Illinois Tool Works Inc. vs WD 40 Company — how do they compare? Illinois Tool Works Inc. trades at $272.88 (market cap $78.17B), while WD 40 Company trades at $235.42 (market cap $3.22B). The key difference: Illinois Tool Works Inc. is far larger — about 24.3× WD 40 Company's market cap, and Illinois Tool Works Inc. pays the higher dividend (2.37%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| ITW | WDFC | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $78.17B | $3.22B |
Sector | Industrials | Technology |
52-Week High | $299.60 | $264.91 |
52-Week Low | $241.07 | $187.52 |
Enterprise Value | $86.49B | $3.27B |
Dividend Yield | 2.37% | 1.7% |
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.
WDFC trades at $239.59, down 2.92% today, with a bullish technical signal supported by moving averages and ADX indicators. Recent Q2 2026 earnings beat expectations at $2.33 EPS versus $1.58 expected, driven by strong sales growth. The company maintains solid profitability with a 13.22% net income margin and positive operating cash flow of $87.93 million in 2025, though 2026 projections show slight margin compression.
The outlook is mixed: strong brand moat and consistent cash flow support dividends, but high valuation multiples (P/E 37.5) and analyst caution (71% hold rating) limit near-term upside. Risks include input cost pressures and competitive maintenance markets. Institutional sentiment leans neutral despite recent earnings strength.
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 →WD-40 Company is a global marketing organization dedicated to creating 'positive lasting memories' by developing and selling products that solve maintenance and cleaning problems. Built around the legendary WD-40 Multi-Use Product, the company operates an asset-light business model, focusing on brand management and innovation while utilizing a network of contract manufacturers to deliver solutions across the Americas, EIMEA, and Asia-Pacific.
Read more on WDFC →