As the Q1 earnings season comes to a close, it’s time to take stock of this quarter’s best and worst performers in the gas and liquid handling industry, including ITT (NYSE: ITT) 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 12 gas and liquid handling stocks we track reported a satisfactory Q1. As a group, revenues beat analysts’ consensus estimates by 1.3% while next quarter’s revenue guidance was 4.8% above.

In light of this news, share prices of the companies have held steady as they are up 2.7% on average since the latest earnings results.

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 $1.21 billion, up 32.7% year on year. This print exceeded analysts’ expectations by 9.8%. Overall, it was an exceptional quarter for the company with an impressive beat of analysts’ adjusted operating income and EPS estimates.

ITT achieved the biggest analyst estimate beat and fastest revenue growth of the whole group. Investor expectations, however, were likely higher than Wall Street’s published projections, leaving some wishing for even better results (analysts’ consensus estimates are those published by big banks and advisory firms, not the investors who make buy and sell decisions). The stock is down 10.1% since reporting and currently trades at $191.13.

We think ITT is a good business, but is it a buy today? Read our full report here, it’s free.

Best Q1: 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 $176.6 million, up 7.7% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 3.5%. The business had an incredible quarter with a beat of analysts’ EPS and EBITDA estimates.

The market seems happy with the results as the stock is up 31% since reporting. It currently trades at $86.76.

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

Weakest Q1: 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 $540.1 million, up 2.2% year on year, falling short of analysts’ expectations by 3.9%. It was a disappointing quarter as it posted a significant miss of analysts’ adjusted operating income and EPS estimates.

As expected, the stock is down 11.2% since the results and currently trades at $75.96.

Read our full analysis of Graco’s results here.

Flowserve (NYSE: FLS)

Manufacturing the largest pump ever built for nuclear power generation, Flowserve (NYSE: FLS) manufactures and sells flow control equipment for various industries.

Flowserve reported revenues of $1.07 billion, down 6.7% year on year. This result lagged analysts’ expectations by 8.8%. It was a slower quarter as it also produced full-year EPS guidance meeting analysts’ expectations.

Flowserve had the weakest performance against analyst estimates and slowest revenue growth among its peers. The stock is down 6.3% since reporting and currently trades at $78.91.

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

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 $228.4 million, up 16.8% year on year. This number topped analysts’ expectations by 3.7%. Overall, it was a very strong quarter as it also produced EPS guidance for next quarter exceeding analysts’ expectations and a solid beat of analysts’ adjusted operating income estimates.

Helios delivered the highest guidance raise but had the weakest full-year guidance update among its peers. The stock is up 24.4% since reporting and currently trades at $84.60.

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