Illinois Tool Works Inc. (ITW) vs Lowe's Companies, Inc. (LOW)
A side-by-side comparison of Illinois Tool Works Inc. and Lowe's Companies, 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: ITW is classified in Industrials; LOW is classified in Consumer Cyclical. Margin, capital intensity, and valuation differences should be interpreted in that sector context.
ITW
Illinois Tool Works Inc.
$269.32IndustrialsDelayed quote: Sep 14, 2026, 3:55 PM EDT
LOW
Lowe's Companies, Inc.
$198.72Consumer CyclicalDelayed quote: Sep 14, 2026, 3:55 PM EDT
Total return — ITW vs LOW
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10yITW +185.1% (+11.0%/yr)LOW +234.6% (+12.8%/yr)LOW compounded faster over this window
ITW LOW
ITW vs LOW: by the numbers
- •LOW is the larger company ($111.42B vs $77.48B market cap).
- •LOW trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (16.80 vs 24.42 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •ITW converts more revenue to profit (19.39% vs 7.34% net margin).
- •ITW grew revenue faster over the past five years (3.30% vs -0.90% CAGR).
- •LOW pays the higher dividend yield (2.46% vs 2.40%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | ITW | LOW |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 24.42 | 16.80 |
| Forward P/E | 23.56 | 16.18 |
| P/S ratio | 4.70 | 1.23 |
| P/B ratio | 26.77 | N/A |
| EV / EBITDA | 18.45 | 11.78 |
| FCF yield | 3.77% | 6.28% |
Profitability
| Metric | ITW | LOW |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 44.16% | 33.08% |
| Operating margin | 26.50% | 11.38% |
| Net margin | 19.39% | 7.34% |
| ROE | 110.37% | N/A |
| ROIC | 24.71% | 21.02% |
Dividends
| Metric | ITW | LOW |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 2.40% | 2.46% |
| Payout ratio | 58.39% | 41.00% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | ITW | LOW |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 3.30% | -0.90% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 9.58% | 8.85% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 4.41% | -3.74% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 6.63% | 1.19% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, ITW or LOW?
- LOW has the lower trailing P/E: ITW trades at 24.42 and LOW at 16.80. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, ITW or LOW?
- Over the past five years, ITW grew revenue faster — ITW at a 3.30% CAGR versus LOW at -0.90%.
- Does ITW or LOW pay a bigger dividend?
- ITW yields 2.40% and LOW yields 2.46% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is ITW or LOW more profitable?
- ITW runs the higher net margin — ITW at 19.39% versus LOW at 7.34%.
- How have ITW and LOW total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, ITW delivered 11.35% and LOW delivered 12.70% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Illinois Tool Works P/E ratioLowe's Companies P/E ratioIllinois Tool Works dividend yieldLowe's Companies dividend yieldIllinois Tool Works ROELowe's Companies ROEIllinois Tool Works operating marginLowe's Companies operating marginIllinois Tool Works revenue growthLowe's Companies revenue growthIllinois Tool Works free cash flowLowe's Companies free cash flow
Illinois Tool Works & Lowe's Companies 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.