Earnings results often indicate what direction a company will take in the months ahead. With Q1 behind us, let’s have a look at Hyster-Yale Materials Handling (NYSE: HY) 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 10 professional tools and equipment stocks we track reported a strong Q1. As a group, revenues beat analysts’ consensus estimates by 1.9% while next quarter’s revenue guidance was 1% above.

In light of this news, share prices of the companies have held steady. On average, they are relatively unchanged since the latest earnings results.

Weakest Q1: Hyster-Yale Materials Handling (NYSE: HY)

Playing a significant role in the development of the hydraulic lift truck, Hyster-Yale (NYSE: HY) designs, manufactures, and sells materials handling equipment to various sectors.

Hyster-Yale Materials Handling reported revenues of $795.2 million, down 12.7% year on year. This print fell short of analysts’ expectations by 9.4%. Overall, it was a slower quarter for the company with some shareholders anticipating a better outcome.

Hyster-Yale Materials Handling delivered the weakest performance against analyst estimates and slowest revenue growth in the group. The market seems disappointed with the results as the stock is down 15.6% since reporting and currently trades at $33.71.

Read our full report on Hyster-Yale Materials Handling here, it’s free.

Best Q1: 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 $592.6 million, up 21.8% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 4.8%. The business had a stunning quarter with an impressive beat of analysts’ organic revenue estimates and full-year EPS guidance exceeding analysts’ expectations.

Kennametal pulled off the 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 5.3% since reporting. It currently trades at $35.53.

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

Hillman (NASDAQ: HLMN)

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 $370.1 million, up 3% year on year, falling short of analysts’ expectations by 0.7%. It was a slower quarter as it posted EPS in line with analysts’ estimates and a miss of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.

As expected, the stock is down 3.8% since the results and currently trades at $8.45.

Read our full analysis of Hillman’s results here.

Nordson (NASDAQ: NDSN)

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 result surpassed analysts’ expectations by 1.8%. Zooming out, it was a mixed quarter as it also produced full-year EPS guidance slightly topping analysts’ expectations but a significant miss of analysts’ organic revenue estimates.

Nordson scored the highest guidance raise but had the weakest full-year guidance update of the whole group. The stock is up 6.2% since reporting and currently trades at $293.34.

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

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 $1.07 billion, up 7.7% year on year. This number topped analysts’ expectations by 2.4%. Overall, it was a very strong quarter as it also produced a solid beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates and a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates.

The stock is up 2% since reporting and currently trades at $62.96.

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

Market Update

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 9 Best Market-Beating Stocks and add them to your watchlist. These companies are poised for growth regardless of the political or macroeconomic climate.