Is IDEX Corporation Stock Outperforming the S&P 500?

Is IDEX Corporation Stock Outperforming the S&P 500?

Tue, September 22, 2026 at 3:32 PM GMT+3 2 min read

• IEX +1.76%
• ^GSPC -0.75%

Northbrook, Illinois-based IDEX Corporation (IEX) offers applied solutions globally. Valued at $16.4 billion by market cap, the company has a diverse portfolio of over 50 businesses, offering products like industrial pumps, lubrication systems, banding and clamping devices, and rescue tools.

Companies worth $10 billion or more are generally described as "large-cap stocks," and IEX perfectly fits that description, with its market cap exceeding this mark, underscoring its size, influence, and dominance within the specialty industrial machinery industry. IEX derives its edge from manufacturing high-margin, mission-critical equipment with strong switching costs. Its disciplined 80/20 operating model optimizes profitability, while steady cash flows fund bolt-on acquisitions across resilient end-markets like life sciences and fire safety.

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Despite its notable strength, IEX slipped 8.7% from its 52-week high of $243.80, achieved on Jul. 29. Over the past three months, IEX stock declined 1.1%, underperforming the S&P 500 Index's ($SPX) 3.5% gains during the same time frame.

In the longer term, shares of IEX rose 25.1% on a YTD basis and climbed 38.2% over the past 52 weeks, outperforming SPX's YTD gains of 13.4% and 16.5% returns over the last year.

To confirm the bullish trend, IEX has been trading above its 200-day moving average since early December, 2025. However, the stock is trading below its 50-day moving average since early September.

IEX outperformed on robust demand in data center, semiconductor, and space & defense, with HST leading as organic orders jumped 28% overall and 47% in HST, boosting backlog and visibility. Volume leverage, 8020 execution, and a one-time tariff refund tailwind drove margin expansion. Management is raising capex for capacity and remains focused on bolt-on M&A to sustain growth.

On Jul. 29, IEX shares closed up more than 2% after reporting its Q2 results. Its adjusted EPS of $2.32 exceeded Wall Street expectations of $2.10. The company's revenue was $920.6 million, surpassing Wall Street forecasts of $902.4 million. The company expects full-year adjusted EPS in the range of $8.70 to $8.85.

IEX's rival, Nordson Corporation (NDSN) has taken the lead over the stock, with a 30.7% uptick on a YTD basis and 39.7% gains over the past 52 weeks.

Wall Street analysts are reasonably bullish on IEX's prospects. The stock has a consensus "Moderate Buy" rating from the 14 analysts covering it, and the mean price target of $259.14 suggests a potential upside of 16.5% from current price levels.

On the date of publication, Neha Panjwani did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. This article was originally published on Barchart.com