ITW Reports Third Quarter 2026 Results

(MENAFN- GlobeNewsWire - Nasdaq)

• Revenue of $4.24 billion increased +4% with organic growth of +4%; +5% ex-Welding tornado impact
• Record operating income of $1.18 billion increased +6%
• Operating margin of 27.8% expanded 40 bps with favorable price/cost income and margin impact
• GAAP EPS of $3.00 grew +7%
• Operating cash flow of $953 million and free cash flow conversion of 100% of net income
• Full Year 2026 GAAP EPS guidance raised $0.05 at the midpoint to a narrowed range of $11.45 to $11.55 per share, representing +10% growth year-over-year at the midpoint

GLENVIEW, Ill., Oct. 27, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Illinois Tool Works Inc. (NYSE: ITW) today reported its third quarter 2026 results and raised full year 2026 guidance.

“The ITW team delivered strong operational execution and financial performance in the third quarter, including organic growth of 4 percent (5 percent excluding the impact of a tornado affecting our Welding segment), 40 basis points of operating margin expansion to 27.8 percent, and a 7 percent increase in GAAP earnings per share to $3.00,” said Christopher A. O'Herlihy, President and Chief Executive Officer.

“Our top-line results reflect accelerating demand in our capex-related segments, Welding and Test & Measurement and Electronics, continued strength in Polymers & Fluids segment, and a meaningful increase in the contribution to revenue growth from our Customer-Back Innovation efforts. We entered the fourth quarter with strong operational momentum and are raising our EPS guidance for the year. As we continue to advance our enterprise strategy priorities, including our goal of 3 percent-plus Customer-Back Innovation yield, we are positioning ITW to deliver consistent, above-market organic growth while further expanding profitability and margins,” O'Herlihy concluded.

Third Quarter 2026 Results

Third quarter revenue of $4.24 billion increased by 4.4 percent. Organic revenue growth was 3.8 percent, led by 6.0 percent growth in North America. Foreign currency translation increased revenue by 0.3 percent, and an acquisition added 0.3 percent.

GAAP EPS grew 6.8 percent to $3.00, while operating income increased 5.9 percent to $1.18 billion, a quarterly record for the company. Operating margin expanded by 40 basis points to 27.8 percent as enterprise initiatives contributed 130 basis points. In the quarter, price increases and other actions more than offset rising raw material costs, resulting in a favorable impact on both operating income and margin. Operating cash flow was $953 million, and free cash flow was $851 million, representing a 100 percent conversion of net income. During the quarter, the company repurchased $187 million of its own shares and raised its dividend 7 percent, bringing the annualized payout to $6.88 per share. This increase marks the 63^rd consecutive year of dividend increases. The effective tax rate for the quarter was 24.4 percent.

Tornado damage to two Welding facilities in late July reduced third-quarter revenue by an estimated $40 million. Excluding this impact, the company estimates that the Welding organic revenue growth rate would have been approximately 15 percent, resulting in total company organic growth of approximately 5 percent. The associated loss of operating income was largely offset by business interruption insurance. The impact going forward is expected to be immaterial.

2026 Guidance

ITW is raising its full year 2026 GAAP EPS guidance by $0.05 at the midpoint to a narrowed range of $11.45 to $11.55 per share, representing 10 percent growth at the midpoint. Based on current demand levels and prevailing foreign exchange rates, the company is raising revenue growth guidance to 4.5 to 5.5 percent and reaffirming its organic growth guidance of 3 to 4 percent.

Operating margin is projected to be in the range of 26.5 to 27.5 percent, with enterprise initiatives contributing more than 100 basis points. Free cash flow is projected to be approximately 100 percent of net income, and the company expects to repurchase approximately $1.5 billion of its own shares. The projected effective tax rate is 23 to 24 percent.

Non-GAAP Measures

This earnings release contains certain non-GAAP financial measures. A reconciliation of these measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures is included in the attached supplemental reconciliation schedule. The estimated guidance of free cash flow to net income conversion rate is based on assumptions that are difficult to predict, and estimated guidance for the most directly comparable GAAP measure and a reconciliation of this forward-looking estimate to its most directly comparable GAAP estimate have been omitted due to the unreasonable efforts required in connection with such a reconciliation and the lack of reliable forward-looking cash flow information. For the same reasons, the company is unable to address the potential significance of the unavailable information, which could be material to future results.

Forward-looking Statements

This earnings release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of U.S. federal securities laws, including the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements may include, without limitation, statements regarding supply chain challenges, expected impact of inflation including raw material inflation and rising interest rates, the potential impact of tariffs, the Company's projected pricing actions, the impact of enterprise initiatives, future financial and operating performance, free cash flow and free cash flow to net income conversion rate, organic and total revenue, contribution from Customer-Back Innovation to revenue growth, operating and incremental margin, price/cost impact, statements regarding diluted earnings per share, after-tax return on average invested capital, effective tax rates, exchange rates, expected timing and amount of share repurchases, end market economic and regulatory conditions, and the Company's 2026 guidance. These statements are subject to certain risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and other factors, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. Important risks that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations include those that are detailed in ITW's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025, and subsequent reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Except as required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement to reflect new information, future events, changed circumstances, or otherwise.

About ITW:

Founded in 1912, Illinois Tool Works Inc. (NYSE: ITW) is a Fortune 300 global multi-industry manufacturing leader with revenue of $16 billion in 2025. The company's seven industry-leading segments leverage the unique ITW Business Model to drive solid growth with best-in-class margins and returns in markets where highly innovative, customer-focused solutions are required. ITW's approximately 43,000 dedicated colleagues around the world thrive in the company's decentralized and entrepreneurial culture. To learn more, please visit .

ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC. and SUBSIDIARIES STATEMENT OF INCOME (UNAUDITED)
	Three Months Ended		Nine Months Ended
	September 30,		September 30,
In millions except per share amounts		2026				2025				2026				2025
Operating Revenue	$	4,236			$	4,059			$	12,553			$	11,951
Cost of revenue		2,326				2,253				6,985				6,685
Selling, administrative, and research and development expenses		717				676				2,174				2,075
Amortization and impairment of intangible assets		16				18				50				60
Operating Income		1,177				1,112				3,344				3,131
Interest expense		(83	)			(75	)			(235	)			(217	)
Other income (expense)		37				12				69				28
Income Before Taxes		1,131				1,049				3,178				2,942
Income Taxes		276				228				740				666
Net Income	$	855			$	821			$	2,438			$	2,276
Net Income Per Share:
Basic	$	3.00			$	2.82			$	8.51			$	7.79
Diluted	$	3.00			$	2.81			$	8.49			$	7.77
Cash Dividends Per Share:
Paid	$	1.61			$	1.50			$	4.83			$	4.50
Declared	$	1.72			$	1.61			$	4.94			$	4.61
Shares of Common Stock Outstanding During the Period:
Average		284.6				290.8				286.4				292.2
Average assuming dilution		285.3				291.7				287.1				293.0

ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC. and SUBSIDIARIES STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION (UNAUDITED)
In millions	September 30, 2026		December 31, 2025
Assets
Current Assets:
Cash and equivalents	$	809			$	851
Trade receivables		3,516				3,227
Inventories		1,823				1,659
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		450				463
Total current assets		6,598				6,200
Net plant and equipment		2,254				2,230
Goodwill		5,073				5,098
Intangible assets		543				591
Deferred income taxes		492				519
Other assets		1,537				1,510
	$	16,497			$	16,148
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Current Liabilities:
Short-term debt	$	2,219			$	2,286
Accounts payable		623				522
Accrued expenses		1,635				1,636
Cash dividends payable		490				465
Income taxes payable		133				217
Total current liabilities		5,100				5,126
Noncurrent Liabilities:
Long-term debt		7,153				6,683
Deferred income taxes		168				154
Other liabilities		934				959
Total noncurrent liabilities		8,255				7,796
Stockholders' Equity:
Common stock		6				6
Additional paid-in-capital		1,866				1,771
Retained earnings		31,177				30,150
Common stock held in treasury		(28,190	)			(26,875	)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)		(1,718	)			(1,827	)
Noncontrolling interest		1				1
Total stockholders' equity		3,142				3,226
	$	16,497			$	16,148

ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC. and SUBSIDIARIES SEGMENT DATA (UNAUDITED)
Three Months Ended September 30, 2026
Dollars in millions	Total Revenue	Operating Income	Operating Margin
Automotive OEM	$	814		$	163		20.1	%
Food Equipment		698			208		29.8	%
Test & Measurement and Electronics		819			235		28.7	%
Welding		513			186		36.3	%
Polymers & Fluids		477			149		31.3	%
Construction Products		472			141		29.9	%
Specialty Products		447			140		31.4	%
Intersegment		(4	)		-		-	%
Total Segments		4,236			1,222		28.9	%
Unallocated		-			(45	)	-	%
Total Company	$	4,236		$	1,177		27.8	%

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2026
Dollars in millions	Total Revenue	Operating Income	Operating Margin
Automotive OEM	$	2,491		$	521		20.9	%
Food Equipment		2,027			553		27.3	%
Test & Measurement and Electronics		2,303			592		25.7	%
Welding		1,569			527		33.6	%
Polymers & Fluids		1,405			415		29.6	%
Construction Products		1,424			427		30.0	%
Specialty Products		1,346			423		31.4	%
Intersegment		(12	)		-		-	%
Total Segments		12,553			3,458		27.5	%
Unallocated		-			(114	)	-	%
Total Company	$	12,553		$	3,344		26.6	%

ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC. and SUBSIDIARIES SEGMENT DATA (UNAUDITED)
Q3 2026 vs. Q3 2025 Favorable/(Unfavorable)
Operating Revenue	Automotive OEM	Food Equipment	Test & Measurement and Electronics	Welding	Polymers & Fluids	Construction Products	Specialty Products	Total ITW
Organic	(2.1	)%	0.5	%	15.8	%	6.9	%	8.2	%	(0.8	)%	(1.2	)%	3.8	%
Acquisitions/ Divestitures	-	%	-	%	1.8	%	-	%	-	%	-	%	-	%	0.3	%
Translation	0.3	%	0.2	%	(0.3	)%	0.4	%	(0.1	)%	0.8	%	0.1	%	0.3	%
Operating Revenue	(1.8	)%	0.7	%	17.3	%	7.3	%	8.1	%	-	%	(1.1	)%	4.4	%

Q3 2026 vs. Q3 2025 Favorable/(Unfavorable)
Change in Operating Margin	Automotive OEM	Food Equipment	Test & Measurement and Electronics	Welding	Polymers & Fluids	Construction Products	Specialty Products	Total ITW
Operating Leverage	(40) bps	10 bps	370 bps	130 bps	140 bps	(10) bps	(20) bps	80 bps
Changes in Variable Margin & OH Costs	(150) bps	40 bps	(50) bps	220 bps	100 bps	(200) bps	(90) bps	(60) bps
Total Organic	(190) bps	50 bps	320 bps	350 bps	240 bps	(210) bps	(110) bps	20 bps
Acquisitions/ Divestitures	-	-	(60) bps	-	-	-	-	(10) bps
Restructuring/Other	20 bps	10 bps	70 bps	20 bps	40 bps	40 bps	20 bps	30 bps
Total Operating Margin Change	(170) bps	60 bps	330 bps	370 bps	280 bps	(170) bps	(90) bps	40 bps
Total Operating Margin % *	20.1%	29.8%	28.7%	36.3%	31.3%	29.9%	31.4%	27.8%
* Includes unfavorable operating margin impact of amortization expense from acquisition- related intangible assets	20 bps	-	110 bps	10 bps	70 bps	10 bps	10 bps	40 bps**
** Amortization expense from acquisition-related intangible assets had an unfavorable impact of ($0.04) on GAAP earnings per share for the third quarter of 2026.

ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC. and SUBSIDIARIES SEGMENT DATA (UNAUDITED)
YTD 2026 vs. YTD 2025 Favorable/(Unfavorable)
Operating Revenue	Automotive OEM	Food Equipment	Test & Measurement and Electronics	Welding	Polymers & Fluids	Construction Products	Specialty Products	Total ITW
Organic	(1.1	)%	(0.7	)%	10.3	%	9.0	%	5.8	%	-	%	(1.4	)%	2.9	%
Acquisitions/ Divestitures	-	%	-	%	1.6	%	-	%	-	%	-	%	-	%	0.3	%
Translation	2.3	%	2.0	%	1.2	%	0.8	%	1.6	%	2.6	%	1.7	%	1.8	%
Operating Revenue	1.2	%	1.3	%	13.1	%	9.8	%	7.4	%	2.6	%	0.3	%	5.0	%

YTD 2026 vs. YTD 2025 Favorable/(Unfavorable)
Change in Operating Margin	Automotive OEM	Food Equipment	Test & Measurement and Electronics	Welding	Polymers & Fluids	Construction Products	Specialty Products	Total ITW
Operating Leverage	(20) bps	(10) bps	260 bps	140 bps	110 bps	-	(30) bps	60 bps
Changes in Variable Margin & OH Costs	(10) bps	(50) bps	10 bps	(40) bps	80 bps	(70) bps	(60) bps	(30) bps
Total Organic	(30) bps	(60) bps	270 bps	100 bps	190 bps	(70) bps	(90) bps	30 bps
Acquisitions/ Divestitures	-	-	(50) bps	-	-	-	-	(10) bps
Restructuring/Other	40 bps	10 bps	30 bps	(20) bps	10 bps	10 bps	30 bps	20 bps
Total Operating Margin Change	10 bps	(50) bps	250 bps	80 bps	200 bps	(60) bps	(60) bps	40 bps
Total Operating Margin % *	20.9 %	27.3 %	25.7 %	33.6 %	29.6 %	30.0 %	31.4 %	26.6 %
* Includes unfavorable operating margin impact of amortization expense from acquisition- related intangible assets	20 bps	-	120 bps	-	80 bps	10 bps	20 bps	50 bps **
** Amortization expense from acquisition-related intangible assets had an unfavorable impact of ($0.13) on GAAP earnings per share for the first nine months of 2026.

ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC. and SUBSIDIARIES GAAP to NON-GAAP RECONCILIATIONS (UNAUDITED)
AFTER-TAX RETURN ON AVERAGE INVESTED CAPITAL (UNAUDITED)
	Three Months Ended		Nine Months Ended
	September 30,		September 30,
Dollars in millions		2026				2025				2026				2025
Numerator:
Net Income	$	855			$	821			$	2,438			$	2,276
Discrete tax benefit related to the first quarter 2026		-				-				(34	)			-
Net discrete tax benefit related to the third quarter 2025		-				(27	)			-				(27	)
Discrete tax benefit related to the first quarter 2025		-				-				-				(21	)
Interest expense, net of tax(1)		63				57				178				165
Other (income) expense, net of tax(1)		(28	)			(10	)			(52	)			(22	)
Operating income after taxes	$	890			$	841			$	2,530			$	2,371
Denominator:
Invested capital:
Cash and equivalents	$	809			$	924			$	809			$	924
Trade receivables		3,516				3,255				3,516				3,255
Inventories		1,823				1,725				1,823				1,725
Net plant and equipment		2,254				2,203				2,254				2,203
Goodwill and intangible assets		5,616				5,568				5,616				5,568
Accounts payable and accrued expenses		(2,258	)			(2,175	)			(2,258	)			(2,175	)
Debt		(9,372	)			(8,942	)			(9,372	)			(8,942	)
Other, net		754				651				754				651
Total net assets (stockholders' equity)		3,142				3,209				3,142				3,209
Cash and equivalents		(809	)			(924	)			(809	)			(924	)
Debt		9,372				8,942				9,372				8,942
Total invested capital	$	11,705			$	11,227			$	11,705			$	11,227
Average invested capital(2)	$	11,728			$	11,293			$	11,587			$	10,863
Net income to average invested capital(3)		29.1	%			29.1	%			28.1	%			27.9	%
After-tax return on average invested capital(3)		30.3	%			29.8	%			29.1	%			29.1	%

⁽¹⁾Effective tax rate used for interest expense and other (income) expense for the three months ended September 30, 2026 and 2025 was 24.4% and 24.3%, respectively. Effective tax rate used for interest expense and other (income) expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2026 and 2025 was 24.3% in both periods.

⁽²⁾Average invested capital is calculated using the total invested capital balances at the start of the period and at the end of each quarter within each of the periods presented.

⁽³⁾Returns for the three months ended September 30, 2026 and 2025 were converted to an annual rate by multiplying the calculated return by 4. Returns for the nine months ended September 30, 2026 and 2025 were converted to an annual rate by dividing the calculated return by 3 and multiplying it by 4.

A reconciliation of the tax rate for the nine month period ended September 30, 2026, excluding the first quarter 2026 discrete tax benefit of $34 million primarily related to the resolution of a U.S. tax audit, is as follows:

	Nine Months Ended
	September 30, 2026
Dollars in millions	Income Taxes		Tax Rate
As reported	$	740		23.3	%
Discrete tax benefit related to the first quarter 2026		34		1.0	%
As adjusted	$	774		24.3	%

A reconciliation of the tax rate for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2025, excluding the third quarter 2025 net discrete tax benefit of $27 million, which included a favorable discrete tax benefit of $43 million related to the estimated U.S. federal tax liability for 2024, partially offset by a $16 million discrete tax expense related primarily to the resolution of a foreign tax audit, and excluding the first quarter 2025 discrete tax benefit of $21 million related to the reversal of a valuation allowance on net operating loss carryforwards, is as follows:

	Three Months Ended		Nine Months Ended
	September 30, 2025		September 30, 2025
Dollars in millions	Income Taxes		Tax Rate		Income Taxes		Tax Rate
As reported	$	228		21.8	%		$	666		22.7	%
Net discrete tax benefit related to the third quarter 2025		27		2.5	%			27		0.9	%
Discrete tax benefit related to the first quarter 2025		-		-	%			21		0.7	%
As adjusted	$	255		24.3	%		$	714		24.3	%

AFTER-TAX RETURN ON AVERAGE INVESTED CAPITAL (UNAUDITED)
	Twelve Months Ended
Dollars in millions	December 31, 2025
Numerator:
Net income	$	3,066
Net discrete tax benefit related to the third quarter 2025		(27	)
Discrete tax benefit related to the first quarter 2025		(21	)
Interest expense, net of tax(1)		222
Other (income) expense, net of tax(1)		(32	)
Operating income after taxes	$	3,208
Denominator:
Invested capital:
Cash and equivalents	$	851
Trade receivables		3,227
Inventories		1,659
Net plant and equipment		2,230
Goodwill and intangible assets		5,689
Accounts payable and accrued expenses		(2,158	)
Debt		(8,969	)
Other, net		697
Total net assets (stockholders' equity)		3,226
Cash and equivalents		(851	)
Debt		8,969
Total invested capital	$	11,344
Average invested capital(2)	$	10,959
Net income to average invested capital		28.0	%
After-tax return on average invested capital		29.3	%

⁽¹⁾Effective tax rate used for interest expense and other (income) expense for the year ended December 31, 2025 was 23.9%.

⁽²⁾Average invested capital is calculated using the total invested capital balances at the start of the period and at the end of each quarter within the period presented.

A reconciliation of the 2025 effective tax rate, excluding the third quarter 2025 net discrete tax benefit of $27 million, which included a favorable discrete tax benefit of $43 million related to the estimated U.S. federal tax liability for 2024, partially offset by a $16 million discrete tax expense related primarily to the resolution of a foreign tax audit, and excluding the first quarter 2025 discrete tax benefit of $21 million related to the reversal of a valuation allowance on net operating loss carryforwards, is as follows:

	Twelve Months Ended
	December 31, 2025
Dollars in millions	Income Taxes		Tax Rate
As reported	$	900		22.7	%
Net discrete tax benefit related to the third quarter 2025		27		0.7	%
Discrete tax benefit related to the first quarter 2025		21		0.5	%
As adjusted	$	948		23.9	%

FREE CASH FLOW (UNAUDITED)
	Three Months Ended		Nine Months Ended
	September 30,		September 30,
Dollars in millions		2026				2025				2026				2025
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	953			$	1,021			$	2,299			$	2,163
Less: Additions to plant and equipment		(102	)			(117	)			(289	)			(314	)
Free cash flow	$	851			$	904			$	2,010			$	1,849
Net income	$	855			$	821			$	2,438			$	2,276
Net cash provided by operating activities to net income conversion rate		111	%			124	%			94	%			95	%
Free cash flow to net income conversion rate		100	%			110	%			82	%			81	%

Investor Relations & Media Contact:
Erin Linnihan
Tel: 224.661.7431

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