General Dynamics Corporation (GD) vs Illinois Tool Works Inc. (ITW)
GD leads on 10 of 17 compared metrics.
A side-by-side comparison of General Dynamics Corporation and Illinois Tool Works Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 16, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).
GD
General Dynamics Corporation
$359.53Industrials
ITW
Illinois Tool Works Inc.
$262.51Industrials
Total return — GD vs ITW
growth of $100 · last 30yGD +2219.5%ITW +1527.5%GD compounded faster
GD ITW
GD vs ITW: by the numbers
- •GD is the larger company ($97.23B vs $75.52B market cap).
- •GD trades at the lower earnings multiple (22.61 vs 24.37 P/E).
- •ITW converts more revenue to profit (19.32% vs 8.07% net margin).
- •GD grew revenue faster over the past five years (6.89% vs 4.71% CAGR).
- •ITW pays the higher dividend yield (2.41% vs 1.69%).
Which is better, GD or ITW?
Metric tally: GD 10 · ITW 7It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueGD(lower P/E)
GrowthGD(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeITW(higher dividend yield)
QualityITW(higher ROIC)
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | GD | ITW |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 22.61● | 24.37 |
| Forward P/E | 19.73● | 23.23 |
| P/S ratio | 1.83● | 4.68 |
| P/B ratio | 3.78● | 23.50 |
| PEG ratio | 1.63● | 2.54 |
| EV / EBITDA | 16.32● | 18.10 |
| FCF yield | 6.29%● | 3.61% |
Profitability
| Metric | GD | ITW |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 15.24% | 44.12%● |
| Operating margin | 10.24% | 26.42%● |
| Net margin | 8.07% | 19.32%● |
| ROE | 16.65% | 97.06%● |
| ROIC | 10.58% | 24.49%● |
Dividends
| Metric | GD | ITW |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 1.69% | 2.41%● |
| Payout ratio | 38.94% | 60.17% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | GD | ITW |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 6.89%● | 4.71% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 7.22% | 9.58%● |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 11.42%● | 1.38% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 15.76%● | 4.92% |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, GD or ITW?
- It depends on your goal. value: GD (lower P/E); growth: GD (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: ITW (higher dividend yield); quality: ITW (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, GD leads 10 to 7.
- Is GD or ITW cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, GD is cheaper: GD trades at a 22.61 P/E and ITW at 24.37.
- Which has grown faster, GD or ITW?
- Over the past five years, GD grew revenue faster — GD at a 6.89% CAGR versus ITW at 4.71%.
- Does GD or ITW pay a bigger dividend?
- GD yields 1.69% and ITW yields 2.41% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is GD or ITW more profitable?
- ITW runs the higher net margin — GD at 8.07% versus ITW at 19.32%.
- Which has been the better investment, GD or ITW?
- Over the past 10-year, GD delivered the higher annualized total return — GD at 12.29% versus ITW at 12.18%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
General Dynamics P/E ratioIllinois Tool Works P/E ratioGeneral Dynamics dividend yieldIllinois Tool Works dividend yieldGeneral Dynamics ROEIllinois Tool Works ROEGeneral Dynamics operating marginIllinois Tool Works operating marginGeneral Dynamics revenue growthIllinois Tool Works revenue growthGeneral Dynamics free cash flowIllinois Tool Works free cash flow
General Dynamics & 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 16, 2026.