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 August 3, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.

Compare

Total returnITW vs WM

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 30y
ITW +3197.3%WM +1531.9%ITW compounded faster
01k2k3kStart $100200120062011201620212026$3,297$1,632
ITW WM

ITW vs WM: by the numbers

  • WM is the larger company ($90.51B vs $83.00B market cap).
  • ITW trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (26.02 vs 32.09 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 (2.24% vs 1.56%).

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricITWWM
P/E ratio26.0232.09
Forward P/E25.1427.90
P/S ratio5.003.56
P/B ratio28.469.20
PEG ratio2.722.35
EV / EBITDA19.9111.83
FCF yield3.30%3.91%

Profitability

MetricITWWM
Gross margin44.16%29.08%
Operating margin26.50%18.54%
Net margin19.39%11.12%
ROE110.37%28.74%
ROIC24.49%8.88%

Dividends

MetricITWWM
Dividend yield2.24%1.56%
Payout ratio61.22%52.68%

Growth (annualized)

MetricITWWM
Revenue CAGR (5Y)3.30%9.22%
EPS CAGR (5Y)9.58%13.68%
FCF CAGR (5Y)1.38%7.05%
Total return CAGR (5Y)7.32%10.55%

Frequently asked

Which has the lower trailing P/E, ITW or WM?
ITW has the lower trailing P/E: ITW trades at 26.02 and WM at 32.09. 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 2.24% and WM yields 1.56% 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 12.14% and WM delivered 15.15% 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 August 3, 2026.