BetterThanSPY

Relative Intelligence · Industrial Machinery

How Illinois Tool Works (ITW) compares with the whole market and its popular alternatives

Built by QuantCommons' quantitative engine, this page is about relative opportunity, not data on ITW alone. It places ITW (Illinois Tool Works Inc.) against 20+ popular alternatives, its neighboring categories and the entire market of over 10,000 U.S.-listed stocks and ETFs, and surfaces what has done better on consistent outperformance, return for the risk taken, behavior in real market crashes and diversification. The result is a clearer view of where ITW stands in the market, and of the alternatives worth a closer look.

Period covered: ITW's full trading record, from October 1986 through September 2026. All returns include reinvested dividends. Data as of October 22, 2026.

Data as of October 22, 2026. Full tables and charts read best on a larger screen.

Rank the market against ITW →Chart ITW vs. 25 alternatives →

This page answers the following questions about ITW

Key findings

Not AI-generated

These key findings are generated by our proprietary relative intelligence engine, directly from the data on this page.

How much would $10,000 in ITW have grown?

This chart tracks a hypothetical $10,000 investment in ITW over the past 29 years, with dividends reinvested, alongside the same amount in the S&P 500, investments that ended ahead of ITW over the same span and ITW's popular alternatives, among those that traded for the entire period. A second view covers the past 5 years, the period the better options further down the page are judged on. It shows not only where each investment ended up but also how smooth or uneven the path was.

Choose a period

From the end of September 1997 to the end of September 2026. The scale is logarithmic, so equal steps up the chart are equal percentage gains. Hover over a fund in the key to pick out its line. 311 of the 1,042 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that traded the whole period ended ahead of ITW; the chart shows 5, closest alternatives first. The other 3 lines are popular alternatives, shown for context.

$5,000$10,000$20,000$50,000$100,000$200,000$500,000199720022007201220172022$10,000$100,00019972004201120182025
  • AME$869,262+8,593% total · +16.6% a year
  • PH$505,227+4,952% total · +14.5% a year
  • FAST$485,606+4,756% total · +14.3% a year
  • LECO$447,688+4,377% total · +14.0% a year
  • GWW$444,276+4,343% total · +14.0% a year
  • NDSN$336,601+3,266% total · +12.9% a year
  • ITW$188,355+1,784% total · +10.7% a year
  • WTS$181,273+1,713% total · +10.5% a year
  • SPY (S&P 500)$132,907+1,229% total · +9.3% a year
  • EMR$115,655+1,057% total · +8.8% a year
Change the dates or add tickers to this chart in EasyCompare

From the end of September 2021 to the end of September 2026. Hover over a fund in the key to pick out its line. 1,749 of the 3,630 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that traded the whole period ended ahead of ITW; the chart shows 5, closest alternatives first. The other 3 lines are popular alternatives, shown for context.

$0$10,000$20,000$30,000$40,000202120222023202420252026$0$10,000$20,000$30,000$40,000202120222023202420252026
  • PH$36,392+264% total · +29.5% a year
  • GWW$33,303+233% total · +27.2% a year
  • LECO$22,096+121% total · +17.2% a year
  • WTS$21,898+119% total · +17.0% a year
  • FAST$21,648+116% total · +16.7% a year
  • AME$20,638+106% total · +15.6% a year
  • SPY (S&P 500)$19,000+90.0% total · +13.7% a year
  • EMR$18,174+81.7% total · +12.7% a year
  • NDSN$14,600+46.0% total · +7.9% a year
  • ITW$14,020+40.2% total · +7.0% a year
Change the dates or add tickers to this chart in EasyCompare

ITW at a glance

This section summarizes the key facts about the stock, its returns over periods from one to ten years and the risk it has carried, with dividends reinvested throughout. These figures serve as the baseline for every comparison that follows.

The company

Market value
$80B
Industry
Industrial - Machinery
Price history from
October 1986

Returns

Past 1 year
+13.2%total return
Past 3 years
+34.9%+10.5% a year
Past 5 years
+40.0%+7.0% a year
Past 10 years
+213%+12.1% a year
Best calendar year
+51.9%1997
Worst calendar year
−32.7%2008
Losing years
10 of 29full calendar years

Risk

Volatility
21.4%typical yearly swing, 5 years
Sharpe ratio
0.42return per unit of risk, 5 years
Worst decline ever
−54.9%Oct 2007 to Mar 2009
From its all-time high
−5.5%below the peak

ITW against the whole market

Where ITW ranks among every stock and fund, and what across the market has done better.

How does ITW rank among all stocks?

This section ranks ITW on return, volatility, risk-adjusted return and worst decline against every stock worth at least $300 million with enough history. Where the comparisons with its popular alternatives show how ITW stacks up against its peers, these rankings show where it stands in the market as a whole.

Ranked against U.S.-listed stocks worth at least $300M that have enough history for each measure, so the count changes from row to row; smaller stocks are left out. Lower volatility and smaller declines rank higher.

MeasureITWRankStanding
1-year return+13.2%1,506 of 3,282top 46%
3-year return+34.9%1,802 of 3,016bottom 41%
5-year return+40.0%1,222 of 2,897top 42%
10-year return+213%823 of 2,201top 37%
Volatility, 5 years21.4%131 of 2,897top 5%
Sharpe ratio, 5 years0.421,164 of 2,897top 40%
Worst decline, past 10 years−37.9%98 of 2,184top 4%

What has beaten ITW on both return and risk?

Each dot is an investment, placed by how much it earned a year over the past 5 years (higher is better) and how much its price swung, its volatility (further left is calmer). ITW sits where the dashed lines cross. Anything in the green box above and to the left earned more than ITW with smaller swings, a better trade-off over this period on both counts. Past results are no promise, but a name in the box is worth a closer look.

Annual return is the annualized total return with dividends reinvested, and volatility the annualized swing in daily prices, both over 5 years. Labeled dots are the strongest picks from the table below and the names called out above, colored by how close they sit to ITW; faint dots are 93 more of the 397 in the green region (the strongest, one per fund family). 3,641 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million were screened. Hover over a dot for its figures.

5.0%10.0%15.0%20.0%25.0%30.0%35.0%5.0%10.0%15.0%20.0%25.0%30.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsMore return, less volatility than ITWED: +12.7% a year, volatility 18.9%XLV: +8.4% a year, volatility 15.3%CHT: +8.2% a year, volatility 13.3%AVLV: +13.9% a year, volatility 16.9%OEF: +14.1% a year, volatility 17.8%SCHD: +10.2% a year, volatility 14.4%RSG: +14.1% a year, volatility 18.6%RY: +17.5% a year, volatility 18.2%BBJP: +9.3% a year, volatility 18.6%IOO: +15.6% a year, volatility 17.2%DIVO: +10.9% a year, volatility 11.9%VDC: +8.2% a year, volatility 13.6%QYLD: +8.2% a year, volatility 15.0%MPLX: +24.0% a year, volatility 18.8%IAU: +17.2% a year, volatility 18.9%BCI: +10.1% a year, volatility 16.7%SPYX: +12.2% a year, volatility 17.2%FOCT: +9.4% a year, volatility 11.2%WM: +9.5% a year, volatility 19.3%IHE: +12.9% a year, volatility 16.8%RECS: +13.3% a year, volatility 16.4%DBJP: +20.9% a year, volatility 19.3%PPH: +11.6% a year, volatility 15.8%FTXH: +12.3% a year, volatility 16.9%FTQI: +11.4% a year, volatility 14.8%SIXH: +10.3% a year, volatility 10.3%EWJV: +15.1% a year, volatility 18.2%SIXA: +12.9% a year, volatility 12.7%QSPT: +11.9% a year, volatility 14.9%KO: +15.2% a year, volatility 16.8%SSUS: +10.3% a year, volatility 15.4%TD: +16.5% a year, volatility 20.0%ILCV: +12.7% a year, volatility 14.1%QUS: +11.1% a year, volatility 14.2%BNS: +13.2% a year, volatility 20.0%QDEF: +12.6% a year, volatility 13.7%RSP: +8.4% a year, volatility 16.1%TAK: +12.3% a year, volatility 19.4%QUAL: +11.2% a year, volatility 17.3%SDCI: +21.1% a year, volatility 18.4%SLF: +11.9% a year, volatility 19.4%VOE: +9.7% a year, volatility 15.8%HDV: +13.3% a year, volatility 13.0%PVAL: +15.9% a year, volatility 15.1%RDVY: +11.3% a year, volatility 18.8%COWZ: +11.6% a year, volatility 17.7%SDY: +8.1% a year, volatility 14.0%PJUL: +10.4% a year, volatility 8.6%FDVV: +13.4% a year, volatility 14.6%PNW: +14.6% a year, volatility 19.9%FDL: +14.6% a year, volatility 14.5%FJAN: +11.0% a year, volatility 10.5%JQUA: +13.5% a year, volatility 15.7%BBCA: +11.5% a year, volatility 16.7%MOAT: +9.5% a year, volatility 18.4%PDBC: +12.0% a year, volatility 19.3%DOCT: +8.2% a year, volatility 7.4%GCOW: +14.4% a year, volatility 13.6%DFIV: +14.8% a year, volatility 16.4%NI: +15.5% a year, volatility 20.3%VYM: +11.6% a year, volatility 13.8%GNR: +10.5% a year, volatility 20.1%OMFL: +8.9% a year, volatility 16.4%WTV: +13.6% a year, volatility 17.0%SPHQ: +11.7% a year, volatility 16.7%SUSA: +10.3% a year, volatility 17.4%HDEF: +12.9% a year, volatility 14.2%DFAI: +9.6% a year, volatility 16.0%PWV: +13.7% a year, volatility 14.2%DBEF: +12.9% a year, volatility 13.8%DSTL: +11.7% a year, volatility 16.2%DHS: +12.4% a year, volatility 13.9%DFAX: +9.6% a year, volatility 16.1%PKW: +10.7% a year, volatility 17.3%RDIV: +12.7% a year, volatility 17.4%FVAL: +12.6% a year, volatility 16.4%FDLO: +9.7% a year, volatility 13.0%ATO: +15.9% a year, volatility 18.5%FEX: +10.1% a year, volatility 16.5%AUSF: +13.6% a year, volatility 13.6%FTA: +10.8% a year, volatility 16.2%VFMF: +14.5% a year, volatility 17.6%DBMF: +9.5% a year, volatility 12.4%IGRO: +9.2% a year, volatility 13.9%HLAL: +13.6% a year, volatility 18.0%JVAL: +12.1% a year, volatility 17.2%EWS: +10.5% a year, volatility 17.4%IDHQ: +9.8% a year, volatility 17.9%DGT: +13.9% a year, volatility 15.1%FYLD: +13.1% a year, volatility 16.0%EYLD: +11.4% a year, volatility 18.4%ENFR: +18.7% a year, volatility 19.1%PEY: +8.1% a year, volatility 16.5%ITW: +7.0% a year, volatility 21.4%SPY (S&P 500): +12.5% a year, volatility 17.2%FAST: +16.2% a year, volatility 24.6%GWW: +26.7% a year, volatility 24.9%EMR: +12.9% a year, volatility 27.7%WTS: +14.8% a year, volatility 28.4%NDSN: +5.9% a year, volatility 25.3%AME: +13.5% a year, volatility 22.2%DE: +15.1% a year, volatility 29.9%AIT: +27.2% a year, volatility 30.4%GRC: +14.2% a year, volatility 31.4%JNJ: +13.5% a year, volatility 18.0%VIG: +10.4% a year, volatility 14.1%BRK-A: +13.5% a year, volatility 17.2%LVHI: +16.9% a year, volatility 11.1%DFAC: +11.3% a year, volatility 17.0%VTV: +12.2% a year, volatility 13.7%WMT: +21.1% a year, volatility 22.6%VHT: +7.3% a year, volatility 15.4%DXJ: +26.6% a year, volatility 19.1%ITWSPY (S&P 500)FASTGWWEMRWTSNDSNAMEDEAITGRCJNJVIGBRK-ALVHIDFACVTVWMTVHTDXJ0.0%10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%5.0%10.0%15.0%20.0%25.0%30.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsMore return, less volatility than ITWED: +12.7% a year, volatility 18.9%XLV: +8.4% a year, volatility 15.3%CHT: +8.2% a year, volatility 13.3%AVLV: +13.9% a year, volatility 16.9%OEF: +14.1% a year, volatility 17.8%SCHD: +10.2% a year, volatility 14.4%RSG: +14.1% a year, volatility 18.6%RY: +17.5% a year, volatility 18.2%BBJP: +9.3% a year, volatility 18.6%IOO: +15.6% a year, volatility 17.2%DIVO: +10.9% a year, volatility 11.9%VDC: +8.2% a year, volatility 13.6%QYLD: +8.2% a year, volatility 15.0%MPLX: +24.0% a year, volatility 18.8%IAU: +17.2% a year, volatility 18.9%BCI: +10.1% a year, volatility 16.7%SPYX: +12.2% a year, volatility 17.2%FOCT: +9.4% a year, volatility 11.2%WM: +9.5% a year, volatility 19.3%IHE: +12.9% a year, volatility 16.8%RECS: +13.3% a year, volatility 16.4%DBJP: +20.9% a year, volatility 19.3%PPH: +11.6% a year, volatility 15.8%FTXH: +12.3% a year, volatility 16.9%FTQI: +11.4% a year, volatility 14.8%SIXH: +10.3% a year, volatility 10.3%EWJV: +15.1% a year, volatility 18.2%SIXA: +12.9% a year, volatility 12.7%QSPT: +11.9% a year, volatility 14.9%KO: +15.2% a year, volatility 16.8%SSUS: +10.3% a year, volatility 15.4%TD: +16.5% a year, volatility 20.0%ILCV: +12.7% a year, volatility 14.1%QUS: +11.1% a year, volatility 14.2%BNS: +13.2% a year, volatility 20.0%QDEF: +12.6% a year, volatility 13.7%RSP: +8.4% a year, volatility 16.1%TAK: +12.3% a year, volatility 19.4%QUAL: +11.2% a year, volatility 17.3%SDCI: +21.1% a year, volatility 18.4%SLF: +11.9% a year, volatility 19.4%VOE: +9.7% a year, volatility 15.8%HDV: +13.3% a year, volatility 13.0%PVAL: +15.9% a year, volatility 15.1%RDVY: +11.3% a year, volatility 18.8%COWZ: +11.6% a year, volatility 17.7%SDY: +8.1% a year, volatility 14.0%PJUL: +10.4% a year, volatility 8.6%FDVV: +13.4% a year, volatility 14.6%PNW: +14.6% a year, volatility 19.9%FDL: +14.6% a year, volatility 14.5%FJAN: +11.0% a year, volatility 10.5%JQUA: +13.5% a year, volatility 15.7%BBCA: +11.5% a year, volatility 16.7%MOAT: +9.5% a year, volatility 18.4%PDBC: +12.0% a year, volatility 19.3%DOCT: +8.2% a year, volatility 7.4%GCOW: +14.4% a year, volatility 13.6%DFIV: +14.8% a year, volatility 16.4%NI: +15.5% a year, volatility 20.3%VYM: +11.6% a year, volatility 13.8%GNR: +10.5% a year, volatility 20.1%OMFL: +8.9% a year, volatility 16.4%WTV: +13.6% a year, volatility 17.0%SPHQ: +11.7% a year, volatility 16.7%SUSA: +10.3% a year, volatility 17.4%HDEF: +12.9% a year, volatility 14.2%DFAI: +9.6% a year, volatility 16.0%PWV: +13.7% a year, volatility 14.2%DBEF: +12.9% a year, volatility 13.8%DSTL: +11.7% a year, volatility 16.2%DHS: +12.4% a year, volatility 13.9%DFAX: +9.6% a year, volatility 16.1%PKW: +10.7% a year, volatility 17.3%RDIV: +12.7% a year, volatility 17.4%FVAL: +12.6% a year, volatility 16.4%FDLO: +9.7% a year, volatility 13.0%ATO: +15.9% a year, volatility 18.5%FEX: +10.1% a year, volatility 16.5%AUSF: +13.6% a year, volatility 13.6%FTA: +10.8% a year, volatility 16.2%VFMF: +14.5% a year, volatility 17.6%DBMF: +9.5% a year, volatility 12.4%IGRO: +9.2% a year, volatility 13.9%HLAL: +13.6% a year, volatility 18.0%JVAL: +12.1% a year, volatility 17.2%EWS: +10.5% a year, volatility 17.4%IDHQ: +9.8% a year, volatility 17.9%DGT: +13.9% a year, volatility 15.1%FYLD: +13.1% a year, volatility 16.0%EYLD: +11.4% a year, volatility 18.4%ENFR: +18.7% a year, volatility 19.1%PEY: +8.1% a year, volatility 16.5%ITW: +7.0% a year, volatility 21.4%SPY (S&P 500): +12.5% a year, volatility 17.2%FAST: +16.2% a year, volatility 24.6%GWW: +26.7% a year, volatility 24.9%EMR: +12.9% a year, volatility 27.7%WTS: +14.8% a year, volatility 28.4%NDSN: +5.9% a year, volatility 25.3%AME: +13.5% a year, volatility 22.2%DE: +15.1% a year, volatility 29.9%AIT: +27.2% a year, volatility 30.4%GRC: +14.2% a year, volatility 31.4%JNJ: +13.5% a year, volatility 18.0%VIG: +10.4% a year, volatility 14.1%BRK-A: +13.5% a year, volatility 17.2%LVHI: +16.9% a year, volatility 11.1%DFAC: +11.3% a year, volatility 17.0%VTV: +12.2% a year, volatility 13.7%WMT: +21.1% a year, volatility 22.6%VHT: +7.3% a year, volatility 15.4%DXJ: +26.6% a year, volatility 19.1%ITWSPY (S&P 500)FASTGWWWTSNDSNDEAITGRCJNJVIGLVHIVTVWMTVHTDXJ
  • Popular alternatives
  • Same and neighboring categories, and shared themes
  • The whole market
  • Others in the green region

Is there a better investment than ITW?

Investments that beat ITW over the past 5 years on return, volatility, drawdowns, consistency, crash losses or fees, from its popular alternatives out to the whole market.

How this works

The table below lists investments that beat ITW over the past 5 years on at least one of these measures: a higher annual return with lower volatility, a higher annual return at similar volatility, a similar return with lower volatility, a higher Sharpe ratio with a smaller worst decline, a higher total return in most periods from 3 months to 10 years, or smaller losses in recent market crashes. It checks ITW's popular alternatives first, then the rest of its own and neighboring categories, then every stock and fund worth at least $500 million, and shows the strongest few in each group. The full list of those with a higher return and lower volatility than ITW follows the table.

Annual return is the annualized total return with dividends reinvested. Annual return, volatility and the Sharpe ratio cover 5 years; the worst decline covers the past 10 years. Green marks a better figure than ITW's. "On the frontier" means no other option shown or tested earned more with less volatility. Funds that hold the same thing are shown once. Beyond the popular alternatives, nothing with more than 1.5× ITW's volatility counts as better.

These figures cover the past 5 years. Green marks a better figure than ITW's.

Screen the whole market against ITW for any period in BetterThanSPYOpen these 18 in EasyCompare
InvestmentWhy it is betterPast 5 yearsDownsideLong runFit
Annual return?higher is betterVolatility?lower is calmerSharpe?return per unit of riskWorst decline?past 10 years10Y returntotalCorr. with ITW?lower diversifies moreExpenseper year
ITWIllinois Tool Works Inc. · this page
+7.0%21.4%0.42−37.9%+213%1.00—
SPYState Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF · S&P 500
+12.5%17.2%0.78−33.7%+316%0.660.09%
Popular alternativesbest 6 shownThe investments people most often weigh against ITW. 7 of 24 passed at least one test.
FASTFastenal Company · Industrial Distribution
Higher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+16.2%24.6%0.74−30.7%+582%0.61—
GWWW.W. Grainger, Inc. · Industrial Distribution
Higher return in most periods+26.7%24.9%1.08−41.6%+670%0.72—
EMREmerson Electric Co. · Industrial Machinery
Higher return in most periods+12.9%27.7%0.58−50.8%+307%0.56—
WTSWatts Water Technologies, Inc. · Industrial Machinery
Higher return in most periods+14.8%28.4%0.63−44.1%+533%0.72—
NDSNNordson Corporation · Industrial Machinery
Higher return in most periods+5.9%25.3%0.35−44.2%+251%0.68—
AMEAMETEK, Inc. · Electronic Instruments
Higher return, similar volatility+13.5%22.2%0.68−42.7%+466%0.71—
Same and neighboring categories, and shared themesbest 3 shownEverything else in Industrial Machinery and the categories next to it (Water Infrastructure, Industrial Distribution), plus ITW's specific themes. 3 of 84 passed at least one test.
DEDeere & Company · Industrial Machinery
Higher return in most periods+15.1%29.9%0.62−37.9%+764%0.64—
AITApplied Industrial Technologies, Inc. · Industrial Distribution
Higher return in most periods+27.2%30.4%0.95−59.3%+717%0.64—
GRCThe Gorman-Rupp Company · Industrial Machinery
Higher return in most periods+14.2%31.4%0.58−49.3%+268%0.67—
The whole marketbest 8 shownEvery other stock and fund worth at least $500 million. 808 of 3,546 passed at least one test.
JNJJohnson & Johnson · Pharmaceuticals
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+13.5%18.0%0.80−27.4%+209%0.48—
VIGVanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF · Dividend Growth
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+10.4%14.1%0.77−31.7%+258%0.800.04%
BRK-ABerkshire Hathaway Inc. · Insurance
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+13.5%17.2%0.83−30.4%+281%0.59—
LVHIFranklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF · International Dividend Equity
On the frontierHigher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+16.9%11.1%1.48−32.4%+194%0.700.40%
DFACDimensional - US Core Equity 2 ETF · US Total Market
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+11.3%17.0%0.72−23.1%—0.750.21%
VTVVanguard Morningstar Value ETF · US Large-Cap Value
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+12.2%13.7%0.91−36.8%+237%0.820.03%
WMTWalmart Inc. · Discount Retail
Higher return, similar volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+21.1%22.6%0.97−25.7%+521%0.40—
VHTVanguard Health Care ETF · Health Care Equity
Similar return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+7.3%15.4%0.53−28.9%+205%0.630.09%
What these numbers mean for ITW
Annual return
ITW returned 7.0% a year over the past 5 years with dividends reinvested, against 12.5% a year for the S&P 500. At that pace, $10,000 became about $14,000. Annual return is the steady yearly rate that would produce the same total result, so investments held over the same span compare fairly. Guide: What is performance and return? →
Volatility
ITW's volatility over the past 5 years was 21.4%, 1.2 times the S&P 500's 17.2%. Volatility measures how widely returns swing around their average: in roughly two years out of three, ITW's return lands within 21.4% of its average, either way. The higher it is, the rougher the ride and the harder it is to hold through a slump. Guide: Understanding and measuring risk (volatility) →
Sharpe ratio
ITW's Sharpe ratio over the past 5 years was 0.42, against 0.78 for the S&P 500, so ITW earned less for each unit of risk than an index fund did. The Sharpe ratio is the return earned above cash for each unit of volatility: two investments with the same return are not equal if one got there with far bigger swings. Guide: Balancing reward with risk (Sharpe ratio) →
Worst decline
ITW's worst fall from a peak to a low over the past 10 years was 37.9%, against 33.7% for the S&P 500. Losses and gains are not symmetric: climbing back from a 37.9% fall takes a 60.9% gain. Guide: Market crash risk and tail risk →
Correlation
Over the past 5 years, ITW's monthly returns had a correlation of 0.66 with the S&P 500. Correlation runs from 1 (moving in lockstep) through 0 (unrelated) to −1 (moving in opposite directions). They often move together: some diversification next to an index fund, but not a cushion. In the table, the correlation column measures each option against ITW instead: the lower it is, the more that option would diversify a ITW holding. Guide: Correlation and diversification →
Show all 397 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that earned more than ITW with less volatility

Out of 3,641 tested over 5 years. The strongest 100 are listed, best first, with funds that hold the same thing listed once.

#InvestmentFound inAnnual returnVolatilitySharpeWorst decline10Y returnCorr. with ITWExpense
1
JNJJohnson & Johnson · Pharmaceuticals
Whole market+13.5%18.0%0.80−27.4%+209%0.48—
2
VIGVanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF · Dividend Growth
Whole market+10.4%14.1%0.77−31.7%+258%0.800.04%
3
BRK-ABerkshire Hathaway Inc. · Insurance
Whole market+13.5%17.2%0.83−30.4%+281%0.59—
4
LVHIFranklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF · International Dividend Equity
Whole market+16.9%11.1%1.48−32.4%+194%0.700.40%
5
DFACDimensional - US Core Equity 2 ETF · US Total Market
Whole market+11.3%17.0%0.72−23.1%—0.750.21%
6
VTVVanguard Morningstar Value ETF · US Large-Cap Value
Whole market+12.2%13.7%0.91−36.8%+237%0.820.03%
7
EDConsolidated Edison, Inc. · Electric Utilities
Whole market+12.7%18.9%0.73−30.9%+123%0.44—
8
XLVState Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF · Health Care Equity
Whole market+8.4%15.3%0.60−28.4%+208%0.620.08%
9
CHTChunghwa Telecom Co., Ltd. · Integrated Telecommunications
Whole market+8.2%13.3%0.66−23.8%+104%0.14—
10
AVLVAvantis U.S. Large Cap Value ETF · US Large-Cap Value
Whole market+13.9%16.9%0.86−19.5%—0.800.15%
11
OEFiShares S&P 100 ETF · US Large-Cap Equity
Whole market+14.1%17.8%0.83−31.4%+360%0.560.20%
12
SCHDSchwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF · US Dividend Equity
Whole market+10.2%14.4%0.75−33.4%+256%0.790.06%
13
RSGRepublic Services, Inc. · Waste Management
Whole market+14.1%18.6%0.80−34.0%+461%0.46—
14
RYRoyal Bank of Canada · Banks
Whole market+17.5%18.2%0.98−40.0%+361%0.54—
15
BBJPJPMorgan BetaBuilders Japan ETF · Japan Equity
Whole market+9.3%18.6%0.57−32.7%—0.580.19%
16
IOOiShares Global 100 ETF · Global Equity
Whole market+15.6%17.2%0.94−31.4%+357%0.560.40%
17
DIVOAmplify CWP Enhanced Dividend Income ETF · Covered Call Income
Whole market+10.9%11.9%0.94−30.0%—0.790.56%
18
VDCVanguard Consumer Staples ETF · Consumer Staples Equity
Whole market+8.2%13.6%0.65−25.3%+131%0.730.09%
19
QYLDGlobal X - Nasdaq 100 Covered Call ETF · Covered Call Income
Whole market+8.2%15.0%0.60−24.7%+151%0.450.60%
20
MPLXMPLX Lp · Oil & Gas Midstream
Whole market+24.0%18.8%1.25−75.2%+337%0.60—
21
IAUiShares Gold Trust · Gold
Whole market+17.2%18.9%0.94−26.4%+211%0.130.25%
22
BCIabrdn Bloomberg All Commodity Strategy K-1 Free ETF · Broad Commodities
Whole market+10.1%16.7%0.66−32.7%—0.090.26%
23
SPYXState Street SPDR S&P 500 Fossil Fuel Reserves Free ETF · US ESG Equity
Whole market+12.2%17.2%0.76−32.8%+318%0.640.20%
24
FOCTFT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - October · S&P 500 Buffer
Whole market+9.4%11.2%0.86−14.1%—0.660.85%
25
WMWaste Management, Inc. · Waste Management
Whole market+9.5%19.3%0.57−30.1%+357%0.50—
26
IHEiShares U.S. Pharmaceuticals ETF · Pharmaceuticals
Whole market+12.9%16.8%0.81−29.6%+157%0.560.37%
27
RECSColumbia Research Enhanced Core ETF · Active Core Equity
Whole market+13.3%16.4%0.85−34.3%+237%0.690.15%
28
DBJPXtrackers MSCI Japan Hedged Equity ETF · Japan Equity
Whole market+20.9%19.3%1.09−31.3%+339%0.400.45%
29
PPHVanEck Pharmaceutical ETF · Pharmaceuticals
Whole market+11.6%15.8%0.78−29.7%+158%0.570.36%
30
FTXHFirst Trust Nasdaq Pharmaceuticals ETF · Pharmaceuticals
Whole market+12.3%16.9%0.77−32.1%+155%0.570.60%
31
FTQIFirst Trust Nasdaq BuyWrite Income ETF · Nasdaq Options Income
Whole market+11.4%14.8%0.81−19.5%+118%0.520.75%
32
SIXHETC 6 Meridian Hedged Equity Index Option ETF · Hedged Equity
Whole market+10.3%10.3%1.01−11.7%—0.700.31%
33
EWJViShares MSCI Japan Value ETF · Japan Equity
Whole market+15.1%18.2%0.87−30.1%—0.530.15%
34
SIXAETC 6 Meridian Mega Cap Equity ETF · US Large-Cap Equity
Whole market+12.9%12.7%1.02−18.4%—0.800.31%
35
QSPTFT Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF - September · Nasdaq-100 Buffer
Whole market+11.9%14.9%0.83−22.6%—0.500.90%
36
DXJWisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund · Japan Equity
Whole market+26.6%19.1%1.34−39.1%+415%0.400.48%
37
KOThe Coca-Cola Company · Nonalcoholic Beverages
Whole market+15.2%16.8%0.93−37.0%+205%0.47—
38
SSUSStrategy Shares Day Hagan Smart Sector ETF · US Large-Cap Equity
Whole market+10.3%15.4%0.71−23.8%—0.590.77%
39
TDThe Toronto-Dominion Bank · Banks
Whole market+16.5%20.0%0.87−42.0%+319%0.50—
40
ILCViShares Morningstar Value ETF · US Large-Cap Value
Whole market+12.7%14.1%0.92−35.5%+222%0.780.04%
41
QUSState Street SPDR MSCI USA StrategicFactors ETF · US Multifactor Equity
Whole market+11.1%14.2%0.81−33.8%+276%0.770.15%
42
BNSThe Bank of Nova Scotia · Banks
Whole market+13.2%20.0%0.73−46.9%+191%0.62—
43
QDEFNorthern Trust Quality Dividend Defensive ETF · US Dividend Equity
Whole market+12.6%13.7%0.94−35.7%+228%0.770.40%
44
RSPInvesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF · US Large-Cap Equity
Whole market+8.4%16.1%0.58−39.0%+214%0.830.20%
45
TAKTakeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited · Specialty Pharmaceuticals
Whole market+12.3%19.4%0.70−54.4%+33.3%0.20—
46
QUALiShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF · US Quality Equity
Whole market+11.2%17.3%0.70−34.1%+290%0.720.15%
47
SDCIUSCF SummerHaven Dynamic Commodity Strategy No K-1 Fund · Broad Commodities
Whole market+21.1%18.4%1.14−45.7%—0.090.80%
48
SLFSun Life Financial Inc. · Life Insurance
Whole market+11.9%19.4%0.68−50.8%+260%0.55—
49
VOEVanguard Morningstar Mid-Cap Value ETF · Mid-Cap Value
Whole market+9.7%15.8%0.67−43.2%+185%0.840.05%
50
HDViShares Core High Dividend ETF · High Dividend Yield
Whole market+13.3%13.0%1.03−37.0%+177%0.770.08%
51
PVALPutnam Focused Large Cap Value ETF · US Large-Cap Value
Whole market+15.9%15.1%1.06−41.3%—0.780.56%
52
RDVYFirst Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF · Dividend Growth
Whole market+11.3%18.8%0.67−40.6%+321%0.810.47%
53
COWZPacer US Cash Cows 100 ETF · US Large-Cap Value
Whole market+11.6%17.7%0.71−38.7%—0.740.49%
54
SDYState Street SPDR S&P Dividend ETF · US Dividend Equity
Whole market+8.1%14.0%0.63−36.7%+163%0.850.35%
55
PJULInnovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF · US Equity Buffer
Whole market+10.4%8.6%1.20−18.2%—0.670.79%
56
FDVVFidelity High Dividend ETF · High Dividend Yield
Whole market+13.4%14.6%0.94−40.2%+255%0.760.15%
57
PNWPinnacle West Capital Corporation · Electric Utilities
Whole market+14.6%19.9%0.79−39.3%+110%0.44—
58
FDLFirst Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund · High Dividend Yield
Whole market+14.6%14.5%1.02−41.4%+207%0.750.43%
59
FJANFT Vest U.S. Equity Buffer ETF - January · US Equity Buffer
Whole market+11.0%10.5%1.04−13.6%—0.630.85%
60
JQUAJPMorgan U.S. Quality Factor ETF · US Quality Equity
Whole market+13.5%15.7%0.89−32.9%—0.720.12%
61
BBCAJPMorgan BetaBuilders Canada ETF · International Equity
Whole market+11.5%16.7%0.74−42.8%—0.730.19%
62
MOATVanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF · US Large-Cap Equity
Whole market+9.5%18.4%0.59−33.3%+278%0.730.46%
63
PDBCInvesco Optimum Yield Diversified Commodity Strategy No K-1 ETF · Broad Commodities
Whole market+12.0%19.3%0.69−40.7%+152%0.050.74%
64
DOCTFT Vest U.S. Equity Deep Buffer ETF - October · Deep Buffer
Whole market+8.2%7.4%1.10−9.9%—0.560.85%
65
GCOWPacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF · Global Equity
Whole market+14.4%13.6%1.06−37.6%+170%0.670.60%
66
DFIVDimensional - International Value ETF · International Large-Cap Value
Whole market+14.8%16.4%0.93−25.4%—0.680.27%
67
NINiSource Inc · Gas Utilities
Whole market+15.5%20.3%0.81−30.9%+166%0.55—
68
VYMVanguard High Dividend Yield ETF · High Dividend Yield
Whole market+11.6%13.8%0.87−35.2%+209%0.810.04%
69
GNRState Street SPDR S&P Global Natural Resources ETF · Natural Resources Equity
Whole market+10.5%20.1%0.60−48.6%+169%0.610.40%
70
OMFLInvesco Russell 1000 Dynamic Multifactor ETF · US Multifactor Equity
Whole market+8.9%16.4%0.60−33.2%—0.720.29%
71
WTVWisdomTree U.S. Value Fund · US Value Equity
Whole market+13.6%17.0%0.84−42.2%+306%0.800.12%
72
SPHQInvesco S&P 500 Quality ETF · US Quality Equity
Whole market+11.7%16.7%0.75−31.6%+295%0.740.20%
73
SUSAiShares ESG Optimized MSCI USA ETF · Large-Cap ESG
Whole market+10.3%17.4%0.65−32.9%+300%0.680.25%
74
HDEFXtrackers MSCI EAFE High Dividend Yield Equity ETF · International Dividend Equity
Whole market+12.9%14.2%0.93−36.4%+135%0.680.09%
75
DFAIDimensional - International Core Equity Market ETF · Developed International Equity
Whole market+9.6%16.0%0.66−27.4%—0.710.18%
76
PWVInvesco Large Cap Value ETF · US Large-Cap Value
Whole market+13.7%14.2%0.98−37.6%+226%0.810.55%
77
DBEFXtrackers MSCI EAFE Hedged Equity ETF · International Equity
Whole market+12.9%13.8%0.95−32.5%+204%0.710.35%
78
DSTLDistillate U.S. Fundamental Stability & Value ETF · US Large-Cap Value
Whole market+11.7%16.2%0.77−33.1%—0.810.39%
79
DHSWisdomTree U.S. High Dividend Fund · High Dividend Yield
Whole market+12.4%13.9%0.91−37.4%+159%0.780.38%
80
DFAXDimensional World ex U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF · International Equity
Whole market+9.6%16.1%0.65−28.1%—0.630.28%
81
PKWInvesco BuyBack Achievers ETF · US Buyback Equity
Whole market+10.7%17.3%0.68−40.9%+261%0.830.63%
82
RDIVInvesco S&P Ultra Dividend Revenue ETF · US Dividend Equity
Whole market+12.7%17.4%0.78−50.0%+187%0.720.39%
83
FVALFidelity Value Factor ETF · US Large-Cap Value
Whole market+12.6%16.4%0.81−37.3%+290%0.700.15%
84
FDLOFidelity Low Volatility Factor ETF · US Low-Volatility Equity
Whole market+9.7%13.0%0.78−34.4%+249%0.730.15%
85
ATOAtmos Energy Corporation · Gas Utilities
Whole market+15.9%18.5%0.90−32.9%+207%0.57—
86
FEXFirst Trust Large Cap Core AlphaDEX Fund · Multifactor Equity
Whole market+10.1%16.5%0.67−39.5%+237%0.800.57%
87
AUSFGlobal X - Adaptive U.S. Factor ETF · US Multifactor Equity
Whole market+13.6%13.6%1.01−44.2%—0.810.27%
88
FTAFirst Trust Large Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund · US Large-Cap Value
Whole market+10.8%16.2%0.72−45.0%+195%0.830.58%
89
VFMFVanguard U.S. Multifactor ETF · US Multifactor Equity
Whole market+14.5%17.6%0.86−41.3%—0.810.18%
90
DBMFiMGP DBi Managed Futures Strategy ETF · Managed Futures
Whole market+9.5%12.4%0.80−20.4%—-0.250.85%
91
IGROiShares International Dividend Growth ETF · International Dividend Equity
Whole market+9.2%13.9%0.70−36.3%+144%0.670.15%
92
HLALWahed FTSE USA Shariah ETF · Faith-Based Equity
Whole market+13.6%18.0%0.80−33.6%—0.560.50%
93
JVALJPMorgan U.S. Value Factor ETF · US Large-Cap Value
Whole market+12.1%17.2%0.76−40.4%—0.740.12%
94
EWSiShares MSCI Singapore ETF · International Equity
Whole market+10.5%17.4%0.67−40.8%+129%0.560.50%
95
IDHQInvesco S&P International Developed Quality ETF · International Equity
Whole market+9.8%17.9%0.61−33.6%+184%0.670.29%
96
DGTState Street SPDR Global Dow ETF · Global Equity
Whole market+13.9%15.1%0.95−34.4%+260%0.730.50%
97
FYLDCambria Foreign Shareholder Yield ETF · International Dividend Equity
Whole market+13.1%16.0%0.86−44.6%+203%0.630.59%
98
EYLDCambria Emerging Shareholder Yield ETF · Emerging Markets Equity
Whole market+11.4%18.4%0.68−41.8%+191%0.470.63%
99
ENFRAlerian Energy Infrastructure ETF · Energy Infrastructure
Whole market+18.7%19.1%1.00−62.6%+185%0.630.35%
100
PEYInvesco High Yield Equity Dividend Achievers ETF · Dividend Growth
Whole market+8.1%16.5%0.56−41.5%+141%0.720.68%

ITW against its popular alternatives

The investments people most often weigh against ITW, compared period by period and year by year.

How do ITW's risk and return compare with its alternatives?

This map plots each investment's annual return over the past 5 years against its volatility, the size of its typical price swings. Investments toward the upper left earned more for a smoother ride, and those toward the lower right earned less for a rougher one. The dashed lines cross at ITW, which divides the map into what did better or worse on each measure.

Green points earned more than ITW with less volatility; red points earned less with more. Hover over a point for its figures. Total returns with dividends reinvested, annualized.

15.0%20.0%25.0%30.0%35.0%40.0%−10.0%−5.0%0.0%5.0%10.0%15.0%20.0%25.0%30.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsHigher return, lower volatilityLower return, higher volatilityITW: 7.0% a year, volatility 21.4%SPY (S&P 500): 12.5% a year, volatility 17.2%NDSN: 5.9% a year, volatility 25.3%DOV: 4.2% a year, volatility 25.2%SWK: −8.8% a year, volatility 38.4%IEX: 1.8% a year, volatility 24.1%FTV: 1.8% a year, volatility 25.5%GGG: −0.4% a year, volatility 23.9%HON: 2.5% a year, volatility 22.7%XYL: −2.0% a year, volatility 26.5%F: −0.1% a year, volatility 39.2%PNR: −4.9% a year, volatility 29.9%MIDD: −4.4% a year, volatility 34.3%IR: 6.6% a year, volatility 30.5%FAST: 16.2% a year, volatility 24.6%GWW: 26.7% a year, volatility 24.9%WTS: 14.8% a year, volatility 28.4%EMR: 12.9% a year, volatility 27.7%AME: 13.5% a year, volatility 22.2%PH: 26.0% a year, volatility 28.9%LECO: 13.9% a year, volatility 27.5%ROK: 7.8% a year, volatility 32.4%SPXC: 21.4% a year, volatility 36.4%ETN: 19.7% a year, volatility 32.2%FLS: 14.9% a year, volatility 36.7%SNA: 14.1% a year, volatility 23.4%ITWSPY (S&P 500)NDSNDOVSWKIEXFTVGGGHONXYLFPNRMIDDIRFASTGWWWTSEMRAMEPHLECOROKSPXCETNFLSSNA15.0%20.0%25.0%30.0%35.0%40.0%−10.0%0.0%10.0%20.0%30.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsHigher return, lower volatilityLower return, higher volatilityITW: 7.0% a year, volatility 21.4%SPY (S&P 500): 12.5% a year, volatility 17.2%NDSN: 5.9% a year, volatility 25.3%DOV: 4.2% a year, volatility 25.2%SWK: −8.8% a year, volatility 38.4%IEX: 1.8% a year, volatility 24.1%FTV: 1.8% a year, volatility 25.5%GGG: −0.4% a year, volatility 23.9%HON: 2.5% a year, volatility 22.7%XYL: −2.0% a year, volatility 26.5%F: −0.1% a year, volatility 39.2%PNR: −4.9% a year, volatility 29.9%MIDD: −4.4% a year, volatility 34.3%IR: 6.6% a year, volatility 30.5%FAST: 16.2% a year, volatility 24.6%GWW: 26.7% a year, volatility 24.9%WTS: 14.8% a year, volatility 28.4%EMR: 12.9% a year, volatility 27.7%AME: 13.5% a year, volatility 22.2%PH: 26.0% a year, volatility 28.9%LECO: 13.9% a year, volatility 27.5%ROK: 7.8% a year, volatility 32.4%SPXC: 21.4% a year, volatility 36.4%ETN: 19.7% a year, volatility 32.2%FLS: 14.9% a year, volatility 36.7%SNA: 14.1% a year, volatility 23.4%ITWSPY (S&P 500)NDSNDOVSWKIEXGGGHONXYLFPNRMIDDIRFASTGWWWTSEMRPHROKSPXCETNFLS
All figures
InvestmentAnnual returnVolatility
GWW W.W. Grainger, Inc.+26.7%24.9%
PH Parker-Hannifin Corporation+26.0%28.9%
SPXC SPX Technologies, Inc.+21.4%36.4%
ETN Eaton Corporation plc+19.7%32.2%
FAST Fastenal Company+16.2%24.6%
FLS Flowserve Corporation+14.9%36.7%
WTS Watts Water Technologies, Inc.+14.8%28.4%
SNA Snap-on Incorporated+14.1%23.4%
LECO Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc.+13.9%27.5%
AME AMETEK, Inc.+13.5%22.2%
EMR Emerson Electric Co.+12.9%27.7%
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF+12.5%17.2%
ROK Rockwell Automation, Inc.+7.8%32.4%
ITW This pageIllinois Tool Works Inc.+7.0%21.4%
IR Ingersoll Rand Inc.+6.6%30.5%
NDSN Nordson Corporation+5.9%25.3%
DOV Dover Corporation+4.2%25.2%
HON Honeywell International Inc.+2.5%22.7%
IEX IDEX Corporation+1.8%24.1%
FTV Fortive Corporation+1.8%25.5%
F Ford Motor Company−0.1%39.2%
GGG Graco Inc.−0.4%23.9%
XYL Xylem Inc.−2.0%26.5%
MIDD The Middleby Corporation−4.4%34.3%
PNR Pentair plc−4.9%29.9%
SWK Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.−8.8%38.4%
Open these 26 in EasyCompare

Has ITW consistently beaten its popular alternatives?

This section compares ITW with the investments people most often weigh against it, checking each one over eight periods from one month to ten years. Counting how often an alternative earned more than ITW helps separate lasting outperformance from a single strong stretch.

A green cell means the alternative earned more than ITW over that period. "Qualified" marks those that did so in at least 3 of 5 short-term periods and 2 of 3 long-term periods.

InvestmentPeriods outperformed Short termLong termRisk · 5 yearsFund
1M3M6MYTD1Y3Y5Y10YVolatilitylower is calmerSharpehigher is betterWorst declinepast 10 yearsExpenseAssetsOverlapsame sectors
ITW Illinois Tool Works Inc. (this page)—+3.9%+2.6%+5.9%+14.0%+13.2%+34.9%+40.0%+213%21.4%0.42−37.9%—$80B—
FAST QualifiedFastenal Company5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather+5.3%+17.0%+18.9%+32.6%+26.5%+97.6%+112%+582%24.6%0.74−30.7%—$61B—
GWW QualifiedW.W. Grainger, Inc.4/5 short3/3 longAll-weather+7.2%+0.6%+18.3%+36.3%+41.7%+103%+227%+670%24.9%1.08−41.6%—$64B—
WTS QualifiedWatts Water Technologies, Inc.4/5 short3/3 longAll-weather+0.7%+4.7%+19.2%+28.8%+27.7%+115%+99.2%+533%28.4%0.63−44.1%—$12B—
EMR QualifiedEmerson Electric Co.4/5 short3/3 longAll-weather+4.0%+15.2%+13.1%+19.4%+25.1%+87.4%+83.1%+307%27.7%0.58−50.8%—$89B—
NDSN QualifiedNordson Corporation4/5 short2/3 long−0.3%+9.6%+14.7%+33.4%+37.8%+55.4%+33.1%+251%25.3%0.35−44.2%—$18B—
AME Electrical Equipment & PartsAMETEK, Inc.2/5 short3/3 long−2.7%+0.9%+3.9%+14.7%+29.9%+72.8%+88.1%+466%22.2%0.68−42.7%—$55B—
PH Industrial - MachineryParker-Hannifin Corporation1/5 short3/3 long−7.4%−7.8%−6.0%+0.5%+21.5%+151%+218%+755%28.9%0.95−54.7%—$113B—
LECO Manufacturing - Tools & AccessoriesLincoln Electric Holdings, Inc.1/5 short3/3 long−2.0%+3.4%0.0%+6.4%+8.9%+56.5%+91.3%+368%27.5%0.61−38.9%—$14B—
ROK Industrial - MachineryRockwell Automation, Inc.1/5 short3/3 long−0.8%−7.2%+4.8%+7.4%+22.6%+66.9%+45.7%+325%32.4%0.40−45.1%—$47B—
SPXC Construction MaterialsSPX Technologies, Inc.0/5 short3/3 long−8.4%−27.0%−27.5%−21.3%−14.6%+104%+163%+693%36.4%0.71−50.3%—$8.0B—
ETN Electrical Equipment & PartsEaton Corporation plc0/5 short3/3 long−16.6%−9.1%−10.4%+13.7%+3.5%+96.0%+146%+636%32.2%0.72−44.5%—$143B—
DOV Industrial - MachineryDover Corporation2/5 short2/3 long+4.8%−8.6%−9.1%+0.6%+17.8%+51.0%+22.9%+312%25.2%0.29−45.2%—$26B—
FLS Industrial - MachineryFlowserve Corporation1/5 short2/3 long−10.6%−0.9%−17.6%−3.4%+32.4%+94.4%+101%+89.6%36.7%0.56−64.8%—$8.6B—
SNA Manufacturing - Tools & AccessoriesSnap-on Incorporated0/5 short2/3 long−4.1%−11.7%−5.6%+3.6%+6.7%+54.0%+93.2%+185%23.4%0.68−47.4%—$18B—
SWK Manufacturing - Tools & AccessoriesStanley Black & Decker, Inc.5/5 short1/3 long+7.4%+11.9%+33.3%+33.4%+49.1%+42.9%−36.8%+7.9%38.4%-0.05−71.3%—$15B—
IEX Industrial - MachineryIDEX Corporation3/5 short0/3 long+0.8%+2.0%+12.5%+28.4%+38.3%+22.6%+9.5%+196%24.1%0.20−35.5%—$17B—
FTV Hardware, Equipment & PartsFortive Corporation2/5 short0/3 long+7.3%−0.2%−1.1%+8.8%+22.9%+15.3%+9.4%+104%25.5%0.20−52.6%—$18B—
GGG Industrial - MachineryGraco Inc.0/5 short0/3 long−10.4%−5.9%−18.4%−15.0%−13.9%+2.9%−2.1%+212%23.9%0.10−30.6%—$11B—
HON ConglomeratesHoneywell International Inc.0/5 short0/3 long+3.0%−6.0%−4.6%+7.7%+9.0%+30.5%+13.2%+163%22.7%0.22−43.0%—$69B—
XYL Industrial - MachineryXylem Inc.0/5 short0/3 long+1.3%−5.6%−9.3%−19.4%−24.1%+26.5%−9.7%+154%26.5%0.06−46.7%—$26B—
F Auto - ManufacturersFord Motor Company0/5 short0/3 long−8.9%−16.3%−3.3%−7.4%+0.5%+25.4%−0.3%+65.8%39.2%0.20−64.7%—$48B—
PNR Industrial - MachineryPentair plc0/5 short0/3 long−0.1%−11.6%−37.9%−46.9%−48.7%−8.2%−22.0%+63.2%29.9%-0.02−53.2%—$8.9B—
MIDD Industrial - MachineryThe Middleby Corporation0/5 short0/3 long0.0%−13.9%−3.1%−7.0%+5.5%+22.4%−20.1%+20.4%34.3%0.04−69.2%—$5.1B—
ESAB Industrial - MachineryESAB Corporation0/5 short0/3 long−2.1%−20.3%−35.4%−40.3%−44.3%+4.1%————−52.0%—$4.2B—
IR Industrial - MachineryIngersoll Rand Inc.0/5 short0/3 long+0.4%−11.3%−11.4%−7.0%−5.0%+25.3%+37.6%—30.5%0.36−49.1%—$29B—
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How did ITW do year by year?

This table shows each investment's total return in every full calendar year since 1997, along with where ITW ranked among its popular alternatives each year. Annual results reveal how consistently each one kept pace with ITW and how far its good and bad years diverged, detail that multiyear averages tend to smooth over.

Newest year first. Green marks a year in which the fund came out ahead of ITW; gray means the two finished within a fraction of a point. The rank row places ITW among the alternatives that traded the full year; dark green is the top quarter and red the bottom quarter.

InvestmentYears ahead of ITW20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015201420132012201120102009200820072006200520042003200220012000199919981997
ITW This pageIllinois Tool Works Inc.—−0.4%−1.0%+21.6%−8.5%+23.6%+16.4%+45.6%−22.1%+38.9%+35.0%+0.1%+15.0%+41.4%+33.6%−10.0%+14.4%+41.4%−32.7%+18.0%+7.1%−3.7%+11.7%+31.1%−2.9%+15.2%−10.6%+17.6%−2.6%+51.9%
Rank among alternativesTop quarter in 5 of 2917 of 2617 of 2616 of 2614 of 2513 of 2517 of 256 of 2520 of 258 of 246 of 236 of 234 of 2314 of 237 of 2316 of 2222 of 227 of 2210 of 2211 of 2217 of 2217 of 2216 of 2216 of 2210 of 2212 of 2217 of 229 of 2211 of 225 of 22
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF14 of 29+17.7%+24.9%+26.2%−18.2%+28.7%+18.3%+31.2%−4.6%+21.7%+12.0%+1.2%+13.5%+32.3%+16.0%+1.9%+15.1%+26.4%−36.8%+5.1%+15.9%+4.8%+10.7%+28.2%−21.6%−11.7%−9.8%+20.4%+28.7%+33.5%
FAST Fastenal Company16 of 29+14.0%+13.5%+41.4%−24.4%+34.0%+36.6%+45.0%−1.6%+17.2%+18.6%−11.8%+2.3%+3.4%+10.1%+48.5%+47.6%+22.0%−12.3%+14.0%−7.1%+28.3%+25.0%+34.3%+12.6%+20.9%+21.9%+2.3%+15.0%−16.0%
GWW W.W. Grainger, Inc.14 of 29−3.4%+28.2%+50.5%+8.7%+28.8%+22.8%+22.3%+21.7%+4.3%+17.3%−18.9%+1.5%+28.0%+9.8%+37.8%+45.3%+25.4%−8.2%+27.1%−0.1%+8.3%+42.7%−6.6%+8.9%+33.8%−22.3%+16.5%−13.3%+22.6%
WTS Watts Water Technologies, Inc.15 of 29+36.8%−1.6%+43.6%−24.1%+60.6%+23.1%+56.2%−14.1%+17.9%+32.8%−20.8%+3.5%+45.4%+27.2%−5.3%+20.0%+26.0%−14.8%−26.6%+37.0%−5.1%+46.9%+43.1%+6.4%+9.8%−3.8%−9.5%−40.3%+20.0%
EMR Emerson Electric Co.10 of 29+8.9%+29.7%+3.8%+5.7%+18.2%+8.6%+31.6%−11.9%+29.1%+21.0%−19.7%−9.6%+36.1%+17.3%−16.3%+37.8%+20.7%−33.6%+31.5%+20.7%+9.2%+11.0%+31.4%−8.3%−25.7%+40.8%−3.0%+9.2%+19.1%
NDSN Nordson Corporation16 of 29+17.0%−20.2%+12.4%−5.9%+28.1%+24.5%+37.9%−17.6%+31.8%+76.8%−16.7%+6.0%+18.8%+54.8%−9.5%+52.0%+93.0%−43.5%+17.9%+24.9%+3.0%+17.7%+42.9%−3.8%+5.8%+8.0%−4.2%+14.1%−26.9%
AME AMETEK, Inc.18 of 29+14.7%+10.0%+18.8%−4.3%+22.3%+22.2%+48.3%−5.9%+50.0%−8.6%+2.5%+0.5%+41.0%+34.6%+7.9%+54.8%+27.6%−35.1%+47.9%+13.0%+20.0%+48.9%+26.4%+21.4%+23.7%+37.7%−13.6%−16.8%+22.4%
PH Parker-Hannifin Corporation15 of 29+39.5%+39.6%+60.8%−6.9%+18.3%+34.8%+40.7%−24.0%+44.3%+47.6%−23.1%+2.0%+53.9%+13.7%−10.1%+62.7%+29.4%−42.5%+48.6%+18.0%−11.8%+28.9%+31.2%+2.1%+5.7%−12.5%+59.3%−27.5%+80.2%
LECO Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc.17 of 29+29.6%−12.6%+52.6%+5.4%+21.9%+23.0%+25.4%−12.2%+21.4%+50.9%−23.3%−1.8%+48.6%+26.5%+22.1%+24.6%+7.8%−27.3%+19.3%+54.6%+17.2%+42.7%+10.2%−3.0%+27.9%−1.8%−4.5%+17.4%+20.6%
ROK Rockwell Automation, Inc.16 of 29+38.4%−6.2%+22.6%−24.8%+41.2%+26.2%+37.9%−21.8%+48.9%+34.5%−5.5%−3.9%+43.8%+17.2%+4.5%+56.1%+50.9%−51.9%+14.9%+4.7%+21.3%+41.8%+76.5%+20.0%−11.3%+5.5%+168%−1.9%+37.1%
SPXC SPX Technologies, Inc.17 of 29+37.5%+44.1%+53.9%+10.0%+9.4%+7.2%+81.7%−10.8%+32.3%+154%−56.5%−12.4%+43.7%+18.0%−14.4%+32.8%+37.3%−60.0%+70.3%+36.1%+16.7%−30.1%+57.1%−45.3%+26.6%+33.9%+20.7%−2.9%+78.6%
ETN Eaton Corporation plc15 of 29−2.8%+39.5%+56.2%−7.2%+46.7%+31.0%+42.8%−10.0%+21.5%+33.8%−20.7%−8.2%+44.2%+28.6%−11.8%+64.0%+33.3%−47.1%+31.6%+14.4%−5.4%+36.5%+41.1%+7.6%+40.8%+6.0%+5.3%−19.0%+30.7%
DOV Dover Corporation15 of 29+5.2%+23.4%+15.2%−24.3%+45.7%+11.5%+65.8%−11.0%+37.7%+25.4%−12.4%−8.8%+49.5%+15.7%+1.4%+43.7%+30.3%−26.9%−4.4%+22.9%−1.8%+7.2%+38.7%−20.1%−7.3%−9.7%+25.4%+2.5%+44.6%
FLS Flowserve Corporation16 of 29+22.5%+41.9%+37.3%+3.1%−15.0%−23.9%+33.7%−8.2%−11.2%+16.0%−28.6%−23.4%+62.6%+49.6%−15.6%+27.6%+86.1%−45.8%+92.3%+27.4%+43.8%+32.0%+41.0%−44.4%+24.3%+25.8%+6.1%−39.5%+5.0%
SNA Snap-on Incorporated16 of 29+4.3%+20.7%+29.7%+8.9%+28.8%+4.0%+19.5%−14.9%+3.6%+1.5%+27.1%+26.8%+41.0%+59.4%−8.4%+37.5%+11.3%−16.3%+3.6%+30.2%+12.5%+10.0%+18.8%−13.6%+24.9%+8.8%−21.7%−18.4%+25.0%
SWK Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.13 of 29−3.2%−15.2%+35.5%−58.9%+7.3%+9.7%+41.2%−28.1%+49.2%+9.6%+13.4%+21.9%+11.8%+12.4%+3.6%+32.9%+56.6%−27.5%−1.5%+7.2%+0.5%+32.7%+13.5%−23.8%+53.0%+7.3%+11.8%−39.9%+77.9%
IEX IDEX Corporation12 of 29−13.7%−2.4%−3.8%−2.2%+19.8%+17.2%+37.9%−3.2%+48.5%+19.5%0.0%+7.0%+61.3%+27.9%−3.5%+27.8%+31.5%−32.1%+15.8%+16.8%+2.7%+48.2%+29.3%−3.6%+6.1%+11.2%+26.6%−28.5%+33.4%
FTV Fortive Corporation2 of 9−1.9%+2.3%+15.1%−15.4%+8.1%+11.2%+13.3%−6.1%+35.4%————————————————————
GGG Graco Inc.17 of 29−1.5%−1.7%+30.6%−15.5%+12.6%+41.0%+25.9%−6.3%+65.6%+17.4%−8.6%+4.2%+54.1%+28.4%+5.8%+41.6%+24.3%−34.8%−4.4%+10.1%−0.8%+49.2%+41.5%+11.1%+43.8%+17.3%+23.6%+20.3%+54.9%
HON Honeywell International Inc.14 of 29−6.3%+10.2%+0.1%+5.0%−0.2%+23.1%+36.9%−7.5%+35.2%+14.3%+4.9%+10.6%+45.8%+18.5%+3.8%+37.8%+21.9%−45.9%+37.5%+23.1%+6.6%+7.3%+41.6%−28.0%−27.7%−17.2%+31.0%+15.1%+16.7%
XYL Xylem Inc.6 of 14+18.8%+2.6%+4.8%−6.6%+18.9%+30.9%+19.6%−1.0%+39.5%+37.6%−2.6%+11.6%+29.8%+7.1%———————————————
F Ford Motor Company6 of 29+42.3%−13.1%+15.9%−42.2%+137%−3.9%+29.7%−34.4%+8.8%−8.0%−5.4%+3.7%+22.4%+22.6%−35.9%+68.0%+336%−66.0%−10.2%−0.3%−45.2%−5.9%+78.6%−39.0%−30.1%−17.7%−9.2%+81.2%+50.6%
PNR Pentair plc15 of 29+4.5%+40.0%+64.1%−37.4%+39.2%+17.9%+23.7%−18.9%+28.6%+16.0%−23.8%−13.2%+60.7%+50.9%−6.9%+15.7%+40.1%−30.6%+12.9%−7.5%−19.7%+93.4%+35.2%−3.5%+54.4%−35.9%−1.7%+12.6%+13.3%
MIDD The Middleby Corporation18 of 29+9.8%−8.0%+9.9%−31.9%+52.6%+17.7%+6.6%−23.9%+4.8%+19.4%+8.8%+24.0%+87.0%+36.3%+11.4%+72.2%+79.9%−64.4%+46.5%+20.9%+70.6%+26.2%+285%+104%−13.3%+8.4%+55.2%−53.8%+23.1%
ESAB ESAB Corporation2 of 3−6.5%+38.9%+85.2%——————————————————————————
IR Ingersoll Rand Inc.5 of 8−12.3%+17.1%+48.2%−15.4%+35.9%+27.0%+92.8%−35.3%—————————————————————
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Risk and diversification

How ITW has fallen, how it held up in crashes beside the S&P 500 and its popular alternatives, and what moves independently of it.

What were ITW's worst declines?

A drawdown is the decline from a peak to the lowest point before a new high. This section presents ITW's five deepest drawdowns since it began trading in 1986, alongside the S&P 500's return over the same dates, and how long each took to recover. Together, these figures show how much an investor could have lost and how long it took to get back to even.

Green means ITW fell less than the S&P 500 over the same dates. Based on daily closing prices with dividends reinvested.

DuringITW fellS&P 500, same datesPeakLowTime to the lowBack at the peakTime to recover
2008 financial crisis−54.9%−54.7%Oct 2007Mar 200917 monthsJan 201122 months
No named crash−47.6%—Aug 1987Oct 19872 monthsFeb 19902.3 years
Dot-com bust−38.3%−27.2%Jun 1999Sep 20012.3 yearsNov 20032.2 years
Covid crash−37.9%−33.4%Feb 2020Mar 20201 monthJul 20204 months
No named crash−36.7%−8.6%May 1998Sep 19984 monthsFeb 19995 months

How did ITW do in stock market crashes?

This section measures how far ITW, the S&P 500 and each alternative fell from peak to trough during every major market crash since 2000. A smaller decline means an investment held up better, and comparing results across crashes shows whether that resilience was consistent or a one-off.

Newest crash first. Each figure is the fund's deepest fall within the crash window; green means a smaller fall than ITW.

InvestmentHeld up better2023 regional bank crisisMar 20232022 bear marketJan 2022Covid crashFeb 2020Late-2018 sell-offSep 2018February 2018 volatility shockFeb 20182015 China and oil sell-offAug 20152011 euro debt crisisJul 20112010 flash crashMay 20102008 financial crisisOct 2007Dot-com bustMar 2000
ITW This pageIllinois Tool Works Inc.—−2.9%−28.0%−37.9%−19.3%−8.4%−14.0%−29.0%−1.1%−54.9%−30.8%
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF5 of 10−3.4%−24.5%−33.7%−19.3%−6.5%−12.8%−17.9%−1.5%−55.2%−47.5%
FAST Fastenal Company7 of 10−2.7%−25.5%−27.8%−17.4%−2.7%−12.7%−14.0%−2.1%−51.8%−36.4%
GWW W.W. Grainger, Inc.5 of 10−3.6%−16.9%−32.5%−25.2%−2.1%−20.6%−18.5%−1.5%−35.3%−55.6%
WTS Watts Water Technologies, Inc.2 of 10−6.9%−39.4%−32.0%−26.1%−9.1%−24.6%−31.1%−3.4%−49.9%−35.1%
EMR Emerson Electric Co.4 of 10−4.3%−25.4%−47.2%−28.8%−5.9%−15.9%−25.8%0.0%−56.1%−43.6%
NDSN Nordson Corporation2 of 10−4.4%−21.5%−42.1%−23.8%−5.7%−28.4%−33.9%−2.9%−73.6%−34.8%
AME AMETEK, Inc.3 of 10−3.7%−26.4%−42.0%−22.1%−6.7%−21.9%−30.3%−1.2%−53.3%−34.9%
PH Parker-Hannifin Corporation1 of 10−8.4%−27.3%−54.7%−25.6%−8.1%−23.7%−30.4%−3.5%−66.9%−36.5%
LECO Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc.3 of 10−3.6%−16.9%−33.2%−25.0%−9.1%−25.2%−28.1%−1.4%−68.9%−45.9%
ROK Rockwell Automation, Inc.0 of 10−5.4%−43.8%−42.4%−27.5%−7.9%−23.6%−37.5%−1.4%−74.7%−42.0%
SPXC SPX Technologies, Inc.1 of 10−6.9%−29.3%−47.3%−26.6%−5.3%−53.8%−49.2%−3.9%−81.1%−57.2%
ETN Eaton Corporation plc2 of 10−4.5%−26.3%−44.5%−26.0%−6.7%−22.3%−34.6%−1.4%−68.5%−31.6%
DOV Dover Corporation1 of 10−5.9%−35.6%−45.0%−25.1%−6.8%−20.9%−32.8%−1.5%−58.2%−54.1%
FLS Flowserve Corporation0 of 10−7.1%−33.4%−58.5%−35.3%−9.4%−26.6%−36.7%−3.6%−73.1%−76.8%
SNA Snap-on Incorporated2 of 10−3.9%−15.3%−40.3%−27.4%−6.7%−22.2%−29.5%−2.5%−65.8%−37.5%
SWK Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.1 of 10−4.5%−60.7%−55.3%−29.7%−6.7%−18.2%−31.3%−4.0%−58.9%−41.3%
IEX IDEX Corporation4 of 10−2.0%−26.1%−34.3%−23.8%−7.9%−13.1%−33.3%−3.3%−58.3%−33.9%
FTV Fortive Corporation1 of 5−4.7%−27.4%−45.3%−26.8%−8.2%—————
GGG Graco Inc.4 of 10−3.9%−27.4%−30.6%−20.1%−8.6%−16.5%−35.8%0.0%−64.7%−24.8%
HON Honeywell International Inc.4 of 10−1.4%−22.7%−42.2%−22.1%−6.8%−14.4%−25.3%−1.8%−62.2%−65.8%
XYL Xylem Inc.3 of 6−3.8%−37.9%−35.9%−24.2%−7.2%−12.9%————
F Ford Motor Company1 of 10−7.3%−55.6%−50.0%−21.1%−4.5%−25.7%−29.6%−2.4%−86.3%−75.5%
PNR Pentair plc2 of 10−6.4%−42.9%−48.7%−19.9%−6.4%−30.9%−25.8%−2.9%−54.8%−51.7%
MIDD The Middleby Corporation2 of 10−7.4%−38.1%−62.0%−24.3%−3.4%−35.0%−25.4%−2.3%−73.1%−48.9%
ESAB ESAB Corporation0 of 1−3.5%—————————
IR Ingersoll Rand Inc.1 of 5−8.0%−34.3%−49.1%−34.4%−7.6%—————
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How closely does ITW move with the S&P 500?

Upside capture measures how much of the S&P 500's gains an investment kept in the months the market rose, and downside capture how much of its losses it took in the months the market fell. An investment that captures more of the gains than the losses has compounded ahead of the market over time. This section compares ITW with its popular alternatives on both measures, and on beta (how strongly each has moved with the market), over the past 10 years.

Monthly total returns over the past 10 years, measured against SPY. 100% capture or a beta of 1.00 means moving in line with the S&P 500. Green marks a better figure than ITW's: more upside, less downside or a higher capture ratio. Sorted by capture ratio.

InvestmentUpside captureDownside captureCapture ratioBeta
ITW This pageIllinois Tool Works Inc.94%116%0.811.04
ETN Eaton Corporation plc114%80%1.431.16
WTS Watts Water Technologies, Inc.102%80%1.281.02
FAST Fastenal Company106%87%1.230.98
GWW W.W. Grainger, Inc.113%95%1.191.12
PH Parker-Hannifin Corporation141%126%1.111.43
AME AMETEK, Inc.111%101%1.101.15
SPXC SPX Technologies, Inc.141%130%1.091.33
GGG Graco Inc.90%92%0.980.78
LECO Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc.118%122%0.971.20
SNA Snap-on Incorporated86%93%0.920.99
NDSN Nordson Corporation102%112%0.910.98
ROK Rockwell Automation, Inc.122%138%0.881.46
DOV Dover Corporation114%133%0.851.27
EMR Emerson Electric Co.124%153%0.811.39
IEX IDEX Corporation97%121%0.801.03
HON Honeywell International Inc.90%118%0.771.00
XYL Xylem Inc.90%123%0.731.03
FTV Fortive Corporation88%133%0.661.10
FLS Flowserve Corporation119%188%0.631.49
F Ford Motor Company105%167%0.631.51
PNR Pentair plc89%148%0.601.11
MIDD The Middleby Corporation100%190%0.531.52
SWK Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.101%198%0.511.30
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What diversifies ITW?

Correlation measures how closely two investments move together, on a scale from 1 (in lockstep) through 0 (unrelated) to -1 (in opposite directions). This section lists large ETFs and stocks whose returns have had a low correlation with ITW's. Because such investments tend not to fall at the same time, pairing ITW with them can reduce a portfolio's overall swings.

Only ETFs with at least $1.0B in assets and stocks worth at least $10B, with a correlation below 0.5 over the past 5 years and a positive return, are included, ranked by Sharpe ratio; funds that hold the same thing are shown once. The year columns are the years in which ITW lost money. The last two columns show a portfolio that is 80% ITW and 20% the other investment, rebalanced monthly.

ETFs

InvestmentCorrelation5Y returnSharpe202520242022201820112008200520022000199880/20 mix volatility80/20 mix annual return
ITW Illinois Tool Works Inc. (this page)1.00+40.0%0.42−0.4%−1.0%−8.5%−22.1%−10.0%−32.7%−3.7%−2.9%−10.6%−2.6%22.8%+7.0%
DXJ InternationalWisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund0.40+225%1.34+32.8%+29.8%+6.0%−19.8%−16.1%−20.8%————19.4%+11.1%
SMH TechnologyVanEck Semiconductor ETF0.34+304%0.94+49.2%+39.1%−33.5%−9.1%+6.8%−44.7%+10.8%−47.0%——21.6%+13.5%
XLE EnergyState Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF0.49+178%0.94+7.9%+5.6%+64.4%−18.2%+2.8%−39.0%+40.1%−14.8%+24.4%—21.3%+10.5%
GLD CommoditiesSPDR Gold Shares0.12+120%0.93+63.7%+26.7%−0.8%−1.9%+9.6%+4.9%+17.8%———19.0%+9.8%
SPMO Broad MarketInvesco S&P 500 Momentum ETF0.48+130%0.91+26.6%+45.8%−10.4%−0.9%——————20.5%+10.2%
EWT TechnologyiShares MSCI Taiwan ETF0.29+147%0.87+28.4%+16.1%−28.9%−9.9%−21.8%−45.3%+4.7%−24.4%——20.3%+10.5%
EDIV InternationalState Street SPDR S&P Emerging Markets Dividend ETF0.46+69.0%0.83+16.4%+12.8%−15.3%−6.2%——————19.6%+8.2%
TDIV TechnologyFirst Trust NASDAQ Technology Dividend Index Fund0.47+115%0.83+25.3%+24.4%−22.1%−3.2%——————20.5%+9.3%

Stocks

InvestmentCorrelation5Y returnSharpe202520242022201820112008200520022000199880/20 mix volatility80/20 mix annual return
ITW Illinois Tool Works Inc. (this page)1.00+40.0%0.42−0.4%−1.0%−8.5%−22.1%−10.0%−32.7%−3.7%−2.9%−10.6%−2.6%22.8%+7.0%
CAH Medical - DistributionCardinal Health, Inc.0.37+471%1.54+76.3%+19.0%+54.1%−24.5%+8.1%−39.6%+18.7%−8.3%+108%+51.7%20.8%+13.3%
CLS Hardware, Equipment & PartsCelestica Inc.0.20+2,780%1.43+220%+215%+1.3%−16.3%−24.4%−20.5%−25.2%−65.1%−2.3%—23.5%+25.7%
MCK Medical - DistributionMcKesson Corporation0.32+397%1.41+44.5%+23.7%+51.8%−28.4%+11.8%−40.4%+64.9%−27.2%+61.2%+46.9%20.4%+12.7%
FIX Engineering & ConstructionComfort Systems USA, Inc.0.48+1,452%1.41+121%+107%+17.0%+0.8%−17.0%−15.2%+20.1%−9.4%−71.1%−9.5%23.9%+21.3%
MPC Oil & Gas Refining & MarketingMarathon Petroleum Corporation0.36+660%1.39+19.2%−4.0%+86.6%−8.2%——————21.4%+15.2%
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Common questions

What was ITW's worst drawdown?

ITW's deepest decline since it began trading in 1986 was 54.9%, from October 2007 to March 2009. It took 22 months from the low to climb back to its old high.

What were ITW's best and worst years?

Over 29 full calendar years, ITW's best year was 1997, when it returned 51.9%. Its worst was 2008, with a return of -32.7%.

Is there a better investment than ITW?

Among ITW's popular alternatives, FAST earned more for the risk it took than ITW over the past 5 years, and its worst fall in 10 years was 30.7%, against 37.9% for ITW. Looking beyond its popular alternatives, DE (industrial machinery) and AIT (industrial distribution) were ahead of ITW in most short and long periods, though with much bigger swings (29.9% and 30.4% volatility against 21.4%).

Is ITW more volatile than the S&P 500?

Yes. ITW's volatility over the past 5 years was 21.4%, 1.2 times the S&P 500's 17.2%. Volatility measures how widely returns swing around their average: in roughly two years out of three, ITW's return lands within 21.4% of its average, either way. The higher it is, the rougher the ride and the harder it is to hold through a slump.

What is ITW's Sharpe ratio?

ITW's Sharpe ratio over the past 5 years was 0.42, against 0.78 for the S&P 500, so ITW earned less for each unit of risk than an index fund did. The Sharpe ratio is the return earned above cash for each unit of volatility: two investments with the same return are not equal if one got there with far bigger swings.

How correlated is ITW with the S&P 500?

Over the past 5 years, ITW's monthly returns had a correlation of 0.66 with the S&P 500. Correlation runs from 1 (moving in lockstep) through 0 (unrelated) to −1 (moving in opposite directions). They often move together: some diversification next to an index fund, but not a cushion. In the table, the correlation column measures each option against ITW instead: the lower it is, the more that option would diversify a ITW holding.

What are the best alternatives to ITW?

Of the 25 popular alternatives we compared, five outperformed ITW in at least 3 of 5 short-term and 2 of 3 long-term timeframes, with dividends reinvested: FAST, GWW and WTS.

Did ITW outperform the S&P 500?

ITW finished ahead of the S&P 500 (SPY) in 15 of 29 full calendar years. In 2025, it returned -0.4%, against +17.7% for the index.

How did ITW do in stock market crashes?

ITW fell less than the S&P 500 (SPY) in one of the ten major crashes it has traded through, and further in five. The clearest case was the 2011 euro debt crisis, when ITW fell 29.0% and the S&P 500 fell 17.9%.

What diversifies ITW?

These had a low correlation with ITW over the past 5 years and still earned a positive 5-year return: among large ETFs, DXJ (correlation 0.40), SMH (correlation 0.34) and XLE (correlation 0.49); among large stocks, CAH (correlation 0.37), CLS (correlation 0.20) and MCK (correlation 0.32). A correlation near zero means the two have moved largely independently.

How we measure

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Popular alternatives to ITW

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