IDEX Corporation (IEX)

IEX's price sits above all three of its recent trend lines, up roughly 4% in the past month.

What is going on right now?

The stock has been climbing steadily and is trading around $233, with more shares changing hands than usual over the past few weeks.

How is the business itself doing?

IEX makes specialized pumps and fluid-handling equipment across three divisions. Sales grew about 6% and earnings grew nearly 11%, with the company keeping roughly 22 cents of every dollar sold as operating profit.

What stands out?

The company carries modest debt, about half of what it owns outright, and holds $556 million in cash from operations. That's a thick cushion.

What comes next?

Reports suggest higher oil prices above $110 a barrel could push up IEX's input costs, and possible interest rate increases could cool demand for industrial equipment, both worth watching in upcoming earnings.