ABB Ltd ABB has failed to impress investors with its recent operational performance due to tough end-market conditions and other challenges, which are likely to adversely impact its earnings in the near term.Image Source: Zacks Investment ResearchThe presently Zacks Rank #4 (Sell) company has a market capitalization of $50.7 billion. In the past three months, the stock has lost 24.2% compared with the industry’s decline of 22.5%.Let’s discuss the factors that might continue to take a toll on the firm.Soft End-Market Conditions: Persistent softness in Motion and Robotics & Discrete Automation segments on account of supply-chain constraints and delays in customer deliveries have been adversely impacting ABB’s performance for a while. In the first quarter of 2022, the Motion segment’s revenues declined 6%, while the Robotics & Discrete Automation segment sales decreased 14% on a year-over-year basis. Issues like logistics and availability of labor are likely to continue affecting its customer deliveries in the near term.Escalated Costs and Expenses: Cost woes and expense inflation pose a concern. ABB’s cost of sales increased 1.1% year over year to $4,684 million in the first quarter of 2022. Also, ABB’s capital expenditure totaled $187 million in the quarter. For the second quarter of 2022, ABB predicts a capital expenditure of $200 million. Its high capital expenditures might dent its profitability in the quarters ahead.High Tax Rate: High effective tax rates remain a concern, with ABB predicting a 27% rate for second-quarter 2022. The figure is almost in line with 27.3% recorded in first-quarter 2022. Also, the effective tax rate is anticipated to be 25% for 2022. This might adversely impact ABB’s earnings in the year.Forex Woes: Given its widespread presence in the international markets, ABB is exposed to unfavorable foreign currency movements. In the quarters ahead, ABB's overseas business might be depressed by a stronger U.S. dollar.Estimate Trend: In the past 60 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for ABB’s second-quarter 2022 earnings has declined from 33 cents to 31 cents on one downward estimate revision. Over the same time frame, the consensus estimate for 2023 earnings has decreased from $1.73 to $1.71 on two downward estimate revisions.Stocks to ConsiderSome better-ranked companies from the industrial products sector are discussed below:Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc. AIT presently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). AIT delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 25.4%, on average. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.AIT’s earnings estimates have increased 5.9% for fiscal 2022 (ending June 2022) in the past 60 days. The stock has dropped 8.4% in the past three months.RBC Bearings Incorporated ROLL presently has a Zacks Rank of 1. ROLL delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 3.4%, on average.ROLL’s earnings estimates have increased 9.7% for fiscal 2023 (ending March 2022) in the past 60 days. Its shares have declined 10% in the past three months.Ferguson plc FERG presently has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). FERG’s earnings surprise in the last four quarters was 13.7%, on average.In the past 60 days, the stock’s earnings estimates have increased 8% for fiscal 2022 (ending July 2022). The same has declined 25.1% in the past three months. Zacks' Top Picks to Cash in on Electric Vehicles Big money has already been made in the Electric Vehicle (EV) industry. But, the EV revolution has not hit full throttle yet. There is a lot of money to be made as the next push for future technologies ramps up. Zacks’ Special Report reveals 5 picks investorsSee 5 EV Stocks With Extreme Upside Potential >>Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report ABB Ltd (ABB): Free Stock Analysis Report Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc. (AIT): Free Stock Analysis Report RBC Bearings Incorporated (ROLL): Free Stock Analysis Report Wolseley PLC (FERG): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research