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

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 September 11, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.

Compare

Total returnITW vs UPS

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10y
ITW +185.6% (+11.1%/yr)UPS +34.9% (+3.0%/yr)ITW compounded faster over this window
100150200250300Start $10020182020202220242026$286$135
ITW UPS

ITW vs UPS: by the numbers

  • UPS is the larger company ($85.18B vs $77.15B market cap).
  • UPS trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (18.64 vs 24.31 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
  • ITW converts more revenue to profit (19.39% vs 5.08% net margin).
  • ITW grew revenue faster over the past five years (3.30% vs 0.98% CAGR).
  • UPS pays the higher dividend yield (6.61% vs 2.43%).

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricITWUPS
P/E ratio24.3118.64
Forward P/E23.4613.94
P/S ratio4.680.95
P/B ratio26.665.65
EV / EBITDA18.3810.46
FCF yield3.79%6.44%

Profitability

MetricITWUPS
Gross margin44.16%16.63%
Operating margin26.50%7.31%
Net margin19.39%5.08%
ROE110.37%30.33%
ROIC24.71%8.99%

Dividends

MetricITWUPS
Dividend yield2.43%6.61%
Payout ratio58.39%121.93%

Growth (annualized)

MetricITWUPS
Revenue CAGR (5Y)3.30%0.98%
EPS CAGR (5Y)9.58%33.45%
FCF CAGR (5Y)4.41%-7.15%
Total return CAGR (5Y)6.40%-7.84%

Frequently asked

Which has the lower trailing P/E, ITW or UPS?
UPS has the lower trailing P/E: ITW trades at 24.31 and UPS at 18.64. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
Which has grown faster, ITW or UPS?
Over the past five years, ITW grew revenue faster — ITW at a 3.30% CAGR versus UPS at 0.98%.
Does ITW or UPS pay a bigger dividend?
ITW yields 2.43% and UPS yields 6.61% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is ITW or UPS more profitable?
ITW runs the higher net margin — ITW at 19.39% versus UPS at 5.08%.
How have ITW and UPS total returns compared?
Over the past 10 years, ITW delivered 11.23% and UPS delivered 3.13% annualized total return. 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 September 11, 2026.