Let’s dig into the relative performance of Graco (NYSE: GGG) and its peers as we unravel the now-completed Q4 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 12 gas and liquid handling stocks we track reported a slower Q4. As a group, revenues missed analysts’ consensus estimates by 1%.

Amidst this news, share prices of the companies have had a rough stretch. On average, they are down 5.1% since the latest earnings results.

Weakest Q4: 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 $548.7 million, down 3.2% year on year. This print fell short of analysts’ expectations by 1.4%. Overall, it was a disappointing quarter for the company with a significant miss of analysts’ adjusted operating income estimates.

“We continued to experience slower demand across many end markets in the fourth quarter," said Mark Sheahan, Graco's President and CEO.

The stock is down 2.4% since reporting and currently trades at $84.01.

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

Best Q4: 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 $189.8 million, up 6.4% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 0.5%. The business had a satisfactory quarter with a solid beat of analysts’ EPS estimates but a miss of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.

Although it had a fine quarter compared to its peers, the market seems unhappy with the results as the stock is down 4.3% since reporting. It currently trades at $178.41.

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

Gorman-Rupp (NYSE: GRC)

Powering fluid dynamics since 1934, Gorman-Rupp (NYSE: GRC) has evolved from its Ohio origins into a global manufacturer and seller of pumps and pump systems.

Gorman-Rupp reported revenues of $162.7 million, up 1.3% year on year, in line with analysts’ expectations. It was a slower quarter as it posted a significant miss of analysts’ EPS estimates.

The stock is flat since the results and currently trades at $37.97.

Read our full analysis of Gorman-Rupp’s results here.

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 $179.5 million, down 7.2% year on year. This print surpassed analysts’ expectations by 1.3%. Zooming out, it was a slower quarter as it recorded full-year EBITDA guidance missing analysts’ expectations.

Helios achieved the biggest analyst estimates beat but had the slowest revenue growth and slowest revenue growth among its peers. The stock is down 3.3% since reporting and currently trades at $37.54.

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

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 $862.9 million, up 9.4% year on year. This number missed analysts’ expectations by 0.6%. Overall, it was a slower quarter as it also recorded EPS guidance for next quarter missing analysts’ expectations.

The stock is down 12.9% since reporting and currently trades at $189.99.

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

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