Applied Industrial Technologies (AIT) vs Watsco (WSO)
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 Watsco (WSO) over the past year, gaining 32.4% versus a loss of 28.7%. Over five years, AIT leads with a +250.6% price change compared with -0.9% for WSO. Applied Industrial Technologies is the larger company by market cap ($12.20 billion vs $11.64 billion), about 1.0 times the size.
On valuation, Watsco trades at a lower forward P/E (21.2x vs 25.1x for Applied Industrial Technologies). Watsco offers the higher dividend yield (4.36% vs 0.58%). Applied Industrial Technologies converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 8.3% versus 6.9%.
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 | WSO |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $332.12 | $282.23 |
| Market cap | $12.20B | $11.64B |
| 1-day change | -0.74% | -0.15% |
| YTD return | +30.30% | -16.12% |
| 1-year return | +32.38% | -28.68% |
| 5-year return | +250.64% | -0.93% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 30.33 | 24.18 |
| Forward P/E | 25.11 | 21.15 |
| EPS (TTM) | $10.95 | $11.67 |
| Dividend yield | 0.58% | 4.36% |
| Annual dividend | $1.94 | $12.30 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $4.97B | $7.24B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +8.84% | -4.98% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $414.52M | $496.99M |
| Gross margin | 30.34% | 28.05% |
| Operating margin | 11.06% | 9.95% |
| Net margin | 8.35% | 6.87% |
| 52-week high | $374.80 | $459.00 |
| 52-week low | $238.34 | $279.04 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -11.39% | -38.51% |
| Analyst consensus | none | hold |
| Avg. price target upside | +20.44% | +33.19% |
| Average volume | 280.11K | 499.69K |
| Shares outstanding | 36.73M | 35.59M |
| Employees | 6,900 | 6,950 |
| Sector | Consumer Discretionary | Consumer Discretionary |
| Industry | Industrial Specialties | Industrial Machinery/Components |
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 WSO by 61.1 percentage points over the past year.
- Applied Industrial Technologies trades at a higher earnings multiple (30.3x vs 24.2x trailing P/E).
- Watsco offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (4.36% vs 0.58%).
- Applied Industrial Technologies grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+8.84% vs -4.98%).
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 Watsco
WSO stock →Watsco, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the distribution of air conditioning, heating, and refrigeration equipment, and related parts and supplies in the United States, Canada, Latin America, and the Caribbean. It distributes equipment, including residential ducted and ductless air conditioners, such as gas, electric, and oil furnaces; commercial air conditioning and heating equipment systems; and other specialized equipment.
Consumer Discretionary · Industrial Machinery/Components · 6,950 employees
AIT vs WSO FAQ
Which is bigger, Applied Industrial Technologies or Watsco?
Applied Industrial Technologies (AIT) is larger, with a market capitalization of $12.20B compared with $11.64B for Watsco (WSO).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, AIT or WSO?
AIT returned +32.38% over the past 12 months, compared with -28.68% for WSO (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, AIT or WSO?
WSO has the lower trailing P/E at 24.2, versus 30.3 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 Watsco?
Watsco has the higher yield at 4.36%, compared with 0.58% for Applied Industrial Technologies.
Are Applied Industrial Technologies and Watsco in the same industry?
Both are in the Consumer Discretionary sector, but in different industries: Industrial Specialties for Applied Industrial Technologies and Industrial Machinery/Components for Watsco.