Illinois Tool Tops Q2 Earnings Estimates, Raises 2025 View

Core Insights - Illinois Tool Works Inc. (ITW) reported second-quarter 2025 adjusted earnings of $2.58 per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.56, with a year-over-year increase of 1.6% [1] - Revenues for ITW reached $4.05 billion, surpassing the consensus estimate of $4.01 billion, reflecting a 1% year-over-year increase driven by favorable foreign currency translation [1] Segment Performance - Test & Measurement and Electronics revenues increased by 1.2% year over year to $686 million, exceeding the estimate of $670.4 million [2] - Automotive Original Equipment Manufacturer revenues rose by 3.8% year over year to $845 million, surpassing the estimate of $795.8 million [2] - Food Equipment generated revenues of $680 million, up 2.1% year over year, exceeding the estimate of $668.8 million [3] - Welding revenues increased by 2.9% year over year to $479 million, surpassing the estimate of $465.3 million [3] - Construction Products revenues declined by 6.1% year over year to $473 million, below the estimate of $502.4 million [4] - Specialty Products revenues increased by 1.1% year over year to $455 million, exceeding the estimate of $448.2 million [4] - Polymers & Fluids revenues declined by 3.4% year over year to $438 million, below the estimate of $446.3 million [4] Margin Profile - ITW's cost of sales increased by 0.4% year over year to $2.27 billion, while selling, administrative, and research and development expenses rose by 1% year over year to $693 million [5] - The operating margin was reported at 26.3%, an increase of 10 basis points from the previous year, with enterprise initiatives contributing 130 basis points to the margin [5] Balance Sheet and Cash Flow - At the end of Q2 2025, ITW had cash and equivalents of $788 million, down from $948 million at the end of December 2024 [6] - Long-term debt increased to $7.7 billion from $6.31 billion at the end of December 2024 [6] - In the first half of 2025, ITW generated net cash of $1.14 billion from operating activities, a decrease of 10.5% year over year [7] - Capital spending on plant and equipment was $197 million, down 6.6% year over year, with free cash flow reported at $945 million, down 11.1% year over year [7] 2025 Guidance - ITW raised its full-year 2025 financial guidance, expecting earnings in the range of $10.35-$10.55 per share, up from the previous range of $10.15-$10.55 [8] - Revenues are anticipated to increase by 1-3%, with organic revenues expected to rise by 0-2% [8] - The operating margin is projected to be between 26% and 27%, with enterprise initiatives expected to contribute approximately 100 basis points [8] - ITW projects free cash flow to exceed 100% of net income and plans to repurchase about $1.5 billion worth of shares [9]