Illinois Tool Works Inc. (ITW) vs Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC)
NSC leads on 10 of 16 compared metrics, though ITW is the cheaper stock.
A side-by-side comparison of Illinois Tool Works Inc. and Norfolk Southern Corporation 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).
ITW
Illinois Tool Works Inc.
$257.43Industrials
NSC
Norfolk Southern Corporation
$313.91Industrials
Total return — ITW vs NSC
growth of $100 · last 30yITW +1454.5%NSC +1011.2%ITW compounded faster
ITW NSC
ITW vs NSC: by the numbers
- •ITW is the larger company ($74.06B vs $70.50B market cap).
- •ITW trades at the lower earnings multiple (23.90 vs 26.45 P/E).
- •NSC converts more revenue to profit (21.91% vs 19.32% net margin).
- •ITW grew revenue faster over the past five years (4.71% vs 4.45% CAGR).
- •ITW pays the higher dividend yield (2.46% vs 1.72%).
Which is better, ITW or NSC?
Metric tally: ITW 6 · NSC 10It 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 | NSC |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 23.90● | 26.45 |
| Forward P/E | 22.78 | 23.20 |
| P/S ratio | 4.59● | 5.80 |
| P/B ratio | 23.05 | 4.47● |
| PEG ratio | 2.50 | 2.24● |
| EV / EBITDA | 17.79 | 15.65● |
| FCF yield | 3.68% | 5.41%● |
Profitability
| Metric | ITW | NSC |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 44.12% | 45.31%● |
| Operating margin | 26.42% | 32.39%● |
| Net margin | 19.32% | 21.91%● |
| ROE | 97.06%● | 16.89% |
| ROIC | 24.49%● | 7.47% |
Dividends
| Metric | ITW | NSC |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 2.46%● | 1.72% |
| Payout ratio | 60.17% | 42.35% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | ITW | NSC |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 4.71%● | 4.45% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 9.58% | 10.10%● |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 1.38% | 10.65%● |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 4.45% | 5.11%● |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, ITW or NSC?
- 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, NSC leads 10 to 6.
- Is ITW or NSC cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, ITW is cheaper: ITW trades at a 23.90 P/E and NSC at 26.45.
- Which has grown faster, ITW or NSC?
- Over the past five years, ITW grew revenue faster — ITW at a 4.71% CAGR versus NSC at 4.45%.
- Does ITW or NSC pay a bigger dividend?
- ITW yields 2.46% and NSC yields 1.72% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is ITW or NSC more profitable?
- NSC runs the higher net margin — ITW at 19.32% versus NSC at 21.91%.
- Which has been the better investment, ITW or NSC?
- Over the past 10-year, NSC delivered the higher annualized total return — ITW at 11.65% versus NSC at 16.41%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Illinois Tool Works P/E ratioNorfolk Southern P/E ratioIllinois Tool Works dividend yieldNorfolk Southern dividend yieldIllinois Tool Works ROENorfolk Southern ROEIllinois Tool Works operating marginNorfolk Southern operating marginIllinois Tool Works revenue growthNorfolk Southern revenue growthIllinois Tool Works free cash flowNorfolk Southern free cash flow
Illinois Tool Works & Norfolk Southern 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.