larger, with a market capitalization of $12.29B compared with $5.60B for Pool (POOL).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, AIT or POOL?
AIT returned +32.38% over the past 12 months, compared with -48.81% for POOL (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, AIT or POOL?
POOL has the lower trailing P/E at 14.5, versus 30.6 for AIT. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, Applied Industrial Technologies or Pool?
Pool has the higher yield at 3.28%, compared with 0.58% for Applied Industrial Technologies.
Are Applied Industrial Technologies and Pool in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Industrial Specialties industry within the Consumer Discretionary sector.