Graco Inc. (GGG) and Illinois Tool Works Inc. (ITW) represent key players in the industrials sector, appealing to investors seeking exposure to manufacturing and equipment demand. This stock comparison analyzes their business models, recent performance, and market positioning amid evolving economic conditions. Traders focused on relative strength in cyclical sectors, or long-term investors evaluating dividend payers and growth potential, will find value in understanding how these stocks stack up. With both exhibiting resilience in recent market volatility, the analysis highlights contrasts in scale, momentum, and risk profiles to inform strategic decision-making.
Graco Inc. (GGG) designs, manufactures, and markets systems for moving, measuring, mixing, dispensing, and spraying fluids and powders, serving industries like coatings, adhesives, and sealants. In recent weeks, GGG stock has experienced downward pressure, retreating from peaks around $88 to levels near $80-82, amid broader industrials sector rotation. Sentiment has been influenced by market-wide caution on growth stocks, though positive developments like a new share repurchase authorization for 15 million shares and a 7.3% quarterly dividend increase to $0.295 per share have provided support. Over the past year, shares returned modestly positive, underscoring steady but not explosive demand in core markets.
Illinois Tool Works Inc. (ITW) is a diversified manufacturer spanning seven segments including automotive OEM, food equipment, polymers, welding, and specialty products, benefiting from broad end-market exposure. Recently, ITW shares have maintained stability, trading in the $260-273 range with a modest monthly uptick of nearly 3%, reflecting defensive qualities in choppy markets. Performance drivers include consistent cash flows and operational efficiency, with the stock advancing over 12% in the past year. Insider activity and robust revenue of $16 billion underpin investor confidence, though short-term dips tie to sector headwinds.
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GGG and ITW both thrive in industrials but diverge in business models: Graco's niche focus on fluid management offers higher growth potential in specialized applications, while ITW's diversification across multiple segments provides stability against sector downturns. Recent momentum favors ITW's steadier trajectory versus GGG's volatility. Risk factors include cyclical exposure for both, though ITW's scale mitigates impacts better. Comparable P/E ratios highlight similar market positioning, but ITW edges in revenue scale ($16 billion annually) and long-term returns. Sentiment leans toward ITW for defensive appeal amid uncertainty.
Tickeron’s AI currently favors ITW due to its trend consistency, larger scale, diversification, and superior relative performance over the past year. While GGG shows niche strengths and shareholder returns, ITW's stability positions it better for near-term market conditions, with higher probability of outperformance based on momentum and risk metrics.
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It is best to consider a long-term outlook for a ticker by using Fundamental Analysis (FA) ratings. The rating of 1 to 100, where 1 is best and 100 is worst, is divided into thirds. The first third (a green rating of 1-33) indicates that the ticker is undervalued; the second third (a grey number between 34 and 66) means that the ticker is valued fairly; and the last third (red number of 67 to 100) reflects that the ticker is undervalued. We use an FA Score to show how many ratings show the ticker to be undervalued (green) or overvalued (red).
GGG’s FA Score shows that 1 FA rating(s) are green whileITW’s FA Score has 2 green FA rating(s).
It is best to consider a short-term outlook for a ticker by using Technical Analysis (TA) indicators. We use Odds of Success as the percentage of outcomes which confirm successful trade signals in the past.
If the Odds of Success (the likelihood of the continuation of a trend) for each indicator are greater than 50%, then the generated signal is confirmed. A green percentage from 90% to 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bullish trend. A red percentage from 90% - 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bearish trend. All grey percentages are below 50% and are considered not to confirm the trend signal.
GGG’s TA Score shows that 5 TA indicator(s) are bullish while ITW’s TA Score has 3 bullish TA indicator(s).
GGG (@Industrial Machinery) experienced а +0.35% price change this week, while ITW (@Industrial Machinery) price change was +1.86% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Industrial Machinery industry was +1.88%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +0.62%, and the average quarterly price growth was +4.30%.
GGG is expected to report earnings on Jul 29, 2026.
ITW is expected to report earnings on Aug 04, 2026.
The industry makes and maintains machines for consumers, the industry, and most other companies. While it has traditionally been categorized as heavy industry, some smaller companies are also branching into the light category. The industry is pivotal in providing the equipment for production in businesses like agriculture, mining, industry and construction, gas, electricity and water utilities. It also supplies supporting equipment for almost all sectors of the economy, such as equipment for heating, and air conditioning of buildings. Illinois Tool Works Inc., Parker-Hannifin Corporation and Rockwell Automation Inc are some of the major U.S. companies operating in this industry.
| GGG | ITW | GGG / ITW | |
| Capitalization | 12.4B | 74.1B | 17% |
| EBITDA | 744M | 4.74B | 16% |
| Gain YTD | -8.375 | 5.180 | -162% |
| P/E Ratio | 24.38 | 23.90 | 102% |
| Revenue | 2.25B | 16.2B | 14% |
| Total Cash | 712M | 827M | 86% |
| Total Debt | 52.9M | 9.15B | 1% |
GGG | ITW | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 6 | 10 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 25 Undervalued | 19 Undervalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 90 | 59 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 46 | 12 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 71 | 53 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 72 | 43 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 75 | 50 |
Tickeron ratings are formulated such that a rating of 1 designates the most successful stocks in a given industry, while a rating of 100 points to the least successful stocks for that industry.
ITW's Valuation (19) in the Industrial Machinery industry is in the same range as GGG (25). This means that ITW’s stock grew similarly to GGG’s over the last 12 months.
ITW's Profit vs Risk Rating (59) in the Industrial Machinery industry is in the same range as GGG (90). This means that ITW’s stock grew similarly to GGG’s over the last 12 months.
ITW's SMR Rating (12) in the Industrial Machinery industry is somewhat better than the same rating for GGG (46). This means that ITW’s stock grew somewhat faster than GGG’s over the last 12 months.
ITW's Price Growth Rating (53) in the Industrial Machinery industry is in the same range as GGG (71). This means that ITW’s stock grew similarly to GGG’s over the last 12 months.
ITW's P/E Growth Rating (43) in the Industrial Machinery industry is in the same range as GGG (72). This means that ITW’s stock grew similarly to GGG’s over the last 12 months.
| GGG | ITW | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 49% | N/A |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 55% | 3 days ago 43% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | N/A | 3 days ago 56% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 45% | 3 days ago 52% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 49% | 3 days ago 50% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 55% | 3 days ago 48% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 49% | 3 days ago 49% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 14 days ago 53% | 14 days ago 41% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 53% | 3 days ago 49% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 52% | 3 days ago 42% |
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, GGG has been closely correlated with LECO. These tickers have moved in lockstep 74% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if GGG jumps, then LECO could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To GGG | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GGG | 100% | +0.65% | ||
| LECO - GGG | 74% Closely correlated | +0.19% | ||
| ITW - GGG | 73% Closely correlated | +1.17% | ||
| AOS - GGG | 72% Closely correlated | +0.72% | ||
| NDSN - GGG | 72% Closely correlated | +0.90% | ||
| ROP - GGG | 72% Closely correlated | +0.68% | ||
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A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, ITW has been closely correlated with AOS. These tickers have moved in lockstep 75% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if ITW jumps, then AOS could also see price increases.