MetaCap

Applied Industrial Technologies (AIT) vs Zimmer Biomet (ZBH)

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 Zimmer Biomet (ZBH) over the past year, gaining 32.4% versus a loss of 10.7%. Over five years, AIT leads with a +250.6% price change compared with -37.7% for ZBH. Zimmer Biomet is the larger company by market cap ($16.95 billion vs $12.20 billion), about 1.4 times the size, while Applied Industrial Technologies is growing revenue faster (+8.8% vs +7.2%).

On valuation, Zimmer Biomet trades at a lower forward P/E (9.8x vs 25.1x for Applied Industrial Technologies). Zimmer Biomet offers the higher dividend yield (1.08% vs 0.58%). Zimmer Biomet converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 8.6% versus 8.3%.

Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology

Relative performance

AIT+32.38%ZBH-10.67%
+46%+12%-23%
Oct 7, 20251 yearOct 7, 2026
AIT+248.30%ZBH-37.85%
+293%+117%-58%
Oct 4, 20215 yearsOct 5, 2026

Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.

Head-to-head

AIT versus ZBH key metrics
MetricAITZBH
Share price$332.12$88.88
Market cap$12.20B$16.95B
1-day change-0.74%+0.44%
YTD return+30.30%-1.59%
1-year return+32.38%-10.67%
5-year return+250.64%-37.73%
P/E ratio (TTM)30.3321.57
Forward P/E25.119.80
EPS (TTM)$10.95$4.12
Dividend yield0.58%1.08%
Annual dividend$1.94$0.96
Revenue (latest FY)$4.97B$8.23B
Revenue growth (YoY)+8.84%+7.20%
Net income (latest FY)$414.52M$705.10M
Gross margin30.34%69.71%
Operating margin11.06%13.34%
Net margin8.35%8.57%
52-week high$374.80$106.88
52-week low$238.34$79.12
Distance from 52-week high-11.39%-16.84%
Analyst consensusnonebuy
Avg. price target upside+20.44%+20.65%
Average volume280.11K2.16M
Shares outstanding36.73M190.74M
Employees6,90017,000
SectorConsumer DiscretionaryHealth Care
IndustryIndustrial SpecialtiesIndustrial 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 ZBH by 43.1 percentage points over the past year.
  • Applied Industrial Technologies trades at a higher earnings multiple (30.3x vs 21.6x trailing P/E).
  • The two companies sit in different sectors: Applied Industrial Technologies in Consumer Discretionary and Zimmer Biomet 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 Zimmer Biomet

ZBH stock →

Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, operates as a medical technology company worldwide. The company designs, manufactures, and markets orthopedic reconstructive products, such as knee and hip products; S.E.T.

Health Care · Industrial Specialties · 17,000 employees

AIT vs ZBH FAQ

Which is bigger, Applied Industrial Technologies or Zimmer Biomet?

Zimmer Biomet (ZBH) is larger, with a market capitalization of $16.95B compared with $12.20B for Applied Industrial Technologies (AIT).

Which stock has performed better over the past year, AIT or ZBH?

AIT returned +32.38% over the past 12 months, compared with -10.67% for ZBH (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.

Which has the lower P/E ratio, AIT or ZBH?

ZBH has the lower trailing P/E at 21.6, 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 Zimmer Biomet?

Zimmer Biomet has the higher yield at 1.08%, compared with 0.58% for Applied Industrial Technologies.

Are Applied Industrial Technologies and Zimmer Biomet in the same industry?

Yes. Both are classified in the Industrial Specialties industry within the Consumer Discretionary sector.

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