Let’s dig into the relative performance of Transcat (NASDAQ: TRNS) and its peers as we unravel the now-completed Q2 maintenance and repair distributors earnings season.

Supply chain and inventory management are themes that grew in focus after COVID wreaked havoc on the global movement of raw materials and components. Maintenance and repair distributors that boast reliable selection and quickly deliver products to customers can benefit from this theme. While e-commerce hasn’t disrupted industrial distribution as much as consumer retail, it is still a real threat, forcing investment in omnichannel capabilities to serve customers everywhere. Additionally, maintenance and repair distributors are at the whim of economic cycles that impact the capital spending and construction projects that can juice demand.

The 9 maintenance and repair distributors stocks we track reported a very strong Q2. As a group, revenues beat analysts’ consensus estimates by 2%.

Thankfully, share prices of the companies have been resilient as they are up 8.2% on average since the latest earnings results.

Best Q2: Transcat (NASDAQ: TRNS)

Serving the pharmaceutical, industrial manufacturing, energy, and chemical process industries, Transcat (NASDAQ: TRNS) provides measurement instruments and supplies.

Transcat reported revenues of $76.42 million, up 14.6% year on year. This print exceeded analysts’ expectations by 5.7%. Overall, it was an incredible quarter for the company with a solid beat of analysts’ EPS and EBITDA estimates.

"The Transcat team delivered solid revenue and adjusted EBITDA performance in the fiscal first quarter highlighted by double-digit service revenue growth and better-than-expected demand in our distribution segment,” commented Lee D. Rudow, President and CEO.

Transcat scored the biggest analyst estimates beat of the whole group. Investor expectations, however, were likely higher than Wall Street’s published projections, leaving some wishing for even better results (analysts’ consensus estimates are those published by big banks and advisory firms, not the investors who make buy and sell decisions). The stock is down 4.6% since reporting and currently trades at $74.82.

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

VSE Corporation (NASDAQ: VSEC)

With roots dating back to 1959 and a strategic focus on extending the life of transportation assets, VSE Corporation (NASDAQ: VSEC) provides aftermarket parts distribution and maintenance, repair, and overhaul services for aircraft and vehicle fleets in commercial and government markets.

VSE Corporation reported revenues of $272.1 million, up 41.1% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 3.4%. The business had an incredible quarter with a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates and a solid beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.

VSE Corporation achieved the fastest revenue growth among its peers. The market seems happy with the results as the stock is up 13.3% since reporting. It currently trades at $160.18.

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

Weakest Q2: W.W. Grainger (NYSE: GWW)

Founded as a supplier of motors, W.W. Grainger (NYSE: GWW) provides maintenance, repair, and operating (MRO) supplies and services to businesses and institutions.

W.W. Grainger reported revenues of $4.55 billion, up 5.6% year on year, exceeding analysts’ expectations by 0.6%. Still, it was a slower quarter as it posted full-year EPS guidance slightly missing analysts’ expectations.

As expected, the stock is down 2.3% since the results and currently trades at $1,016.

Read our full analysis of W.W. Grainger’s results here.

Fastenal (NASDAQ: FAST)

Founded in 1967, Fastenal (NASDAQ: FAST) provides industrial and construction supplies, including fasteners, tools, safety products, and many other product categories to businesses globally.

Fastenal reported revenues of $2.08 billion, up 8.6% year on year. This print beat analysts’ expectations by 0.5%. It was a very strong quarter as it also logged an impressive beat of analysts’ sales volume estimates and a decent beat of analysts’ adjusted operating income estimates.

The stock is up 9.8% since reporting and currently trades at $47.52.

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

Distribution Solutions (NASDAQ: DSGR)

Founded in 1952, Distribution Solutions (NASDAQ: DSGR) provides supply chain solutions and distributes industrial, safety, and maintenance products to various industries.

Distribution Solutions reported revenues of $502.4 million, up 14.3% year on year. This result topped analysts’ expectations by 3.7%. Overall, it was an exceptional quarter as it also recorded a solid beat of analysts’ EBITDA and EPS estimates.

The stock is up 7.8% since reporting and currently trades at $31.09.

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

Market Update

In response to the Fed’s rate hikes in 2022 and 2023, inflation has been gradually trending down from its post-pandemic peak, trending closer to the Fed’s 2% target. Despite higher borrowing costs, the economy has avoided flashing recessionary signals. This is the much-desired soft landing that many investors hoped for. The recent rate cuts (0.5% in September and 0.25% in November 2024) have bolstered the stock market, making 2024 a strong year for equities. Donald Trump’s presidential win in November sparked additional market gains, sending indices to record highs in the days following his victory. However, debates continue over possible tariffs and corporate tax adjustments, raising questions about economic stability in 2025.

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