Let’s dig into the relative performance of Trimble (NASDAQ: TRMB) and its peers as we unravel the now-completed Q4 internet of things earnings season.

Industrial Internet of Things (IoT) companies are buoyed by the secular trend of a more connected world. They often specialize in nascent areas such as hardware and services for factory automation, fleet tracking, or smart home technologies. Those who play their cards right can generate recurring subscription revenues by providing cloud-based software services, boosting their margins. On the other hand, if the technologies these companies have invested in don’t pan out, they may have to make costly pivots.

The 6 internet of things stocks we track reported a strong Q4. As a group, revenues beat analysts’ consensus estimates by 2.1% 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 5.8% since the latest earnings results.

Trimble (NASDAQ: TRMB)

Playing a role in the construction of the Paris Grand, Trimble (NASDAQ: TRMB) offers geospatial devices and technology to the agriculture, construction, transportation, and logistics industries.

Trimble reported revenues of $969.8 million, down 1.4% year on year. This print exceeded analysts’ expectations by 2.3%. Overall, it was a strong quarter for the company with an impressive beat of analysts’ adjusted operating income estimates and a solid beat of analysts’ revenue estimates.

"Our fourth quarter results surpassed expectations on both top and bottom lines, punctuating a strong close to 2025 and positioning us well to deliver on our 2027 financial targets," said Rob Painter, president and CEO of Trimble.

Trimble delivered the slowest revenue growth of the whole group. The market was likely pricing in the results, and the stock is flat since reporting. It currently trades at $67.20.

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

Best Q4: SmartRent (NYSE: SMRT)

Founded by an employee at a real estate rental company, SmartRent (NYSE: SMRT) provides smart home devices and software for multifamily residential properties, single-family rental homes, and student housing communities.

SmartRent reported revenues of $36.47 million, up 3.1% year on year, in line with analysts’ expectations. The business had an exceptional quarter with EPS in line with analysts’ estimates and a solid beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.

Although it had a fine quarter compared its peers, the market seems unhappy with the results as the stock is down 11.1% since reporting. It currently trades at $1.37.

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

Emerson Electric (NYSE: EMR)

Founded in 1890, Emerson Electric (NYSE: EMR) is a multinational technology and engineering company providing solutions in the industrial, commercial, and residential markets.

Emerson Electric reported revenues of $4.35 billion, up 4.1% year on year, in line with analysts’ expectations. It was a mixed quarter as it posted an impressive beat of analysts’ adjusted operating income estimates.

Emerson Electric delivered the weakest performance against analyst estimates in the group. As expected, the stock is down 7.9% since the results and currently trades at $140.36.

Read our full analysis of Emerson Electric’s results here.

Rockwell Automation (NYSE: ROK)

One of the first companies to address industrial automation, Rockwell Automation (NYSE: ROK) sells products that help customers extract more efficiency from their machinery.

Rockwell Automation reported revenues of $2.11 billion, up 11.9% year on year. This result topped analysts’ expectations by 1.4%. It was a strong quarter as it also put up a solid beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.

Rockwell Automation had the weakest full-year guidance update among its peers. The stock is down 6.4% since reporting and currently trades at $402.32.

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

Vontier (NYSE: VNT)

A spin-off of a spin-off, Vontier (NYSE: VNT) provides electronic products and systems to the transportation, automotive, and manufacturing sectors.

Vontier reported revenues of $808.5 million, up 4.1% year on year. This print beat analysts’ expectations by 5.7%. Overall, it was a strong quarter as it also logged a solid beat of analysts’ organic revenue estimates.

Vontier scored the biggest analyst estimates beat and highest full-year guidance raise among its peers. The stock is down 11.3% since reporting and currently trades at $36.11.

Read our full, actionable report on Vontier 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.

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