Danaher (DHR) 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
Danaher (DHR) has outperformed Illinois Tool Works (ITW) over the past year, gaining 4.7% versus a gain of 2.1%. Over five years, ITW leads with a +16.9% price change compared with -18.2% for DHR. Danaher is the larger company by market cap ($153.60 billion vs $74.38 billion), about 2.1 times the size.
On valuation, Illinois Tool Works trades at a lower forward P/E (21.1x vs 23.5x for Danaher). Illinois Tool Works offers the higher dividend yield (2.47% vs 0.66%). Illinois Tool Works converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 19.1% versus 14.7%.
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 | DHR | ITW |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $218.49 | $261.15 |
| Market cap | $153.60B | $74.38B |
| 1-day change | +1.34% | -2.24% |
| YTD return | -4.56% | +6.03% |
| 1-year return | +4.66% | +2.11% |
| 5-year return | -18.22% | +16.86% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 38.47 | 24.23 |
| Forward P/E | 23.50 | 21.09 |
| EPS (TTM) | $5.68 | $10.78 |
| Dividend yield | 0.66% | 2.47% |
| Annual dividend | $1.44 | $6.44 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $24.57B | $16.04B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +2.90% | +0.92% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $3.61B | $3.07B |
| Gross margin | 59.11% | 52.90% |
| Operating margin | 19.09% | 26.28% |
| Net margin | 14.71% | 19.11% |
| 52-week high | $242.80 | $303.16 |
| 52-week low | $160.93 | $238.82 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -10.01% | -13.86% |
| Analyst consensus | strong_buy | hold |
| Avg. price target upside | +9.41% | +14.80% |
| Average volume | 4.71M | 1.31M |
| Shares outstanding | 702.99M | 284.80M |
| Employees | 58,000 | 43,000 |
| Sector | Healthcare | Industrials |
| Industry | Diagnostics & Research | 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
- Danaher is about 2.1 times larger than Illinois Tool Works by market value ($153.60B vs $74.38B).
- Danaher trades at a higher earnings multiple (38.5x vs 24.2x trailing P/E).
- Illinois Tool Works offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (2.47% vs 0.66%).
- The two companies sit in different sectors: Danaher in Healthcare and Illinois Tool Works in Industrials.
About Danaher
DHR stock →Danaher Corporation designs, manufactures, and markets professional, medical, research, and industrial products and services in the United States, China, and internationally. The company operates through Biotechnology, Life Sciences, and Diagnostics segments.
Healthcare · Diagnostics & Research · 58,000 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
DHR vs ITW FAQ
Which is bigger, Danaher or Illinois Tool Works?
Danaher (DHR) is larger, with a market capitalization of $153.60B compared with $74.38B for Illinois Tool Works (ITW).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, DHR or ITW?
DHR returned +4.66% 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, DHR or ITW?
ITW has the lower trailing P/E at 24.2, versus 38.5 for DHR. 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, Danaher or Illinois Tool Works?
Illinois Tool Works has the higher yield at 2.47%, compared with 0.66% for Danaher.
Are Danaher and Illinois Tool Works in the same industry?
No. Danaher is in the Healthcare sector, while Illinois Tool Works is in Industrials.