Quarterly earnings results are a good time to check in on a company’s progress, especially compared to its peers in the same sector. Today we are looking at Kennametal (NYSE: KMT) and the best and worst performers in the professional tools and equipment industry.

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 satisfactory Q1. As a group, revenues beat analysts’ consensus estimates by 1.9% while next quarter’s revenue guidance was 0.6% below.

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

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. This print exceeded analysts’ expectations by 4.8%. Overall, it was a stunning quarter for the company with a solid beat of analysts’ organic revenue and EBITDA estimates.

Kennametal scored the fastest revenue growth 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 5% since reporting and currently trades at $35.63.

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

Stanley Black & Decker (NYSE: SWK)

With an iconic “STANLEY” logo which has remained virtually unchanged for over a century, Stanley Black & Decker (NYSE: SWK) is a manufacturer primarily catering to the tool and outdoor equipment industry.

Stanley Black & Decker reported revenues of $3.85 billion, up 2.7% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 2.7%. The business had an exceptional quarter with a beat of analysts’ EPS and EBITDA estimates.

The market seems happy with the results as the stock is up 8.1% since reporting. It currently trades at $84.65.

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

Weakest Q1: 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 a significant miss of analysts’ adjusted operating income estimates and EPS in line with analysts’ estimates.

As expected, the stock is down 9.1% since the results and currently trades at $7.98.

Read our full analysis of Hillman’s results here.

Lincoln Electric (NASDAQ: LECO)

Headquartered in Ohio, Lincoln Electric (NASDAQ: LECO) manufactures and sells welding equipment for various industries.

Lincoln Electric reported revenues of $1.12 billion, up 11.7% year on year. This number surpassed analysts’ expectations by 4.2%. More broadly, it was a mixed quarter as it also logged a solid beat of analysts’ revenue estimates but a significant miss of analysts’ organic revenue estimates.

The stock is up 4.5% since reporting and currently trades at $269.00.

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

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 print topped analysts’ expectations by 1.8%. Aside from that, it was a mixed quarter as it also produced an impressive beat of analysts’ revenue estimates but a significant miss of analysts’ organic revenue estimates.

Nordson had the weakest full-year guidance update among its peers. The stock is up 5.8% since reporting and currently trades at $292.30.

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

Market Update

Late in 2025 into early 2026, there was hand-wringing around artificial intelligence. For software companies, the fear was that AI would erode pricing power and compress margins as new tools made it easier to replicate what once required expensive enterprise platforms. Crypto investors had their own version of the same anxiety: if AI agents could trade, allocate capital, and manage wallets autonomously, what exactly was the long-term value of today’s crypto infrastructure?

These concerns triggered a noticeable rotation away from these sectors and into safer havens. But markets rarely dwell on one narrative for long. Spring 2026 came, and the focus shifted abruptly from technological disruption to geopolitical risk. The US’ conflict with Iran became the dominant driver of market psychology, and when geopolitics takes center stage, the script changes quickly. Investors stop debating growth rates and start worrying about oil supply, inflation, and global stability.

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.