Cintas Corporation (CTAS) vs Illinois Tool Works Inc. (ITW)
ITW leads on 11 of 17 compared metrics.
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 June 17, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).
Total return — CTAS vs ITW
growth of $100 · last 30yCTAS +3826.9%ITW +1545.2%CTAS compounded faster
CTAS ITW
CTAS vs ITW: by the numbers
- •ITW is the larger company ($76.44B vs $70.71B market cap).
- •ITW trades at the lower earnings multiple (24.37 vs 37.28 P/E).
- •ITW converts more revenue to profit (19.32% vs 17.57% net margin).
- •CTAS grew revenue faster over the past five years (9.83% vs 4.71% CAGR).
- •ITW pays the higher dividend yield (2.41% vs 1.02%).
Which is better, CTAS or ITW?
Metric tally: CTAS 6 · ITW 11It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueITW(lower P/E)
GrowthCTAS(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeITW(higher dividend yield)
QualityITW(higher ROIC)
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | CTAS | ITW |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 37.28 | 24.37● |
| Forward P/E | 32.51 | 23.23● |
| P/S ratio | 6.52 | 4.68● |
| P/B ratio | 15.01● | 23.50 |
| PEG ratio | 3.08 | 2.54● |
| EV / EBITDA | 24.55 | 18.10● |
| FCF yield | 2.49% | 3.61%● |
Profitability
| Metric | CTAS | ITW |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 50.36%● | 44.12% |
| Operating margin | 22.95% | 26.42%● |
| Net margin | 17.57% | 19.32%● |
| ROE | 40.46% | 97.06%● |
| ROIC | 22.95% | 24.49%● |
Dividends
| Metric | CTAS | ITW |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 1.02% | 2.41%● |
| Payout ratio | 40.18% | 60.17% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | CTAS | ITW |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 9.83%● | 4.71% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 16.48%● | 9.58% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 9.81%● | 1.38% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 15.72%● | 5.53% |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, CTAS or ITW?
- It depends on your goal. value: ITW (lower P/E); growth: CTAS (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: ITW (higher dividend yield); quality: ITW (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, ITW leads 11 to 6.
- Is CTAS or ITW cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, ITW is cheaper: CTAS trades at a 37.28 P/E and ITW at 24.37.
- Which has grown faster, CTAS or ITW?
- Over the past five years, CTAS grew revenue faster — CTAS at a 9.83% CAGR versus ITW at 4.71%.
- Does CTAS or ITW pay a bigger dividend?
- CTAS yields 1.02% and ITW yields 2.41% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is CTAS or ITW more profitable?
- ITW runs the higher net margin — CTAS at 17.57% versus ITW at 19.32%.
- Which has been the better investment, CTAS or ITW?
- Over the past 10-year, CTAS delivered the higher annualized total return — CTAS at 23.58% versus ITW at 12.29%. 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 June 17, 2026.