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

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

Company Profile

SymbolITWWAB
Company NameIllinois Tool Works Inc.Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation
CountryUnited StatesUnited States
GICS SectorIndustrialsIndustrials
GICS IndustryMachineryMachinery
Market Capitalization76.38 billion USD32.97 billion USD
ExchangeNYSENYSE
Listing DateMarch 13, 1973June 16, 1995
Security TypeCommon StockCommon Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of ITW and WAB 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. WAB: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past one year.

Historical Performance at a Glance

SymbolITWWAB
5-Day Price Return-0.18%0.98%
13-Week Price Return4.10%-6.91%
26-Week Price Return0.74%-1.85%
52-Week Price Return7.98%19.80%
Month-to-Date Return2.36%0.42%
Year-to-Date Return3.34%1.72%
10-Day Avg. Volume0.88M1.05M
3-Month Avg. Volume1.04M1.02M
3-Month Volatility17.76%20.33%
Beta1.131.11

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.

WAB

11.11%

Machinery Industry

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

WAB’s Return on Equity of 11.11% is on par with the norm for the Machinery industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.

ITW vs. WAB: 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.

WAB

10.92%

Machinery Industry

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

WAB’s Net Profit Margin of 10.92% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Machinery industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.

ITW vs. WAB: 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.

WAB

16.22%

Machinery Industry

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

An Operating Profit Margin of 16.22% places WAB 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.

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

Profitability at a Glance

SymbolITWWAB
Return on Equity (TTM)102.30%11.11%
Return on Assets (TTM)21.57%6.00%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)21.31%10.92%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)25.98%16.22%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)43.74%33.57%

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.

WAB

1.76

Machinery Industry

Max
3.83
Q3
2.32
Median
1.72
Q1
1.28
Min
0.78

WAB’s Current Ratio of 1.76 aligns with the median group of the Machinery industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.

ITW vs. WAB: 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.

WAB

0.44

Machinery Industry

Max
1.49
Q3
0.75
Median
0.44
Q1
0.26
Min
0.00

WAB’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.44 is typical for the Machinery industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.

ITW vs. WAB: 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.

WAB

7.65

Machinery Industry

Max
67.55
Q3
33.79
Median
13.87
Q1
7.97
Min
-1.43

In the lower quartile for the Machinery industry, WAB’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 7.65 indicates a tighter cushion for servicing debt, suggesting less financial flexibility than many of its competitors.

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

Financial Strength at a Glance

SymbolITWWAB
Current Ratio (MRQ)1.591.76
Quick Ratio (MRQ)1.041.05
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)2.780.44
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)20.067.65

Growth

Revenue Growth

ITW vs. WAB: 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. WAB: 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.

WAB

0.47%

Machinery Industry

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

WAB’s Dividend Yield of 0.47% is in the lower quartile for the Machinery industry. This suggests the company’s strategy likely favors retaining earnings for growth over providing a high dividend income.

ITW vs. WAB: 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.

WAB

13.53%

Machinery Industry

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

WAB’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 13.53% is in the lower quartile for the Machinery industry. This suggests a conservative dividend policy, with a strategic focus on reinvesting profits for future growth.

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

Dividend at a Glance

SymbolITWWAB
Dividend Yield (TTM)2.26%0.47%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)51.65%13.53%

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.

WAB

28.50

Machinery Industry

Max
53.66
Q3
31.29
Median
22.00
Q1
16.18
Min
7.00

WAB’s P/E Ratio of 28.50 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.

ITW vs. WAB: 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.

WAB

3.11

Machinery Industry

Max
5.04
Q3
2.72
Median
1.67
Q1
1.04
Min
0.24

WAB’s P/S Ratio of 3.11 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.

ITW vs. WAB: 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.

WAB

3.32

Machinery Industry

Max
7.23
Q3
3.90
Median
2.52
Q1
1.47
Min
0.49

WAB’s P/B Ratio of 3.32 is within the conventional range for the Machinery industry. This shows a balanced market view, where the stock’s price is neither at a significant premium nor a discount to the book value of its peers.

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

Valuation at a Glance

SymbolITWWAB
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)22.8328.50
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)4.873.11
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)22.573.32
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)28.2122.63