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 30y
ITW +1454.5%MMM +452.8%ITW compounded faster
05001k2kStart $100200120062011201620212026$1,555$553
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 2

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueITW(lower P/E)
GrowthITW(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeITW(higher dividend yield)
QualityITW(higher ROIC)

Valuation

MetricITWMMM
P/E ratio23.9030.50
Forward P/E22.7816.68
P/S ratio4.593.37
P/B ratio23.0525.85
PEG ratio2.50
EV / EBITDA17.7918.55
FCF yield3.68%2.44%

Profitability

MetricITWMMM
Gross margin44.12%39.51%
Operating margin26.42%19.60%
Net margin19.32%11.14%
ROE97.06%85.41%
ROIC24.49%11.53%

Dividends

MetricITWMMM
Dividend yield2.46%1.91%
Payout ratio60.17%50.00%

Growth (annualized)

MetricITWMMM
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.

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.