Bloom Energy Corporation (BE) vs Illinois Tool Works Inc. (ITW)
A side-by-side comparison of Bloom Energy Corporation and Illinois Tool Works Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of September 8, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
BE
Bloom Energy Corporation
$280.24IndustrialsDelayed quote: Sep 8, 2026, 12:25 PM EDT
ITW
Illinois Tool Works Inc.
$267.98IndustrialsDelayed quote: Sep 8, 2026, 12:25 PM EDT
Total return — BE vs ITW
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 8yBE +911.5% (+33.5%/yr)ITW +129.1% (+10.9%/yr)BE compounded faster over this window
BE ITW
BE vs ITW: by the numbers
- •BE is the larger company ($82.54B vs $77.10B market cap).
- •ITW trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (24.49 vs 334.57 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •ITW converts more revenue to profit (19.39% vs 7.87% net margin).
- •BE grew revenue faster over the past five years (28.98% vs 3.30% CAGR).
- •ITW pays a dividend (2.38% yield), while BE has no payments in the available dividend history.
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | BE | ITW |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 334.57 | 24.49 |
| Forward P/E | 94.67 | 23.63 |
| P/S ratio | 26.26 | 4.71 |
| P/B ratio | 50.72 | 26.79 |
| EV / EBITDA | 203.33 | 18.46 |
| FCF yield | 0.77% | 3.77% |
Profitability
| Metric | BE | ITW |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 31.24% | 44.16% |
| Operating margin | 11.24% | 26.50% |
| Net margin | 7.87% | 19.39% |
| ROE | 15.19% | 110.37% |
| ROIC | 7.65% | 24.71% |
Dividends
| Metric | BE | ITW |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | N/A | 2.38% |
| Payout ratio | N/A | 58.39% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | BE | ITW |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 28.98% | 3.30% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | N/A | 9.58% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 38.76% | 4.41% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 63.10% | 5.86% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, BE or ITW?
- ITW has the lower trailing P/E: BE trades at 334.57 and ITW at 24.49. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, BE or ITW?
- Over the past five years, BE grew revenue faster — BE at a 28.98% CAGR versus ITW at 3.30%.
- Does BE or ITW pay a bigger dividend?
- ITW pays a dividend (2.38% yield), while BE has no payments in the available dividend history.
- Is BE or ITW more profitable?
- ITW runs the higher net margin — BE at 7.87% versus ITW at 19.39%.
- How have BE and ITW total returns compared?
- Over the past 5 years, BE delivered 63.10% and ITW delivered 5.86% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Bloom Energy P/E ratioIllinois Tool Works P/E ratioIllinois Tool Works dividend yieldBloom Energy ROEIllinois Tool Works ROEBloom Energy operating marginIllinois Tool Works operating marginBloom Energy revenue growthIllinois Tool Works revenue growthBloom Energy free cash flowIllinois Tool Works free cash flow
Bloom Energy & Illinois Tool Works appear in these rankings
Figures are sourced from reported fundamentals and the latest end-of-day price. This comparison is informational only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not predict future results. See our methodology. Compiled by TGMCharts Research · data verified September 8, 2026.