Professional Tools and Equipment Stocks Q4 Results: Benchmarking Stanley Black & Decker (NYSE:SWK)

As the Q4 earnings season comes to a close, it’s time to take stock of this quarter’s best and worst performers in the professional tools and equipment industry, including Stanley Black & Decker (NYSE:SWK) and its peers.

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 9 professional tools and equipment stocks we track reported a slower Q4. As a group, revenues missed analysts’ consensus estimates by 1% while next quarter’s revenue guidance was 0.9% below.

Amidst this news, share prices of the companies have had a rough stretch. On average, they are down 6.1% since the latest earnings results.

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 $3.68 billion, flat year on year. This print fell short of analysts’ expectations by 2.2%. Overall, it was a softer quarter for the company with full-year EPS guidance missing analysts’ expectations significantly and a significant miss of analysts’ revenue estimates.

Chris Nelson, Stanley Black & Decker's President & CEO, commented, "Stanley Black & Decker delivered solid results across our key focus areas in 2025, with continued gross margin and net income growth, strong free cash flow*, a strengthened balance sheet, and strategic investments focused on driving sustainable, profitable growth. I would like to thank our team for their resilience and commitment to serving our customers and achieving these results despite the dynamic environment.

Unsurprisingly, the stock is down 6% since reporting and currently trades at $76.07.

Read our full report on Stanley Black & Decker here, it’s free.

Best Q4: 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 $529.5 million, up 9.8% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 1%. The business had a stunning quarter with an impressive beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates and a solid beat of analysts’ adjusted operating income estimates.

Kennametal delivered the fastest revenue growth among its peers. The market seems content with the results as the stock is up 3.9% since reporting. It currently trades at $37.15.

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

Slowest Q4: Middleby (NASDAQ:MIDD)

Holding a Guinness World Record for creating the world’s fastest conveyor pizza oven, Middleby (NASDAQ:MIDD) is a food service and equipment manufacturer.

Middleby reported revenues of $866.4 million, down 14.5% year on year, falling short of analysts’ expectations by 11.4%. It was a disappointing quarter as it posted full-year revenue guidance missing analysts’ expectations significantly and full-year EBITDA guidance missing analysts’ expectations significantly.

Middleby delivered the weakest performance against analyst estimates and slowest revenue growth in the group. As expected, the stock is down 4.4% since the results and currently trades at $150.80.

Read our full analysis of Middleby’s results here.

Hyster-Yale Materials Handling (NYSE:HY)

Playing a significant role in the development of the hydraulic lift truck, Hyster-Yale (NYSE:HY) designs, manufactures, and sells materials handling equipment to various sectors.

Hyster-Yale Materials Handling reported revenues of $923.2 million, down 13.5% year on year. This number topped analysts’ expectations by 0.7%. Aside from that, it was a softer quarter as it recorded a significant miss of analysts’ EBITDA estimates and a significant miss of analysts’ EPS estimates.

The stock is down 13% since reporting and currently trades at $33.43.

Read our full, actionable report on Hyster-Yale Materials Handling here, it’s free.

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 $365.1 million, up 4.5% year on year. This result missed analysts’ expectations by 2%. Overall, it was a slower quarter as it also produced a miss of analysts’ revenue estimates and full-year revenue guidance missing analysts’ expectations.

Hillman achieved the highest full-year guidance raise among its peers. The stock is down 19.1% since reporting and currently trades at $8.14.

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

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