ITW Reports Diluted Income Per Share from Continuing Operations of 57 Cents in the 2008 First Quarter; Revenues Increased 11.4 Percent; Diluted Net Income Per Share from Continuing Operations Declined 16.2 Percent Due to Previously Announced Impairment and European Tax Charges
GLENVIEW, Ill., April 16 -- Illinois Tool Works Inc. today reported 11.4 percent growth in 2008 first quarter revenues and a 16.2 percent decline in diluted income per share from continuing operations. The earnings decline was directly attributable to impairment and European tax charges previously announced on March 17, 2008. These two charges, which had a pretax impact of $129 million or $0.22 per share after tax in the first quarter, reduced diluted income per share from continuing operations to $0.57 in the quarter. Absent these charges, the Company's income from continuing operations would have been at $0.79 per share, or a 16 percent increase versus the prior year period.
As part of the Company's annual testing of goodwill in the first quarter of each year, an impairment charge of $97 million was recorded related to the Company's industrial software businesses. Separately, a pretax charge of $32 million was recorded in the first quarter for European taxes on investment transfers related to legal entity structuring transactions.
The operating revenue increase of 11.4 percent in the quarter was due to a 6.3 percent contribution from acquisitions and a 4.8 percent contribution from translation. Base revenues increased 0.4 percent in the quarter, with international base revenues growing 4.6 percent and North American base revenues declining 2.5 percent. For the 2008 first quarter, revenues were $4.139 billion versus $3.717 billion for the prior year period. As a result of the aforementioned charges, first quarter operating income of $520.0 million declined 8.5 percent from the year earlier period. Additionally, income from continuing operations of $301.4 million was 21.7 percent lower than a year ago. Net income of $303.6 million declined 24.6 percent from the year-ago period.
First quarter operating margins of 12.6 percent were 270 basis points lower than a year ago due to impairment and acquisitions. Excluding the impact of impairment, margins would have been at 14.9 percent or 40 basis points lower than a year ago. Base margins improved 20 basis points in the quarter versus the year ago period.
"We are very pleased with our operating performance in the 2008 first quarter, especially in light of difficult end market conditions in North America and the modest slowing but still positive growth in international end markets," said David B. Speer, chairman and chief executive officer. "We believe end markets will continue to be challenging in North America over the foreseeable future. We also remain optimistic about our acquisition opportunities based on our strong pipeline of potential deals."
Highlights for the 2008 first quarter include: * Food Equipment's worldwide base revenues grew 6 percent in the quarter, with international base revenues increasing 13 percent and North American base revenues growing 2 percent. * Base revenues for the worldwide Polymers and Fluids segment increased 4 percent in the quarter, with international base revenues growing 7 percent and North American base revenues increasing 1 percent. * Base revenues for the worldwide Transportation segment increased 1 percent in the quarter, with international base revenues growing 6 percent and North American base revenues declining 3 percent. For automotive OEM and tier customers, base revenues were down 5 percent while North American auto builds declined 8 percent in the quarter. * Base revenues for the worldwide Construction segment decreased 6 percent in the first quarter, with North America base revenues declining 18 percent and international base revenues growing 4 percent. The Company's North American residential construction base revenues significantly outperformed first quarter housing starts which declined 29 percent in the quarter. * The Company's free operating cash flow was $405 million in the first quarter or 133 percent of net income. Free cash was utilized, in part, to acquire 16 companies in the quarter representing $230 million of annualized revenues. Key acquisitions made during the quarter include: -- Vitronics: As part of the Power Systems and Electronics segment, this $84 million revenue company is a worldwide manufacturer of wave solder and reflow ovens. -- Peerless: As part of the Food Equipment segment, this $40 million revenue company is a manufacturer of commercial mixers and other commercial food equipment. * Free cash also was employed to repurchase shares. In the first quarter, the Company paid $386 million to repurchase 7.9 million shares. For the quarter, average shares outstanding assuming dilution was 529.7 million. The Company's debt-to-capitalization at March 31, 2008 was 23 percent.
Looking ahead, the Company is forecasting a full-year 2008 diluted income per share from continuing operations of $3.35 to $3.49. The full-year forecast assumes a total company revenue growth range of 8 percent to 12 percent. For the 2008 second quarter, the Company is forecasting diluted income per share from continuing operations of $0.94 to $1.00. The 2008 second quarter forecast assumes a total company growth range of 9 percent to 12 percent.
This Earnings Release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, without limitations, statements regarding revenue growth, operating income, diluted income per share from continuing operations, acquisition opportunities, use of free cash, end market conditions, charges, and the Company's related forecasts. These statements are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and other factors which 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 2007.
With $16.2 billion in revenues, ITW is a multinational manufacturer of a diversified range of value-added industrial products and equipment. The Company consists of approximately 825 business units in 52 countries and employs some 60,000 people.
ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC. (In thousands except per share data) THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, STATEMENT OF INCOME 2008 2007 Operating Revenues $4,139,414 $3,716,641 Cost of revenues 2,697,966 2,413,010 Selling, administrative, and R&D expenses 780,460 694,976 Amortization and impairment of goodwill & other intangibles 141,027 40,178 Operating Income 519,961 568,477 Interest expense (37,488) (24,379) Other income (expense) (21,398) 15,054 Income From Continuing Operations Before Taxes 461,075 559,152 Income taxes 159,700 174,139 Income From Continuing Operations 301,375 385,013 Income From Discontinued Operations 2,246 17,422 Net Income $303,621 $402,435 Income Per Share from Continuing Operations: Basic $0.57 $0.69 Diluted $0.57 $0.68 Income Per Share from Discontinued Operations: Basic $- $0.03 Diluted $- $0.03 Net Income Per Share: Basic $0.58 $0.72 Diluted $0.57 $0.71 Shares outstanding during the period: Average 526,299 559,001 Average assuming dilution 529,725 563,280 ESTIMATED FREE OPERATING CASH FLOW THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2008 2007 Net cash provided by operating activities $493,924 $422,819 Less: Additions to PP&E (89,005) (85,291) Free operating cash flow $404,919 $337,528 ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC. (In thousands) MAR 31, DEC 31, STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION 2008 2007 ASSETS Cash & equivalents $927,441 $827,524 Trade receivables 3,014,391 2,915,546 Inventories 1,766,019 1,625,820 Deferred income taxes 190,940 189,093 Prepaids and other current assets 529,926 607,672 Total current assets 6,428,717 6,165,655 Net plant & equipment 2,247,641 2,194,010 Investments 506,983 507,567 Goodwill 4,476,496 4,387,165 Intangible assets 1,363,040 1,296,176 Deferred income taxes 70,113 61,416 Other assets 891,953 913,873 $15,984,943 $15,525,862 LIABILITIES and STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Short-term debt $1,339,993 $410,512 Accounts payable 873,604 854,148 Accrued expenses 1,351,091 1,341,817 Cash dividends payable 146,379 148,427 Income taxes payable 212,133 205,381 Total current liabilities 3,923,200 2,960,285 Long-term debt 1,435,464 1,888,839 Deferred income taxes 301,126 260,658 Other liabilities 1,077,181 1,064,755 Total non-current liabilities 2,813,771 3,214,252 Common stock 5,307 5,625 Additional paid-in capital 30,928 173,610 Income reinvested in the business 8,439,692 9,879,065 Common stock held in treasury (385,574) (1,757,761) Accumulated other comprehensive income 1,157,619 1,050,786 Total stockholders' equity 9,247,972 9,351,325 $15,984,943 $15,525,862