Illinois Tool Works Inc. vs Union Pacific Corporation — how do they compare? Illinois Tool Works Inc. trades at $272.31 (market cap $78.17B), while Union Pacific Corporation trades at $294.67 (market cap $175.89B). The key difference: Union Pacific Corporation is far larger — about 2.3× Illinois Tool Works Inc.'s market cap, and Illinois Tool Works Inc. pays the higher dividend (2.37%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| ITW | UNP | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $78.17B | $175.89B |
Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
52-Week High | $299.60 | $301.75 |
52-Week Low | $241.07 | $214.91 |
Enterprise Value | $86.49B | $206.36B |
Dividend Yield | 2.37% | 1.86% |
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.
Union Pacific (UNP) trades at $296.00, down 1.91% amid mixed technical signals. The stock shows strong fundamentals with 29.2% net margins and 40.69% ROE, while Q1 2026 earnings beat expectations. Analysts maintain a bullish consensus with a $311.07 price target. Recent news highlights the Norfolk Southern merger progress and upcoming Q2 earnings, with institutional buying supporting positive sentiment despite regulatory and legal overhangs.
Outlook remains positive given earnings momentum and operational efficiency, but risks include merger regulatory scrutiny, pending class action litigation, and cyclical freight demand. The stock offers value near consensus targets with dividend growth, though investors should weigh execution risks against solid profitability trends.
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 →Omaha, Nebraska-based Union Pacific is the largest public railroad in North America. Operating on more than 30,000 miles of track in the western two thirds of the U.S., UP generated roughly $22 billion of revenue in 2021 by hauling coal, industrial products, intermodal containers, agriculture goods, chemicals, and automotive goods. UP owns about one fourth of Mexican railroad Ferromex and derives about 10% of its revenue hauling freight to and from Mexico.
Read more on UNP →