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 September 13, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.

Compare

Total return — ITW vs NOC

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10y
ITW +186.6% (+11.1%/yr)NOC +187.4% (+11.1%/yr)NOC compounded faster over this window
100200300400Start $10020182020202220242026$287$287
ITW NOC

ITW vs NOC: by the numbers

  • •ITW is the larger company ($78.41B vs $72.54B market cap).
  • •NOC trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (16.22 vs 24.71 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 (2.40% vs 1.84%).

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricITWNOC
P/E ratio24.7116.22
Forward P/E23.8417.65
P/S ratio4.761.69
P/B ratio27.094.06
EV / EBITDA18.6514.69
FCF yield3.73%5.03%

Profitability

MetricITWNOC
Gross margin44.16%20.06%
Operating margin26.50%10.18%
Net margin19.39%10.48%
ROE110.37%25.14%
ROIC24.71%9.97%

Dividends

MetricITWNOC
Dividend yield2.40%1.84%
Payout ratio58.39%30.37%

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)6.63%9.71%

Frequently asked

Which has the lower trailing P/E, ITW or NOC?
NOC has the lower trailing P/E: ITW trades at 24.71 and NOC at 16.22. 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 2.40% and NOC yields 1.84% 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 September 13, 2026.