Computed head-to-head · 6 dimensions
ITW vs MMM
Illinois Tool Works Inc. versus 3M Company — yield, safety, growth trend, cost, scale, and tax treatment.
MMM wins 2–1 on our six-dimension comparison, but ITW can still be the better fit depending on your priorities — see each dimension below.
MMM wins this comparison 2–1 across 6 dimensions. MMM yields 1.90% — lower than ITW's 2.44% — and carries a 8.8/10 dividend safety score (Strong) vs 8.3/10 for ITW (Strong). MMM wins 2–1 on our six-dimension comparison, but ITW can still be the better fit depending on your priorities — see each dimension below.
On yield alone, ITW generates 2.44% vs 1.90% — a 0.54% difference that translates to $540 more per year on a $100,000 investment. On dividend safety, MMM scores 8.8/10 (Strong) vs 8.3/10 (Strong) for ITW — investors prioritizing income reliability should weight that gap alongside the yield difference.
Scorecard at a glance
| Dimension | ITW | MMM | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yield | 2.44% | 1.90% | ITW wins |
| Dividend safety | 8.3/10 | 8.8/10 | MMM wins |
| Growth trend | +0.18% vs 5y | -1.98% vs 5y | MMM wins |
| Volatility (beta) | 1.00 | 1.07 | Tie |
| Scale | $80.4B | $84.0B | Tie |
| Tax efficiency | Qualified-eligible | Qualified-eligible | Tie |
| Overall | 1 wins | 2 wins | MMM wins |
Dimension by dimension
ITW wins on yield (2.44% vs 1.90%)
On a $10,000 investment that's about $54 more in annual dividend income before taxes — though higher yield often comes with higher risk.
ITW's higher yield (2.44%) looks attractive but investors should weigh whether the extra income compensates for any additional risk versus MMM's 1.90% — especially if the higher yield is driven by covered calls or a falling share price.
MMM wins on safety (8.8/10 vs 8.3/10)
Our score combines yield zone, payout ratio, trend vs 5-year average, instrument type, and size. MMM scores better on the weighted average of those factors.
MMM (8.8/10) scores 0.5 points higher than ITW (8.3/10). A higher safety score means lower historical indicators of dividend cut risk — payout ratio, yield zone, and trend all factor in.
MMM shows healthier dividend-vs-price trend
MMM's yield is 1.98% below its 5y average, versus 0.18% for ITW. Lower (or below-average) yield trend often means price appreciation outpaced distributions — a healthier signal.
Volatility (beta) is similar
Both tickers move with comparable sensitivity to the broader market.
Comparable scale ($80.4B vs $84.0B)
Within 1.5x of each other on market cap / AUM — similar institutional footprint.
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.
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 MMM?
MMM wins 2–1 on our six-dimension comparison, but ITW can still be the better fit depending on your priorities — see each dimension below.
ITW vs MMM: which has a higher dividend yield?
ITW yields 2.44% and MMM yields 1.90%. On a $10,000 investment that's about $54 more in annual dividend income before taxes — though higher yield often comes with higher risk.
Is ITW or MMM a safer dividend in 2026?
ITW scores 8.3/10 (Strong) on the Infnits dividend safety scale. MMM scores 8.8/10 (Strong). MMM is the safer pick on our scoring model.
Which has better dividend growth, ITW or MMM?
MMM's yield is 1.98% 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 vs MMM: which is more tax-efficient?
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.
Get emailed when ITW vs MMM data updates.
Already own ITW or MMM? See if the other adds anything.
Connect your brokerage and Infnits checks whether adding MMM to your existing portfolio actually diversifies — or just duplicates exposure (ETF look-through included).
Check overlap with my portfolio →