ITW Reports Total Operating Revenue Growth of 11 Percent for Three Months Ended February 28, 2011; Company’s Organic Revenues Grow 9 Percent in the Three Month Period

GLENVIEW, Ill., March 21, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Illinois Tool Works Inc. (NYSE: ITW) today reported a total operating revenue increase of 11 percent for the three months ended February 28, 2011 compared to the year-ago period.  Organic or base revenues contributed 9 percent to total revenue growth in the three month period.  In addition, acquisitions added 3 percent to top line growth while currency translation was 1 percent negative.  The three month results reflect the Company’s elimination of the one month lag for international reporting.  A number of worldwide end markets continued to show strong demand levels for the three month period, especially those end markets associated with the Company’s welding, electronics, test and measurement, industrial packaging and automotive OEM businesses.

On a segment basis, the Company’s change in three-month moving average percentage for operating revenues, comprised of organic revenues, acquisitions and currency translation, is provided below.  

Based on the elimination of the one month lag for international results and the resulting calendar year reporting format, the Company is forecasting 2011 first quarter diluted income per share from continuing operations to be in a range of $1.14 to $1.20. This first quarter range includes a favorable discrete tax adjustment of $166 million, or $0.33 of diluted income per share, associated with a February 2011 Australian tax court decision. The 2011 first quarter forecast assumes a total revenue growth range of 12 percent to 15 percent. For full-year 2011, the Company is forecasting diluted income per share from continuing operations to be in a range of $3.93 to $4.17. The 2011 full-year forecast assumes a total revenue growth range of 11.5 percent to 14.5 percent. As part of the change to the calendar year reporting format, the Company is restating its 2010 financial results. As a result, 2010 pro forma full-year diluted income per share from continuing operations of $2.99 was $0.04 lower than previously reported. The adjustment to 2010 full-year earnings was principally related to fourth quarter international results that were negatively impacted by adverse weather, increased price/cost pressures and one less sales day versus the 2009 fourth quarter.

This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, without limitations, statements regarding operating revenues, end markets, diluted income per share from continuing operations, and the Company’s related forecasts. These statements are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company’s expectations are set forth in ITW’s Form 10-K for 2010.

With nearly 100 years of history, Illinois Tool Works Inc. (NYSE: ITW) is a Fortune 200 global diversified industrial manufacturer. The Company’s value-added consumables, equipment and service businesses serve customers in developed as well as emerging markets around the globe. ITW’s key business platforms, including welding, automotive OEM, industrial packaging, food equipment, construction, polymers and fluids, test and measurement, electronics, decorative surfaces and automotive aftermarket, employ more than 60,000 people worldwide. ITW’s revenues totaled $15.9 billion in 2010, with more than half of these revenues generated outside of the United States.

SOURCE Illinois Tool Works Inc.