Illinois Tool Works Inc. vs Kohl's Corporation — how do they compare? Illinois Tool Works Inc. trades at $293.14 (market cap $83.49B), while Kohl's Corporation trades at $19.1 (market cap $2.10B). The key difference: Illinois Tool Works Inc. is far larger — about 39.8× Kohl's Corporation's market cap, and Kohl's Corporation pays the higher dividend (2.7%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| ITW | KSS | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $83.49B | $2.10B |
Sector | Industrials | Consumer Cyclical |
52-Week High | $299.60 | $24.71 |
52-Week Low | $241.07 | $11.72 |
Enterprise Value | $92.34B | $8.20B |
Dividend Yield | 2.35% | 2.7% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
ITW trades at $293.66, down 0.29% on the day, with a bullish technical signal supported by moving averages. The company maintains strong profitability with 19.39% net income margin and 104.65% ROE, though valuations appear elevated at P/E 26.55 and P/B 28.85. Recent Q2 2026 earnings beat expectations at $2.84 EPS, and management raised full-year guidance amid manufacturing sector recovery. The company announced a 7% dividend increase and $6 billion share repurchase program in August 2026.
Outlook remains positive with analyst consensus target of $314.25 offering 7% upside potential. Key catalysts include continued manufacturing recovery and margin expansion from the 80/20 program. Risks include premium valuation concerns and potential organic sales declines masked by currency gains. Institutional sentiment is mixed with 21% buy ratings versus 32% sell recommendations.
Kohl's (KSS) trades at $18.96, down 0.42% on the day, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages but neutral oscillators. The stock shows low valuation multiples (P/E of 7.77, P/S of 0.14) amid declining revenue, which fell to $16.22B in 2025. Recent Q1 2026 earnings beat expectations, and the company announced a $0.13 dividend for June 2026, alongside leadership changes including a new COO appointment in September 2026.
The outlook is mixed: low valuations and earnings beats offer value, but persistent sales declines and thin net margins near 1.77% pose risks. Analyst consensus is cautious with a $16.75 price target below the current price, reflecting concerns over competitive pressures and cash flow volatility. Investors should weigh cost-cutting progress against macroeconomic headwinds in retail.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
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 →Kohl's operates 1,165 department stores in 49 states that sell moderately priced private-label and national brand clothing, shoes, accessories, cosmetics, and home furnishings. Most of these stores are in strip centers. Kohl's also operates a large digital sales business. Women's apparel is Kohl's largest category, having generated 27% of its 2021 sales. The retailer, headquartered in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, opened its first department store in 1962.
Read more on KSS →