AES Corp vs Illinois Tool Works Inc. — how do they compare? AES Corp trades at $14.66 (market cap $10.51B), while Illinois Tool Works Inc. trades at $293.28 (market cap $83.88B). The key difference: Illinois Tool Works Inc. is far larger — about 8× AES Corp's market cap, and AES Corp pays the higher dividend (4.78%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| AES | ITW | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $10.51B | $83.88B |
Sector | Utilities | Industrials |
52-Week High | $17.28 | $299.60 |
52-Week Low | $12.51 | $241.07 |
Enterprise Value | $40.77B | $92.73B |
Dividend Yield | 4.78% | 2.34% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
AES trades at $14.73, up 0.2% on the day, with a bullish technical signal supported by moving averages. The company reported strong profitability with a net income margin of 14.34% and ROE of 45.05% for 2025, though Q2 2026 EPS missed expectations. A pending $33.4 billion acquisition by a consortium led by Global Infrastructure Partners and EQT, approved by stockholders, dominates recent developments, alongside a consistent dividend payout.
The acquisition offers a near-term catalyst with a capped upside at the buyout price of $15 per share, presenting a low-risk arbitrage opportunity. Risks include deal completion uncertainty amid shareholder complaints and regulatory scrutiny. Analyst consensus is mixed with 43% buy ratings, reflecting cautious optimism tied to the acquisition's successful closure and the company's strategic shift toward renewable energy investments.
ITW trades at $296.66, up 0.67% with a bullish technical outlook and strong support at $292. The company maintains robust profitability with 19.39% net margins and has beaten earnings estimates for three consecutive quarters. Recent positive developments include a 7% dividend increase and $6 billion share repurchase authorization announced August 7, 2026.
While valuation metrics appear elevated (P/E 26.87, P/B 29.19), ITW's consistent earnings performance and shareholder-friendly actions support upside to the $316 consensus target. Key risks include construction sector exposure and currency headwinds, but operational strength and margin discipline provide stability.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
AES is a global power company operating across 14 countries and 4 continents. Its current generation portfolio as of year-end 2021 consists of over 31 gigawatts of generation, with the generation mix composed of renewables (43%), gas (32%), coal (23%), and oil (2%). The company has 3.5 gigawatts of generation under construction. AES has majority ownership and operates six electric utilities distributing power to 2.6 million customers.
Read more on AES →Illinois Tool Works is a diversified global manufacturer that produces specialized industrial equipment, consumables, and related services. The firm operates 87 global divisions through seven distinct operating segments: automotive OEM, construction products, food equipment, specialty products, test/measurement and electronics, polymers and fluids, and welding. About half of its revenue comes from its operations in North America, with the remainder originating from international markets. ITW takes a bottom-up and decentralized approach to portfolio management, with the exception that each segment must apply its 80/20 operating process modeled on the Pareto principle.
Read more on ITW →