Applied Industrial Technologies (AIT) saw its stock price plummet by 5.07% during Friday's intraday trading session, following a significant downgrade from Raymond James. The industrial equipment distributor's shares came under pressure as investors reacted to the change in analyst sentiment.

Raymond James lowered its rating on Applied Industrial Technologies from Outperform to Market Perform, signaling a less optimistic outlook for the company. This downgrade appears to be the primary catalyst for the sharp decline in AIT's stock price, as investors reassessed their positions based on the new analyst perspective.

Despite the negative reaction to the Raymond James downgrade, it's worth noting that other analysts maintain a more positive stance on Applied Industrial Technologies. Oppenheimer reiterated its Outperform rating and raised its price target from $290 to $300, while Baird also maintained an Outperform rating. According to FactSet, the average analyst rating for AIT remains at Overweight, with a mean price target of $300.83. These mixed signals from various analysts highlight the complexity of the company's current market position and future prospects.