ITW Reports Third Quarter 2026 Results

  • 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 63rd 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 www.itw.com.

 
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

[email protected]
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