Illinois Tool Works Inc. (ITW) vs 3M Company (MMM)
A side-by-side comparison of Illinois Tool Works Inc. and 3M Company across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of September 11, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
ITW
Illinois Tool Works Inc.
$268.16IndustrialsDelayed quote: Sep 11, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
MMM
3M Company
$164.95IndustrialsDelayed quote: Sep 11, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
Total return — ITW vs MMM
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10yITW +181.9% (+10.9%/yr)MMM +54.0% (+4.4%/yr)ITW compounded faster over this window
ITW MMM
ITW vs MMM: by the numbers
- •MMM is the larger company ($85.07B vs $77.15B market cap).
- •ITW trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (24.31 vs 29.30 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •ITW converts more revenue to profit (19.39% vs 11.90% net margin).
- •ITW grew revenue faster over the past five years (3.30% vs -6.23% CAGR).
- •ITW pays the higher dividend yield (2.43% vs 1.88%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | ITW | MMM |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 24.31 | 29.30 |
| Forward P/E | 23.46 | 18.44 |
| P/S ratio | 4.68 | 3.38 |
| P/B ratio | 26.66 | 28.82 |
| EV / EBITDA | 18.38 | N/A |
| FCF yield | 3.79% | 4.68% |
Profitability
| Metric | ITW | MMM |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 44.16% | 39.40% |
| Operating margin | 26.50% | 19.01% |
| Net margin | 19.39% | 11.90% |
| ROE | 110.37% | 101.52% |
| ROIC | 24.71% | 14.64% |
Dividends
| Metric | ITW | MMM |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 2.43% | 1.88% |
| Payout ratio | 58.39% | 54.53% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | ITW | MMM |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 3.30% | -6.23% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 9.58% | -8.53% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 4.41% | -10.85% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 6.40% | 4.70% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, ITW or MMM?
- ITW has the lower trailing P/E: ITW trades at 24.31 and MMM at 29.30. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, ITW or MMM?
- Over the past five years, ITW grew revenue faster — ITW at a 3.30% CAGR versus MMM at -6.23%.
- Does ITW or MMM pay a bigger dividend?
- ITW yields 2.43% and MMM yields 1.88% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is ITW or MMM more profitable?
- ITW runs the higher net margin — ITW at 19.39% versus MMM at 11.90%.
- How have ITW and MMM total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, ITW delivered 11.23% and MMM delivered 4.38% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Illinois Tool Works P/E ratio3M P/E ratioIllinois Tool Works dividend yield3M dividend yieldIllinois Tool Works ROE3M ROEIllinois Tool Works operating margin3M operating marginIllinois Tool Works revenue growth3M revenue growthIllinois Tool Works free cash flow3M free cash flow
Illinois Tool Works & 3M 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 11, 2026.