Illinois Tool Works Inc. vs Unilever plc — how do they compare? Illinois Tool Works Inc. trades at $273.3 (market cap $78.17B), while Unilever plc trades at $61.55 (market cap $131.86B). The key difference: Unilever plc is the larger of the two by market cap, and Unilever plc pays the higher dividend (3.68%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| ITW | UL | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $78.17B | $131.86B |
Sector | Industrials | Consumer Staples |
52-Week High | $299.60 | $74.59 |
52-Week Low | $241.07 | $55.05 |
Enterprise Value | $86.49B | $157.31B |
Dividend Yield | 2.37% | 3.68% |
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.
Unilever (UL) trades at $62.18, down 0.34% today, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages and neutral oscillators. Recent quarterly earnings missed expectations, but the company maintains strong profitability with a 46.95% gross margin and 18.75% net margin. Key developments include a pending food business divestiture to McCormick and a $270 million innovation center investment, signaling strategic focus on core brands and digital transformation.
The outlook is mixed: valuation appears fair with a P/E of 21.15, but earnings misses and competitive pressures pose risks. Analyst consensus is cautious with 51% hold ratings. Long-term opportunities lie in emerging market growth and cost efficiencies, though near-term execution and macroeconomic headwinds require monitoring.
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 →Unilever is a diversified personal product (42% of 2021 sales by value), home care (20%), and packaged food (38%) company. Its brands include Knorr soups and sauces, Hellmann's mayonnaise, Lipton teas, Axe and Dove skin products, and the TRESemme haircare brand. The firm has been acquisitive in recent years
Read more on UL →