Looking back on gas and liquid handling stocks’ Q2 earnings, we examine this quarter’s best and worst performers, including IDEX (NYSE: IEX) 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 11 gas and liquid handling stocks we track reported a strong Q2. As a group, revenues beat analysts’ consensus estimates by 2.1% while next quarter’s revenue guidance was 0.8% below.

In light of this news, share prices of the companies have held steady as they are up 1.9% on average since the latest earnings results.

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 $920.6 million, up 6.4% year on year. This print exceeded analysts’ expectations by 1.7%. Overall, it was a strong quarter for the company with full-year EPS guidance exceeding analysts’ expectations and a solid beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.

IDEX scored the highest guidance raise in the group. Unsurprisingly, the stock is up 4.3% since reporting and currently trades at $234.37.

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

Best Q2: SPX Technologies (NYSE: SPXC)

With roots dating back to 1912 as the Piston Ring Company, SPX Technologies (NYSE: SPXC) supplies specialized infrastructure equipment for HVAC systems and detection and measurement applications across industrial, commercial, and utility markets.

SPX Technologies reported revenues of $679 million, up 22.9% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 5.8%. The business had a stunning quarter with a solid beat of analysts’ organic revenue estimates and an impressive beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.

SPX Technologies scored the highest full-year guidance raise of the whole group. The market seems content with the results as the stock is up 4.2% since reporting. It currently trades at $207.75.

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

Slowest Q2: 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 $590.6 million, up 3.3% year on year, falling short of analysts’ expectations by 3%. It was a slower quarter, leaving some shareholders looking for more.

Graco delivered the weakest performance against analyst estimates among its peers. Interestingly, the stock is up 9.2% since the results and currently trades at $80.67.

Read our full analysis of Graco’s results here.

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 $228.3 million, up 2.8% year on year. This print topped analysts’ expectations by 1%. More broadly, it was a mixed quarter as it also logged a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates but a miss of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.

The stock is up 8.2% since reporting and currently trades at $310.69.

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

Parker-Hannifin (NYSE: PH)

Founded in 1917, Parker Hannifin (NYSE: PH) is a manufacturer of motion and control systems for a wide variety of mobile, industrial and aerospace markets.

Parker-Hannifin reported revenues of $5.76 billion, up 9.8% year on year. This result beat analysts’ expectations by 3.3%. Overall, it was an exceptional quarter as it also put up a solid beat of analysts’ organic revenue estimates and full-year EPS guidance beating analysts’ expectations.

The stock is flat since reporting and currently trades at $1,002.

Read our full, actionable report on Parker-Hannifin here, it’s free.

Market Update

Over the past year, investors have been forced to repeatedly answer the same question: what is the market’s biggest risk? The answer has changed several times, and each shift has reshaped market leadership.

Late in 2025 and early 2026, artificial intelligence became the market’s primary uncertainty. Investors questioned whether AI would erode software pricing power and weaken competitive moats as AI made it easier to replicate once-differentiated products.

By the spring, technology took a back seat to geopolitics. The U.S. conflict with Iran briefly became the market’s dominant narrative, raising concerns about oil prices, inflation, and global growth. But as energy markets remained orderly and fears of a prolonged supply disruption faded, investors quickly turned their focus back to fundamentals.

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.