Applied Industrial Technologies (AIT) Tops Q2 EPS by 24c, Revenues Beat

Applied Industrial Technologies (NYSE: AIT) reported Q2 EPS of $0.98, $0.24 better than the analyst estimate of $0.74. Revenue for the quarter came in at $751.3 million versus the consensus estimate of $732.92 million.

Neil A. Schrimsher, Applied’s President & Chief Executive Officer, commented “Our fiscal 2021 second quarter reflects solid execution across Applied. We are progressing on our growth initiatives as end-market demand gradually recovers. This drove encouraging order momentum and seasonally strong sequential improvement in daily sales rates during the quarter. Combined with solid cost control and working capital management, decremental margins were better than our expectations and we generated record second quarter cash flow. Overall, the results are a testament to our industry position and operational discipline, as well as the expanding value we are providing as the industrial sector advances through the pandemic and customers address greater technical and growth requirements.”

Mr. Schrimsher added, “Looking forward, I am increasingly constructive on our outlook and potential. While general economic uncertainty remains, underlying sales improvement has continued into January with organic sales month to date down by a mid-single digit percent year over year. We have multiple catalysts to expand our market potential and accelerate growth opportunities throughout calendar 2021 and beyond. This activity includes addressing customers’ break-fix MRO requirements, supporting greater demand for specialized engineered solutions, and leveraging our multi-channel cross-selling initiatives. In addition, we are making solid progress expanding our next generation automation capabilities following three acquisitions in the past 16 months, putting us in a strong position to address our customers’ emerging industrial technology and operational requirements. Our balance sheet provides the means to support these growth opportunities and drive additional stakeholder returns as the economic recovery broadens.”

Outlook
Based on month to date sales in January and assuming normal seasonal patterns, the Company would project fiscal 2021 third quarter sales to decline 3% to 4% year over year on an organic basis. In addition, assuming this sales level, the Company would project selling, administrative and distribution expenses to range between $170 million to $175 million during the fiscal 2021 third quarter, which includes additional expense restoration from temporary cost actions initiated in fiscal 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

For earnings history and earnings-related data on Applied Industrial Technologies (AIT) click here.

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