As the Q3 earnings season comes to a close, it’s time to take stock of this quarter’s best and worst performers in the general industrial machinery industry, including Columbus McKinnon (NASDAQ: CMCO) and its peers.

Automation that increases efficiency and connected equipment that collects analyzable data have been trending, creating new demand for general industrial machinery companies. Those who innovate and create digitized solutions can spur sales and speed up replacement cycles, but all general industrial machinery companies are still 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 15 general industrial machinery stocks we track reported a strong Q3. As a group, revenues beat analysts’ consensus estimates by 1.6% while next quarter’s revenue guidance was in line.

In light of this news, share prices of the companies have held steady as they are up 4.6% on average since the latest earnings results.

Columbus McKinnon (NASDAQ: CMCO)

With 19 different brands across the globe, Columbus McKinnon (NASDAQ: CMCO) offers material handling equipment for the construction, manufacturing, and transportation industries.

Columbus McKinnon reported revenues of $261 million, up 7.7% year on year. This print exceeded analysts’ expectations by 8.5%. Overall, it was a stunning quarter for the company with an impressive beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates and a solid beat of analysts’ revenue estimates.

"Our team delivered a solid second quarter as the U.S. short-cycle market recovered and we executed on our record backlog," said David J. Wilson, President and Chief Executive Officer.

Interestingly, the stock is up 21.7% since reporting and currently trades at $18.31.

Is now the time to buy Columbus McKinnon? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free for active Edge members.

Best Q3: Icahn Enterprises (NASDAQ: IEP)

Founded in 1987, Icahn Enterprises (NASDAQ: IEP) is a diversified holding company primarily engaged in investment and asset management across various sectors.

Icahn Enterprises reported revenues of $2.51 billion, down 9.9% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 4.3%. The business had an incredible quarter with a beat of analysts’ EPS and revenue estimates.

Although it had a fine quarter compared its peers, the market seems unhappy with the results as the stock is down 4.3% since reporting. It currently trades at $7.77.

Is now the time to buy Icahn Enterprises? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free for active Edge members.

Weakest Q3: Albany (NYSE: AIN)

Founded in 1895, Albany (NYSE: AIN) is a global textiles and materials processing company, specializing in machine clothing for paper mills and engineered composite structures for aerospace and other industries.

Albany reported revenues of $261.4 million, down 12.4% year on year, falling short of analysts’ expectations by 12.8%. It was a disappointing quarter as it posted a miss of analysts’ Engineered Composites revenue estimates and a significant miss of analysts’ revenue estimates.

Albany delivered the weakest performance against analyst estimates in the group. The stock is flat since the results and currently trades at $54.17.

Read our full analysis of Albany’s results here.

Crane (NYSE: CR)

Based in Connecticut, Crane (NYSE: CR) is a diversified manufacturer of engineered industrial products, including fluid handling, and aerospace technologies.

Crane reported revenues of $589.2 million, up 7.5% year on year. This result beat analysts’ expectations by 1.6%. It was an exceptional quarter as it also logged a solid beat of analysts’ adjusted operating income estimates and an impressive beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.

The stock is up 1.5% since reporting and currently trades at $194.38.

Read our full, actionable report on Crane here, it’s free for active Edge members.

John Bean (NYSE: JBTM)

Tracing back to its invention of the mechanical milk bottle filler in 1884, John Bean (NYSE: JBT) designs, manufactures, and sells equipment used for food processing and aviation.

John Bean reported revenues of $1.00 billion, up 121% year on year. This number surpassed analysts’ expectations by 7.2%. Overall, it was an exceptional quarter as it also recorded a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates and a solid beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.

John Bean achieved the fastest revenue growth among its peers. The stock is up 22.6% since reporting and currently trades at $152.77.

Read our full, actionable report on John Bean here, it’s free for active Edge members.

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