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ATKR vs AIT
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Industrial - Distribution
ATKR vs AIT — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Electrical Equipment & Parts | Industrial - Distribution |
| Market Cap | $2.57B | $11.66B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $2.87B | $4.84B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $-120M | $404M |
| Gross Margin | 19.9% | 30.0% |
| Operating Margin | 4.8% | 11.2% |
| Forward P/E | 14.4x | 29.5x |
| Total Debt | $932M | $572M |
| Cash & Equiv. | $507M | $388M |
ATKR vs AIT — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atkore Inc. (ATKR) | 100 | 284.0 | +184.0% |
| Applied Industrial … (AIT) | 100 | 543.8 | +443.8% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: ATKR vs AIT
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
ATKR is the clearest fit if your priority is value and dividends.
- Lower P/E (14.4x vs 29.5x)
- 1.7% yield, 2-year raise streak, vs AIT's 0.5%
AIT carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and growth exposure.
- Dividend streak 15 yrs, beta 1.07, yield 0.5%
- Rev growth 1.9%, EPS growth 3.0%, 3Y rev CAGR 6.2%
- 6.3% 10Y total return vs ATKR's 394.7%
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | 1.9% revenue growth vs ATKR's -11.0% | |
| Value | Lower P/E (14.4x vs 29.5x) | |
| Quality / Margins | 8.3% margin vs ATKR's -4.2% | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 1.07 vs ATKR's 1.69, lower leverage | |
| Dividends | 1.7% yield, 2-year raise streak, vs AIT's 0.5% | |
| Momentum (1Y) | +43.8% vs ATKR's +18.9% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | 12.9% ROA vs ATKR's -4.2%, ROIC 18.7% vs 9.0% |
ATKR vs AIT — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
ATKR vs AIT — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
AIT leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
AIT is the larger business by revenue, generating $4.8B annually — 1.7x ATKR's $2.9B. AIT is the more profitable business, keeping 8.3% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to ATKR's -4.2%. On growth, AIT holds the edge at +7.3% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $2.9B | $4.8B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $291M | $592M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | -$120M | $404M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $133M | $437M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +19.9% | +30.0% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +4.8% | +11.2% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | -4.2% | +8.3% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +4.6% | +9.0% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +4.2% | +7.3% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +70.1% | +3.1% |
Valuation Metrics
ATKR leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
On an enterprise value basis, ATKR's 7.5x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than AIT's 21.2x.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $2.6B | $11.7B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $3.0B | $11.8B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | -169.40x | 31.16x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 14.45x | 29.47x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | 0.42x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 7.54x | 21.18x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 0.90x | 2.55x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 1.86x | 6.64x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 8.70x | 25.06x |
Profitability & Efficiency
AIT leads this category, winning 9 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
AIT delivers a 21.6% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $22 in annual profit, vs $-9 for ATKR. AIT carries lower financial leverage with a 0.31x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to ATKR's 0.67x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), AIT scores 6/9 vs ATKR's 4/9, reflecting solid financial health.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | -8.7% | +21.6% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | -4.2% | +12.9% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +9.0% | +18.7% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +9.8% | +19.5% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 4 | 6 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.67x | 0.31x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $425M | $184M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $507M | $388M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $932M | $572M |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 1.68x | 42.94x |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
AIT leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in AIT five years ago would be worth $31,250 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $9,130 for ATKR. Over the past 12 months, AIT leads with a +43.8% total return vs ATKR's +18.9%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors AIT at 35.3% vs ATKR's -14.7% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +18.8% | +21.7% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +18.9% | +43.8% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -38.0% | +147.7% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -8.7% | +212.5% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +394.7% | +631.2% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | -14.7% | +35.3% |
Risk & Volatility
AIT leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
AIT is the less volatile stock with a 1.07 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than ATKR's 1.69 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. AIT currently trades 99.7% from its 52-week high vs ATKR's 95.2% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 1.69x | 1.07x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $80.06 | $316.46 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $53.49 | $213.78 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +95.2% | +99.7% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 64.6 | 66.7 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 381K | 285K |
Analyst Outlook
Evenly matched — ATKR and AIT each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates ATKR as "Hold" and AIT as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 2.2% upside for AIT (target: $322) vs -2.9% for ATKR (target: $74). For income investors, ATKR offers the higher dividend yield at 1.70% vs AIT's 0.52%.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Hold | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $74.00 | $322.33 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 11 | 15 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +1.7% | +0.5% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 2 | 15 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $1.30 | $1.64 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +3.9% | +1.3% |
AIT leads in 4 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Profitability & Efficiency). ATKR leads in 1 (Valuation Metrics). 1 tied.
ATKR vs AIT: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is ATKR or AIT a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc.
(AIT) is the stronger pick with 1. 9% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -11. 0% for Atkore Inc. (ATKR). Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc. (AIT) offers the better valuation at 31. 2x trailing P/E (29. 5x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc. (AIT) a "Buy" — based on 15 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.
02Which has the better valuation — ATKR or AIT?
On forward P/E, Atkore Inc.
is actually cheaper at 14. 4x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth.
03Which is the better long-term investment — ATKR or AIT?
Over the past 5 years, Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc.
(AIT) delivered a total return of +212. 5%, compared to -8. 7% for Atkore Inc. (ATKR). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: AIT returned +631. 2% versus ATKR's +394. 7%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
04Which is safer — ATKR or AIT?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc.
(AIT) is the lower-risk stock at 1. 07β versus Atkore Inc. 's 1. 69β — meaning ATKR is approximately 58% more volatile than AIT relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc. (AIT) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 31% versus 67% for Atkore Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — ATKR or AIT?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc.
(AIT) is pulling ahead at 1. 9% versus -11. 0% for Atkore Inc. (ATKR). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc. grew EPS 3. 0% year-over-year, compared to -103. 5% for Atkore Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, AIT leads at 6. 2% annualised revenue growth. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.
06Which has better profit margins — ATKR or AIT?
Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc.
(AIT) is the more profitable company, earning 8. 6% net margin versus -0. 5% for Atkore Inc. — meaning it keeps 8. 6% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: AIT leads at 10. 9% versus 8. 3% for ATKR. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — AIT leads at 30. 3%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.
07Is ATKR or AIT more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Atkore Inc.
(ATKR) trades at 14. 4x forward P/E versus 29. 5x for Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc. — 15. 0x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for AIT: 2. 2% to $322. 33.
08Which pays a better dividend — ATKR or AIT?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
Atkore Inc. (ATKR) offers the highest yield at 1. 7%, versus 0. 5% for Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc. (AIT).
09Is ATKR or AIT better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc.
(AIT) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 1. 07), 0. 5% yield, +631. 2% 10Y return). Atkore Inc. (ATKR) carries a higher beta of 1. 69 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (AIT: +631. 2%, ATKR: +394. 7%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.
10What are the main differences between ATKR and AIT?
Both stocks operate in the Industrials sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.
These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.
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