AMETEK (AME) vs Illinois Tool Works (ITW)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
AMETEK (AME) has outperformed Illinois Tool Works (ITW) over the past year, gaining 37.0% versus a gain of 2.1%. Over five years, AME leads with a +93.7% price change compared with +16.9% for ITW. Illinois Tool Works is the larger company by market cap ($74.38 billion vs $57.00 billion), about 1.3 times the size, while AMETEK is growing revenue faster (+6.6% vs +0.9%).
On valuation, Illinois Tool Works trades at a lower forward P/E (21.1x vs 26.0x for AMETEK). Illinois Tool Works offers the higher dividend yield (2.47% vs 0.52%). AMETEK converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 20.0% versus 19.1%.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | AME | ITW |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $248.62 | $261.15 |
| Market cap | $57.00B | $74.38B |
| 1-day change | -2.01% | -2.24% |
| YTD return | +21.09% | +6.03% |
| 1-year return | +37.04% | +2.11% |
| 5-year return | +93.73% | +16.86% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 36.35 | 24.23 |
| Forward P/E | 26.03 | 21.09 |
| EPS (TTM) | $6.84 | $10.78 |
| Dividend yield | 0.52% | 2.47% |
| Annual dividend | $1.30 | $6.44 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $7.40B | $16.04B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +6.63% | +0.92% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $1.48B | $3.07B |
| Gross margin | 36.04% | 52.90% |
| Operating margin | 25.81% | 26.28% |
| Net margin | 20.00% | 19.11% |
| 52-week high | $261.16 | $303.16 |
| 52-week low | $179.24 | $238.82 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -4.80% | -13.86% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | hold |
| Avg. price target upside | +12.73% | +14.80% |
| Average volume | 1.31M | 1.31M |
| Shares outstanding | 229.26M | 284.80M |
| Employees | 22,500 | 43,000 |
| Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| Industry | Specialty Industrial Machinery | Specialty Industrial Machinery |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- AME has outperformed ITW by 34.9 percentage points over the past year.
- AMETEK trades at a higher earnings multiple (36.3x vs 24.2x trailing P/E).
- Illinois Tool Works offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (2.47% vs 0.52%).
- AMETEK grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+6.63% vs +0.92%).
About AMETEK
AME stock →AMETEK, Inc. manufactures and sells electronic instruments (EIG) and electromechanical (EMG) devices in the United States and internationally.
Industrials · Specialty Industrial Machinery · 22,500 employees
About Illinois Tool Works
ITW stock →Illinois Tool Works Inc. provides industrial products and equipment in North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Asia Pacific, and South America.
Industrials · Specialty Industrial Machinery · 43,000 employees
AME vs ITW FAQ
Which is bigger, AMETEK or Illinois Tool Works?
Illinois Tool Works (ITW) is larger, with a market capitalization of $74.38B compared with $57.00B for AMETEK (AME).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, AME or ITW?
AME returned +37.04% over the past 12 months, compared with +2.11% for ITW (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, AME or ITW?
ITW has the lower trailing P/E at 24.2, versus 36.3 for AME. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, AMETEK or Illinois Tool Works?
Illinois Tool Works has the higher yield at 2.47%, compared with 0.52% for AMETEK.
Are AMETEK and Illinois Tool Works in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Specialty Industrial Machinery industry within the Industrials sector.