Earnings results often indicate what direction a company will take in the months ahead. With Q4 behind us, let’s have a look at Fortive (NYSE: FTV) and its peers.

Automation that increases efficiency and connected equipment that collects analyzable data have been trending, creating new demand. Some professional tools and equipment companies also provide software to accompany measurement or automated machinery, adding a stream of recurring revenues to their businesses. On the other hand, professional tools and equipment companies are at the whim of economic cycles. Consumer spending and interest rates, for example, can greatly impact the industrial production that drives demand for these companies’ offerings.

The 9 professional tools and equipment stocks we track reported a slower Q4. As a group, revenues missed analysts’ consensus estimates by 1% while next quarter’s revenue guidance was 0.9% below.

While some professional tools and equipment stocks have fared somewhat better than others, they have collectively declined. On average, share prices are down 2% since the latest earnings results.

Fortive (NYSE: FTV)

Taking its name from the Latin root of "strong", Fortive (NYSE: FTV) manufactures products and develops industrial software for numerous industries.

Fortive reported revenues of $1.12 billion, up 4.6% year on year. This print exceeded analysts’ expectations by 2.7%. Overall, it was an exceptional quarter for the company with a solid beat of analysts’ adjusted operating income estimates and full-year EPS guidance exceeding analysts’ expectations.

“Q4 represented another quarter of solid execution by our new Fortive team. With the first two quarters of performance now behind us, and our 2026 strategic and financial plans firmly in place, our strong conviction in the road ahead continues to build. In Q4, our team delivered results ahead of our expectations with ~3% core revenue growth, ~8% Adjusted EBITDA growth, and ~13% Adjusted EPS growth. This strong performance enabled us to exceed the high end of our full year Adjusted EPS guidance range. We also continued to execute our disciplined, returns-focused capital allocation strategy, completing an additional $265 million of share repurchases in the quarter and bringing total second-half buybacks to ~$1.3 billion,” said Olumide Soroye, President and CEO.

Fortive scored the biggest analyst estimates beat of the whole group. Unsurprisingly, the stock is up 6.7% since reporting and currently trades at $58.01.

Is now the time to buy Fortive? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.

Best Q4: Kennametal (NYSE: KMT)

Involved in manufacturing hard tips of anti-tank projectiles in World War II, Kennametal (NYSE: KMT) is a provider of industrial materials and tools for various sectors.

Kennametal reported revenues of $529.5 million, up 9.8% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 1%. The business had a stunning quarter with an impressive beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates and a solid beat of analysts’ adjusted operating income estimates.

Kennametal delivered the fastest revenue growth among its peers. The market seems happy with the results as the stock is up 12% since reporting. It currently trades at $40.07.

Is now the time to buy Kennametal? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.

Slowest Q4: Middleby (NASDAQ: MIDD)

Holding a Guinness World Record for creating the world’s fastest conveyor pizza oven, Middleby (NASDAQ: MIDD) is a food service and equipment manufacturer.

Middleby reported revenues of $866.4 million, down 14.5% year on year, falling short of analysts’ expectations by 11.4%. It was a disappointing quarter as it posted full-year revenue guidance missing analysts’ expectations significantly and full-year EBITDA guidance missing analysts’ expectations significantly.

Middleby delivered the weakest performance against analyst estimates and slowest revenue growth in the group. The stock is flat since the results and currently trades at $156.25.

Read our full analysis of Middleby’s results here.

Snap-on (NYSE: SNA)

Founded in 1920, Snap-on (NYSE: SNA) is a global provider of tools, equipment, and diagnostics for various industries such as vehicle repair, aerospace, and the military.

Snap-on reported revenues of $1.34 billion, up 3.1% year on year. This result beat analysts’ expectations by 1%. Taking a step back, it was a mixed quarter as it also logged a narrow beat of analysts’ revenue estimates but a slight miss of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.

The stock is flat since reporting and currently trades at $382.28.

Read our full, actionable report on Snap-on here, it’s free.

Nordson (NASDAQ: NDSN)

Founded in 1954, Nordson Corporation (NASDAQ: NDSN) manufactures dispensing equipment and industrial adhesives, sealants and coatings.

Nordson reported revenues of $669.5 million, up 8.8% year on year. This print topped analysts’ expectations by 2.6%. Aside from that, it was a mixed quarter as it also produced an impressive beat of analysts’ revenue estimates but a significant miss of analysts’ organic revenue estimates.

Nordson had the weakest full-year guidance update among its peers. The stock is down 6.1% since reporting and currently trades at $280.93.

Read our full, actionable report on Nordson here, it’s free.

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