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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