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ITW vs ZWS
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Illinois Tool Works (ITW) vs. Zurn Elkay Water Solutions (ZWS) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- ITW (Illinois Tool Works) has delivered stronger recent price momentum, with gains of approximately 8% over the past month amid broader industrial sector stability.
- ZWS (Zurn Elkay Water Solutions) posted solid 1-year returns exceeding 29%, outpacing the S&P 500, though year-to-date performance has been more modest at around 4.5%.
- Both companies operate in the industrials sector, with ITW offering diversified manufacturing exposure and ZWS focused on water management and plumbing solutions.
- ITW trades at a higher market capitalization (approximately $81 billion) compared to ZWS (around $8 billion), reflecting differences in scale and business breadth.
- Upcoming earnings reports, including ITW’s Q2 results expected shortly, represent key near-term catalysts for both stocks.
- Relative performance highlights trade-offs between ITW’s recent consistency and ZWS’s longer-term growth trajectory in a specialized end market.
Introduction
This comparison examines ITW and ZWS to provide investors and traders with a clear view of their relative positioning in the current market. Both stocks represent opportunities within the industrials sector but differ in scale, end-market focus, and recent price behavior. Professional and retail investors seeking to evaluate diversification, momentum, and sector-specific risks may find this analysis relevant for portfolio allocation decisions.
ITW Overview and Recent Performance
Illinois Tool Works Inc. is a diversified industrial manufacturer with operations spanning automotive, food equipment, construction, and other segments. In recent market activity, ITW shares have shown resilience, posting gains of roughly 8% over the past month and advancing about 16% year-to-date as of late July 2026. The stock closed near $283 recently, supported by steady demand and operational efficiency initiatives. Sentiment has been influenced by expectations ahead of the company’s Q2 earnings release, with analysts projecting revenue of approximately $4.18 billion. Broader economic conditions and organic growth trends have shaped performance, with the company maintaining a focus on margin expansion.
ZWS Overview and Recent Performance
Zurn Elkay Water Solutions Corporation provides water management and plumbing products, serving commercial, institutional, and residential markets. In recent weeks, ZWS shares have traded around $48, with year-to-date returns of approximately 4.5% as of late July 2026. The stock has delivered stronger longer-term results, including over 29% gains over the trailing 12 months. Recent performance reflects solid demand in water infrastructure and a Q1 earnings beat that highlighted core sales growth. Market sentiment has been shaped by industry-specific factors such as construction activity and regulatory environments affecting water solutions.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
ITW operates a broad industrial portfolio with exposure across multiple end markets, providing greater diversification compared to ZWS, which concentrates on water management solutions. Recent momentum favors ITW, which has outperformed on a one-month and year-to-date basis, while ZWS shows stronger trailing 12-month returns. Risk factors differ: ITW faces broader cyclical industrial demand, whereas ZWS contends with construction and infrastructure spending variability. Market sentiment for both remains tied to economic indicators, with ITW benefiting from scale advantages and ZWS from specialized growth drivers in water efficiency trends.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Based on observable factors such as recent price consistency, earnings positioning, and relative stability in industrial trends, Tickeron’s AI would currently assign a probabilistic edge to ITW over ZWS. This assessment reflects ITW’s stronger short-term momentum and diversified positioning, though outcomes remain subject to earnings results and broader market conditions.
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 StrongBuy and ZWS is a StrongBuy.
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 whileZWS’s FA Score has 1 green FA rating(s).
- ITW’s FA Score: 2 green, 3 red.
- ZWS’s FA Score: 1 green, 4 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 4 TA indicator(s) are bullish while ZWS’s TA Score has 5 bullish TA indicator(s).
- ITW’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 5 bearish.
- ZWS’s TA Score: 5 bullish, 5 bearish.
Price Growth
ITW (@Industrial Machinery) experienced а -1.62% price change this week, while ZWS (@Industrial Specialties) price change was -3.30% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Industrial Machinery industry was +1.26%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +0.32%, and the average quarterly price growth was -3.02%.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Industrial Specialties industry was -1.23%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was -11.62%, and the average quarterly price growth was -15.83%.
Reported Earning Dates
ITW is expected to report earnings on Oct 27, 2026.
ZWS is expected to report earnings on Nov 03, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Industrial Machinery (+1.26% 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.
@Industrial Specialties (-1.23% weekly)Companies in the industrial specialties industry process basic materials and minerals into various specialty products, such as flat and safety glass, fire retardant products, paints and coatings. Examples of companies operating in this industry are Sherwin-Williams Company, PPG Industries, Inc. and RPM International Inc.
| ITW | ZWS | ITW / ZWS | |
| Capitalization | 82.9B | 8.41B | 985% |
| EBITDA | 4.74B | 471M | 1,006% |
| Gain YTD | 20.236 | 10.243 | 198% |
| P/E Ratio | 26.36 | 31.51 | 84% |
| Revenue | 16.2B | 1.79B | 907% |
| Total Cash | N/A | 365M | - |
| Total Debt | 9.15B | 550M | 1,663% |
ITW | ZWS | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 31 | 34 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 88 Overvalued | 77 Overvalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 36 | 32 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 13 | 52 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 46 | 48 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 33 | 83 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 65 | 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.
ZWS's Valuation (77) in the Industrial Machinery industry is in the same range as ITW (88). This means that ZWS’s stock grew similarly to ITW’s over the last 12 months.
ZWS's Profit vs Risk Rating (32) in the Industrial Machinery industry is in the same range as ITW (36). This means that ZWS’s stock grew similarly to ITW’s over the last 12 months.
ITW's SMR Rating (13) in the Industrial Machinery industry is somewhat better than the same rating for ZWS (52). This means that ITW’s stock grew somewhat faster than ZWS’s over the last 12 months.
ITW's Price Growth Rating (46) in the Industrial Machinery industry is in the same range as ZWS (48). This means that ITW’s stock grew similarly to ZWS’s over the last 12 months.
ITW's P/E Growth Rating (33) in the Industrial Machinery industry is somewhat better than the same rating for ZWS (83). This means that ITW’s stock grew somewhat faster than ZWS’s over the last 12 months.
| ITW | ZWS | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 47% | 2 days ago 55% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 44% | 2 days ago 47% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 59% | 2 days ago 51% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 38% | 2 days ago 59% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 45% | 2 days ago 56% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 52% | 2 days ago 61% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 9 days ago 51% | 10 days ago 62% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 40% | 7 days ago 59% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 47% | 2 days ago 52% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 40% | 2 days ago 58% |
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ITW and
Correlation & Price change
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.
ZWS and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, ZWS has been closely correlated with XYL. These tickers have moved in lockstep 74% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if ZWS jumps, then XYL could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To ZWS | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ZWS | 100% | -1.54% | ||
| XYL - ZWS | 74% Closely correlated | -1.01% | ||
| LECO - ZWS | 70% Closely correlated | +0.95% | ||
| HLIO - ZWS | 67% Closely correlated | -0.30% | ||
| HLMN - ZWS | 67% Closely correlated | -1.11% | ||
| PNR - ZWS | 65% Loosely correlated | -2.11% | ||
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