F5 Inc vs Illinois Tool Works Inc. — how do they compare? F5 Inc trades at $415.62 (market cap $23.22B), while Illinois Tool Works Inc. trades at $293.28 (market cap $83.88B). The key difference: Illinois Tool Works Inc. is far larger — about 3.6× F5 Inc's market cap, and Illinois Tool Works Inc. pays a 2.34% dividend while F5 Inc pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| FFIV | ITW | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $23.22B | $83.88B |
Sector | Technology | Industrials |
52-Week High | $431.26 | $299.60 |
52-Week Low | $223.99 | $241.07 |
Enterprise Value | $21.86B | $92.73B |
Dividend Yield | — | 2.34% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
F5 (FFIV) trades at $400.23, down 3.11% on the day, with a bearish technical signal from moving averages but neutral oscillators. The company reported strong Q3 2026 earnings, beating estimates with EPS of $4.73 versus $4.00 expected, and raised its fiscal outlook, driven by 19% product revenue growth. Fundamentals show robust profitability with a net income margin of 21.95% and consistent revenue growth, though valuation ratios like a P/E of 31.89 appear elevated. Analyst sentiment is mixed with a 40% buy rating.
The outlook is cautiously optimistic given earnings momentum and raised guidance, but risks include high valuation and competitive pressures. The consensus price target of $430.43 suggests modest upside potential from current levels, contingent on sustained execution in application security and hybrid cloud demand.
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
F5 is a market leader in the application delivery controller market. The company sells products for networking traffic, security, and policy management. Its products ensure applications are safely routed in efficient manners within on-premises data centers and across cloud environments. More than half of its revenue is based on providing services, and its three customer verticals are enterprises, service providers, and government entities. The Seattle-based firm was incorporated in 1996 and generates sales globally.
Read more on FFIV →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 →