How did AIT's Q3 2025 EPS forecast compare to past trends?

Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc. (AIT) is poised to experience a notable increase in its Q3 2025 EPS, reflecting robust growth and operational efficiency. Here's a detailed analysis:

1. **Current Q3 2025 EPS Forecast**: Analysts at Zacks Research have boosted their Q3 2025 EPS estimates for AIT, indicating a positive outlook on the company's future performance.
2. **Historical EPS Trends**:
- AIT's basic EPS has exhibited a consistent upward trend over the past decade, growing from $0.62 in 2020 to $2.43 by the end of Q3 2024.
- The company's annual basic EPS increased by 11.14% from 2023 to 2024, reaching $0.01 billion.
- Over the last two years, AIT has consistently surpassed EPS estimates, reflecting its strong financial performance.

|code|Ticker|Name|Date|Basic EPS|Basic EPS YoY|market_code|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|AIT|AIT.N|Applied Industrial Technologies|2010 Q1|0.26|-50.943396226415096|169|
|AIT|AIT.N|Applied Industrial Technologies|2010 Q2|0.25|-34.21052631578947|169|
|AIT|AIT.N|Applied Industrial Technologies|2010 Q3|0.39|44.44444444444444|169|
|AIT|AIT.N|Applied Industrial Technologies|2010 Q4|0.6538|444.2864665613481|169|
|AIT|AIT.N|Applied Industrial Technologies|2011 Q1|0.49|88.46153846153845|169|
|AIT|AIT.N|Applied Industrial Technologies|2011 Q2|0.5|100|169|
|AIT|AIT.N|Applied Industrial Technologies|2011 Q3|0.63|61.53846153846153|169|
|AIT|AIT.N|Applied Industrial Technologies|2011 Q4|0.6637|1.5142245334964681|169|
|AIT|AIT.N|Applied Industrial Technologies|2012 Q1|0.62|26.53061224489796|169|
|AIT|AIT.N|Applied Industrial Technologies|2012 Q2|0.5|0|169|

3. **Comparative Analysis**: When compared to the Q3 2024 earnings report, the Q3 2025 EPS forecast appears even more optimistic. For Q3 2024, AIT reported an EPS of $2.40, which already represented a 0.8% year-over-year increase. The projected increase in Q3 2025 EPS suggests that the company's performance is expected to accelerate further.
4. **Strategic Positioning**: AIT's strategic acquisitions and updates to its fiscal 2024 guidance indicate a forward-looking optimism. Despite economic uncertainties and inflationary pressures, the company has updated its EPS guidance to $9.55 to $9.70, suggesting confidence in its growth trajectory.
5. **Investor Confidence and Market Position**: Recent stock purchases by institutional investors, such as Pacer Advisors Inc. and Handelsbanken Fonder AB, reflect confidence in AIT's financial performance and market potential. Additionally, AIT's market capitalization of $8.56 billion and a beta of 1.03 suggest a strong market presence and relative stability.

In conclusion, AIT's Q3 2025 EPS forecast is expected to surpass past trends, driven by the company's strong financial performance, strategic positioning, and positive market sentiment.