AVAV vs. ITW: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at AVAV and ITW, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | AVAV | ITW |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | AeroVironment, Inc. | Illinois Tool Works Inc. |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| GICS Industry | Aerospace & Defense | Machinery |
| Market Capitalization | 20.35 billion USD | 73.68 billion USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqGS | NYSE |
| Listing Date | January 23, 2007 | March 13, 1973 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of AVAV and ITW by tracking the growth of an initial $10,000 investment in each. Use the tabs to select the desired time period. Data is adjusted for dividends and splits.
Historical Performance at a Glance
| Symbol | AVAV | ITW |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 13.11% | -3.06% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 72.11% | -2.69% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 246.55% | 5.56% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 98.51% | -1.28% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 29.41% | -3.07% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 164.81% | -0.32% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 1.46M | 0.88M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 1.42M | 0.92M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 48.69% | 16.35% |
| Beta | 1.11 | 1.17 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
AVAV
-2.55%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 37.11%
- Q3
- 20.14%
- Median
- 11.72%
- Q1
- 6.30%
- Min
- -6.24%
AVAV has a negative Return on Equity of -2.55%. This indicates the company is generating a loss for its shareholders, which can be a result of unprofitability or negative shareholder equity and is often a sign of financial distress.
ITW
102.30%
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 33.68%
- Q3
- 20.05%
- Median
- 12.37%
- Q1
- 8.67%
- Min
- -7.69%
ITW’s Return on Equity of 102.30% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Machinery industry. This demonstrates a superior ability to generate profit from shareholder investments, though it could also be inflated by high financial leverage.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
AVAV
-4.14%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 13.66%
- Q3
- 8.61%
- Median
- 6.59%
- Q1
- 4.92%
- Min
- 1.01%
AVAV has a negative Net Profit Margin of -4.14%, indicating the company is operating at a net loss as its expenses exceeded its revenues.
ITW
21.31%
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 19.72%
- Q3
- 11.07%
- Median
- 7.62%
- Q1
- 5.05%
- Min
- -1.52%
ITW’s Net Profit Margin of 21.31% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Machinery industry. This demonstrates outstanding operational efficiency and a strong competitive advantage in converting revenue into profit.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
AVAV
-4.75%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 22.35%
- Q3
- 12.83%
- Median
- 9.29%
- Q1
- 6.38%
- Min
- -2.15%
AVAV has a negative Operating Profit Margin of -4.75%. This signifies the company is unprofitable at the operational level, as its core business expenses exceed its revenue.
ITW
25.98%
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 26.63%
- Q3
- 15.99%
- Median
- 11.27%
- Q1
- 7.72%
- Min
- -0.51%
An Operating Profit Margin of 25.98% places ITW in the upper quartile for the Machinery industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | AVAV | ITW |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | -2.55% | 102.30% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | -2.04% | 21.57% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | -4.14% | 21.31% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | -4.75% | 25.98% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 30.60% | 43.74% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
AVAV
5.96
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 3.35
- Q3
- 2.03
- Median
- 1.24
- Q1
- 1.04
- Min
- 0.77
AVAV’s Current Ratio of 5.96 is exceptionally high, placing it well outside the typical range for the Aerospace & Defense industry. This indicates a very strong liquidity position, though such a high ratio may also suggest that the company is not using its assets efficiently to generate profits.
ITW
1.59
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 3.13
- Q3
- 2.12
- Median
- 1.72
- Q1
- 1.34
- Min
- 0.77
ITW’s Current Ratio of 1.59 aligns with the median group of the Machinery industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
AVAV
0.16
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 1.72
- Q3
- 0.96
- Median
- 0.63
- Q1
- 0.37
- Min
- 0.03
Falling into the lower quartile for the Aerospace & Defense industry, AVAV’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.16 points to a conservative financing strategy. This results in lower financial risk but potentially limits strategic investments compared to more leveraged competitors.
ITW
2.78
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 1.56
- Q3
- 0.79
- Median
- 0.44
- Q1
- 0.27
- Min
- 0.00
With a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 2.78, ITW operates with exceptionally high leverage compared to the Machinery industry norm. This suggests an aggressive reliance on debt financing, which can magnify returns but also significantly elevates financial risk.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
AVAV
20.72
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 36.57
- Q3
- 19.08
- Median
- 7.25
- Q1
- 2.65
- Min
- -7.63
AVAV’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 20.72 is in the upper quartile for the Aerospace & Defense industry, signifying a strong and healthy capacity to meet its interest payments from operating profits.
ITW
20.06
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 81.58
- Q3
- 37.68
- Median
- 13.76
- Q1
- 7.97
- Min
- -1.43
ITW’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 20.06 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Machinery industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | AVAV | ITW |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 5.96 | 1.59 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 4.98 | 1.04 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.16 | 2.78 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 20.72 | 20.06 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
AVAV
0.00%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 2.72%
- Q3
- 1.45%
- Median
- 0.48%
- Q1
- 0.08%
- Min
- 0.00%
AVAV currently does not pay a dividend, resulting in a yield of 0%. This is a common strategy for growth-focused companies that prioritize reinvesting earnings, though it may be less typical in mature, income-oriented sectors.
ITW
2.36%
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 4.55%
- Q3
- 2.66%
- Median
- 1.90%
- Q1
- 1.23%
- Min
- 0.00%
ITW’s Dividend Yield of 2.36% is consistent with its peers in the Machinery industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
AVAV
0.00%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 110.40%
- Q3
- 50.43%
- Median
- 17.11%
- Q1
- 0.46%
- Min
- 0.00%
AVAV has a Dividend Payout Ratio of 0%, indicating it does not currently pay a dividend. This is a common strategy for growth-oriented companies that reinvest all profits back into the business.
ITW
51.65%
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 198.34%
- Q3
- 101.42%
- Median
- 62.79%
- Q1
- 29.85%
- Min
- 0.00%
ITW’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 51.65% is within the typical range for the Machinery industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | AVAV | ITW |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 2.36% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 51.65% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
AVAV
--
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 67.20
- Q3
- 55.74
- Median
- 33.28
- Q1
- 27.49
- Min
- 15.02
P/E Ratio data for AVAV is currently unavailable.
ITW
21.86
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 47.95
- Q3
- 30.11
- Median
- 22.35
- Q1
- 16.56
- Min
- 6.48
ITW’s P/E Ratio of 21.86 is within the middle range for the Machinery industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
AVAV
18.07
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 9.06
- Q3
- 4.87
- Median
- 2.47
- Q1
- 1.61
- Min
- 0.33
With a P/S Ratio of 18.07, AVAV trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Aerospace & Defense industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.
ITW
4.66
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 4.97
- Q3
- 2.76
- Median
- 1.65
- Q1
- 1.04
- Min
- 0.04
ITW’s P/S Ratio of 4.66 is in the upper echelon for the Machinery industry. This means the company is valued richly on its revenue stream compared to its peers, suggesting the stock is priced for a high level of future performance.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
AVAV
3.02
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 14.90
- Q3
- 8.93
- Median
- 4.70
- Q1
- 3.03
- Min
- 0.83
AVAV’s P/B Ratio of 3.02 is in the lower quartile for the Aerospace & Defense industry. From a value investing perspective, this is favorable, as it suggests the stock is trading at a discount to its net asset value and may offer a greater margin of safety.
ITW
22.57
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 7.29
- Q3
- 4.06
- Median
- 2.67
- Q1
- 1.54
- Min
- 0.52
At 22.57, ITW’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Machinery industry. This signifies that the market’s valuation is heavily reliant on future potential rather than its current net asset value, which can be a high-risk proposition.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | AVAV | ITW |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | -- | 21.86 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 18.07 | 4.66 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 3.02 | 22.57 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 273.80 | 27.00 |