NDSN vs ITW vs EMR vs GGG vs ROK

For growth investors, Graco Inc.

(GGG) is the stronger pick with 5. 8% 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 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, Illinois Tool Works Inc.

(ITW) is the cheapest at 24. 4x versus Rockwell Automation, Inc. at 58. 5x. On forward P/E, Emerson Electric Co. is actually cheaper at 21. 7x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: Nordson Corporation wins at 1. 68x versus Emerson Electric Co. 's 4. 81x — a reasonable growth-adjusted valuation.

Over the past 5 years, Rockwell Automation, Inc.

(ROK) delivered a total return of +74. 6%, compared to +6. 4% for Graco Inc. (GGG). 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.

By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Illinois Tool Works Inc.

(ITW) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 67β versus Emerson Electric Co. 's 1. 52β — meaning EMR is approximately 127% more volatile than ITW 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), Graco Inc.

(GGG) is pulling ahead at 5. 8% 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, EMR leads at 9. 3% 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 10. 4% for Rockwell Automation, Inc. — meaning it keeps 23. 3% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: GGG leads at 27. 3% versus 17. 1% for ROK. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — NDSN leads at 55. 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, Nordson Corporation (NDSN) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 1. 68x versus Emerson Electric Co. 's 4. 81x. Both stocks trade at elevated growth-adjusted valuations, so expected growth needs to materialise. On forward earnings alone, Emerson Electric Co. (EMR) trades at 21. 7x forward P/E versus 36. 9x for Rockwell Automation, Inc. — 15. 2x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for GGG: 21. 6% to $95. 67.

All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.

Illinois Tool Works Inc. (ITW) offers the highest yield at 2. 4%, versus 1. 1% for Nordson Corporation (NDSN).

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). Emerson Electric Co. (EMR) carries a higher beta of 1. 52 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (ITW: +189. 4%, EMR: +206. 6%), 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.