Let’s dig into the relative performance of ITT (NYSE: ITT) and its peers as we unravel the now-completed Q1 gas and liquid handling earnings season.

Gas and liquid handling companies possess the technical know-how and specialized equipment to handle valuable (and sometimes dangerous) substances. Lately, water conservation and carbon capture–which requires hydrogen and other gasses as well as specialized infrastructure–have been trending up, creating new demand for products such as filters, pumps, and valves. On the other hand, gas and liquid handling 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 11 gas and liquid handling stocks we track reported a strong Q1. As a group, revenues beat analysts’ consensus estimates by 0.9% while next quarter’s revenue guidance was in line.

Thankfully, share prices of the companies have been resilient as they are up 6.1% on average since the latest earnings results.

ITT (NYSE: ITT)

Playing a crucial role in the development of the first transatlantic television transmission in 1956, ITT (NYSE: ITT) provides motion and fluid handling equipment for various industries

ITT reported revenues of $913 million, flat year on year. This print exceeded analysts’ expectations by 0.6%. Despite the top-line beat, it was still a mixed quarter for the company with a decent beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.

The stock is up 3.2% since reporting and currently trades at $141.43.

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

Best Q1: Flowserve (NYSE: FLS)

Manufacturing the largest pump ever built for nuclear power generation, Flowserve (NYSE: FLS) manufactures and sells flow control equipment for various industries.

Flowserve reported revenues of $1.14 billion, up 5.2% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 3.6%. The business had an exceptional quarter with a solid beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.

The market seems content with the results as the stock is up 4% since reporting. It currently trades at $46.69.

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

Slowest Q1: Parker-Hannifin (NYSE: PH)

Founded in 1917, Parker Hannifin (NYSE: PH) is a manufacturer of motion and control systems for a wide variety of mobile, industrial and aerospace markets.

Parker-Hannifin reported revenues of $4.96 billion, down 2.2% year on year, in line with analysts’ expectations. It was a slower quarter as it posted a significant miss of analysts’ adjusted operating income estimates.

Interestingly, the stock is up 3.9% since the results and currently trades at $627.28.

Read our full analysis of Parker-Hannifin’s results here.

IDEX (NYSE: IEX)

Founded in 1988, IDEX (NYSE: IEX) is a global manufacturer specializing in highly engineered products such as pumps, flow meters, and fluidics systems for various industries.

IDEX reported revenues of $814.3 million, up 1.7% year on year. This print surpassed analysts’ expectations by 1.1%. Overall, it was a very strong quarter as it also produced a solid beat of analysts’ adjusted operating income estimates.

The stock is up 3.7% since reporting and currently trades at $180.09.

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

Graco (NYSE: GGG)

Founded in 1926, Graco (NYSE: GGG) is an industrial company specializing in the development and manufacturing of fluid-handling systems and products.

Graco reported revenues of $528.3 million, up 7.3% year on year. This result was in line with analysts’ expectations. Zooming out, it was a satisfactory quarter as it also produced a decent beat of analysts’ EPS estimates but a miss of analysts’ Process revenue estimates.

The stock is up 4% since reporting and currently trades at $81.98.

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

Market Update

Thanks to the Fed’s rate hikes in 2022 and 2023, inflation has been on a steady path downward, easing back toward that 2% sweet spot. Fortunately (miraculously to some), all this tightening didn’t send the economy tumbling into a recession, so here we are, cautiously celebrating a soft landing. The cherry on top? Recent rate cuts (half a point in September 2024, a quarter in November) have propped up markets, especially after Trump’s November win lit a fire under major indices and sent them to all-time highs. However, there’s still plenty to ponder — tariffs, corporate tax cuts, and what 2025 might hold for the economy.

Want to invest in winners with rock-solid fundamentals? Check out our Top 6 Stocks and add them to your watchlist. These companies are poised for growth regardless of the political or macroeconomic climate.

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