Looking back on gas and liquid handling stocks’ Q4 earnings, we examine this quarter’s best and worst performers, including Standex (NYSE: SXI) and its peers.

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 13 gas and liquid handling stocks we track reported a satisfactory Q4. As a group, revenues beat analysts’ consensus estimates by 1.1% while next quarter’s revenue guidance was in line.

While some gas and liquid handling stocks have fared somewhat better than others, they have collectively declined. On average, share prices are down 3.3% since the latest earnings results.

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 $221.3 million, up 16.6% year on year. This print exceeded analysts’ expectations by 0.7%. Despite the top-line beat, it was still a slower quarter for the company with a miss of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.

Commenting on the quarter's results, President and Chief Executive Officer David Dunbar said, "We delivered strong top-line results and operating performance in the fiscal second quarter. Our sales increased 16.6% year-on-year to $221.3 million driven by 7% contribution from new products and 28% contribution from sales into fast growth markets. We recorded 6.4% organic growth and book to bill of 1.04, led by our Electronics segment which grew 11.1% organically with book to bill of 1.08. We are well positioned to deliver mid-to-high single digit organic growth in the fiscal third quarter, primarily driven by new product launches, strong tailwinds in the electrical grid, defense and aviation end markets, and improving general industrial markets. Sales from fast growth markets totaled approximately $61 million in the fiscal second quarter and are expected to exceed $270 million in fiscal year 2026.

Interestingly, the stock is up 3% since reporting and currently trades at $253.64.

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

Best Q4: Atmus Filtration Technologies (NYSE: ATMU)

Spun out of Cummins in 2023 after 65 years as part of the engine maker, Atmus Filtration Technologies (NYSE: ATMU) manufactures filters for trucks, construction equipment, and agriculture machinery to reduce emissions and protect engines.

Atmus Filtration Technologies reported revenues of $446.6 million, up 9.8% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 5.5%. The business had a stunning quarter with an impressive beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.

However, the results were likely priced into the stock as it’s traded sideways since reporting. Shares currently sit at $61.70.

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

Weakest Q4: Chart (NYSE: GTLS)

Installing the first bulk Co2 tank for McDonalds’s sodas, Chart (NYSE: GTLS) provides equipment to store and transport gasses.

Chart reported revenues of $1.08 billion, down 2.5% year on year, falling short of analysts’ expectations by 8.4%. It was a disappointing quarter as it posted a significant miss of analysts’ revenue and adjusted operating income estimates.

Chart delivered the weakest performance against analyst estimates and slowest revenue growth in the group. The stock is flat since the results and currently trades at $207.68.

Read our full analysis of Chart’s results here.

Ingersoll Rand (NYSE: IR)

Started with the invention of the steam drill, Ingersoll Rand (NYSE: IR) provides mission-critical air, gas, liquid, and solid flow creation solutions.

Ingersoll Rand reported revenues of $2.09 billion, up 10.1% year on year. This number topped analysts’ expectations by 2.6%. It was a very strong quarter as it also put up an impressive beat of analysts’ adjusted operating income and revenue estimates.

The stock is down 15.8% since reporting and currently trades at $79.28.

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

ITT (NYSE: ITT)

Playing a crucial role in the development of the first transatlantic television transmission in 1956, ITT (NYSE: ITT) provides motion and fluid handling equipment for various industries

ITT reported revenues of $1.05 billion, up 13.5% year on year. This print surpassed analysts’ expectations by 4.6%. More broadly, it was a mixed quarter as it also logged an impressive beat of analysts’ revenue estimates but a significant miss of analysts’ organic revenue estimates.

The stock is up 7.1% since reporting and currently trades at $198.22.

Read our full, actionable report on ITT 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 Top 6 Stocks and add them to your watchlist. These companies are poised for growth regardless of the political or macroeconomic climate.