Which has the lower trailing P/E, HRL or ITW?

ITW has the lower trailing P/E: HRL trades at 33.32 and ITW at 24.42. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.

Does HRL or ITW pay a bigger dividend?

HRL yields 5.68% and ITW yields 2.40% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.

Is HRL or ITW more profitable?

ITW runs the higher net margin — HRL at 2.82% versus ITW at 19.39%.

How have HRL and ITW total returns compared?

Over the past 10 years, HRL delivered -2.85% and ITW delivered 11.35% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Hormel Foods Corporation (HRL) vs Illinois Tool Works Inc. (ITW)

A side-by-side comparison of Hormel Foods 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.

Different business models: HRL is classified in Consumer Defensive; ITW is classified in Industrials. Margin, capital intensity, and valuation differences should be interpreted in that sector context.

HRL

Hormel Foods Corporation

$11.55B

$20.99Consumer DefensiveDelayed quote: Sep 14, 2026, 3:55 PM EDT

ITW

Illinois Tool Works Inc.

$77.48B

$269.32IndustrialsDelayed quote: Sep 14, 2026, 3:55 PM EDT

Total return — HRL vs ITW

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10y

HRL -25.9% (-3.0%/yr)ITW +186.6% (+11.1%/yr)ITW compounded faster over this window

HRL ITW

HRL vs ITW: by the numbers

•ITW is the larger company ($77.48B vs $11.55B market cap).
•ITW trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (24.42 vs 33.32 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
•ITW converts more revenue to profit (19.39% vs 2.82% net margin).
•HRL pays the higher dividend yield (5.68% vs 2.40%).

Metrics side by side

Valuation

Metric	HRL	ITW
P/E ratio	33.32	24.42
Forward P/E	14.13	23.56
P/S ratio	0.95	4.70
P/B ratio	1.47	26.77
EV / EBITDA	16.04	18.45
FCF yield	6.76%	3.77%

Profitability

Metric	HRL	ITW
Gross margin	15.68%	44.16%
Operating margin	4.72%	26.50%
Net margin	2.82%	19.39%
ROE	4.37%	110.37%
ROIC	3.16%	24.71%

Dividends

Metric	HRL	ITW
Dividend yield	5.68%	2.40%
Payout ratio	185.32%	58.39%

Growth (annualized)

Metric	HRL	ITW
Revenue CAGR (5Y)	3.25%	3.30%
EPS CAGR (5Y)	-12.47%	9.58%
FCF CAGR (5Y)	-6.83%	4.41%
Total return CAGR (5Y)	-10.43%	6.63%

Frequently asked

Which has the lower trailing P/E, HRL or ITW?: ITW has the lower trailing P/E: HRL trades at 33.32 and ITW at 24.42. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
Does HRL or ITW pay a bigger dividend?: HRL yields 5.68% and ITW yields 2.40% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is HRL or ITW more profitable?: ITW runs the higher net margin — HRL at 2.82% versus ITW at 19.39%.
How have HRL and ITW total returns compared?: Over the past 10 years, HRL delivered -2.85% and ITW delivered 11.35% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Go deeper

Full HRL analysis Full ITW analysis Interactive comparison tool

Dig into the metrics

Hormel Foods P/E ratio Illinois Tool Works P/E ratio Hormel Foods dividend yield Illinois Tool Works dividend yield Hormel Foods ROE Illinois Tool Works ROE Hormel Foods operating margin Illinois Tool Works operating margin Hormel Foods revenue growth Illinois Tool Works revenue growth Hormel Foods free cash flow Illinois Tool Works free cash flow

Hormel Foods & Illinois Tool Works appear in these rankings

Highest Dividend Yield Stocks 25+ Year Dividend Growers Highest ROE Stocks Highest ROIC 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 September 13, 2026.