As the Q4 earnings season wraps, let’s dig into this quarter’s best and worst performers in the general industrial machinery industry, including Dover (NYSE: DOV) and its peers.

Automation that increases efficiency and connected equipment that collects analyzable data have been trending, creating new demand for general industrial machinery companies. Those who innovate and create digitized solutions can spur sales and speed up replacement cycles, but all general industrial machinery companies are still 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 14 general industrial machinery stocks we track reported a satisfactory Q4. As a group, revenues beat analysts’ consensus estimates by 3.3% while next quarter’s revenue guidance was in line.

Amidst this news, share prices of the companies have had a rough stretch. On average, they are down 8.8% since the latest earnings results.

Dover (NYSE: DOV)

A company that manufactured critical equipment for the United States military during World War II, Dover (NYSE: DOV) manufactures engineered components and specialized equipment for numerous industries.

Dover reported revenues of $2.10 billion, up 8.8% year on year. This print exceeded analysts’ expectations by 0.9%. Despite the top-line beat, it was still a mixed quarter for the company with a narrow beat of analysts’ organic revenue estimates but a significant miss of analysts’ adjusted operating income estimates.

Dover's President and Chief Executive Officer, Richard J. Tobin, said, "Our fourth quarter results reflect broad-based top line strength across the portfolio, with organic growth reaching its highest level of the year. Revenue performance was driven by robust trends in our secular-growth-exposed markets as well as improving conditions in retail fueling and refrigerated door cases and services. Our sustained strong bookings rates continue to support underlying momentum across the portfolio, providing confidence in the durability of demand as we enter the new year.

Interestingly, the stock is up 2.3% since reporting and currently trades at $210.81.

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

Best Q4: Columbus McKinnon (NASDAQ: CMCO)

With 19 different brands across the globe, Columbus McKinnon (NASDAQ: CMCO) offers material handling equipment for the construction, manufacturing, and transportation industries.

Columbus McKinnon reported revenues of $258.7 million, up 10.5% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 5.3%. The business had an exceptional quarter with an impressive beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates and a solid beat of analysts’ revenue estimates.

Although it had a fine quarter compared its peers, the market seems unhappy with the results as the stock is down 32.9% since reporting. It currently trades at $15.36.

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

Weakest Q4: Albany (NYSE: AIN)

Founded in 1895, Albany (NYSE: AIN) is a global textiles and materials processing company, specializing in machine clothing for paper mills and engineered composite structures for aerospace and other industries.

Albany reported revenues of $321.2 million, up 12% year on year, exceeding analysts’ expectations by 16%. Still, it was a softer quarter as it posted a significant miss of analysts’ adjusted operating income estimates and a significant miss of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.

As expected, the stock is down 5.7% since the results and currently trades at $54.67.

Read our full analysis of Albany’s results here.

GE Aerospace (NYSE: GE)

One of the original 12 companies on the Dow Jones Industrial Average, General Electric (NYSE: GE) is a multinational conglomerate providing technologies for various sectors including aviation, power, renewable energy, and healthcare.

GE Aerospace reported revenues of $11.87 billion, up 20.1% year on year. This result beat analysts’ expectations by 6.3%. Overall, it was an exceptional quarter as it also produced a solid beat of analysts’ revenue estimates and an impressive beat of analysts’ adjusted operating income estimates.

The stock is down 3.7% since reporting and currently trades at $306.86.

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

Illinois Tool Works (NYSE: ITW)

Founded by Byron Smith, an investor who held over 100 patents, Illinois Tool Works (NYSE: ITW) manufactures engineered components and specialized equipment for numerous industries.

Illinois Tool Works reported revenues of $4.09 billion, up 4.1% year on year. This number surpassed analysts’ expectations by 0.7%. Zooming out, it was a slower quarter as it logged a significant miss of analysts’ EBITDA estimates and full-year EPS guidance slightly missing analysts’ expectations.

The stock is flat since reporting and currently trades at $266.50.

Read our full, actionable report on Illinois Tool Works here, it’s free.

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.