Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc. (AIT) vs Watsco, Inc. (WSO)
A side-by-side comparison of Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc. and Watsco, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of August 28, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
AIT
Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc.
$338.39IndustrialsDelayed quote: Aug 27, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
WSO
Watsco, Inc.
$313.05IndustrialsDelayed quote: Aug 27, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
Total return — AIT vs WSO
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10yAIT +705.2% (+23.2%/yr)WSO +190.1% (+11.2%/yr)AIT compounded faster over this window
AIT WSO
AIT vs WSO: by the numbers
- •WSO is the larger company ($12.89B vs $12.51B market cap).
- •WSO trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (27.03 vs 30.90 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •AIT converts more revenue to profit (8.35% vs 6.53% net margin).
- •AIT grew revenue faster over the past five years (8.95% vs 5.11% CAGR).
- •WSO pays the higher dividend yield (4.02% vs 0.59%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | AIT | WSO |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 30.90 | 27.03 |
| Forward P/E | 31.60 | 25.92 |
| P/S ratio | 2.58 | 1.64 |
| P/B ratio | 6.88 | 3.98 |
| EV / EBITDA | 21.96 | 16.72 |
| FCF yield | 3.58% | 5.85% |
Profitability
| Metric | AIT | WSO |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 30.34% | 27.87% |
| Operating margin | 11.06% | 9.32% |
| Net margin | 8.35% | 6.53% |
| ROE | 22.27% | 15.89% |
| ROIC | 17.08% | 13.49% |
Dividends
| Metric | AIT | WSO |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 0.59% | 4.02% |
| Payout ratio | 17.94% | 102.86% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | AIT | WSO |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 8.95% | 5.11% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 24.35% | 11.75% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 15.24% | 15.78% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 31.08% | 5.33% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, AIT or WSO?
- WSO has the lower trailing P/E: AIT trades at 30.90 and WSO at 27.03. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, AIT or WSO?
- Over the past five years, AIT grew revenue faster — AIT at a 8.95% CAGR versus WSO at 5.11%.
- Does AIT or WSO pay a bigger dividend?
- AIT yields 0.59% and WSO yields 4.02% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is AIT or WSO more profitable?
- AIT runs the higher net margin — AIT at 8.35% versus WSO at 6.53%.
- How have AIT and WSO total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, AIT delivered 23.44% and WSO delivered 11.27% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Applied Industrial Technologies P/E ratioWatsco P/E ratioApplied Industrial Technologies dividend yieldWatsco dividend yieldApplied Industrial Technologies ROEWatsco ROEApplied Industrial Technologies operating marginWatsco operating marginApplied Industrial Technologies revenue growthWatsco revenue growthApplied Industrial Technologies free cash flowWatsco free cash flow
Applied Industrial Technologies & Watsco appear in these rankings
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 August 28, 2026.