CSX Corporation (CSX) vs Illinois Tool Works Inc. (ITW)
CSX leads on 9 of 17 compared metrics, though ITW is the cheaper stock.
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 June 14, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).
Total return — CSX vs ITW
growth of $100 · last 30yCSX +1668.4%ITW +1460.2%CSX compounded faster
CSX ITW
CSX vs ITW: by the numbers
- •CSX is the larger company ($88.39B vs $74.06B market cap).
- •ITW trades at the lower earnings multiple (23.90 vs 29.18 P/E).
- •CSX converts more revenue to profit (21.55% vs 19.32% net margin).
- •CSX grew revenue faster over the past five years (6.07% vs 4.71% CAGR).
- •ITW pays the higher dividend yield (2.46% vs 1.14%).
Which is better, CSX or ITW?
Metric tally: CSX 9 · ITW 8It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueITW(lower P/E)
GrowthCSX(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeITW(higher dividend yield)
QualityITW(higher ROIC)
Valuation
| Metric | CSX | ITW |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 29.18 | 23.90● |
| Forward P/E | 21.92● | 22.78 |
| P/S ratio | 6.26 | 4.59● |
| P/B ratio | 6.52● | 23.05 |
| PEG ratio | 5.70 | 2.50● |
| EV / EBITDA | 16.47● | 17.79 |
| FCF yield | 4.66%● | 3.68% |
Profitability
| Metric | CSX | ITW |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 37.54% | 44.12%● |
| Operating margin | 33.45%● | 26.42% |
| Net margin | 21.55%● | 19.32% |
| ROE | 22.47% | 97.06%● |
| ROIC | 8.40% | 24.49%● |
Dividends
| Metric | CSX | ITW |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 1.14% | 2.46%● |
| Payout ratio | 35.06% | 60.17% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | CSX | ITW |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 6.07%● | 4.71% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 5.12% | 9.58%● |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 8.34%● | 1.38% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 9.44%● | 4.45% |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, CSX or ITW?
- It depends on your goal. value: ITW (lower P/E); growth: CSX (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: ITW (higher dividend yield); quality: ITW (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, CSX leads 9 to 8.
- Is CSX or ITW cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, ITW is cheaper: CSX trades at a 29.18 P/E and ITW at 23.90.
- Which has grown faster, CSX or ITW?
- Over the past five years, CSX grew revenue faster — CSX at a 6.07% CAGR versus ITW at 4.71%.
- Does CSX or ITW pay a bigger dividend?
- CSX yields 1.14% and ITW yields 2.46% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is CSX or ITW more profitable?
- CSX runs the higher net margin — CSX at 21.55% versus ITW at 19.32%.
- Which has been the better investment, CSX or ITW?
- Over the past 10-year, CSX delivered the higher annualized total return — CSX at 19.87% versus ITW at 11.65%. 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 June 14, 2026.