Compare Albemarle Corp. (ALB) vs Illinois Tool Works Inc. (ITW) Price & Performance
Price performance
Price movement over the last 24 hours
Key statistics
Key statistics
Albemarle Corp. vs Illinois Tool Works Inc. — how do they compare? Albemarle Corp. trades at $128.29 (market cap $15.22B), while Illinois Tool Works Inc. trades at $265.61 (market cap $77.99B). The key difference: Illinois Tool Works Inc. is far larger — about 5.1× Albemarle Corp.'s market cap, and Illinois Tool Works Inc. pays the higher dividend (2.38%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| ALB | ITW | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $15.22B | $77.99B |
Sector | Basic Materials | Industrials |
52-Week High | $215.62 | $299.60 |
52-Week Low | $67.30 | $241.07 |
Enterprise Value | $18.24B | $86.31B |
Dividend Yield | 1.26% | 2.38% |
Aura AI Summary
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Aura AI Summary
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Albemarle (ALB) is trading at $129.02, down 4.82% over the past 24 hours amid bearish technical signals. The stock shows mixed fundamentals with a low P/E of 5.12 and negative net income margin of -4.24% for 2025, though Q1 2026 earnings beat expectations. Recent news highlights a focus on debt reduction and energy storage system demand as lithium prices rebound. Cash flow improved in 2025 with net cash flow of $425.77 million, while the balance sheet reflects a debt-to-asset ratio of 19.8%.
The outlook for ALB hinges on lithium price recovery and execution in energy storage markets. Analyst consensus is mixed with a $227.10 price target suggesting significant upside, but risks include volatile lithium markets and ongoing profitability challenges. The stock's current level near key support at $128 may attract value investors, though macroeconomic and commodity pressures remain headwinds.
ITW trades at $271.09, down 0.61% on the day, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages and ADX indicators. The company maintains strong profitability with a 19.32% net income margin and has beaten EPS estimates for three consecutive quarters. Recent news highlights product upgrades from its Miller Electric division and a declared quarterly dividend of $1.61.
Outlook remains positive with raised 2026 EPS guidance, though valuation ratios like P/E of 25.47 suggest premium pricing. Risks include high debt levels and sensitivity to industrial demand cycles. Analyst consensus price target of $284.50 implies modest upside from current levels.
Returns comparison
Trailing returns across standard periods
Returns comparison
Trailing returns across standard periods
Top news
Latest headlines on both assets
Top news
Latest headlines on both assets
About Albemarle Corp.
Albemarle is the world's largest lithium producer. Our outlook for robust lithium demand is predicated upon increased demand for electric vehicle batteries. Albemarle produces lithium from its salt brine deposits in Chile and the U.S. and its hard rock joint venture mines in Australia. Albemarle is also a global leader in the production of bromine, used in flame retardants. The company is also a major producer of oil refining catalysts.
Read more on ALB →About Illinois Tool Works Inc.
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 →
