CSX Corporation (CSX) vs Illinois Tool Works Inc. (ITW)
A side-by-side comparison of CSX Corporation and Illinois Tool Works Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of July 29, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
CSX
CSX Corporation
$50.74IndustrialsDelayed quote: Jul 29, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
ITW
Illinois Tool Works Inc.
$292.45IndustrialsDelayed quote: Jul 29, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
Total return — CSX vs ITW
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 30yCSX +3275.5%ITW +3291.6%ITW compounded faster
CSX ITW
CSX vs ITW: by the numbers
- •CSX is the larger company ($93.99B vs $84.14B market cap).
- •ITW trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (26.76 vs 29.39 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •CSX converts more revenue to profit (22.21% vs 19.39% net margin).
- •CSX grew revenue faster over the past five years (5.18% vs 3.30% CAGR).
- •ITW pays the higher dividend yield (2.18% vs 1.06%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | CSX | ITW |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 29.39 | 26.76 |
| Forward P/E | 25.42 | 26.11 |
| P/S ratio | 6.51 | 5.14 |
| P/B ratio | 6.71 | 29.27 |
| PEG ratio | 5.74 | 2.79 |
| EV / EBITDA | 14.48 | 20.42 |
| FCF yield | 6.50% | 3.21% |
Profitability
| Metric | CSX | ITW |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 27.76% | 44.16% |
| Operating margin | 34.15% | 26.50% |
| Net margin | 22.21% | 19.39% |
| ROE | 22.88% | 110.37% |
| ROIC | 8.40% | 24.49% |
Dividends
| Metric | CSX | ITW |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 1.06% | 2.18% |
| Payout ratio | 35.06% | 61.22% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | CSX | ITW |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 5.18% | 3.30% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 5.12% | 9.58% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | -8.29% | 1.38% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 11.26% | 8.01% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, CSX or ITW?
- ITW has the lower trailing P/E: CSX trades at 29.39 and ITW at 26.76. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, CSX or ITW?
- Over the past five years, CSX grew revenue faster — CSX at a 5.18% CAGR versus ITW at 3.30%.
- Does CSX or ITW pay a bigger dividend?
- CSX yields 1.06% and ITW yields 2.18% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is CSX or ITW more profitable?
- CSX runs the higher net margin — CSX at 22.21% versus ITW at 19.39%.
- How have CSX and ITW total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, CSX delivered 20.00% and ITW delivered 12.47% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
CSX P/E ratioIllinois Tool Works P/E ratioCSX dividend yieldIllinois Tool Works dividend yieldCSX ROEIllinois Tool Works ROECSX operating marginIllinois Tool Works operating marginCSX revenue growthIllinois Tool Works revenue growthCSX free cash flowIllinois Tool Works free cash flow
CSX & 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 July 29, 2026.