VOL. XCIV, NO. 247
WIDE MOAT STOCKS & COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGES
Moat ranks
Balance sheet
| $B | Dec 31 | Jun 30 |
|---|---|---|
| Cash | 0.9 | 0.8 |
| Securities | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Debt | 9.0 | 9.7 |
| Net cash | -8.1 | -8.9 |
| Equity | 3.2 | 2.9 |
- Debt / EBITDA
- 2.03×
- Debt / equity
- 3.35×
- Leases (12/31/25)
- $242M
- Diluted shares
- 287M
- Book value / share
- $10.08
- Price / book
- 26.0×
- Net cash / share
- −$30.85
- Market cap
- $75.2B
- Enterprise value
- $84.1B
Per-share record
Key indicators
| Indicator | Latest | Vs year ago | Last 8 quarters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue growth | 6.1% | +5.5 pts | |
| Operating margin | 26.7% | +0.3 pts | |
| FCF margin | 14.7% | +3.6 pts | |
| Capex / revenue | 2.1% | -0.4 pts | |
| Automotive OEM organic revenue growth | -0% | -3 pts | |
| Food Equipment organic revenue growth | 0% | -1 pts | |
| Welding organic revenue growth | +14% | +11 pts | |
| Polymers & Fluids organic revenue growth | +7% | +11 pts | |
| Specialty Products organic revenue growth | +2% | +1 pts |
Margins and growth from reported quarters; company KPIs as reported in results releases.
About ITW
Illinois Tool Works owns seven groups of niche industrial businesses. Its broadest advantage is the 80/20 operating system, customer-led product development and decentralized management.
- Design In Qualification
Vehicle-platform components are typically qualified into OEM programs; switching suppliers mid-cycle is costly (re-validation, tooling, production risk).
- Operational Excellence
ITW Business Model (80/20 + customer-back innovation + decentralization) is applied across divisions to reduce complexity and sustain margin/quality advantages.
- Brand Trust
Branded equipment franchises and reputation for reliability support spec-in and pricing; service capability reinforces trust.
- Brand Trust
Brand preference and technology leadership support premium positioning with distributors and end users (e.g., Miller).
- Aug 13, 2026
ITW issued $1.5 billion of 4.650% notes due 2029, extending funding while adding interest obligations after the June balance sheet.
- Aug 7, 2026
ITW raised its annual dividend to $6.88 per share and approved a $6 billion repurchase program, increasing planned capital returns alongside its operating investment needs.
- Jul 28, 2026
ITW raised full-year organic growth guidance to 3% to 4% and EPS guidance to $11.35 to $11.55 after industrial demand improved in the second quarter.
- Oct 1, 2025
ITW acquired a Test & Measurement and Electronics business for $120 million net of acquired cash, adding sales and integration costs to the segment.
- Sep 30, 2024 · Gain +$363M
ITW sold its minority stake in Wilsonart and recognized a $363 million pretax gain. This increased earnings without improving its operating businesses.
Ownership
Go deeper on ITW
- Compare stock research toolsFundamentals, valuation and screening platforms for ITW.18 tools
- See ITW's price chartNo price chart here yet. See price history and indicators.17 tools
- Read ITW's earnings callsTranscripts and audio of results calls, with management's own words.16 tools
- Investing tool dealsCurrent discounts on research, charting and tracking tools.80 deals
On this page
Financial record
| Fiscal year | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | TTM | Trend | Change 2016–25 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Per share ($) | |||||||||||||
| Revenue | 38.08 | 41.27 | 43.81 | 43.33 | 39.50 | 45.69 | 51.28 | 53.05 | 53.38 | 54.89 | 57.38 | +4.1%/yr | |
| Cash flow | 6.45 | 6.93 | 8.34 | 9.20 | 8.82 | 8.08 | 7.56 | 11.66 | 11.02 | 10.69 | 11.60 | +5.8%/yr | |
| Earnings | 5.70 | 4.86 | 7.60 | 7.74 | 6.63 | 8.51 | 9.77 | 9.74 | 11.71 | 10.49 | 11.13 | +7.0%/yr | |
| Free cash flow | 5.68 | 6.07 | 7.26 | 8.20 | 8.08 | 7.15 | 6.23 | 10.16 | 9.55 | 9.26 | 10.18 | +5.6%/yr | |
| Capex | 0.76 | 0.86 | 1.08 | 1.00 | 0.74 | 0.94 | 1.33 | 1.50 | 1.47 | 1.43 | 1.43 | +7.2%/yr | |
| Dividends | 2.30 | 2.71 | 3.33 | 4.06 | 4.33 | 4.62 | 4.96 | 5.32 | 5.69 | 6.11 | 6.39 | +11.5%/yr | |
| Book value | 11.91 | 13.22 | 9.65 | 9.29 | 9.99 | 11.46 | 9.94 | 9.92 | 11.13 | 11.03 | 10.08 | -0.8%/yr | |
| Diluted shares (M) | 357 | 347 | 337 | 326 | 318 | 316 | 311 | 304 | 298 | 292 | 287 | -2.2%/yr | |
| Totals ($B) | |||||||||||||
| Revenue | 13.6 | 14.3 | 14.8 | 14.1 | 12.6 | 14.5 | 15.9 | 16.1 | 15.9 | 16.0 | 16.5 | +1.9%/yr | |
| Operating income | 3.1 | 3.5 | 3.6 | 3.4 | 2.9 | 3.5 | 3.8 | 4.0 | 4.3 | 4.2 | 4.4 | +3.6%/yr | |
| Net income | 2.0 | 1.7 | 2.6 | 2.5 | 2.1 | 2.7 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 3.5 | 3.1 | 3.2 | +4.7%/yr | |
| Free cash flow | 2.0 | 2.1 | 2.4 | 2.7 | 2.6 | 2.3 | 1.9 | 3.1 | 2.8 | 2.7 | 2.9 | +3.3%/yr | |
| Buybacks | 2.0 | 1.0 | 2.0 | 1.5 | 0.7 | 1.0 | 1.8 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 1.9 | -3.1%/yr | |
| Dividends | 0.8 | 0.9 | 1.1 | 1.3 | 1.4 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 1.6 | 1.7 | 1.8 | 1.8 | +9.0%/yr | |
| Net cash | -5.4 | -5.2 | -5.9 | -5.8 | -5.6 | -6.2 | -7.1 | -7.1 | -6.9 | -8.1 | -8.9 | −$2.8B | |
| Margins & returns (%) | |||||||||||||
| Gross margin | 41.8 | 42.0 | 41.7 | 42.0 | 41.3 | 41.3 | 40.8 | 42.2 | 44.3 | 44.1 | 44.2 | +2.2 pts | |
| Operating margin | 22.5 | 24.3 | 24.3 | 24.1 | 22.9 | 24.1 | 23.8 | 25.1 | 26.8 | 26.3 | 26.5 | +3.8 pts | |
| Net margin | 15.0 | 11.8 | 17.4 | 17.9 | 16.8 | 18.6 | 19.0 | 18.4 | 21.9 | 19.1 | 19.4 | +4.1 pts | |
| FCF margin | 14.9 | 14.7 | 16.6 | 18.9 | 20.4 | 15.6 | 12.2 | 19.1 | 17.9 | 16.9 | 17.7 | +2.0 pts | |
| ROIC | 24.2 | 27.0 | 29.8 | 29.4 | 25.0 | 27.0 | 28.4 | 30.3 | 31.7 | 28.2 | 28.2 | +4.1 pts | |
| Return on equity | 47.8 | 36.8 | 78.8 | 83.3 | 66.3 | 74.3 | 98.3 | 98.2 | 105.2 | 95.1 | 110.4 | +47.2 pts | |
| R&D % of revenue | 1.6 | 1.6 | 1.6 | 1.6 | 1.7 | 1.7 | 1.7 | 1.8 | 1.8 | 1.9 | – | +0.2 pts | |
| Stock pay % of revenue | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.4 | +0.1 pts | |
| Capex % of revenue | 2.0 | 2.1 | 2.5 | 2.3 | 1.9 | 2.0 | 2.6 | 2.8 | 2.7 | 2.6 | 2.5 | +0.6 pts | |
Change uses 2016 and 2025 only: compound annual growth for amounts, points for margins and returns, and the change in amount for net cash. A dash means no 2016 base. Trend shows the fiscal years.
Moat
Moat scorecard
- Strength
- Confidence
- Structure
- Competitive
- Durability
- medium
- Trajectory
- stable
- Pricing power
- moderate
- Automotive OEM19.9%2 claims
- Food Equipment16.1%1 claim
- Test & Measurement and Electronics17.9%Not scored: evidence insufficient
- Welding12.8%1 claim
- Polymers & Fluids11.1%1 claim
- Construction Products11.5%Not scored: evidence insufficient
- Specialty Products10.9%1 claim
Moat claims
- Applies to
- Automotive OEM
- Confidence
- Durability
- medium
- Trajectory
- stableas of Jul 28, 2026
Vehicle-platform components are typically qualified into OEM programs; switching suppliers mid-cycle is costly (re-validation, tooling, production risk).
Automotive organic revenue declined 0.4% against flat global auto builds in Q2 2026, including an 80 basis point product simplification drag. China outperformed local builds, but customer mix and new platforms can reset incumbency.
- Automotive OEM organic revenue growth-0%
- OEM dual-sourcing / price-downs
- Platform redesign cycles reset incumbency
- FilingIllinois Tool Works Inc. Form 10-K (FY ended 2025-12-31)Feb 13, 2026
- Applies to
- Automotive OEM
- Confidence
- Durability
- durable
- Trajectory
- stableas of Jul 28, 2026
ITW Business Model (80/20 + customer-back innovation + decentralization) is applied across divisions to reduce complexity and sustain margin/quality advantages.
Enterprise initiatives added 120 basis points to Q2 2026 operating margin. Automotive margin rose 30 basis points despite a 90 basis point price-cost headwind, supporting execution discipline without proving a wider product moat.
- Automotive OEM organic revenue growth-0%
- Enterprise initiative margin contribution1.2%
- Rivals can improve performance or undercut price.
- Input inflation and customer purchasing power can absorb productivity gains.
- FilingIllinois Tool Works Inc. Form 10-K (FY ended 2025-12-31)Feb 13, 2026
- NewsITW Reports First Quarter 2026 ResultsApr 30, 2026
- Applies to
- Food Equipment
- Confidence
- Durability
- durable
- Trajectory
- stableas of Jul 28, 2026
Branded equipment franchises and reputation for reliability support spec-in and pricing; service capability reinforces trust.
Food Equipment service organic revenue grew 5.0% in Q2 2026 while equipment declined 2.4%. Repeat service demand supports the brand franchise, but the segment margin fell 60 basis points.
- Food Equipment organic revenue growth0%
- Food Equipment service revenue growth+5%
- Trade-down to value brands in downturns
- Feature parity/commoditization in core categories
- FilingIllinois Tool Works Inc. Form 10-K (FY ended 2025-12-31)Feb 13, 2026
- Applies to
- Welding
- Confidence
- Durability
- durable
- Trajectory
- stableas of Jul 28, 2026
Brand preference and technology leadership support premium positioning with distributors and end users (e.g., Miller).
Welding organic revenue rose 13.9% in Q2 2026, with equipment up 18.7% and consumables up 6.0%. Margin fell 70 basis points and international sales declined, so the recovery alone does not show stronger brand protection.
- Welding organic revenue growth+14%
- Rivals can improve performance or undercut price.
- Input inflation and customer purchasing power can absorb productivity gains.
- FilingIllinois Tool Works Inc. Form 10-K (FY ended 2025-12-31)Feb 13, 2026
- Applies to
- Polymers & Fluids
- Confidence
- Durability
- medium
- Trajectory
- stableas of Jul 28, 2026
Niche, value-added engineered products can embed into customer processes even in competitive chemical markets.
Polymers & Fluids organic revenue rose 7.3% and operating margin rose 160 basis points in Q2 2026. This supports product value and execution, but no retention or qualification data separates the advantage from recovering demand.
- Polymers & Fluids organic revenue growth+7%
- Formula substitution/commoditization
- Regulatory-driven reformulations
- FilingIllinois Tool Works Inc. Form 10-K (FY ended 2025-12-31)Feb 13, 2026
- Applies to
- Specialty Products
- Confidence
- Durability
- medium
- Trajectory
- stableas of Jul 28, 2026
Niche products with patent protection can deter direct copying and preserve pricing in specialized applications.
Specialty Products organic revenue grew 1.6% in Q2 2026 while operating income was unchanged. Patent protection remains a niche advantage, but the filing does not show a required industry technology or comparable market shares.
- Specialty Products organic revenue growth+2%
- Rivals can improve performance or undercut price.
- Input inflation and customer purchasing power can absorb productivity gains.
- FilingIllinois Tool Works Inc. Form 10-K (FY ended 2025-12-31)Feb 13, 2026
Profile change log
- Oct 6, 2026 · business change
ITW issued $1.5 billion of 4.650% notes due 2029, extending funding while adding interest obligations after the June balance sheet.
- Oct 6, 2026 · business change
ITW raised its annual dividend to $6.88 per share and approved a $6 billion repurchase program, increasing planned capital returns alongside its operating investment needs.
- Oct 6, 2026 · business change
ITW raised full-year organic growth guidance to 3% to 4% and EPS guidance to $11.35 to $11.55 after industrial demand improved in the second quarter.
- Oct 6, 2026 · business change
ITW acquired a Test & Measurement and Electronics business for $120 million net of acquired cash, adding sales and integration costs to the segment.
- Oct 6, 2026 · business change
ITW sold its minority stake in Wilsonart for $395 million net of transaction costs, realizing a $363 million pretax gain outside its operating businesses.
- Oct 6, 2026 · analyst revision
Completed trajectories, competitive risks, management, debate and end markets. Reclassified Specialty Products from an IP choke point to patent-protected niche designs because the filing shows patent protection but no required industry technology. Test & Measurement and Construction remain without a specific claim after source review; their insufficient evidence status does not establish zero protection.
Industry & peers
Peer map
Hover a point for its values; click a peer to compare. Dashed lines: industry medians.
Automotive engineered fasteners and components
Plastic and metal fasteners, assemblies and engineered components sold to vehicle manufacturers and their suppliers. Excludes complete vehicles, powertrains and the wider automotive-parts market; the player list covers engineered fastening suppliers across their product portfolios.
- Illinois Tool Works
- Stanley Engineered Fastening
- Nifco
- LISI
- ARaymond
| Stocks | Moat | Gross m. | Op. m. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ITW | 62 | 44.2% | 26.5% | |
| Industry median | 20 | 70 | 40.3% | 17.4% |
| Sector median | 88 | 76 | 37.0% | 17.5% |
| All stocks median | 398 | 76 | 52.9% | 19.6% |
Moat medians cover every stock. Margin medians count only stocks with collected numbers and need at least three.
Drivers & risks
- Vehicle builds have a strong effect on component demand. More components per vehicle and new platform wins can lift supplier sales even when production is flat.
- Electric vehicles and changing vehicle designs have a strong effect on product content. Existing suppliers must win new platforms; past qualification does not assure the next award.
- Interest rates have a strong indirect effect through vehicle affordability and dealer financing. Currency has a material effect on reported international sales.
- Local engineering and reliable delivery support supplier selection. China, India and other production regions can change the mix of customers and incumbent suppliers.
- Automakers can use dual sourcing and annual price reductions, limiting returns despite qualification costs.
- Platform changes, lower content at new customers and lost programs can offset industry production growth.
- Steel, resin, wages and tariffs can raise supplier costs before customer price adjustments. Automotive OEM at ITW had a 90 basis point unfavorable price-cost effect in Q2 2026.
- Trade restrictions and production relocation can disrupt supply and favor domestic suppliers. Weak European builds and changing Chinese OEM shares can hurt suppliers with the wrong customer mix.
Bulls & bears
Can customer-led innovation produce sustained sales growth above ITW’s end markets while operating discipline protects profit from input inflation and weaker customers?
Arguments
What to watch
- 1Segment organic revenue against the disclosed auto-build and industrial demand benchmarks
- 2Food Equipment service revenue versus equipment revenue
- 3Enterprise initiative contribution and segment price-cost bridges
- 4Operating cash flow, dividends, buybacks and debt
Next check: Q3 2026 results: check whether the July growth acceleration and higher full-year guidance hold. The issuer date was not verified.
Sources: company filings and dated sources collected for Find My Moat; market cap as of Oct 5, 2026. Not investment advice.
Free to reuse, commercially too, with a credit link. See the data license.
Moat Score 62/100 by <a href="https://www.findmymoat.com/stocks/XNYS:ITW">Find My Moat</a> (as of September 2026)Request update
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