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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

January 27, 2026
Date of Report (date of earliest event reported)

APPLIED INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Ohio
1-2299
34-0117420
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
(Commission File Number)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
One Applied Plaza
Cleveland
Ohio
44115
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
(Zip Code)
(216) 426-4000
Registrant's telephone number, including area code

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each classTrading Symbol(s)Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, without par valueAITNew York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.
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ITEM 2.02.     RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION.

    On January 27, 2026, Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc. (“Applied”) issued a press release related to its earnings for the fiscal year 2026 second quarter ended December 31, 2025. The release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Report on Form 8-K.

    The information in this Report on Form 8-K, including the Exhibit, is being furnished and shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Exchange Act.



ITEM 9.01     FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS
(d)    Exhibits.

Exhibit No.Description
99.1
104
Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document).


SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

APPLIED INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
(Registrant)
By: /s/ Jon S. Ploetz
Jon S. Ploetz, Vice President-General Counsel & Secretary
Date: January 27, 2026




EXHIBIT 99.1

appliedlogoa.jpg
Financial Release
For Immediate Release

Applied Industrial Technologies Reports Fiscal 2026 Second Quarter Results

Net Sales of $1.2 Billion Up 8.4% YoY; Up 2.2% on an Organic Basis
Net Income of $95.3 Million, or $2.51 Per Diluted Share Up 4.6% YoY
Operating Income of $123.2 Million; EBITDA of $140.4 Million Up 3.9% YoY
Operating Cash Flow of $99.7 Million; Free Cash Flow of $93.4 Million
Quarterly Dividend Increased 11% to $0.51 Per Share
Announcing Acquisition of Thompson Industrial Supply Inc.
Adjusting FY26 Guidance; EPS Now $10.45 to 10.75 on Sales of +5.5% to +7.0%

CLEVELAND, OHIO (January 27, 2026) – Applied Industrial Technologies (NYSE: AIT), a leading value-added distributor and technical solutions provider of industrial motion, fluid power, flow control, automation technologies, and related maintenance supplies, today reported results for its fiscal 2026 second quarter ended December 31, 2025.

Net sales for the quarter of $1.2 billion increased 8.4% over the prior year. The change includes a 6.0% increase from acquisitions and a positive 0.2% impact from foreign currency translation. Excluding these factors, sales increased 2.2% on an organic basis reflecting a 2.9% increase in the Service Center segment and a 0.5% increase in the Engineered Solutions segment. The Company reported net income of $95.3 million, or $2.51 per share, and EBITDA of $140.4 million. On a pre-tax basis, results include $6.9 million ($0.14 after tax per share) of LIFO expense compared to $0.7 million ($0.01 after tax per share) of LIFO expense in the prior-year period.

Neil A. Schrimsher, Applied’s President & Chief Executive Officer, commented, “During the second quarter we continued to effectively manage through an evolving but still mixed end-market backdrop while positioning the Company for stronger growth that we see ahead. Sales and EBITDA margins were in line with our guidance, and earnings grew modestly over the prior year. This is inclusive of greater than expected LIFO expense and muted December sales activity. Our teams responded with an ongoing focus on internal initiatives and channel execution. These efforts drove solid underlying gross margin and EBITDA margin performance when excluding the LIFO impact, particularly considering difficult prior-year comparisons as previously highlighted. In addition, we continued to see encouraging signs on the sales front with order growth continuing to build across both segments. We believe this positive momentum could translate more meaningfully to sales in the second half of our fiscal year, as reflected by organic sales trending up by a mid single-digit percent year over year month to date in January. Lastly, we remain active with capital deployment including ongoing share repurchases, as well as today’s announced 11% increase in our quarterly dividend and the bolt-on Service Center acquisition of Thompson Industrial Supply Inc.”

Mr. Schrimsher added, “As we enter the second half of fiscal 2026, we remain constructive on our setup given the potential for accelerating sales and earnings growth. Our updated guidance incorporates ongoing macro and policy uncertainty that will likely continue to influence customer spending behavior and shipment activity near term. That said, we are encouraged by early fiscal third quarter sales trends including stronger sales growth across both segments. Sentiment from customers and sales teams is directionally positive, while business funnels continue to expand. Furthermore, we believe technical MRO and capital spending requirements are heightened entering a more productive environment in calendar 2026 as benefits from lower interest rates, tax policy, and deregulation provide incremental support. Combined with ongoing self-help margin opportunities and balance sheet capacity, we are well positioned to capitalize on various growth catalysts developing across the North American industrial sector.”

Fiscal 2026 Guidance
Today, the Company is adjusting fiscal 2026 EPS guidance to a range of $10.45 to $10.75 (prior $10.10 to $10.85) following fiscal 2026 first half performance. Updated guidance now assumes sales growth of 5.5% to 7.0% (prior range up 4.0% to 7.0%) including up 2.5% to 4.0% on an organic basis (prior range up 1.0% to 4.0%), while EBITDA margin guidance is now 12.2% to 12.4% (prior range 12.2% to 12.5%). Guidance now assumes annual



LIFO expense in a range of $24 million to $26 million (prior range $14 million to $18 million), and incorporates ongoing macro uncertainty, broader inflationary headwinds, and growth investments. Guidance does not assume contribution from future acquisitions or share buybacks.

Acquisition of Thompson Industrial Supply Inc.
The Company today also announced the acquisition of Thompson Industrial Supply Inc. (Thompson). Based in Los Angeles, CA, Thompson is a provider of industrial bearings, power transmission, hydraulics, pneumatics, linear motion, and lightweight belting products and related service solutions. Thompson operates with a team of more than 40 associates from two locations in Southern California and serves customers across many core verticals including food and beverage, consumer products, pharmaceutical, life sciences, and other various industrial industries. The Company will be integrated into Applied’s U.S. Service Center operations and is expected to generate annual sales of approximately $20 million in the first year of ownership.

Mr. Schrimsher commented, “We welcome Thompson to Applied as we continue to bolster our local service center position and provide our customers with leading aftermarket support of motion control solutions. Thompson is a nice bolt-on acquisition that will enhance our footprint in an important industrial market. They bring strong technical knowledge and aligned supplier relationships, as well as in-house belting and fabrication capabilities that will strengthen our value-added services and competitive position in the region. We look forward to seeing their capabilities support our collective efforts and value proposition moving forward.”

Dividend
Today the Company also announced that its Board of Directors approved an 11% increase in the quarterly cash dividend to $0.51 per common share, payable on February 27, 2026, to shareholders of record on February 13, 2026. This represents the 17th dividend increase since 2010.

Conference Call Information
The Company will host a conference call at 10 a.m. ET today to discuss the quarter’s results and outlook. A live audio webcast and supplemental presentation can be accessed on our Investor Relations site at https://ir.applied.com. To join by telephone, dial 800-715-9871 (toll free) or 646-307-1963 using conference ID 7388794. Replays of the call will be available via webcast, as well as by telephone for one week by dialing 800-770-2030 (toll free) using conference ID 7388794.

About Applied®
Applied Industrial Technologies is a leading value-added distributor and technical solutions provider of industrial motion, fluid power, flow control, automation technologies, and related maintenance supplies. Our leading brands, specialized services, and comprehensive knowledge serve MRO (maintenance, repair, and operations) and OEM (original equipment manufacturing), and new system install applications in virtually all industrial markets through our multi-channel capabilities that provide choice, convenience, and expertise. For more information, visit www.applied.com.

This press release contains statements that are forward-looking, as that term is defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission in its rules, regulations and releases. Applied intends that such forward-looking statements be subject to the safe harbors created thereby. Forward-looking statements are often identified by qualifiers such as “assume,” “expect,” “see,” “guidance,” and derivative or similar expressions. All forward-looking statements are based on current expectations regarding important risk factors including trends and events in the industrial sector of the economy (such as the inflationary environment and supply chain strains), results of operations, and financial condition, and other risk factors identified in Applied's most recent periodic report and other filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Accordingly, actual results may differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements, and the making of such statements should not be regarded as a representation by Applied or any other person that the results expressed therein will be achieved. Applied assumes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements, whether due to new information, or events, or otherwise.


# # #

CONTACT INFORMATION

Ryan D. Cieslak
Director – Investor Relations & Treasury
216-426-4887 / rcieslak@applied.com



 APPLIED INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED INCOME
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except per share data)
Three Months Ended December 31,Six Months Ended December 31,
2025202420252024
Net Sales$1,163,023 $1,073,001 $2,362,546 $2,171,945 
Cost of sales809,689 744,951 1,647,783 1,518,813 
Gross Profit353,334 328,050 714,763 653,132 
Selling, distribution and administrative expense, including depreciation230,125 207,180 462,524 419,090 
Operating Income 123,209 120,870 252,239 234,042 
Interest expense (income), net942 (936)1,935 (1,563)
Other income, net(505)(755)(1,053)(3,036)
Income Before Income Taxes122,772 122,561 251,357 238,641 
Income tax expense27,423 29,271 55,201 53,288 
Net Income$95,349 $93,290 $196,156 $185,353 
Net Income Per Share - Basic$2.54 $2.43 $5.21 $4.83 
Net Income Per Share - Diluted$2.51 $2.39 $5.14 $4.76 
Average Shares Outstanding - Basic37,595 38,427 37,676 38,413 
Average Shares Outstanding - Diluted38,055 38,963 38,161 38,956 
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



1) Inventories are valued at average cost, using the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method for U.S. inventories. An actual valuation of inventory under the LIFO method can be made only at the end of each year based on the inventory levels and costs at that time. Accordingly, interim LIFO calculations are based on management’s estimates of expected year-end inventory levels and costs and are subject to the final year-end LIFO inventory determination.








APPLIED INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)
December 31,June 30,
 20252025
Assets
  Cash and cash equivalents$405,986 $388,417 
  Accounts receivable, net706,902 769,699 
  Inventories529,003 505,337 
  Other current assets106,568 84,020 
       Total current assets1,748,459 1,747,473 
  Property, net129,531 128,154 
  Operating lease assets, net181,831 188,654 
  Identifiable intangibles, net328,787 348,600 
  Goodwill701,422 699,374 
  Other assets69,292 63,289 
Total Assets$3,159,322 $3,175,544 
Liabilities
  Accounts payable$258,235 $280,124 
  Other accrued liabilities217,247 246,027 
       Total current liabilities475,482 526,151 
  Long-term debt572,300 572,300 
  Other liabilities237,132 232,573 
Total Liabilities1,284,914 1,331,024 
Shareholders' Equity1,874,408 1,844,520 
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity$3,159,322 $3,175,544 





APPLIED INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
 (In thousands)
Six Months Ended
December 31,
20252024
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Net income$196,156 $185,353 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided
by operating activities:
   Depreciation and amortization of property13,076 11,850 
   Amortization of intangibles20,329 15,167 
   (Recovery of) provision for losses on accounts receivable(240)3,605 
   Amortization of stock appreciation rights2,887 2,453 
   Other share-based compensation expense3,280 3,101 
   Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions(26,230)1,451 
   Other, net9,718 (96)
Net Cash provided by Operating Activities218,976 222,884 
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
   Net cash paid for acquisitions, net of cash acquired(2,425)(273,142)
   Capital expenditures(13,578)(10,746)
   Proceeds from property sales642 922 
Net Cash used in Investing Activities(15,361)(282,966)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
   Long-term debt repayments— (25,106)
   Interest rate swap settlement receipts5,083 6,797 
   Purchases of treasury shares(143,401)(30,084)
   Dividends paid(34,723)(28,469)
   Payment of debt issuance costs(1,611)— 
   Acquisition holdback payments(1,210)(1,210)
   Taxes paid for shares withheld (11,191)(13,037)
   Exercise of stock appreciation rights and options(1)— 
Net Cash used in Financing Activities(187,054)(91,109)
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash1,008 (5,985)
Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents17,569 (157,176)
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period388,417 460,617 
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period$405,986 $303,441 





  APPLIED INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)
The Company supplements the reporting of financial information determined under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) with reporting of non-GAAP financial measures. The Company believes that these non-GAAP measures provide meaningful information to assist shareholders in understanding financial results, assessing prospects for future performance, and provide a better baseline for analyzing trends in our underlying businesses. Because non-GAAP financial measures do not have a standard definition, it may not be possible to compare these non-GAAP financial measures with other companies' non-GAAP financial measures having the same or similar names. These non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for reported results. The Company believes these non-GAAP financial measures reflect an additional way of viewing aspects of operations that, when viewed with GAAP results, provide a more complete understanding of the business. The Company strongly encourages investors and shareholders to review company financial statements and publicly filed reports in their entirety and not to rely on any single financial measure.


Reconciliation of Net Income, a GAAP financial measure, to EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure:
Three Months Ended December 31, Six Months Ended
December 31,
2025202420252024
Net Income $95,349 $93,290 $196,156 $185,353 
Interest expense (income), net942 (936)1,935 (1,563)
Income tax expense27,423 29,271 55,201 53,288 
Depreciation and amortization of property6,590 5,926 13,076 11,850 
Amortization of intangibles 10,126 7,567 20,329 15,167 
EBITDA$140,430 $135,118 $286,697 $264,095 
The Company defines EBITDA as Earnings from operations before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization. EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure which excludes items that may not be indicative of core operating results.
Reconciliation of Net Cash provided by Operating activities, a GAAP financial measure, to Free Cash Flow, a non-GAAP financial measure:
 Three Months Ended
December 31,
Six Months Ended
December 31,
2025202420252024
Net Cash provided by Operating Activities$99,659 $95,137 $218,976 $222,884 
Capital expenditures(6,277)(5,197)(13,578)(10,746)
Free Cash Flow$93,382 $89,940 $205,398 $212,138 
Free cash flow is defined as net cash provided by operating activities less capital expenditures, a non-GAAP financial measure.