FirstEnergy Corp. vs Illinois Tool Works Inc. — how do they compare? FirstEnergy Corp. trades at $49.19 (market cap $28.13B), while Illinois Tool Works Inc. trades at $280.81 (market cap $78.08B). The key difference: Illinois Tool Works Inc. is far larger — about 2.8× FirstEnergy Corp.'s market cap, and FirstEnergy Corp. pays the higher dividend (3.82%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| FE | ITW | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $28.13B | $78.08B |
Sector | Utilities | Industrials |
52-Week High | $51.91 | $299.60 |
52-Week Low | $40.30 | $241.07 |
Enterprise Value | $56.14B | $86.41B |
Dividend Yield | 3.82% | 2.37% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
FirstEnergy (FE) trades at $49.22, up 1.63% with a bullish technical signal. The stock shows consistent revenue growth, reaching $15.09B in 2025, and maintains a net income margin of 6.86%. Analyst consensus is a Buy with a $52.00 price target, supported by strong cash flow from operations of $3.70B. Recent news highlights growth from data center demand and a $36B investment plan.
Outlook remains positive due to strategic investments and rising energy demand, but risks include high debt levels and regulatory pressures. The stock offers steady growth potential with a dividend yield, though investors should monitor execution of capital expenditures and interest rate impacts on financing costs.
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
FirstEnergy is one of the largest investor-owned utilities in the United States with 10 regulated distribution companies across six mid-Atlantic and Midwestern states. FirstEnergy also owns and operates one of the nation's largest electric transmission systems with 24,000 miles of lines.
Read more on FE →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 →