The end of the earnings season is always a good time to take a step back and see who shined (and who didn't). Let's take a look at how professional tools and equipment stocks fared in Q1, starting with Nordson (NASDAQ:NDSN).
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 strong Q1. As a group, revenues beat analysts' consensus estimates by 1.8% while next quarter's revenue guidance was 7.7% above.
While some professional tools and equipment stocks have fared somewhat better than others, they have collectively declined. On average, share prices are down 1.9% since the latest earnings results.
Founded in 1954, Nordson Corporation (NASDAQ:NDSN) manufactures dispensing equipment and industrial adhesives, sealants and coatings.
Nordson reported revenues of $740.8 million, up 8.5% year on year. This print exceeded analysts' expectations by 1.8%. Despite the top-line beat, it was still a mixed quarter for the company with full-year EPS guidance slightly topping analysts' expectations but a significant miss of analysts' organic revenue estimates.
Nordson delivered the weakest guidance update and weakest full-year guidance update in the group. Interestingly, the stock is up 10.2% since reporting and currently trades at $304.36.
Read our full report on Nordson here, it's free.
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 $736.6 million, up 42.6% year on year, outperforming analysts' expectations by 1.3%. The business had a stunning quarter with EPS guidance for next quarter exceeding analysts' expectations and a beat of analysts' EPS estimates.
Kennametal pulled off the highest guidance raise, fastest revenue growth, and highest full-year guidance raise among its peers. Although it had a fine quarter compared to its peers, the market seems unhappy with the results as the stock is down 13.3% since reporting. It currently trades at $31.25.
Is now the time to buy Kennametal? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it's free.
Headquartered in Ohio, Lincoln Electric (NASDAQ:LECO) manufactures and sells welding equipment for various industries.
Lincoln Electric reported revenues of $1.22 billion, up 12% year on year, exceeding analysts' expectations by 4.6%. Still, it was a mixed quarter as it posted a significant miss of analysts' organic revenue estimates.
Interestingly, the stock is up 9.3% since the results and currently trades at $282.05.
Read our full analysis of Lincoln Electric's results here.
Established when Max Hillman purchased a franchise operation, Hillman (NASDAQ:HLMN) designs, manufactures, and sells industrial equipment and systems for various sectors.
Hillman reported revenues of $442.3 million, up 9.8% year on year. This result surpassed analysts' expectations by 1.3%. Overall, it was a very strong quarter as it also logged full-year revenue guidance beating analysts' expectations and full-year EBITDA guidance beating analysts' expectations.
The stock is up 1.3% since reporting and currently trades at $8.42.
Read our full, actionable report on Hillman here, it's free.
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 $1.10 billion, up 7.9% year on year. This print beat analysts' expectations by 2.5%. It was a strong quarter as it also recorded a decent beat of analysts' EBITDA estimates and a beat of analysts' EPS estimates.
The stock is down 7.1% since reporting and currently trades at $59.57.
Read our full, actionable report on Fortive here, it's free.
Over the past year, investors have been forced to repeatedly answer the same question: what is the market's biggest risk? The answer has changed several times, and each shift has reshaped market leadership.
Late in 2025 and early 2026, artificial intelligence became the market's primary uncertainty. Investors questioned whether AI would erode software pricing power and weaken competitive moats as AI made it easier to replicate once-differentiated products.
By the spring, technology took a back seat to geopolitics. The U.S. conflict with Iran briefly became the market's dominant narrative, raising concerns about oil prices, inflation, and global growth. But as energy markets remained orderly and fears of a prolonged supply disruption faded, investors quickly turned their focus back to fundamentals.
Want to invest in winners with rock-solid fundamentals? Check out our Hidden Gem Stocks and add them to your watchlist. These companies are poised for growth regardless of the political or macroeconomic climate.