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AIT vs. FLS: Applied Industrial vs. Flowserve Stock Comparison

How do Applied Industrial (AIT) and Flowserve (FLS) stack up? This page sets them side by side across company profile, performance and risk, profitability, growth, financial strength, dividends, and valuation, with selected fundamentals also measured against each stock's industry-group peers.

Company Profile

Applied Industrial (AIT) and Flowserve (FLS) both fall under the Capital Goods industry group, but AIT is classified in Trading Companies & Distributors while FLS is classified in Machinery.

Company profile comparison for Applied Industrial (AIT) and Flowserve (FLS)
Profile ItemAITFLS
NameApplied Industrial Technologies Inc.Flowserve Corporation
Country/RegionUnited StatesUnited States
GICS SectorIndustrialsIndustrials
GICS Industry GroupCapital GoodsCapital Goods
GICS IndustryTrading Companies & DistributorsMachinery
GICS Sub-IndustryTrading Companies & DistributorsIndustrial Machinery & Supplies & Components
Market Capitalization10.35 billion USD10.19 billion USD
CurrencyUSDUSD
ExchangeNYSENYSE
Listing DateMarch 17, 1980March 17, 1980
Security TypeCommon StockCommon Stock

Price Performance

Cumulative Growth

AIT
FLS
GSPC
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Applied Industrial (AIT) vs. Flowserve (FLS), with S&P 500 (GSPC) for reference: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past five years. Adjusted for dividends and splits.

Trailing Returns

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Trailing total returns for Applied Industrial (AIT) and Flowserve (FLS). Returns over one year are annualized.

Calendar-Year Returns

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Calendar-year total returns for Applied Industrial (AIT) and Flowserve (FLS). Each bar is that year's total return, measured year-end to year-end.

Performance Metrics

Price performance metrics for Applied Industrial (AIT) and Flowserve (FLS)
MetricAITFLS
Total Return (1Y)15.62%24.11%
Total Return (3Y, Annualized)24.49%33.68%
Total Return (5Y, Annualized)24.56%22.48%

Risk Profile

Drawdown History

AIT
FLS
GSPC
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Applied Industrial (AIT) vs. Flowserve (FLS), with S&P 500 (GSPC) for reference: Drawdown from the running peak over the past five years. Each line shows the decline from its prior peak; 0% marks a new high.

Return Distribution

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Distribution of monthly total returns for Applied Industrial (AIT) and Flowserve (FLS). Each bar is the share of months whose return fell in that 5% bucket.

Risk Metrics

Risk profile metrics for Applied Industrial (AIT) and Flowserve (FLS)
MetricAITFLS
Volatility (1Y, Annualized)28.72%42.18%
Beta (5Y)0.861.24
Max Drawdown (5Y)-26.42%-38.76%
Avg. Volume (3M)295.41K1.61M

Risk-Adjusted Performance

Risk-Return Positioning

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AIT and FLS are plotted by 1-year volatility (risk) and 1-year return. The dashed Capital Allocation Line runs from the risk-free rate through the shared industry median.

Risk-Adjusted Metrics

Risk-adjusted metrics for Applied Industrial (AIT) and Flowserve (FLS)
MetricAITFLS
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)0.390.47
Sortino Ratio (1Y)0.530.70

Profitability

ROE (TTM)

Applied Industrial (AIT) at 22.51% sits in the top ROE quartile, while Flowserve (FLS) at 11.61% is closer to the peer norm — stronger capital efficiency for AIT.

AIT

Capital Goods industry group

22.51%

Max
40.55%
AIT
22.51%
Q3
19.29%
Median
12.12%
Q1
4.08%
Min
-17.12%

FLS

Capital Goods industry group

11.61%

Max
40.55%
Q3
19.29%
Median
12.12%
FLS
11.61%
Q1
4.08%
Min
-17.12%
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Applied Industrial (AIT) vs. Flowserve (FLS): A comparison of their ROE against the Capital Goods industry group benchmark.

Net Margin (TTM)

Both Applied Industrial (AIT) at 8.39% and Flowserve (FLS) at 5.42% keep about the typical share of revenue as profit for their industries — neither bottom line stands out from peers.

AIT

Capital Goods industry group

8.39%

Max
27.47%
Q3
12.10%
AIT
8.39%
Median
6.30%
Q1
1.40%
Min
-12.89%

FLS

Capital Goods industry group

5.42%

Max
27.47%
Q3
12.10%
Median
6.30%
FLS
5.42%
Q1
1.40%
Min
-12.89%
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Applied Industrial (AIT) vs. Flowserve (FLS): A comparison of their net margin against the Capital Goods industry group benchmark.

Operating Margin (TTM)

Both Applied Industrial (AIT) at 11.12% and Flowserve (FLS) at 13.45% run core operations about as efficiently as their industries’ norm — neither stands out on operating profitability.

AIT

Capital Goods industry group

11.12%

Max
36.60%
Q3
18.33%
AIT
11.12%
Median
11.12%
Q1
5.14%
Min
-12.63%

FLS

Capital Goods industry group

13.45%

Max
36.60%
Q3
18.33%
FLS
13.45%
Median
11.12%
Q1
5.14%
Min
-12.63%
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Applied Industrial (AIT) vs. Flowserve (FLS): A comparison of their operating margin against the Capital Goods industry group benchmark.

Profitability Metrics

Profitability metrics for Applied Industrial (AIT) and Flowserve (FLS)
MetricAITFLS
ROE (TTM)22.51%11.61%
ROA (TTM)11.43%6.36%
Net Margin (TTM)8.39%5.42%
Operating Margin (TTM)11.12%13.45%
Gross Margin (TTM)30.40%35.30%

Growth

Revenue Growth

Both Applied Industrial (AIT) at 8.84% and Flowserve (FLS) at 3.76% land near their industries' usual revenue growth ranges, so top-line momentum looks broadly in line with peers on both sides.

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Applied Industrial (AIT) vs. Flowserve (FLS): A comparison of their Revenue Growth across different time periods.

EPS Growth

Only one side can be read here: Flowserve (FLS) reports EPS growth of 23.36%, ranked against its industry; Applied Industrial (AIT) has no EPS growth figure this period.

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Applied Industrial (AIT) vs. Flowserve (FLS): A comparison of their EPS Growth across different time periods.

Growth Metrics

Growth metrics for Applied Industrial (AIT) and Flowserve (FLS)
MetricAITFLS
Revenue Growth (YoY)8.84%3.76%
Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR)4.02%9.37%
EPS Growth (YoY)--23.36%
EPS Growth (3Y CAGR)7.40%22.39%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

Both Applied Industrial (AIT) at 2.89 and Flowserve (FLS) at 2.10 carry current ratio within their industries’ typical mid-ranges, suggesting balanced short-term liquidity relative to peers.

AIT

Capital Goods industry group

2.89

Max
5.22
Q3
2.95
AIT
2.89
Median
2.08
Q1
1.43
Min
0.36

FLS

Capital Goods industry group

2.10

Max
5.22
Q3
2.95
FLS
2.10
Median
2.08
Q1
1.43
Min
0.36
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Applied Industrial (AIT) vs. Flowserve (FLS): A comparison of their current ratio against the Capital Goods industry group benchmark.

Debt / Equity (MRQ)

Applied Industrial (AIT) at 0.15 keeps leverage in the lower industry quartile, while Flowserve (FLS) at 0.95 runs a more typical debt-to-equity mix.

AIT

Capital Goods industry group

0.15

Max
2.33
Q3
1.12
Median
0.60
Q1
0.29
AIT
0.15
Min
0.00

FLS

Capital Goods industry group

0.95

Max
2.33
Q3
1.12
FLS
0.95
Median
0.60
Q1
0.29
Min
0.00
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Applied Industrial (AIT) vs. Flowserve (FLS): A comparison of their debt-to-equity ratio against the Capital Goods industry group benchmark.

Financial Strength Metrics

Financial strength metrics for Applied Industrial (AIT) and Flowserve (FLS)
MetricAITFLS
Current Ratio (MRQ)2.892.10
Debt / Equity (MRQ)0.150.95
Net Debt / EBITDA0.272.08

Dividends

Dividend Yield (TTM)

Both Applied Industrial (AIT) at 0.71% and Flowserve (FLS) at 1.11% pay solid, industry-typical yields, sitting squarely within their peers’ usual range.

AIT

Capital Goods industry group

0.71%

Max
2.66%
Q3
1.14%
AIT
0.71%
Median
0.24%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%

FLS

Capital Goods industry group

1.11%

Max
2.66%
Q3
1.14%
FLS
1.11%
Median
0.24%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%
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Applied Industrial (AIT) vs. Flowserve (FLS): A comparison of their dividend yield against the Capital Goods industry group benchmark.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

Applied Industrial (AIT) at 17.63% pays out a band-typical share of earnings, while Flowserve (FLS) at 43.50% distributes more than its industry norm — less retained, thinner cover.

AIT

Capital Goods industry group

17.63%

Max
67.39%
Q3
28.02%
AIT
17.63%
Median
6.86%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%

FLS

Capital Goods industry group

43.50%

Max
67.39%
FLS
43.50%
Q3
28.02%
Median
6.86%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%
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Applied Industrial (AIT) vs. Flowserve (FLS): A comparison of their payout ratio against the Capital Goods industry group benchmark.

Dividend Metrics

Dividend metrics for Applied Industrial (AIT) and Flowserve (FLS)
MetricAITFLS
Dividend Yield (TTM)0.71%1.11%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)17.63%43.50%

Valuation

P/E Ratio (TTM)

Applied Industrial (AIT) at 25.10 is near its industry’s usual P/E ratio, while Flowserve (FLS) at 40.19 sits in the richer quartile — FLS needs stronger growth or earnings quality to justify the premium.

AIT

Capital Goods industry group

25.10

Max
59.38
Q3
35.92
Median
25.41
AIT
25.10
Q1
19.47
Min
3.03

FLS

Capital Goods industry group

40.19

Max
59.38
FLS
40.19
Q3
35.92
Median
25.41
Q1
19.47
Min
3.03
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Applied Industrial (AIT) vs. Flowserve (FLS): A comparison of their P/E ratio against the Capital Goods industry group benchmark.

P/S Ratio (TTM)

On P/S ratio, both Applied Industrial (AIT) at 2.05 and Flowserve (FLS) at 2.17 are priced roughly in line with their industries — neither looks cheap nor rich on a sales basis.

AIT

Capital Goods industry group

2.05

Max
7.54
Q3
3.76
Median
2.15
AIT
2.05
Q1
1.03
Min
0.03

FLS

Capital Goods industry group

2.17

Max
7.54
Q3
3.76
FLS
2.17
Median
2.15
Q1
1.03
Min
0.03
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Applied Industrial (AIT) vs. Flowserve (FLS): A comparison of their P/S ratio against the Capital Goods industry group benchmark.

P/B Ratio (MRQ)

Flowserve (FLS) at 4.40 is valued about in line with its industry on P/B ratio, while Applied Industrial (AIT) at 5.50 carries an above-peer premium to book — AIT is pricier on assets.

AIT

Capital Goods industry group

5.50

Max
9.66
AIT
5.50
Q3
5.00
Median
3.12
Q1
1.81
Min
-1.08

FLS

Capital Goods industry group

4.40

Max
9.66
Q3
5.00
FLS
4.40
Median
3.12
Q1
1.81
Min
-1.08
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Applied Industrial (AIT) vs. Flowserve (FLS): A comparison of their P/B ratio against the Capital Goods industry group benchmark.

Valuation Metrics

Valuation metrics for Applied Industrial (AIT) and Flowserve (FLS)
MetricAITFLS
P/E Ratio (TTM)25.1040.19
P/S Ratio (TTM)2.052.17
P/B Ratio (MRQ)5.504.40
Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM)3.24%3.62%