Illinois Tool Works Inc. (ITW) vs Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC)
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 September 11, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
ITW
Illinois Tool Works Inc.
$268.16IndustrialsDelayed quote: Sep 11, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
NSC
Norfolk Southern Corporation
$320.27IndustrialsDelayed quote: Sep 11, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
Total return — ITW vs NSC
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10yITW +181.9% (+10.9%/yr)NSC +332.4% (+15.8%/yr)NSC compounded faster over this window
ITW NSC
ITW vs NSC: by the numbers
- •ITW is the larger company ($77.15B vs $71.94B market cap).
- •ITW trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (24.31 vs 27.33 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •NSC converts more revenue to profit (21.02% vs 19.39% net margin).
- •NSC grew revenue faster over the past five years (3.58% vs 3.30% CAGR).
- •ITW pays the higher dividend yield (2.43% vs 1.67%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | ITW | NSC |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 24.31 | 27.33 |
| Forward P/E | 23.46 | 24.67 |
| P/S ratio | 4.68 | 5.74 |
| P/B ratio | 26.66 | 4.43 |
| EV / EBITDA | 18.38 | 16.29 |
| FCF yield | 3.79% | 1.23% |
Profitability
| Metric | ITW | NSC |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 44.16% | 42.43% |
| Operating margin | 26.50% | 31.63% |
| Net margin | 19.39% | 21.02% |
| ROE | 110.37% | 16.22% |
| ROIC | 24.71% | 7.33% |
Dividends
| Metric | ITW | NSC |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 2.43% | 1.67% |
| Payout ratio | 58.39% | 46.08% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | ITW | NSC |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 3.30% | 3.58% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 9.58% | 10.10% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 4.41% | 8.17% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 6.40% | 7.74% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, ITW or NSC?
- ITW has the lower trailing P/E: ITW trades at 24.31 and NSC at 27.33. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, ITW or NSC?
- Over the past five years, NSC grew revenue faster — ITW at a 3.30% CAGR versus NSC at 3.58%.
- Does ITW or NSC pay a bigger dividend?
- ITW yields 2.43% and NSC yields 1.67% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is ITW or NSC more profitable?
- NSC runs the higher net margin — ITW at 19.39% versus NSC at 21.02%.
- How have ITW and NSC total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, ITW delivered 11.23% and NSC delivered 15.84% annualized total return. 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 September 11, 2026.