ITW vs. SYM: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison

Updated on August 24, 2025

Here’s a clear look at ITW and SYM, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.

Company Profile

Symbol	ITW	SYM
Company Name	Illinois Tool Works Inc.	Symbotic Inc.
Country	United States	United States
GICS Sector	Industrials	Industrials
GICS Industry	Machinery	Machinery
Market Capitalization	76.38 billion USD	26.28 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NasdaqGM
Listing Date	March 13, 1973	March 9, 2021
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of ITW and SYM 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.

ITW vs. SYM: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past one year.

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	ITW	SYM
5-Day Price Return	-0.18%	-15.61%
13-Week Price Return	4.10%	57.24%
26-Week Price Return	0.74%	60.53%
52-Week Price Return	7.98%	76.80%
Month-to-Date Return	2.36%	-17.52%
Year-to-Date Return	3.34%	87.68%
10-Day Avg. Volume	0.88M	2.71M
3-Month Avg. Volume	1.04M	2.02M
3-Month Volatility	17.76%	91.17%
Beta	1.13	2.07

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

ITW

102.30%

Machinery Industry

Max: 34.68%
Q3: 19.06%
Median: 13.13%
Q1: 8.53%
Min: -4.87%

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.

SYM

-7.69%

Machinery Industry

Max: 34.68%
Q3: 19.06%
Median: 13.13%
Q1: 8.53%
Min: -4.87%

SYM has a negative Return on Equity of -7.69%. 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 vs. SYM: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against the Machinery industry benchmark.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

ITW

21.31%

Machinery Industry

Max: 19.74%
Q3: 11.24%
Median: 8.13%
Q1: 5.38%
Min: -1.11%

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.

SYM

-0.71%

Machinery Industry

Max: 19.74%
Q3: 11.24%
Median: 8.13%
Q1: 5.38%
Min: -1.11%

SYM has a negative Net Profit Margin of -0.71%, indicating the company is operating at a net loss as its expenses exceeded its revenues.

ITW vs. SYM: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against the Machinery industry benchmark.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

ITW

25.98%

Machinery Industry

Max: 26.63%
Q3: 16.15%
Median: 11.27%
Q1: 7.72%
Min: -4.91%

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.

SYM

-5.20%

Machinery Industry

Max: 26.63%
Q3: 16.15%
Median: 11.27%
Q1: 7.72%
Min: -4.91%

SYM has a negative Operating Profit Margin of -5.20%. This signifies the company is unprofitable at the operational level, as its core business expenses exceed its revenue.

ITW vs. SYM: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against the Machinery industry benchmark.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	ITW	SYM
Return on Equity (TTM)	102.30%	-7.69%
Return on Assets (TTM)	21.57%	-0.88%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	21.31%	-0.71%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	25.98%	-5.20%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	43.74%	16.30%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

ITW

1.59

Machinery Industry

Max: 3.83
Q3: 2.32
Median: 1.72
Q1: 1.28
Min: 0.78

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.

SYM

1.08

Machinery Industry

Max: 3.83
Q3: 2.32
Median: 1.72
Q1: 1.28
Min: 0.78

SYM’s Current Ratio of 1.08 falls into the lower quartile for the Machinery industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.

ITW vs. SYM: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against the Machinery industry benchmark.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

ITW

2.78

Machinery Industry

Max: 1.49
Q3: 0.75
Median: 0.44
Q1: 0.26
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.

SYM

0.00

Machinery Industry

Max: 1.49
Q3: 0.75
Median: 0.44
Q1: 0.26
Min: 0.00

Falling into the lower quartile for the Machinery industry, SYM’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.00 points to a conservative financing strategy. This results in lower financial risk but potentially limits strategic investments compared to more leveraged competitors.

ITW vs. SYM: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against the Machinery industry benchmark.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

ITW

20.06

Machinery Industry

Max: 67.55
Q3: 33.79
Median: 13.87
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.

SYM

Machinery Industry

Max: 67.55
Q3: 33.79
Median: 13.87
Q1: 7.97
Min: -1.43

Interest Coverage Ratio data for SYM is currently unavailable.

ITW vs. SYM: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against the Machinery industry benchmark.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	ITW	SYM
Current Ratio (MRQ)	1.59	1.08
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	1.04	0.90
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	2.78	0.00
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	20.06	--

Growth

Revenue Growth

ITW vs. SYM: A side-by-side comparison of their Revenue Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

EPS Growth

ITW vs. SYM: A side-by-side comparison of their EPS Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

Dividend

Dividend Yield (TTM)

ITW

2.26%

Machinery Industry

Max: 5.32%
Q3: 2.84%
Median: 1.87%
Q1: 1.09%
Min: 0.00%

ITW’s Dividend Yield of 2.26% is consistent with its peers in the Machinery industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

SYM

0.00%

Machinery Industry

Max: 5.32%
Q3: 2.84%
Median: 1.87%
Q1: 1.09%
Min: 0.00%

SYM 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 vs. SYM: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against the Machinery industry benchmark.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

ITW

51.65%

Machinery Industry

Max: 202.17%
Q3: 98.65%
Median: 55.54%
Q1: 29.03%
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.

SYM

0.00%

Machinery Industry

Max: 202.17%
Q3: 98.65%
Median: 55.54%
Q1: 29.03%
Min: 0.00%

SYM 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 vs. SYM: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against the Machinery industry benchmark.

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	ITW	SYM
Dividend Yield (TTM)	2.26%	0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	51.65%	0.00%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

ITW

22.83

Machinery Industry

Max: 53.66
Q3: 31.29
Median: 22.00
Q1: 16.18
Min: 7.00

ITW’s P/E Ratio of 22.83 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.

SYM

Machinery Industry

Max: 53.66
Q3: 31.29
Median: 22.00
Q1: 16.18
Min: 7.00

P/E Ratio data for SYM is currently unavailable.

ITW vs. SYM: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against the Machinery industry benchmark.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

ITW

4.87

Machinery Industry

Max: 5.04
Q3: 2.72
Median: 1.67
Q1: 1.04
Min: 0.24

ITW’s P/S Ratio of 4.87 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.

SYM

11.92

Machinery Industry

Max: 5.04
Q3: 2.72
Median: 1.67
Q1: 1.04
Min: 0.24

With a P/S Ratio of 11.92, SYM trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Machinery industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.

ITW vs. SYM: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against the Machinery industry benchmark.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

ITW

22.57

Machinery Industry

Max: 7.23
Q3: 3.90
Median: 2.52
Q1: 1.47
Min: 0.49

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.

SYM

108.69

Machinery Industry

Max: 7.23
Q3: 3.90
Median: 2.52
Q1: 1.47
Min: 0.49

At 108.69, SYM’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.

ITW vs. SYM: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against the Machinery industry benchmark.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	ITW	SYM
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	22.83	--
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	4.87	11.92
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	22.57	108.69
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	28.21	54.72