EMR vs ITW: which was the better investment?
Emerson Electric Co. against Illinois Tool Works Inc. on real daily total-return data — every dividend reinvested, from Mar 13, 1973 to Jul 15, 2026.
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Frequently asked questions
Did EMR beat ITW?
No — measured from Mar 13, 1973 to Jul 15, 2026 with dividends reinvested, ITW came out ahead: $5,066,688 versus $1,585,130 from a $10,000 start. That gap compounds from a 12.4% annual return against 10.0%.
What would $10,000 in EMR be worth today?
$10,000 invested in Emerson Electric Co. (EMR) on Mar 13, 1973 would be worth about $1,585,130 as of Jul 15, 2026, a total return of 15751.3% (10.0% per year). The same $10,000 in ITW would be worth $5,066,688.
Which was riskier — EMR or ITW?
EMR swung with an annualized volatility of 26.7% and a worst peak-to-trough drop of -58.3%; ITW ran at 27.4% volatility with a -56.6% maximum drawdown. Risk-adjusted (Sharpe ratio), that is 0.30 for EMR vs 0.38 for ITW.
What data is this comparison based on?
Daily adjusted closing prices covering Mar 13, 1973 through Jul 15, 2026 — the full period where both assets have price history. Adjusted prices include dividends and splits, so these are total returns. The page refreshes with new market data every day.
Can I change the dates, amounts, or add monthly investing?
Yes — the interactive tool on this page is pre-loaded with EMR vs ITW. You can set any start and end date, change the starting amount, add monthly contributions, or build a multi-asset portfolio and compare it against any benchmark.