Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc. (AIT) vs Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. (SWK)

A side-by-side comparison of Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc. and Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of September 10, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.

Compare

Total returnAIT vs SWK

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10y
AIT +705.7% (+23.2%/yr)SWK +0.3% (+0.0%/yr)AIT compounded faster over this window
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
101001kStart $10020182020202220242026$806$100
AIT SWK

AIT vs SWK: by the numbers

  • SWK is the larger company ($13.48B vs $11.97B market cap).
  • SWK trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (21.87 vs 29.57 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
  • AIT converts more revenue to profit (8.35% vs 4.07% net margin).
  • AIT grew revenue faster over the past five years (8.95% vs -0.16% CAGR).
  • SWK pays the higher dividend yield (3.63% vs 0.62%).

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricAITSWK
P/E ratio29.5721.87
Forward P/E26.9115.95
P/S ratio2.410.88
P/B ratio6.431.50
EV / EBITDA20.5610.14
FCF yield3.83%9.57%

Profitability

MetricAITSWK
Gross margin30.34%31.72%
Operating margin11.06%8.34%
Net margin8.35%4.07%
ROE22.27%6.93%
ROIC17.08%5.92%

Dividends

MetricAITSWK
Dividend yield0.62%3.63%
Payout ratio18.17%81.62%

Growth (annualized)

MetricAITSWK
Revenue CAGR (5Y)8.95%-0.16%
EPS CAGR (5Y)24.35%-19.52%
FCF CAGR (5Y)15.24%0.62%
Total return CAGR (5Y)31.10%-10.18%

Frequently asked

Which has the lower trailing P/E, AIT or SWK?
SWK has the lower trailing P/E: AIT trades at 29.57 and SWK at 21.87. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
Which has grown faster, AIT or SWK?
Over the past five years, AIT grew revenue faster — AIT at a 8.95% CAGR versus SWK at -0.16%.
Does AIT or SWK pay a bigger dividend?
AIT yields 0.62% and SWK yields 3.63% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is AIT or SWK more profitable?
AIT runs the higher net margin — AIT at 8.35% versus SWK at 4.07%.
How have AIT and SWK total returns compared?
Over the past 10 years, AIT delivered 22.77% and SWK delivered 0.07% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Figures are sourced from reported fundamentals and the latest end-of-day price. This comparison is informational only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not predict future results. See our methodology. Compiled by TGMCharts Research · data verified September 10, 2026.