Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp vs Illinois Tool Works Inc. — how do they compare? Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp trades at $58.6 (market cap $26.27B), while Illinois Tool Works Inc. trades at $293.28 (market cap $83.88B). The key difference: Illinois Tool Works Inc. is far larger — about 3.2× Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp's market cap, and Illinois Tool Works Inc. pays the higher dividend (2.34%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| CTSH | ITW | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $26.27B | $83.88B |
Sector | Technology | Industrials |
52-Week High | $86.70 | $299.60 |
52-Week Low | $38.73 | $241.07 |
Enterprise Value | $27.31B | $92.73B |
Dividend Yield | 2.26% | 2.34% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
CTSH trades at $57.67, up 1.37% with a bullish technical signal. Recent Q2 2026 earnings missed EPS estimates at $1.37 versus $1.38 expected, though revenues beat. The company maintains solid fundamentals with a P/E of 12.37 and ROE of 14.92%, supported by strong cash flow from operations of $2.88B in 2025. AI initiatives, including the new EMEA AI Unit, highlight growth efforts amid cautious client spending.
Outlook is mixed: valuation appears attractive with upside to the $59.92 consensus target, but risks include macroeconomic pressures on IT spending and competitive disruption from AI. Earnings consistency and AI adoption execution are critical for sustained gains.
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
Cognizant is a global IT services provider, offering consulting and outsourcing services to some of the world's largest enterprises spanning the financial services, media and communications, healthcare, natural resources, and consumer products industries. Cognizant employs nearly 300,000 people globally, roughly 70% of whom are in India, although the company's headquarters are in Teaneck, New Jersey.
Read more on CTSH →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.
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