Cisco Systems Inc vs Illinois Tool Works Inc. — how do they compare? Cisco Systems Inc trades at $117.9 (market cap $461.50B), while Illinois Tool Works Inc. trades at $275.91 (market cap $78.33B). The key difference: Cisco Systems Inc is far larger — about 5.9× Illinois Tool Works Inc.'s market cap, and Illinois Tool Works Inc. pays the higher dividend (2.37%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| CSCO | ITW | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $461.50B | $78.33B |
Volume | 22,887,319 | — |
Sector | Technology | Industrials |
52-Week High | $130.00 | $299.60 |
52-Week Low | $66.20 | $241.07 |
Enterprise Value | $476.17B | $86.66B |
Dividend Yield | 1.43% | 2.37% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Cisco Systems (CSCO) trades at $119.25, down 1.7% over 24 hours, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages and recent AI-driven news boosting sentiment. The company reported strong earnings beats in recent quarters, with Q1 2026 EPS of $1.06 exceeding the $1.03 estimate. Financials show solid profitability with a 64.33% gross margin and $10.18B net income for 2025, though valuation ratios like P/E of 39.03 appear elevated. Analyst consensus is bullish with a $130.38 price target, supported by 38 buy ratings.
Outlook remains positive due to AI cybersecurity demand and partnerships, but risks include high debt levels and competitive pressures. The stock offers growth potential from tech infrastructure trends, yet investors should monitor execution on AI initiatives and macroeconomic headwinds that could impact networking spending.
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
Cisco Systems, Inc. provides information technology and networking services. The Company offers enterprise network security, software development, data collaboration, cloud computing, and other related services. Cisco Systems serves customers in the United States.
Read more on CSCO →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 →