ITW
Illinois Tool Works Inc.
Industrial - Machinery
Market Cap$73.64B
5Y Perf.+48.2%
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Stock Comparison
ITW vs ROK
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
ROK
Rockwell Automation, Inc.
Industrial - Machinery
Market Cap$50.37B
5Y Perf.+107.4%
ITW vs ROK — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ITW | ROK |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Industrial - Machinery | Industrial - Machinery |
| Market Cap | $73.64B | $50.37B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $16.22B | $8.80B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $3.13B | $1.09B |
| Gross Margin | 44.1% | 52.5% |
| Operating Margin | 26.4% | 19.1% |
| Forward P/E | 22.7x | 36.9x |
| Total Debt | $8.97B | $3.65B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $851M | $468M |
ITW vs ROK — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
ITW
ROK
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois Tool Works… (ITW) | 100 | 148.2 | +48.2% |
| Rockwell Automation… (ROK) | 100 | 207.4 | +107.4% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: ITW vs ROK
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: ITW leads in 5 of 7 categories, making it the strongest pick for valuation and capital efficiency and profitability and margin quality. Rockwell Automation, Inc. is the stronger pick specifically for growth and revenue expansion and recent price momentum and sentiment. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
ITW
Illinois Tool Works Inc.
The Income Pick
ITW carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and sleep-well-at-night.
- Dividend streak 12 yrs, beta 0.67, yield 2.4%
- Lower volatility, beta 0.67, current ratio 1.21x
- Beta 0.67, yield 2.4%, current ratio 1.21x
Best for: income & stability and sleep-well-at-night
ROK
Rockwell Automation, Inc.
The Growth Play
ROK is the clearest fit if your priority is growth exposure and long-term compounding.
- Rev growth 1.0%, EPS growth -7.4%, 3Y rev CAGR 2.4%
- 341.0% 10Y total return vs ITW's 189.4%
- 1.0% revenue growth vs ITW's 0.9%
Best for: growth exposure and long-term compounding
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | ROK | 1.0% revenue growth vs ITW's 0.9% |
| Value | ITW | Lower P/E (22.7x vs 36.9x) |
| Quality / Margins | ITW | 19.3% margin vs ROK's 12.4% |
| Stability / Safety | ITW | Beta 0.67 vs ROK's 1.33 |
| Dividends | ITW | 2.4% yield, 12-year raise streak, vs ROK's 1.2% |
| Momentum (1Y) | ROK | +60.2% vs ITW's +9.0% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | ITW | 19.4% ROA vs ROK's 9.7%, ROIC 29.0% vs 15.1% |
ITW vs ROK — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
FY 2025
FY 2025
ITW vs ROK — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLITWLAGGINGROK
ROKRockwell Automation, …
2leads
ITWIllinois Tool Works I…
2leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs ROKMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
ROK4/6
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
ITW5/6
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
ITW5/9
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
ROK6/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
Tied
—
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
Tied
—
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
ROK leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
ITW is the larger business by revenue, generating $16.2B annually — 1.8x ROK's $8.8B. ITW is the more profitable business, keeping 19.3% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to ROK's 12.4%. On growth, ROK holds the edge at +11.8% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | ITWIllinois Tool Wor… | ROKRockwell Automati… |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $16.2B | $8.8B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $4.6B | $1.9B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $3.1B | $1.1B |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $2.2B | $1.3B |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +44.1% | +52.5% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +26.4% | +19.1% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +19.3% | +12.4% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +13.6% | +15.2% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +4.6% | +11.8% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +11.8% | +39.6% |
ROK leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
ITW leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 24.4x trailing earnings, ITW trades at a 58% valuation discount to ROK's 58.5x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, ITW's 17.7x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than ROK's 30.6x.
| Metric | ITWIllinois Tool Wor… | ROKRockwell Automati… |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $73.6B | $50.4B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $81.8B | $53.6B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 24.36x | 58.45x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 22.68x | 36.93x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | 2.53x | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 17.74x | 30.64x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 4.59x | 6.04x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 23.15x | 13.66x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 27.20x | 37.09x |
ITW leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
ITW leads this category, winning 5 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
ITW delivers a 97.4% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $97 in annual profit, vs $30 for ROK. ROK carries lower financial leverage with a 0.98x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to ITW's 2.78x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), ROK scores 8/9 vs ITW's 5/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | ITWIllinois Tool Wor… | ROKRockwell Automati… |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +97.4% | +29.6% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +19.4% | +9.7% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +29.0% | +15.1% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +38.7% | +18.5% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 5 | 8 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 2.78x | 0.98x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $8.1B | $3.2B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $851M | $468M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $9.0B | $3.6B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 14.53x | 9.06x |
ITW leads this category, winning 5 of 9 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
ROK leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in ROK five years ago would be worth $17,462 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $11,886 for ITW. Over the past 12 months, ROK leads with a +60.2% total return vs ITW's +9.0%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors ROK at 18.2% vs ITW's 6.1% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ITWIllinois Tool Wor… | ROKRockwell Automati… |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +3.1% | +12.8% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +9.0% | +60.2% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +19.5% | +65.0% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +18.9% | +74.6% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +189.4% | +341.0% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +6.1% | +18.2% |
ROK leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — ITW and ROK each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
ITW is the less volatile stock with a 0.67 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than ROK's 1.33 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. ROK currently trades 96.7% from its 52-week high vs ITW's 84.3% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | ITWIllinois Tool Wor… | ROKRockwell Automati… |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.67x | 1.33x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $303.16 | $463.49 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $236.68 | $277.66 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +84.3% | +96.7% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 45.3 | 74.9 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 1.2M | 831K |
Evenly matched — ITW and ROK each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Evenly matched — ITW and ROK each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates ITW as "Hold" and ROK as "Hold". Consensus price targets imply 7.1% upside for ITW (target: $274) vs -2.6% for ROK (target: $437). For income investors, ITW offers the higher dividend yield at 2.39% vs ROK's 1.17%.
| Metric | ITWIllinois Tool Wor… | ROKRockwell Automati… |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Hold | Hold |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $273.67 | $436.56 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 28 | 39 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +2.4% | +1.2% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 12 | 20 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $6.11 | $5.23 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +2.0% | +0.8% |
Evenly matched — ITW and ROK each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Key Takeaway
ROK leads in 2 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Total Returns). ITW leads in 2 (Valuation Metrics, Profitability & Efficiency). 2 tied.
Best OverallIllinois Tool Works Inc. (ITW)Leads 2 of 6 categories
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ITW vs ROK: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is ITW or ROK a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Rockwell Automation, Inc.
(ROK) is the stronger pick with 1. 0% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 0. 9% for Illinois Tool Works Inc. (ITW). Illinois Tool Works Inc. (ITW) offers the better valuation at 24. 4x trailing P/E (22. 7x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Illinois Tool Works Inc. (ITW) a "Hold" — based on 28 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.
02Which has the better valuation — ITW or ROK?
On trailing P/E, Illinois Tool Works Inc.
(ITW) is the cheapest at 24. 4x versus Rockwell Automation, Inc. at 58. 5x. On forward P/E, Illinois Tool Works Inc. is actually cheaper at 22. 7x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — ITW or ROK?
Over the past 5 years, Rockwell Automation, Inc.
(ROK) delivered a total return of +74. 6%, compared to +18. 9% for Illinois Tool Works Inc. (ITW). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: ROK returned +341. 0% versus ITW's +189. 4%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
04Which is safer — ITW or ROK?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Illinois Tool Works Inc.
(ITW) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 67β versus Rockwell Automation, Inc. 's 1. 33β — meaning ROK is approximately 98% more volatile than ITW relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Rockwell Automation, Inc. (ROK) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 98% versus 3% for Illinois Tool Works Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — ITW or ROK?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Rockwell Automation, Inc.
(ROK) is pulling ahead at 1. 0% versus 0. 9% for Illinois Tool Works Inc. (ITW). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Rockwell Automation, Inc. grew EPS -7. 4% year-over-year, compared to -10. 4% for Illinois Tool Works Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, ROK leads at 2. 4% annualised revenue growth. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.
06Which has better profit margins — ITW or ROK?
Illinois Tool Works Inc.
(ITW) is the more profitable company, earning 19. 1% net margin versus 10. 4% for Rockwell Automation, Inc. — meaning it keeps 19. 1% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: ITW leads at 26. 3% versus 17. 1% for ROK. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — ROK leads at 48. 1%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.
07Is ITW or ROK more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Illinois Tool Works Inc.
(ITW) trades at 22. 7x forward P/E versus 36. 9x for Rockwell Automation, Inc. — 14. 3x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for ITW: 7. 1% to $273. 67.
08Which pays a better dividend — ITW or ROK?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
Illinois Tool Works Inc. (ITW) offers the highest yield at 2. 4%, versus 1. 2% for Rockwell Automation, Inc. (ROK).
09Is ITW or ROK better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Illinois Tool Works Inc.
(ITW) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 67), 2. 4% yield, +189. 4% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (ITW: +189. 4%, ROK: +341. 0%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.
10What are the main differences between ITW and ROK?
Both stocks operate in the Industrials sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.
These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.
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Revenue Growth>
%
(ITW: 4.6% · ROK: 11.8%)Net Margin>
%
(ITW: 19.3% · ROK: 12.4%)P/E Ratio<
x
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