Illinois Tool Works Inc. vs McDonald's Corp — how do they compare? Illinois Tool Works Inc. trades at $271.66 (market cap $78.17B), while McDonald's Corp trades at $264.75 (market cap $190.16B). The key difference: McDonald's Corp is far larger — about 2.4× Illinois Tool Works Inc.'s market cap, and McDonald's Corp pays the higher dividend (2.78%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| ITW | MCD | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $78.17B | $190.16B |
Sector | Industrials | Consumer Cyclical |
52-Week High | $299.60 | $341.06 |
52-Week Low | $241.07 | $264.54 |
Enterprise Value | $86.49B | $243.87B |
Dividend Yield | 2.37% | 2.78% |
Volume | — | 2,230,036 |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
ITW trades at $271.58, down 1.62% today, with a bullish technical signal supported by moving averages. The company maintains strong profitability with a 19.32% net income margin and has beaten EPS estimates for three consecutive quarters. Recent news highlights mixed sentiment, with some analysts citing premium valuation concerns while others note growth prospects from enterprise initiatives and a potential bullish chart pattern.
Outlook remains cautiously optimistic with a consensus price target of $288.25 offering ~6% upside. Key risks include valuation sensitivity, organic sales pressure in some segments, and macroeconomic headwinds. The upcoming Q2 2026 earnings report on July 28, 2026, will be critical for validating growth trajectory amid analyst divergence.
McDonald's (MCD) trades at $267.71, down 2.1% on the day, with a bearish technical signal driven by moving averages. The company reported steady revenue growth to $26.89 billion in 2025 and a net income margin of 31.62%, though Q2 2026 earnings are pending. Recent news highlights a new 'McDonald's NEXT' strategy focusing on automation and menu improvements to boost competitiveness.
The stock presents a buying opportunity with a consensus price target of $329, implying 23% upside, supported by strong analyst sentiment (58% buy ratings). Risks include inflationary pressures on franchisee margins and high long-term debt of $38.42 billion. Earnings execution and strategy rollout will be key for near-term performance.
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 →McDonald's Corporation franchises and operates fast-food restaurants in the global restaurant industry. The Company's restaurants serves a variety of value-priced menu products in countries around the world.
Read more on MCD →