Alcon AG vs Illinois Tool Works Inc. — how do they compare? Alcon AG trades at $73.58 (market cap $36.44B), while Illinois Tool Works Inc. trades at $293.39 (market cap $83.49B). The key difference: Illinois Tool Works Inc. is far larger — about 2.3× Alcon AG's market cap, and Illinois Tool Works Inc. pays the higher dividend (2.35%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| ALC | ITW | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $36.44B | $83.49B |
Sector | Health | Industrials |
52-Week High | $90.12 | $299.60 |
52-Week Low | $62.02 | $241.07 |
Enterprise Value | $40.28B | $92.34B |
Dividend Yield | 0.48% | 2.35% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
ALC trades at $73.63, up 2.53% today, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages and strong recent earnings beats. Revenue growth is steady, reaching $10.40B in 2025, though net income margin dipped to 5.92%. Positive news includes raised 2026 profit guidance and new product launches driving investor optimism.
The outlook is positive with a consensus price target of $86.67 implying 17.7% upside, supported by analyst buy ratings. Risks include elevated P/E of 57.52 and potential tariff impacts, but operational cash flow strength and strategic collaborations provide a solid foundation for growth.
ITW trades at $293.66, down 0.29% on the day, with a bullish technical signal supported by moving averages. The company maintains strong profitability with 19.39% net income margin and 104.65% ROE, though valuations appear elevated at P/E 26.55 and P/B 28.85. Recent Q2 2026 earnings beat expectations at $2.84 EPS, and management raised full-year guidance amid manufacturing sector recovery. The company announced a 7% dividend increase and $6 billion share repurchase program in August 2026.
Outlook remains positive with analyst consensus target of $314.25 offering 7% upside potential. Key catalysts include continued manufacturing recovery and margin expansion from the 80/20 program. Risks include premium valuation concerns and potential organic sales declines masked by currency gains. Institutional sentiment is mixed with 21% buy ratings versus 32% sell recommendations.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
Alcon, headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, is the global eyecare leader with a diverse portfolio in ophthalmology including contact lenses, eye drops, surgical equipment, and related surgical products. Novartis purchased Alcon from Nestle in 2010 and, following nine years as a Novartis subsidiary, the company was spun off as a public company in April 2019. The company reports five distinct segments: implantables (16% of revenue), consumables (31%), equipment (9%), contact lenses (27%), and ocular health (17%). The company is geographically diversified, with only about 40% of revenue from the U.S. market, and the firm has a strong presence in the European Union and Japan.
Read more on ALC →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 →