Illinois Tool Works Inc. (ITW) vs Northrop Grumman Corporation (NOC)

A side-by-side comparison of Illinois Tool Works Inc. and Northrop Grumman Corporation across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of August 14, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.

Compare

Total returnITW vs NOC

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10y
ITW +207.4% (+11.9%/yr)NOC +209.2% (+12.0%/yr)NOC compounded faster over this window
100200300400Start $10020182020202220242026$307$309
ITW NOC

ITW vs NOC: by the numbers

  • ITW is the larger company ($83.71B vs $81.65B market cap).
  • NOC trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (18.26 vs 26.38 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
  • ITW converts more revenue to profit (19.39% vs 10.48% net margin).
  • ITW grew revenue faster over the past five years (3.30% vs 2.67% CAGR).
  • ITW pays the higher dividend yield (2.21% vs 1.64%).

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricITWNOC
P/E ratio26.3818.26
Forward P/E25.5019.93
P/S ratio5.071.91
P/B ratio28.864.58
EV / EBITDA19.7416.27
FCF yield3.50%4.45%

Profitability

MetricITWNOC
Gross margin44.16%20.06%
Operating margin26.50%10.18%
Net margin19.39%10.48%
ROE110.37%25.14%
ROIC24.49%9.21%

Dividends

MetricITWNOC
Dividend yield2.21%1.64%
Payout ratio61.22%32.26%

Growth (annualized)

MetricITWNOC
Revenue CAGR (5Y)3.30%2.67%
EPS CAGR (5Y)9.58%8.84%
FCF CAGR (5Y)4.41%6.92%
Total return CAGR (5Y)7.03%11.41%

Frequently asked

Which has the lower trailing P/E, ITW or NOC?
NOC has the lower trailing P/E: ITW trades at 26.38 and NOC at 18.26. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
Which has grown faster, ITW or NOC?
Over the past five years, ITW grew revenue faster — ITW at a 3.30% CAGR versus NOC at 2.67%.
Does ITW or NOC pay a bigger dividend?
ITW yields 2.21% and NOC yields 1.64% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is ITW or NOC more profitable?
ITW runs the higher net margin — ITW at 19.39% versus NOC at 10.48%.

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 August 14, 2026.