Applied Industrial Technologies (AIT) vs STERIS (Ireland) (STE)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 7, 2026.
Summary
Applied Industrial Technologies (AIT) has outperformed STERIS (Ireland) (STE) over the past year, gaining 32.4% versus a loss of 13.2%. Over five years, AIT leads with a +250.6% price change compared with -6.8% for STE. STERIS (Ireland) is the larger company by market cap ($20.44 billion vs $12.29 billion), about 1.7 times the size, while Applied Industrial Technologies is growing revenue faster (+8.8% vs +8.7%).
On valuation, STERIS (Ireland) trades at a lower forward P/E (17.1x vs 25.3x for Applied Industrial Technologies). STERIS (Ireland) offers the higher dividend yield (1.20% vs 0.58%). STERIS (Ireland) converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 13.2% versus 8.3%.
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 | STE |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $334.58 | $209.68 |
| Market cap | $12.29B | $20.44B |
| 1-day change | -3.02% | +0.49% |
| YTD return | +30.30% | -17.29% |
| 1-year return | +32.38% | -13.20% |
| 5-year return | +250.64% | -6.85% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 30.56 | 25.63 |
| Forward P/E | 25.29 | 17.12 |
| EPS (TTM) | $10.95 | $8.18 |
| Dividend yield | 0.58% | 1.20% |
| Annual dividend | $1.94 | $2.52 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $4.97B | $5.94B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +8.84% | +8.73% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $414.52M | $782.30M |
| Gross margin | 30.34% | 44.25% |
| Operating margin | 11.06% | 18.56% |
| Net margin | 8.35% | 13.18% |
| 52-week high | $374.80 | $269.44 |
| 52-week low | $238.34 | $195.14 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -10.73% | -22.18% |
| Analyst consensus | none | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +19.55% | +25.49% |
| Average volume | 280.12K | 694.18K |
| Shares outstanding | 36.73M | 97.50M |
| Employees | 6,900 | 17,937 |
| Sector | Consumer Discretionary | Health Care |
| 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
- AIT has outperformed STE by 45.6 percentage points over the past year.
- The two companies sit in different sectors: Applied Industrial Technologies in Consumer Discretionary and STERIS (Ireland) in Health Care.
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 STERIS (Ireland)
STE stock →STERIS plc provides infection prevention products and services in the United States, Ireland, and internationally. It operates through three segments: Healthcare, Applied Sterilization Technologies, and Life Sciences.
Health Care · Industrial Specialties · 17,937 employees
AIT vs STE FAQ
Which is bigger, Applied Industrial Technologies or STERIS (Ireland)?
STERIS (Ireland) (STE) is larger, with a market capitalization of $20.44B compared with $12.29B for Applied Industrial Technologies (AIT).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, AIT or STE?
AIT returned +32.38% over the past 12 months, compared with -13.20% for STE (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, AIT or STE?
STE has the lower trailing P/E at 25.6, 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 STERIS (Ireland)?
STERIS (Ireland) has the higher yield at 1.20%, compared with 0.58% for Applied Industrial Technologies.
Are Applied Industrial Technologies and STERIS (Ireland) in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Industrial Specialties industry within the Consumer Discretionary sector.