Eaton Corporation plc vs Illinois Tool Works Inc. — how do they compare? Eaton Corporation plc trades at $404.2 (market cap $160.31B), while Illinois Tool Works Inc. trades at $280 (market cap $78.08B). The key difference: Eaton Corporation plc is far larger — about 2.1× 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.
| ETN | ITW | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $160.31B | $78.08B |
Sector | Technology | Industrials |
52-Week High | $435.78 | $299.60 |
52-Week Low | $315.82 | $241.07 |
Enterprise Value | $181.40B | $86.41B |
Dividend Yield | 1.07% | 2.37% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Eaton Corporation (ETN) trades at $404.20, down 2.72% over 24 hours, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages and neutral oscillators. The company reported strong earnings beats in recent quarters, with Q1 2026 EPS of $2.81 exceeding expectations. Analyst consensus is overwhelmingly positive with 25 buy ratings and a $449.50 price target. Recent news highlights growth in AI data center power infrastructure and a new sustainability report showing 40% emissions reduction.
ETN's outlook remains favorable due to robust demand in data center and aerospace markets, though elevated valuation multiples (P/E 40.4) pose a risk if growth moderates. The stock offers upside to consensus targets but faces execution risks from large 2026 investing outflows. Dividend payments provide income support with the next $1.10 distribution scheduled for May 29, 2026.
Illinois Tool Works (ITW) trades at $272.28, up 0.29% on the day, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages. The company has consistently beaten earnings estimates in recent quarters, with Q1 2026 EPS of $2.66 surpassing expectations. ITW maintains strong profitability, with a net income margin of 19.32% and ROE of 96.88%, supported by solid cash flow from operations of $3.13B in 2025. Recent news highlights segment strength and a declared dividend of $1.61 per share for Q2 2026.
ITW presents a mixed outlook with robust fundamentals and technical strength offset by valuation concerns and modest growth. The consensus price target of $288.25 implies potential upside, but high P/E and P/B ratios suggest limited margin of safety. Risks include construction sector weakness and currency headwinds. Earnings on July 28, 2026, will be critical for confirming the growth trajectory.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
Eaton is a global power management company providing energy-efficient solutions for electrical, aerospace, and industrial sectors. It focuses on improving sustainability through intelligent power technology.
Read more on ETN →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 →