As the craze of earnings season draws to a close, here’s a look back at some of the most exciting (and some less so) results from Q1. Today, we are looking at industrial distributors stocks, starting with Rush Enterprises (NASDAQ: RUSHA).

Supply chain and inventory management are themes that grew in focus after COVID wreaked havoc on the global movement of raw materials and components. Distributors that boast a reliable selection of products–everything from hardhats and fasteners for jet engines to ceiling systems–and quickly deliver goods to customers can benefit from this theme. While e-commerce hasn’t disrupted industrial distribution as much as consumer retail, it is still a real threat, forcing investment in omnichannel capabilities to better interact with customers. Additionally, distributors are at the whim of economic cycles that impact the capital spending and construction projects that can juice demand.

The 24 industrial distributors stocks we track reported a satisfactory Q1. As a group, revenues beat analysts’ consensus estimates by 2.1% while next quarter’s revenue guidance was 1.2% below.

Thankfully, share prices of the companies have been resilient as they are up 6.8% on average since the latest earnings results.

Rush Enterprises (NASDAQ: RUSHA)

Headquartered in Texas, Rush Enterprises (NASDAQ: RUSH.A) provides truck-related services and solutions, including sales, leasing, parts, and maintenance for commercial vehicles.

Rush Enterprises reported revenues of $1.68 billion, down 9% year on year. This print fell short of analysts’ expectations by 2.5%, but it was still a satisfactory quarter for the company with a solid beat of analysts’ adjusted operating income estimates.

“Despite continued weakness across the commercial vehicle industry, I am proud of the way our team performed in the first quarter,” said W.M. “Rusty” Rush, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of Rush Enterprises, Inc.

Rush Enterprises delivered the slowest revenue growth of the whole group. Even though it had a relatively good quarter, the market seems discontent with the results. The stock is down 4% since reporting and currently trades at $72.28.

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

Best Q1: Richardson Electronics (NASDAQ: RELL)

Founded in 1947, Richardson Electronics (NASDAQ: RELL) is a distributor of power grid and microwave tubes as well as consumables related to those products.

Richardson Electronics reported revenues of $55.47 million, up 3.1% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 4.4%. 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 53.7% since reporting. It currently trades at $18.08.

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

Weakest Q1: DXP (NASDAQ: DXPE)

Founded during the emergence of Big Oil in Texas, DXP (NASDAQ: DXPE) provides pumps, valves, and other industrial components.

DXP reported revenues of $521.7 million, up 9.5% year on year, falling short of analysts’ expectations by 1.9%. 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 7.5% since the results and currently trades at $167.88.

Read our full analysis of DXP’s results here.

Distribution Solutions (NASDAQ: DSGR)

Founded in 1952, Distribution Solutions (NASDAQ: DSGR) provides supply chain solutions and distributes industrial, safety, and maintenance products to various industries.

Distribution Solutions reported revenues of $496 million, up 3.8% year on year. This print topped analysts’ expectations by 1.4%. Zooming out, it was a softer quarter as it recorded a significant miss of analysts’ adjusted operating income estimates.

The stock is up 2.2% since reporting and currently trades at $27.56.

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

VSE Corporation (NASDAQ: VSEC)

With roots dating back to 1959 and a strategic focus on extending the life of transportation assets, VSE Corporation (NASDAQ: VSEC) provides aftermarket parts distribution and maintenance, repair, and overhaul services for aircraft and vehicle fleets in commercial and government markets.

VSE Corporation reported revenues of $324.6 million, up 26.8% year on year. This number beat analysts’ expectations by 3.8%. Overall, it was an incredible quarter as it also put up a beat of analysts’ EPS and EBITDA estimates.

The stock is up 22.7% since reporting and currently trades at $217.71.

Read our full, actionable report on VSE Corporation 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 Top 5 Growth Stocks and add them to your watchlist. These companies are poised for growth regardless of the political or macroeconomic climate.