ITW Reports Total Operating Revenue Growth of 13 Percent for Three Months Ended August 31, 2010; Company's Organic Revenues Grow 12 Percent in Three Month Period

GLENVIEW, Ill., Sept. 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Illinois Tool Works Inc. (NYSE: ITW) today reported a total Company operating revenue increase of 13 percent for the three months ended August 31, 2010 versus the year-ago period.  Organic or base revenues contributed 12 percent to total revenue growth in the three month period.  In addition, acquisitions contributed 3 percent to top line growth while currency translation was 2 percent negative.  The Company's worldwide end markets continued to show solid demand levels in August, especially those associated with the Company's welding, automotive OEM and industrial packaging businesses.

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

The Company is forecasting third quarter 2010 diluted income per share from continuing operations to be in a range of $0.72 to $0.84. The 2010 third quarter forecast assumes a total revenue growth range of 9 percent to 13 percent. For full-year 2010, the Company is forecasting diluted income per share from continuing operations to be in a range of $2.82 to $3.08. The 2010 full-year forecast assumes a total revenue growth range of 11 percent to 13 percent.

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 2009.

With $13.9 billion in 2009 revenues, ITW is a multinational manufacturer of a diversified range of value-adding and short lead-time industrial products and equipment. The Company consists of approximately 800 business units in 57 countries and employs approximately 59,000 people.

SOURCE Illinois Tool Works Inc.