Illinois Tool Works Inc. (ITW) vs United Parcel Service, Inc. (UPS)

UPS leads on 9 of 17 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of Illinois Tool Works Inc. and United Parcel Service, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 15, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Compare

Total return — ITW vs UPS

growth of $100 · last 27y
ITW +685.3%UPS +58.7%ITW compounded faster
0200400600800Start $10020042009201420192024$785$159
ITW UPS

ITW vs UPS: by the numbers

  • UPS is the larger company ($91.89B vs $74.06B market cap).
  • UPS trades at the lower earnings multiple (17.49 vs 23.90 P/E).
  • ITW converts more revenue to profit (19.32% vs 5.94% net margin).
  • ITW grew revenue faster over the past five years (4.71% vs -0.23% CAGR).
  • UPS pays the higher dividend yield (6.07% vs 2.46%).

Which is better, ITW or UPS?

Metric tally: ITW 8 · UPS 9

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

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

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricITWUPS
P/E ratio23.9017.49
Forward P/E22.7813.63
P/S ratio4.591.04
P/B ratio23.055.83
PEG ratio2.500.52
EV / EBITDA17.799.85
FCF yield3.68%4.91%

Profitability

MetricITWUPS
Gross margin44.12%17.79%
Operating margin26.42%8.46%
Net margin19.32%5.94%
ROE97.06%33.30%
ROIC24.49%10.40%

Dividends

MetricITWUPS
Dividend yield2.46%6.07%
Payout ratio60.17%100.00%

Growth (annualized)

MetricITWUPS
Revenue CAGR (5Y)4.71%-0.23%
EPS CAGR (5Y)9.58%33.45%
FCF CAGR (5Y)1.38%-8.72%
Total return CAGR (5Y)4.45%-7.79%

Frequently asked

Which is better, ITW or UPS?
It depends on your goal. value: UPS (lower P/E); growth: ITW (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: UPS (higher dividend yield); quality: ITW (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, UPS leads 9 to 8.
Is ITW or UPS cheaper?
On trailing earnings, UPS is cheaper: ITW trades at a 23.90 P/E and UPS at 17.49.
Which has grown faster, ITW or UPS?
Over the past five years, ITW grew revenue faster — ITW at a 4.71% CAGR versus UPS at -0.23%.
Does ITW or UPS pay a bigger dividend?
ITW yields 2.46% and UPS yields 6.07% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is ITW or UPS more profitable?
ITW runs the higher net margin — ITW at 19.32% versus UPS at 5.94%.
Which has been the better investment, ITW or UPS?
Over the past 10-year, ITW delivered the higher annualized total return — ITW at 11.65% versus UPS at 4.22%. 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 15, 2026.