Snap-on vs Illinois Tool Works: Which Is the Stronger Buy Today?
Illinois Tool Works surged 15% during the past Month. You may be tempted to buy more, or may want to reduce your exposure. But there is an entirely different perspective you might be missing. Is there a better alternative? Turns out, its peer Snap-on gives you more. Snap-on (SNA) stock offers superior revenue growth across key periods, better profitability, and relatively lower valuation vs Illinois Tool Works (ITW) stock, suggesting you may be better off investing in SNA
- SNA’s quarterly revenue growth was 3.6%, vs. ITW’s 2.3%.
- In addition, its Last 12 Months revenue growth came in at 0.2%, ahead of ITW’s -0.4%.
- SNA’s 3-year average margin is stronger: 26.0% vs. ITW’s 25.9%.
These differences become even clearer when you look at the financials side by side. The table highlights how ITW’s fundamentals stack up against those of SNA on growth, margins, momentum, and valuation multiples.
Valuation & Performance Overview
| ITW | SNA | Preferred | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Valuation | |||
| P/EBIT Ratio | 20.6 | 14.9 | SNA |
| Revenue Growth | |||
| Last Quarter | 2.3% | 3.6% | SNA |
| Last 12 Months | -0.4% | 0.2% | SNA |
| Last 3 Year Average | 0.5% | 2.2% | SNA |
| Operating Margins | |||
| Last 12 Months | 26.2% | 25.8% | ITW |
| Last 3 Year Average | 25.9% | 26.0% | SNA |
| Momentum | |||
| Last 3 Year Return | 33.2% | 62.5% | SNA |
Note: For “Last 3 Year Return” metric, preferred stock is one with higher returns unless the returns are too high (>300%) which creates risk of sell off.
See more revenue details: ITW Revenue Comparison | SNA Revenue Comparison
See more margin details: ITW Operating Income Comparison | SNA Operating Income Comparison
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See detailed fundamentals on Buy or Sell SNA Stock and Buy or Sell ITW Stock. Below we compare market return and related metrics across years.
Historical Market Performance
| 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | Total [1] | Avg | Best | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Returns | |||||||||
| ITW Return | 24% | -8% | 21% | -1% | -0% | 18% | 59% | ||
| SNA Return | 29% | 9% | 30% | 21% | 4% | 7% | 145% | <=== | |
| S&P 500 Return | 27% | -19% | 24% | 23% | 16% | 2% | 85% | ||
| Monthly Win Rates [3] | |||||||||
| ITW Win Rate | 75% | 33% | 50% | 50% | 58% | 100% | 61% | ||
| SNA Win Rate | 67% | 50% | 58% | 58% | 58% | 100% | 65% | ||
| S&P 500 Win Rate | 75% | 42% | 67% | 75% | 67% | 100% | 71% | <=== | |
| Max Drawdowns [4] | |||||||||
| ITW Max Drawdown | -5% | -28% | -1% | -10% | -13% | 0% | -9% | ||
| SNA Max Drawdown | -3% | -10% | 0% | -10% | -13% | 0% | -6% | <=== | |
| S&P 500 Max Drawdown | -1% | -25% | -1% | -2% | -15% | -1% | -7% | ||
[1] Cumulative total returns since the beginning of 2021
[2] 2026 data is for the year up to 2/10/2026 (YTD)
[3] Win Rate = % of calendar months in which monthly returns were positive
[4] Max drawdown represents maximum peak-to-trough decline within a year
No matter how good the numbers, stock investment is never a smooth ride. There is a risk you must factor in. Read SNA Dip Buyer Analyses and ITW Dip Buyer Analyses to see how these stocks have fallen and recovered in the past.
Still not sure about ITW or SNA? Consider portfolio approach.
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