The end of the earnings season is always a good time to take a step back and see who shined (and who not so much). Let’s take a look at how gas and liquid handling stocks fared in Q2, starting with Chart (NYSE:GTLS).
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 1.1% while next quarter’s revenue guidance was 2.7% below.
Thankfully, share prices of the companies have been resilient as they are up 5.3% on average since the latest earnings results.
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, up 4% year on year. This print fell short of analysts’ expectations by 2.3%, but it was still a strong quarter for the company with a solid beat of analysts’ backlog estimates and an impressive beat of analysts’ adjusted operating income estimates.
“We booked $1.50 billion of orders in the second quarter 2025 demonstrating continued strength in our end markets, more systems and solutions sales, and an increasing aftermarket, service and repair attachment with customers increasingly utilizing our process technologies,” stated Jill Evanko, Chart Industries’ CEO and President.
Interestingly, the stock is up 15.9% since reporting and currently trades at $198.99.
Best Q2: Helios (NYSE:HLIO)
Founded on the principle of treating others as one wants to be treated, Helios (NYSE:HLIO) designs, manufactures, and sells motion and electronic control components for various sectors.
Helios reported revenues of $212.5 million, down 3.4% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 5.5%. The business had a stunning quarter with an impressive beat of analysts’ organic revenue estimates and EPS guidance for next quarter exceeding analysts’ expectations.
Helios achieved the biggest analyst estimates beat and highest full-year guidance raise among its peers. The market seems happy with the results as the stock is up 34.9% since reporting. It currently trades at $49.67.
Is now the time to buy Helios? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.
Weakest 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 $571.8 million, up 3.4% year on year, falling short of analysts’ expectations by 3.1%. It was a disappointing quarter as it posted a significant miss of analysts’ adjusted operating income estimates and a miss of analysts’ EPS estimates.
Graco delivered the weakest performance against analyst estimates in the group. As expected, the stock is down 3.7% since the results and currently trades at $84.
Read our full analysis of Graco’s results here.
Gorman-Rupp (NYSE:GRC)
Powering fluid dynamics since 1934, Gorman-Rupp (NYSE:GRC) has evolved from its Ohio origins into a global manufacturer and seller of pumps and pump systems.
Gorman-Rupp reported revenues of $179 million, up 5.6% year on year. This number beat analysts’ expectations by 2.5%. It was an exceptional quarter as it also put up an impressive beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates and a decent beat of analysts’ EPS estimates.
The stock is up 8.7% since reporting and currently trades at $41.17.
Read our full, actionable report on Gorman-Rupp here, it’s free.
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 $865.4 million, up 7.2% year on year. This print topped analysts’ expectations by 0.9%. Taking a step back, it was a mixed quarter as it also produced an impressive beat of analysts’ adjusted operating income estimates but full-year EPS guidance missing analysts’ expectations significantly.
The stock is down 14.7% since reporting and currently trades at $158.26.
Read our full, actionable report on IDEX here, it’s free.
Market Update
In response to the Fed’s rate hikes in 2022 and 2023, inflation has been gradually trending down from its post-pandemic peak, trending closer to the Fed’s 2% target. Despite higher borrowing costs, the economy has avoided flashing recessionary signals. This is the much-desired soft landing that many investors hoped for. The recent rate cuts (0.5% in September and 0.25% in November 2024) have bolstered the stock market, making 2024 a strong year for equities. Donald Trump’s presidential win in November sparked additional market gains, sending indices to record highs in the days following his victory. However, debates continue over possible tariffs and corporate tax adjustments, raising questions about economic stability in 2025.
Want to invest in winners with rock-solid fundamentals? Check out our Top 5 Quality Compounder Stocks and add them to your watchlist. These companies are poised for growth regardless of the political or macroeconomic climate.
StockStory is growing and hiring equity analyst and marketing roles. Are you a 0 to 1 builder passionate about the markets and AI? See the open roles here.