Cintas Corporation (CTAS) vs Illinois Tool Works Inc. (ITW)
A side-by-side comparison of Cintas Corporation and Illinois Tool Works Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of September 13, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
CTAS
Cintas Corporation
$200.74IndustrialsDelayed quote: Sep 15, 2026, 10:30 AM EDT
ITW
Illinois Tool Works Inc.
$267.31IndustrialsDelayed quote: Sep 15, 2026, 10:30 AM EDT
Total return — CTAS vs ITW
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10yCTAS +688.8% (+22.9%/yr)ITW +186.6% (+11.1%/yr)CTAS compounded faster over this window
CTAS ITW
CTAS vs ITW: by the numbers
- •CTAS is the larger company ($80.33B vs $76.91B market cap).
- •ITW trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (24.23 vs 40.88 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •ITW converts more revenue to profit (19.39% vs 17.75% net margin).
- •CTAS grew revenue faster over the past five years (9.62% vs 3.30% CAGR).
- •ITW pays the higher dividend yield (2.40% vs 0.89%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | CTAS | ITW |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 40.88 | 24.23 |
| Forward P/E | 36.49 | 23.39 |
| P/S ratio | 7.13 | 4.67 |
| P/B ratio | 15.63 | 26.57 |
| EV / EBITDA | 26.53 | 18.32 |
| FCF yield | 2.34% | 3.80% |
Profitability
| Metric | CTAS | ITW |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 50.67% | 44.16% |
| Operating margin | 23.14% | 26.50% |
| Net margin | 17.75% | 19.39% |
| ROE | 38.91% | 110.37% |
| ROIC | 23.53% | 24.71% |
Dividends
| Metric | CTAS | ITW |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 0.89% | 2.40% |
| Payout ratio | 36.66% | 58.39% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | CTAS | ITW |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 9.62% | 3.30% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 13.58% | 9.58% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 9.10% | 4.41% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 15.89% | 6.63% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, CTAS or ITW?
- ITW has the lower trailing P/E: CTAS trades at 40.88 and ITW at 24.23. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, CTAS or ITW?
- Over the past five years, CTAS grew revenue faster — CTAS at a 9.62% CAGR versus ITW at 3.30%.
- Does CTAS or ITW pay a bigger dividend?
- CTAS yields 0.89% and ITW yields 2.40% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is CTAS or ITW more profitable?
- ITW runs the higher net margin — CTAS at 17.75% versus ITW at 19.39%.
- How have CTAS and ITW total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, CTAS delivered 22.94% and ITW delivered 11.35% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Cintas P/E ratioIllinois Tool Works P/E ratioCintas dividend yieldIllinois Tool Works dividend yieldCintas ROEIllinois Tool Works ROECintas operating marginIllinois Tool Works operating marginCintas revenue growthIllinois Tool Works revenue growthCintas free cash flowIllinois Tool Works free cash flow
Cintas & 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 13, 2026.