Illinois Tool Works Inc. (ITW) vs Waste Management, Inc. (WM)

A side-by-side comparison of Illinois Tool Works Inc. and Waste Management, Inc. 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 WM

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10y
ITW +185.6% (+11.1%/yr)WM +308.8% (+15.1%/yr)WM compounded faster over this window
100200300400Start $10020182020202220242026$286$409
ITW WM

ITW vs WM: by the numbers

  • •WM is the larger company ($82.67B vs $78.92B market cap).
  • •ITW trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (24.87 vs 29.30 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
  • •ITW converts more revenue to profit (19.39% vs 11.12% net margin).
  • •WM grew revenue faster over the past five years (9.22% vs 3.30% CAGR).
  • •ITW pays the higher dividend yield (2.40% vs 1.64%).

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricITWWM
P/E ratio24.8729.30
Forward P/E24.0025.50
P/S ratio4.793.22
P/B ratio27.278.33
EV / EBITDA18.7613.58
FCF yield3.70%4.32%

Profitability

MetricITWWM
Gross margin44.16%35.04%
Operating margin26.50%18.54%
Net margin19.39%11.12%
ROE110.37%28.74%
ROIC24.71%9.01%

Dividends

MetricITWWM
Dividend yield2.40%1.64%
Payout ratio58.39%50.14%

Growth (annualized)

MetricITWWM
Revenue CAGR (5Y)3.30%9.22%
EPS CAGR (5Y)9.58%13.68%
FCF CAGR (5Y)4.41%7.05%
Total return CAGR (5Y)6.63%8.67%

Frequently asked

Which has the lower trailing P/E, ITW or WM?
ITW has the lower trailing P/E: ITW trades at 24.87 and WM at 29.30. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
Which has grown faster, ITW or WM?
Over the past five years, WM grew revenue faster — ITW at a 3.30% CAGR versus WM at 9.22%.
Does ITW or WM pay a bigger dividend?
ITW yields 2.40% and WM yields 1.64% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is ITW or WM more profitable?
ITW runs the higher net margin — ITW at 19.39% versus WM at 11.12%.
How have ITW and WM total returns compared?
Over the past 10 years, ITW delivered 11.35% and WM delivered 15.17% 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 13, 2026.