Computed head-to-head · 6 dimensions

ITW vs LMT

Illinois Tool Works Inc. versus Lockheed Martin Corporation — yield, safety, growth trend, cost, scale, and tax treatment.

LMT wins 3–0 on our six-dimension comparison, but ITW can still be the better fit depending on your priorities — see each dimension below.

LMT wins this comparison 3–0 across 6 dimensions. LMT yields 2.45% — higher than ITW's 2.44% — and carries a 8.3/10 dividend safety score (Strong) vs 8.3/10 for ITW (Strong). LMT wins 3–0 on our six-dimension comparison, but ITW can still be the better fit depending on your priorities — see each dimension below.

On yield alone, LMT generates 2.45% vs 2.44% — a 0.01% difference that translates to $10 more per year on a $100,000 investment.

Scorecard at a glance

Dimension	ITW	LMT	Winner
Yield	2.44%	2.45%	Tie
Dividend safety	8.3/10	8.3/10	Tie
Growth trend	+0.18% vs 5y	-0.18% vs 5y	LMT wins
Volatility (beta)	1.00	0.11	LMT wins
Scale	$80.4B	$130.1B	LMT wins
Tax efficiency	Qualified-eligible	Qualified-eligible	Tie
Overall	0 wins	3 wins	LMT wins

Dimension by dimension

ITW and LMT have nearly identical yields (2.44% vs 2.45%)

Yields are within 5 basis points — effectively a coin-flip on income.

ITW: 2.44%LMT: 2.45%

Safety scores are too close to call (8.3/10 vs 8.3/10)

Both score within 0.3 points on our 0-10 dividend safety scale — comparable risk profiles on the signals we measure.

ITW: 8.3/10LMT: 8.3/10

LMT shows healthier dividend-vs-price trend

LMT's yield is 0.18% below its 5y average, versus 0.18% for ITW. Lower (or below-average) yield trend often means price appreciation outpaced distributions — a healthier signal.

ITW: +0.18% vs 5yLMT: -0.18% vs 5y

LMT is less volatile (beta 0.11 vs 1.00)

Lower beta means smaller swings vs the S&P 500 — generally a steadier hold for income investors.

ITW: 1.00LMT: 0.11

LMT is 1.6× larger by market cap

Larger companies tend to have tighter spreads, deeper liquidity, and lower closure risk.

ITW: $80.4BLMT: $130.1B

Both pay qualified-dividend-eligible distributions

Neither is structurally flagged for ordinary-income tax treatment. Most distributions should qualify for the lower long-term capital gains rate if holding-period requirements are met.

ITW: Qualified-eligibleLMT: Qualified-eligible

How we compare these

Every comparison on this page is computed from current public data, not written by hand. Yield comes from the most recent dividend distribution annualized over current price. Safety scores combine yield zone, payout ratio, trend vs 5-year average, instrument type, and size — see our methodology for the exact formula. Tax-efficiency flags identify covered-call ETFs, REITs, and mREITs which distribute primarily as ordinary income.

This is educational, not investment advice.Scores reflect a snapshot of public data on the "as of" dates shown on each ticker's safety page. Verify on the issuer's investor relations page or your brokerage before making decisions.

Frequently asked

Which is better for income, ITW or LMT?

LMT wins 3–0 on our six-dimension comparison, but ITW can still be the better fit depending on your priorities — see each dimension below.

ITW vs LMT: which has a higher dividend yield?

ITW yields 2.44% and LMT yields 2.45%. Yields are within 5 basis points — effectively a coin-flip on income.

Is ITW or LMT a safer dividend in 2026?

ITW scores 8.3/10 (Strong) on the Infnits dividend safety scale. LMT scores 8.3/10 (Strong). Both have comparable safety scores.

Which has better dividend growth, ITW or LMT?