NDSN vs GGG vs ITW vs ROP vs EMR

For growth investors, Roper Technologies, Inc.

(ROP) is the stronger pick with 12. 3% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 0. 9% for Illinois Tool Works Inc. (ITW). Roper Technologies, Inc. (ROP) offers the better valuation at 24. 2x trailing P/E (15. 7x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Nordson Corporation (NDSN) a "Buy" — based on 20 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.

On trailing P/E, Roper Technologies, Inc.

(ROP) is the cheapest at 24. 2x versus Emerson Electric Co. at 35. 0x. On forward P/E, Roper Technologies, Inc. is actually cheaper at 15. 7x. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: Roper Technologies, Inc. wins at 1. 63x versus Emerson Electric Co. 's 4. 80x — a reasonable growth-adjusted valuation.

Over the past 5 years, Emerson Electric Co.

(EMR) delivered a total return of +59. 1%, compared to -19. 5% for Roper Technologies, Inc. (ROP). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: NDSN returned +297. 4% versus ROP's +109. 8%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.

By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Roper Technologies, Inc.

(ROP) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 39β versus Emerson Electric Co. 's 1. 57β — meaning EMR is approximately 299% more volatile than ROP relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Graco Inc. (GGG) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 2% versus 3% for Illinois Tool Works Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Roper Technologies, Inc.

(ROP) is pulling ahead at 12. 3% versus 0. 9% for Illinois Tool Works Inc. (ITW). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Emerson Electric Co. grew EPS 17. 8% year-over-year, compared to -10. 4% for Illinois Tool Works Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, ROP leads at 13. 7% 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.

Graco Inc.

(GGG) is the more profitable company, earning 23. 3% net margin versus 12. 7% for Emerson Electric Co. — meaning it keeps 23. 3% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: ROP leads at 28. 3% versus 19. 6% for EMR. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — ROP leads at 69. 2%, 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.

The PEG ratio (forward P/E divided by expected earnings growth rate) is the most precise measure of undervaluation relative to growth potential.

By this metric, Roper Technologies, Inc. (ROP) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 1. 63x versus Emerson Electric Co. 's 4. 80x. Both stocks trade at elevated growth-adjusted valuations, so expected growth needs to materialise. On forward earnings alone, Roper Technologies, Inc. (ROP) trades at 15. 7x forward P/E versus 24. 8x for Graco Inc. — 9. 1x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for ROP: 33. 3% to $457. 64.

All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.

Illinois Tool Works Inc. (ITW) offers the highest yield at 2. 4%, versus 1. 0% for Roper Technologies, Inc. (ROP).

For long-horizon retirement investors, Roper Technologies, Inc.

(ROP) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 39), 1. 0% yield, +109. 8% 10Y return). Emerson Electric Co. (EMR) carries a higher beta of 1. 57 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (ROP: +109. 8%, EMR: +207. 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.

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.