Is FTV or NDSN cheaper?

On trailing earnings, NDSN is cheaper: FTV trades at a 36.33 P/E and NDSN at 31.58.

Which has grown faster, FTV or NDSN?

Over the past five years, NDSN grew revenue faster — FTV at a -0.20% CAGR versus NDSN at 5.59%.

Does FTV or NDSN pay a bigger dividend?

FTV yields 0.29% and NDSN yields 1.11% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.

Is FTV or NDSN more profitable?

NDSN runs the higher net margin — FTV at 11.48% versus NDSN at 18.19%.

Which has been the better investment, FTV or NDSN?

Over the past 5-year, NDSN delivered the higher annualized total return — FTV at 3.69% versus NDSN at 14.53%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Fortive Corporation (FTV) vs Nordson Corporation (NDSN)

NDSN leads on 10 of 16 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of Fortive Corporation and Nordson Corporation across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 20, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Total return — FTV vs NDSN

growth of $100 · last 10y

FTV +99.1%NDSN +258.3%NDSN compounded faster

FTV NDSN

FTV vs NDSN: by the numbers

•FTV is the larger company ($18.61B vs $16.49B market cap).
•NDSN trades at the lower earnings multiple (31.58 vs 36.33 P/E).
•NDSN converts more revenue to profit (18.19% vs 11.48% net margin).
•NDSN grew revenue faster over the past five years (5.59% vs -0.20% CAGR).
•NDSN pays the higher dividend yield (1.11% vs 0.29%).

Which is better, FTV or NDSN?

Metric tally: FTV 6 · NDSN 10

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueNDSN(lower P/E)

GrowthNDSN(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)

IncomeNDSN(higher dividend yield)

QualityNDSN(higher ROIC)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

Metric	FTV	NDSN
P/E ratio	36.33	31.58●
Forward P/E	18.97●	25.50
P/S ratio	4.03●	5.72
P/B ratio	3.14●	5.19
PEG ratio	—	5.68
EV / EBITDA	18.16●	20.29
FCF yield	5.09%●	4.33%

Profitability

Metric	FTV	NDSN
Gross margin	61.83%●	55.11%
Operating margin	17.73%	26.37%●
Net margin	11.48%	18.19%●
ROE	8.94%	16.49%●
ROIC	7.44%	10.68%●

Dividends

Metric	FTV	NDSN
Dividend yield	0.29%	1.11%●
Payout ratio	10.29%	38.32%

Growth (annualized)

Metric	FTV	NDSN
Revenue CAGR (5Y)	-0.20%	5.59%●
EPS CAGR (5Y)	-17.51%	14.66%●
FCF CAGR (5Y)	-7.26%	8.01%●
Total return CAGR (5Y)	3.69%	7.82%●

Frequently asked

Which is better, FTV or NDSN?: It depends on your goal. value: NDSN (lower P/E); growth: NDSN (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: NDSN (higher dividend yield); quality: NDSN (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, NDSN leads 10 to 6.
Is FTV or NDSN cheaper?: On trailing earnings, NDSN is cheaper: FTV trades at a 36.33 P/E and NDSN at 31.58.
Which has grown faster, FTV or NDSN?: Over the past five years, NDSN grew revenue faster — FTV at a -0.20% CAGR versus NDSN at 5.59%.
Does FTV or NDSN pay a bigger dividend?: FTV yields 0.29% and NDSN yields 1.11% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is FTV or NDSN more profitable?: NDSN runs the higher net margin — FTV at 11.48% versus NDSN at 18.19%.
Which has been the better investment, FTV or NDSN?: Over the past 5-year, NDSN delivered the higher annualized total return — FTV at 3.69% versus NDSN at 14.53%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Go deeper

Full FTV analysis Full NDSN analysis Interactive comparison tool

Dig into the metrics

Fortive P/E ratio Nordson P/E ratio Fortive dividend yield Nordson dividend yield Fortive ROE Nordson ROE Fortive operating margin Nordson operating margin Fortive revenue growth Nordson revenue growth Fortive free cash flow Nordson free cash flow

Fortive & Nordson appear in these rankings

Highest FCF Yield Stocks Best 10-Year Total Return Stocks

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 20, 2026.