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.
ITW
Illinois Tool Works Inc.
$274.32IndustrialsDelayed quote: Sep 25, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
WM
Waste Management, Inc.
$206.83IndustrialsDelayed quote: Sep 25, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
Total return — ITW vs WM
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10yITW +185.6% (+11.1%/yr)WM +308.8% (+15.1%/yr)WM compounded faster over this window
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
| Metric | ITW | WM |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 24.87 | 29.30 |
| Forward P/E | 24.00 | 25.50 |
| P/S ratio | 4.79 | 3.22 |
| P/B ratio | 27.27 | 8.33 |
| EV / EBITDA | 18.76 | 13.58 |
| FCF yield | 3.70% | 4.32% |
Profitability
| Metric | ITW | WM |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 44.16% | 35.04% |
| Operating margin | 26.50% | 18.54% |
| Net margin | 19.39% | 11.12% |
| ROE | 110.37% | 28.74% |
| ROIC | 24.71% | 9.01% |
Dividends
| Metric | ITW | WM |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 2.40% | 1.64% |
| Payout ratio | 58.39% | 50.14% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | ITW | WM |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Illinois Tool Works P/E ratioWaste Management P/E ratioIllinois Tool Works dividend yieldWaste Management dividend yieldIllinois Tool Works ROEWaste Management ROEIllinois Tool Works operating marginWaste Management operating marginIllinois Tool Works revenue growthWaste Management revenue growthIllinois Tool Works free cash flowWaste Management free cash flow
Illinois Tool Works & Waste Management 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 13, 2026.