GLENVIEW, Ill., Dec. 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Illinois Tool Works Inc. (NYSE:ITW) today reported an operating revenue decrease of 13 percent for the three months ended November 30, 2009. The revenue decline for the three months included a 15 percent decrease in base revenues. Acquisitions contributed 2 percent to revenues while currency translation was essentially flat in the three month period. For the most recent three month period, base revenues improved compared to the August - October 2009 period mainly due to easier November comparisons and ongoing improvement in discrete end markets, particularly automotive and construction. On a segment basis, the Company's three month moving average percentage change for operating revenues, comprised of base revenues, acquisitions/divestitures and currency translation, is provided below. (% change for 3 months ended November 30, 2009 versus prior year period) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- *Industrial Packaging: - 18.3 % *Power Systems and Electronics: - 25.4 % *Transportation: - 2.6 % *Food Equipment: - 10.3 % *Construction Products: - 7.6 % *Polymers and Fluids: - 10.6 % *Decorative Surfaces: - 13.9 % *All Other: - 11.0 % On October 20, 2009, the Company forecasted fourth quarter 2009 diluted income per share from continuing operations to be in a range of $0.54 to $0.66. As a result of a $75 million nonrecurring tax benefit from a German tax audit settlement, the Company is now forecasting fourth quarter 2009 diluted income per share from continuing operations to be in a range of $0.69 to $0.81. The 2009 fourth quarter tax rate is now expected to be in a range of 10.5 percent to 11.5 percent versus the original range of 29.25 percent to 29.75 percent. Also, the Company is expecting additional tax benefits from other fourth quarter transactions, which are not included in the forecast but could be material. The 2009 fourth quarter forecast assumes a total revenue growth range of -1 percent to 5 percent versus the 2009 third 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, diluted income per share from continuing operations, expected tax benefits 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 2008. With $17.1 billion in 2008 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 895 business units in 54 countries and employs some 59,000 people. DATASOURCE: Illinois Tool Works Inc. CONTACT: John Brooklier of Illinois Tool Works Inc., +1-847-657-4104, Web Site: http://www.itw.com/

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