Autozone Inc vs Illinois Tool Works Inc. — how do they compare? Autozone Inc trades at $3,032 (market cap $49.50B), while Illinois Tool Works Inc. trades at $275.91 (market cap $78.33B). The key difference: Illinois Tool Works Inc. is the larger of the two by market cap, and Illinois Tool Works Inc. pays a 2.37% dividend while Autozone Inc pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| AZO | ITW | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $49.50B | $78.33B |
Sector | Consumer Cyclical | Industrials |
52-Week High | $4.35K | $299.60 |
52-Week Low | $2.94K | $241.07 |
Enterprise Value | $61.88B | $86.66B |
Dividend Yield | — | 2.37% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
AutoZone (AZO) trades at $3,078.98, up 0.21% on the day, with a bearish technical signal from moving averages despite neutral oscillators. The company reported mixed recent earnings, beating in Q1 2026 but missing in Q3 2025, with revenue growing to $18.94B in 2025. Analyst sentiment remains strongly positive with a 72.73% buy rating and a consensus price target of $3,740, though recent news highlights stock volatility and competitive pressures.
The outlook for AZO is supported by solid fundamentals, including a 12.4% net income margin and aggressive share buybacks, but risks include slowing profit margin trends and bearish technical indicators. Upside potential exists if the company meets Q2 2026 EPS expectations of 54.51, though investors should monitor same-store sales growth and international expansion execution.
Illinois Tool Works (ITW) trades at $271.50, up 1.0% today, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages and a consensus analyst price target of $288.25. The company has consistently beaten earnings estimates in recent quarters, including Q1 2026 EPS of $2.66 versus $2.57 expected, and maintains strong profitability with a net income margin of 19.32% and ROE of 96.88%. Recent news highlights segment strength and a declared quarterly dividend of $1.61.
The outlook for ITW is positive, supported by earnings momentum and operational efficiency, though risks include construction sector weakness and currency headwinds. The stock offers a balanced opportunity with solid fundamentals and a dividend, but investors should weigh high valuation multiples against growth prospects.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
AutoZone is the premier seller of aftermarket automotive parts, tools, and accessories to do-it-yourself customers in the United States. The company derives an increasing proportion of its sales from domestic commercial customers, although its presence in its home market is still dominated by its do-it-yourself operation, which accounts for nearly 75% of sales in country. AutoZone also has a growing presence in Mexico and Brazil. AutoZone had 6,767 stores in the U.S. (6,051), Mexico (664), and Brazil (52) as of the end of fiscal 2021.
Read more on AZO →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 →