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 industrial machinery stocks fared in Q4, starting with Stratasys (NASDAQ: SSYS).

Automation that increases efficiency and connected equipment that collects analyzable data have been trending, generating new demand for industrial machinery and components. Companies that innovate and create digitized solutions can spur sales and speed up replacement cycles while those resting on their laurels can see dwindling market positions. Like the broader industrials sector, industrial machinery and components companies are also 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 57 industrial machinery stocks we track reported a mixed Q4. As a group, revenues beat analysts’ consensus estimates by 1.2% while next quarter’s revenue guidance was in line.

While some industrial machinery stocks have fared somewhat better than others, they have collectively declined. On average, share prices are down 3.9% since the latest earnings results.

Stratasys (NASDAQ: SSYS)

Born from the Founder’s idea of making a toy frog with a glue gun, Stratasys (NASDAQ: SSYS) offers 3D printers and related materials, software, and services to many industries.

Stratasys reported revenues of $140 million, down 6.9% year on year. This print exceeded analysts’ expectations by 0.5%. Despite the top-line beat, it was still a slower quarter for the company with full-year EBITDA guidance missing analysts’ expectations significantly and a significant miss of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.

Dr. Yoav Zeif, Stratasys' Chief Executive Officer, stated, “Our fourth quarter performance caps a year in which we successfully maintained our operational discipline and delivered solid cash flow generation, demonstrating the resilience that distinguishes Stratasys. We generated 37.5% of our revenues from manufacturing applications, up from 25% in 2020, and made meaningful progress building on the foundational infrastructure of our highest-value use-cases, as we continued to improve our position in aerospace and defense, automotive tooling, dental, and medical applications.”

Stratasys achieved the highest full-year guidance raise of the whole group. Still, the market seems discontent with the results. The stock is down 0.8% since reporting and currently trades at $8.37.

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

Best Q4: Arrow Electronics (NYSE: ARW)

Founded as a single retail store, Arrow Electronics (NYSE: ARW) provides electronic components and enterprise computing solutions to businesses globally.

Arrow Electronics reported revenues of $8.75 billion, up 20.1% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 6.6%. The business had an incredible quarter with EPS guidance for next quarter exceeding analysts’ expectations and a solid 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 $139.93.

Is now the time to buy Arrow Electronics? 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 estimates and a significant miss of analysts’ adjusted operating income estimates.

The stock is flat since the results and currently trades at $206.86.

Read our full analysis of Chart’s results here.

Tennant (NYSE: TNC)

As the world’s largest manufacturer of autonomous mobile robots, Tennant (NYSE: TNC) designs, manufactures, and sells cleaning products to various sectors.

Tennant reported revenues of $291.6 million, down 11.3% year on year. This print lagged analysts' expectations by 9%. Overall, it was a disappointing quarter as it also produced full-year EBITDA guidance missing analysts’ expectations significantly and a significant miss of analysts’ revenue estimates.

The stock is down 24.1% since reporting and currently trades at $62.45.

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

Luxfer (NYSE: LXFR)

With its magnesium alloys used in the construction of the famous Spirit of St. Louis aircraft, Luxfer (NYSE: LXFR) offers specialized materials, components, and gas containment devices to various industries.

Luxfer reported revenues of $90.7 million, down 12.3% year on year. This number missed analysts’ expectations by 2.3%. Taking a step back, it was a satisfactory quarter as it also recorded an impressive beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates but a significant miss of analysts’ revenue estimates.

The stock is down 22.9% since reporting and currently trades at $12.00.

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

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