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ITW vs NDSN
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Illinois Tool Works (ITW) vs. Nordson (NDSN) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- Illinois Tool Works (ITW) reported solid Q1 2026 results with revenue growth of 4.6% year-over-year and an EPS beat, while preparing for Q2 earnings expected to show 8.5% EPS growth.
- Nordson (NDSN) delivered record Q2 fiscal 2026 results, beating revenue estimates and raising full-year guidance, contributing to stronger year-to-date outperformance relative to the broader market.
- ITW trades with a consensus Hold rating amid mixed analyst views, whereas NDSN has demonstrated more consistent momentum in recent market activity.
- Both companies operate in the industrial sector but differ in focus: ITW offers broad diversification across end markets, while NDSN specializes in precision dispensing and fluid management solutions.
- Recent performance shows NDSN with stronger YTD returns compared to ITW, though both remain influenced by manufacturing demand trends and macroeconomic factors.
- Relative positioning highlights trade-offs in stability versus growth potential within similar sector exposure.
Introduction
Illinois Tool Works (ITW) and Nordson (NDSN) represent two established players in the industrial manufacturing space, making them relevant for investors and traders seeking exposure to precision engineering and diversified industrial solutions. This comparison examines their business models, recent performance trends, and market positioning to help market participants evaluate relative opportunities in the current environment. Professional investors monitoring sector rotation or earnings momentum, as well as those focused on stability versus specialized growth, may find the analysis useful for portfolio construction decisions.
Illinois Tool Works (ITW) Overview and Recent Performance
Illinois Tool Works (ITW) operates as a diversified industrial manufacturer with segments spanning automotive, food equipment, test and measurement, and welding products. The company emphasizes operational efficiency and niche market leadership. In recent market activity, ITW shares have reflected steady but measured responses to earnings and macroeconomic signals. Q1 2026 results showed revenue of $4.02 billion, up 4.6% year-over-year, alongside an EPS beat. Analysts project Q2 2026 EPS of $2.80, representing 8.5% growth. Sentiment has been tempered by a consensus Hold rating and cautious growth outlooks, with the stock exhibiting moderate volatility tied to broader manufacturing indicators.
Nordson (NDSN) Overview and Recent Performance
Nordson (NDSN) specializes in precision dispensing equipment, fluid management systems, and related technologies serving packaging, electronics, medical, and industrial markets. The company has highlighted innovation in application-specific solutions. Recent market activity shows NDSN delivering record Q2 fiscal 2026 results that exceeded revenue expectations and prompted an increase in full-year guidance. This performance has supported stronger relative momentum compared with some industrial peers. Share price behavior has aligned with positive earnings surprises and sector demand trends, contributing to outperformance in year-to-date returns amid ongoing focus on operational execution.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
Illinois Tool Works (ITW) maintains a broad business model with exposure across multiple industrial verticals, offering relative stability through diversification, while Nordson (NDSN) concentrates on specialized precision technologies that can deliver higher growth sensitivity to specific end markets such as electronics and medical devices. Recent momentum has favored NDSN following its record quarterly results and guidance raise, contrasting with ITW’s more tempered analyst sentiment and Hold consensus. Both face similar sector risks including supply chain pressures and cyclical manufacturing demand, yet NDSN’s narrower focus may amplify upside in favorable conditions at the potential cost of greater volatility. Market sentiment reflects NDSN’s stronger year-to-date trajectory versus ITW’s steadier but comparatively subdued positioning, creating distinct trade-offs for investors balancing growth catalysts against defensive characteristics.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Based on observable factors such as earnings consistency, guidance momentum, and relative performance trends, Tickeron’s AI would likely assign a probabilistic edge to Nordson (NDSN) in the current environment due to its recent record results and raised outlook. Illinois Tool Works (ITW) presents a case for stability through diversification, though its more cautious analyst positioning tempers immediate momentum signals. The assessment remains probabilistic and tied to ongoing data rather than definitive forecasts.
Disclaimer
The information on this webpage is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice, a recommendation to purchase or sell any security, or an offer or solicitation related to investments. It does not consider your personal financial situation, goals, or risk profile, and all investing carries inherent risks, including the possibility of losing your entire investment. For more details, please review our full disclaimer.
To compare these two companies we present long-term analysis, their fundamental ratings and make comparative short-term technical analysis which are presented below. The conclusion is ITW is a Buy and NDSN is a Hold.
Long-Term Analysis
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).
ITW’s FA Score shows that 2 FA rating(s) are green whileNDSN’s FA Score has 2 green FA rating(s).
- ITW’s FA Score: 2 green, 3 red.
- NDSN’s FA Score: 2 green, 3 red.
Short-Term Analysis
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.
ITW’s TA Score shows that 5 TA indicator(s) are bullish while NDSN’s TA Score has 3 bullish TA indicator(s).
- ITW’s TA Score: 5 bullish, 5 bearish.
- NDSN’s TA Score: 3 bullish, 5 bearish.
Price Growth
ITW (@Industrial Machinery) experienced а -1.01% price change this week, while NDSN (@Industrial Machinery) price change was -2.41% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Industrial Machinery industry was -4.82%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was -5.18%, and the average quarterly price growth was -5.02%.
Reported Earning Dates
ITW is expected to report earnings on Jul 28, 2026.
NDSN is expected to report earnings on Aug 24, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Industrial Machinery (-4.82% weekly)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.
| ITW | NDSN | ITW / NDSN | |
| Capitalization | 78.1B | 16B | 488% |
| EBITDA | 4.74B | 893M | 530% |
| Gain YTD | 11.600 | 19.904 | 58% |
| P/E Ratio | 25.21 | 30.62 | 82% |
| Revenue | 16.2B | 2.9B | 558% |
| Total Cash | N/A | 102M | - |
| Total Debt | 9.15B | 1.97B | 463% |
ITW | NDSN | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 32 | 76 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 21 Undervalued | 28 Undervalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 46 | 59 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 12 | 51 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 49 | 30 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 38 | 41 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 50 | 46 |
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 (21) in the Industrial Machinery industry is in the same range as NDSN (28). This means that ITW’s stock grew similarly to NDSN’s over the last 12 months.
ITW's Profit vs Risk Rating (46) in the Industrial Machinery industry is in the same range as NDSN (59). This means that ITW’s stock grew similarly to NDSN’s over the last 12 months.
ITW's SMR Rating (12) in the Industrial Machinery industry is somewhat better than the same rating for NDSN (51). This means that ITW’s stock grew somewhat faster than NDSN’s over the last 12 months.
NDSN's Price Growth Rating (30) in the Industrial Machinery industry is in the same range as ITW (49). This means that NDSN’s stock grew similarly to ITW’s over the last 12 months.
ITW's P/E Growth Rating (38) in the Industrial Machinery industry is in the same range as NDSN (41). This means that ITW’s stock grew similarly to NDSN’s over the last 12 months.
| ITW | NDSN | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 32% | N/A |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 46% | 1 day ago 61% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 58% | 1 day ago 44% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 40% | 1 day ago 47% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 45% | 1 day ago 48% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 49% | 1 day ago 54% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 50% | 4 days ago 53% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 6 days ago 40% | 12 days ago 43% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 55% | 1 day ago 43% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 39% | 1 day ago 53% |
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NDSN and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, NDSN has been closely correlated with GGG. These tickers have moved in lockstep 73% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if NDSN jumps, then GGG could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To NDSN | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NDSN | 100% | -0.00% | ||
| GGG - NDSN | 73% Closely correlated | -0.11% | ||
| SWK - NDSN | 71% Closely correlated | -1.92% | ||
| IR - NDSN | 69% Closely correlated | -0.37% | ||
| ROP - NDSN | 68% Closely correlated | +1.32% | ||
| DOV - NDSN | 67% Closely correlated | -0.49% | ||
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