Illinois Tool Works Inc. (NYSE:ITW) is included among the 15 High Quality Dividend Stocks for Long-Term Investors. BofA Raises ITW Price Target as Margins Reach Record Levels On November 18, BofA analyst An‍drew Obin upgraded Illinois Tool Works Inc. (NYSE:ITW) to Neutral from‌ Underperform, raising th‌e pri‌ce target to $2⁠5⁠5 from $220. The analyst noted that strong year-over-year margin expansion is exp‍ected in 2026, w⁠hich sh‌ould he⁠lp EPS growth keep pace with indust‍ry peers through 2026–2027. I ...

Company Overview - Illinois Tool Works Inc. (ITW) is headquartered in Glenview, Illinois, and manufactures engineered fasteners, components, equipment, consumables, and specialty products for diverse industries [1] - The company operates in automotive OEM, welding, food equipment, test and measurement, polymers and fluids, construction products, and specialty segments across more than 50 countries [1] - ITW has a market capitalization of $72.32 billion, classifying it as a "large-cap" stock [1] Stock Performance - ITW's stock reached a 52-week low of $214.66 in April but has increased by 16.1% since then [2] - Over the past three months, the stock has declined by 6.2% due to weaker-than-expected topline results, while the Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLI) has gained marginally [2] - The stock has underperformed over the longer term, declining by 9.7% over the past 52 weeks but gaining 2.2% over the past six months, compared to the Industrial Select Sector ETF which gained 7.3% and 7.8% over the same periods [3] Financial Results - On October 24, ITW reported mixed third-quarter 2025 results, with operating revenue growing modestly by 2.3% year-over-year (YOY) to $4.06 billion, missing the $4.08 billion estimate from Wall Street analysts [4] - The company's net income per share dropped 28.1% annually to $2.81, although this exceeded the Wall Street analysts' estimate of $2.69 [5] - Excluding divestiture gains from the prior year's period of $1.26, EPS grew 6% YOY [5] Comparative Analysis - ITW's performance is compared with Emerson Electric Co. (EMR), which has seen a marginal increase over the past 52 weeks and an 11.4% gain over the past six months, indicating that ITW has underperformed Emerson Electric during these periods [6] Analyst Sentiment - Wall Street analysts have a consensus rating of "Hold" for ITW's stock, with a mean price target of $263 indicating a 5.5% upside compared to current levels [7] - The highest price target from analysts is $287, suggesting a 15.1% upside [7]

Core Points - Stanley Black & Decker's Board of Directors approved a regular fourth quarter cash dividend of $0.83 per common share, payable on December 16, 2025, to shareholders of record as of December 1, 2025 [1]. Company Overview - Founded in 1843 and headquartered in the USA, Stanley Black & Decker is a global leader in Tools and Outdoor, with approximately 48,000 employees [2]. - The company produces a wide range of products including power tools, hand tools, storage solutions, digital jobsite solutions, outdoor products, and engineered fasteners, catering to builders, tradespeople, and DIY enthusiasts [2]. - Stanley Black & Decker's portfolio includes well-known brands such as DEWALT®, CRAFTSMAN®, STANLEY®, BLACK+DECKER®, and Cub Cadet® [2].

Leadership Transition - Stanley Black & Decker has appointed Christopher Nelson as the new President and CEO, effective October 1, 2025, succeeding Donald Allan, Jr. who has been CEO since July 2022 [1][5] - Donald Allan will transition to the role of Executive Chair of the Board, while Andrea Ayers will become Lead Independent Director [2][5] - This leadership change is part of a comprehensive succession planning process undertaken by the Board [1] Executive Background - Christopher Nelson has over 25 years of executive leadership experience and has been with Stanley Black & Decker since 2023 as COO and President of Tools & Outdoor [6] - Prior to joining Stanley Black & Decker, Nelson held leadership roles at Carrier, the U.S. Army, Johnson & Johnson, and McKinsey & Company [6] Company Performance Expectations - Stanley Black & Decker anticipates that its Second Quarter GAAP and Adjusted EPS performance will exceed its 2025 Planning Assumptions from the Q1 2025 earnings call [4][5]