Looking back on gas and liquid handling stocks’ Q1 earnings, we examine this quarter’s best and worst performers, including IDEX (NYSE: IEX) and its peers.

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.

Luckily, gas and liquid handling stocks have performed well with share prices up 11.4% on average since the latest earnings results.

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 exceeded analysts’ expectations by 1.1%. Overall, it was a very strong quarter for the company with a solid beat of analysts’ adjusted operating income estimates.

“Our IDEX teams delivered better than expected revenue and profitability in the first quarter of 2025, with all segments exceeding our expectations. Most encouragingly, all of our segments built backlog, mostly accumulating within HST, fueled by an impressive large clean water project win from the Mott team,” said Eric Ashleman, IDEX Corporation President and Chief Executive Officer.

The stock is up 5.6% since reporting and currently trades at $183.45.

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

Best Q1: Helios (NYSE: HLIO)

Founded on the principle of treating others as one wants to be treated, Helios (NYSE: HLIO) designs, manufactures, and sells motion and electronic control components for various sectors.

Helios reported revenues of $195.5 million, down 7.8% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 3.8%. The business had an exceptional quarter with a solid beat of analysts’ organic revenue and EBITDA estimates.

Helios scored the biggest analyst estimates beat among its peers. The market seems happy with the results as the stock is up 19.8% since reporting. It currently trades at $32.50.

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

Weakest Q1: Ingersoll Rand (NYSE: IR)

Started with the invention of the steam drill, Ingersoll Rand (NYSE: IR) provides mission-critical air, gas, liquid, and solid flow creation solutions.

Ingersoll Rand reported revenues of $1.72 billion, up 2.8% year on year, in line with analysts’ expectations. It was a slower quarter as it posted full-year EBITDA guidance missing analysts’ expectations.

Interestingly, the stock is up 8.4% since the results and currently trades at $82.59.

Read our full analysis of Ingersoll Rand’s results here.

Standex (NYSE: SXI)

Holding over 500 patents globally, Standex (NYSE: SXI) is a manufacturer and distributor of industrial components for various sectors.

Standex reported revenues of $207.8 million, up 17.2% year on year. This number topped analysts’ expectations by 1.7%. Taking a step back, it was a satisfactory quarter as it also produced a narrow beat of analysts’ EPS estimates but a slight miss of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.

Standex pulled off the fastest revenue growth among its peers. The stock is up 4% since reporting and currently trades at $150.83.

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

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 result beat analysts’ expectations by 0.6%. Zooming out, it was a mixed quarter as it also recorded a decent beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates but full-year EPS guidance meeting analysts’ expectations.

The stock is up 11.2% since reporting and currently trades at $152.50.

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

Market Update

Thanks to the Fed’s series of rate hikes in 2022 and 2023, inflation has cooled significantly from its post-pandemic highs, drawing closer to the 2% goal. This disinflation has occurred without severely impacting economic growth, suggesting the success of a soft landing. The stock market thrived in 2024, spurred by recent rate cuts (0.5% in September and 0.25% in November), and a notable surge followed Donald Trump’s presidential election win in November, propelling indices to historic highs. Nonetheless, the outlook for 2025 remains clouded by potential trade policy changes and corporate tax discussions, which could impact business confidence and growth. The path forward holds both optimism and caution as new policies take shape.

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

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