Illinois Tool Works Inc. (ITW) vs 3M Company (MMM)
ITW leads on 14 of 16 compared metrics.
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 June 13, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).
Total return — ITW vs MMM
growth of $100 · last 30yITW +1454.5%MMM +452.8%ITW compounded faster
ITW MMM
ITW vs MMM: by the numbers
- •MMM is the larger company ($82.57B vs $74.06B market cap).
- •ITW trades at the lower earnings multiple (23.90 vs 30.50 P/E).
- •ITW converts more revenue to profit (19.32% vs 11.14% net margin).
- •ITW grew revenue faster over the past five years (4.71% vs -5.36% CAGR).
- •ITW pays the higher dividend yield (2.46% vs 1.91%).
Which is better, ITW or MMM?
Metric tally: ITW 14 · MMM 2It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueITW(lower P/E)
GrowthITW(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeITW(higher dividend yield)
QualityITW(higher ROIC)
Valuation
| Metric | ITW | MMM |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 23.90● | 30.50 |
| Forward P/E | 22.78 | 16.68● |
| P/S ratio | 4.59 | 3.37● |
| P/B ratio | 23.05● | 25.85 |
| PEG ratio | 2.50 | — |
| EV / EBITDA | 17.79● | 18.55 |
| FCF yield | 3.68%● | 2.44% |
Profitability
| Metric | ITW | MMM |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 44.12%● | 39.51% |
| Operating margin | 26.42%● | 19.60% |
| Net margin | 19.32%● | 11.14% |
| ROE | 97.06%● | 85.41% |
| ROIC | 24.49%● | 11.53% |
Dividends
| Metric | ITW | MMM |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 2.46%● | 1.91% |
| Payout ratio | 60.17% | 50.00% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | ITW | MMM |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 4.71%● | -5.36% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 9.58%● | -8.53% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 1.38%● | -21.95% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 4.45%● | 2.23% |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, ITW or MMM?
- It depends on your goal. value: ITW (lower P/E); growth: ITW (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: ITW (higher dividend yield); quality: ITW (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, ITW leads 14 to 2.
- Is ITW or MMM cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, ITW is cheaper: ITW trades at a 23.90 P/E and MMM at 30.50.
- Which has grown faster, ITW or MMM?
- Over the past five years, ITW grew revenue faster — ITW at a 4.71% CAGR versus MMM at -5.36%.
- Does ITW or MMM pay a bigger dividend?
- ITW yields 2.46% and MMM yields 1.91% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is ITW or MMM more profitable?
- ITW runs the higher net margin — ITW at 19.32% versus MMM at 11.14%.
- Which has been the better investment, ITW or MMM?
- Over the past 10-year, ITW delivered the higher annualized total return — ITW at 11.65% versus MMM at 4.53%. 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 June 13, 2026.