Illinois Tool Works Inc. vs Packaging Corporation of America — how do they compare? Illinois Tool Works Inc. trades at $272.82 (market cap $78.17B), while Packaging Corporation of America trades at $228.77 (market cap $20.77B). The key difference: Illinois Tool Works Inc. is far larger — about 3.8× Packaging Corporation of America's market cap, and Packaging Corporation of America pays the higher dividend (2.57%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| ITW | PKG | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $78.17B | $20.77B |
Sector | Industrials | Technology |
52-Week High | $299.60 | $246.31 |
52-Week Low | $241.07 | $191.41 |
Enterprise Value | $86.49B | $24.59B |
Dividend Yield | 2.37% | 2.57% |
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.
Packaging Corporation of America (PKG) trades at $228.43, down 1.99% today, with mixed technical signals showing bullish moving averages but neutral oscillators. The company reported Q1 2026 EPS of $2.40, beating estimates, but faces margin pressure with net income expected to decline to $741 million in 2026. Recent developments include a 20% dividend increase and upcoming Q2 earnings on July 22, 2026.
PKG presents a balanced outlook with strong institutional support and dividend growth offset by earnings volatility and margin compression. The consensus price target of $256.14 suggests 12% upside potential, but investors should monitor Q2 results and cost management amid inflationary pressures.
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 →Packaging Corporation of America is a leading producer of containerboard and corrugated packaging products in North America. The company also produces white papers, which include printing and writing papers. PKG operates as an integrated manufacturer, with a strong focus on high-quality and sustainable packaging solutions for e-commerce, food and beverage, and other industrial and consumer markets.
Read more on PKG →