Applied Industrial Technologies (AIT) vs WESCO International (WCC)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 7, 2026.
Summary
WESCO International (WCC) has outperformed Applied Industrial Technologies (AIT) over the past year, gaining 71.1% versus a gain of 32.3%. Over five years, AIT leads with a +250.5% price change compared with +193.3% for WCC. WESCO International is the larger company by market cap ($17.84 billion vs $12.29 billion), about 1.5 times the size, while Applied Industrial Technologies is growing revenue faster (+8.8% vs +7.8%).
On valuation, WESCO International trades at a lower forward P/E (18.3x vs 25.3x for Applied Industrial Technologies). Applied Industrial Technologies offers the higher dividend yield (0.58% vs 0.52%). Applied Industrial Technologies converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 8.3% versus 2.7%.
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 | WCC |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $334.58 | $366.12 |
| Market cap | $12.29B | $17.84B |
| 1-day change | -3.02% | -4.68% |
| YTD return | +30.26% | +49.66% |
| 1-year return | +32.34% | +71.10% |
| 5-year return | +250.53% | +193.34% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 30.56 | 25.32 |
| Forward P/E | 25.29 | 18.27 |
| EPS (TTM) | $10.95 | $14.46 |
| Dividend yield | 0.58% | 0.52% |
| Annual dividend | $1.94 | $1.91 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $4.97B | $23.51B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +8.84% | +7.76% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $414.52M | $640.20M |
| Gross margin | 30.34% | 21.15% |
| Operating margin | 11.06% | 5.24% |
| Net margin | 8.35% | 2.72% |
| 52-week high | $374.80 | $388.64 |
| 52-week low | $238.34 | $207.39 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -10.73% | -5.79% |
| Analyst consensus | none | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +19.55% | +9.03% |
| Average volume | 280.12K | 586.87K |
| Shares outstanding | 36.73M | 48.73M |
| Employees | 6,900 | 21,000 |
| Sector | Consumer Discretionary | Consumer Discretionary |
| Industry | Industrial Specialties | Telecommunications Equipment |
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
- WCC has outperformed AIT by 38.8 percentage points over the past year.
- Applied Industrial Technologies is more profitable, keeping 8.3 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 2.7 cents for WESCO International.
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 WESCO International
WCC stock →WESCO International, Inc. provides business-to-business distribution, logistics services, and supply chain solutions in the United States, Canada, and internationally.
Consumer Discretionary · Telecommunications Equipment · 21,000 employees
AIT vs WCC FAQ
Which is bigger, Applied Industrial Technologies or WESCO International?
WESCO International (WCC) is larger, with a market capitalization of $17.84B compared with $12.29B for Applied Industrial Technologies (AIT).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, AIT or WCC?
WCC returned +71.10% over the past 12 months, compared with +32.34% for AIT (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, AIT or WCC?
WCC has the lower trailing P/E at 25.3, 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 WESCO International?
Applied Industrial Technologies has the higher yield at 0.58%, compared with 0.52% for WESCO International.
Are Applied Industrial Technologies and WESCO International in the same industry?
Both are in the Consumer Discretionary sector, but in different industries: Industrial Specialties for Applied Industrial Technologies and Telecommunications Equipment for WESCO International.