ITW Reports Fourth Quarter and Full-Year 2015 Financial

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News Desk 2018
ITW Reports Fourth Quarter and Full-Year 2015 Financial Results
  • EPS of $1.23, up 4 percent; up 11 percent excluding (0.08) currency impact; $0.03 above guidance mid-point
  • Operating margin 20.7 percent; up 110 basis points driven by ITW’s Enterprise Initiatives
  • Full-year 2015 EPS $5.13, up 10 percent; up 19 percent excluding currency impact
  • Reaffirming full-year 2016 guidance

GLENVIEW, Ill., Jan. 27, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Illinois Tool Works Inc. (NYSE: ITW ) today reported fourth quarter 2015 diluted earnings per share (EPS) of $1.23, a 4 percent increase compared to the year-ago period. Operating margin increased 110 basis points to 20.7 percent and organic revenue declined 0.6 percent. The company’s ongoing Product Line Simplification (PLS) activities reduced organic growth by 1 percentage-point.

"We are pleased with ITW’s strong performance in the quarter and for the year,” said E. Scott Santi, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "In the quarter, the company continued to deliver meaningful improvement in our EPS, operating margin, and return on invested capital metrics, and demand across our business portfolio held steady versus the third quarter. While demand for industrial equipment remains sluggish, we have seen stable underlying demand trends in both Welding and Test & Measurement/Electronics over the past two quarters.

“For full-year 2015, ITW grew EPS 10 percent, expanded operating margin by 150 basis points to a record of 21.4 percent, improved after-tax return on invested capital by 140 basis points to a record of 20.4 percent, and returned more than $2.7 billion to shareholders in the form of dividends and share repurchases. In 2015, the company made meaningful progress on the organic growth component of our Enterprise Strategy as evidenced by 60 percent of the company’s revenues achieving “ready to grow” status and 45 percent growing at 6 percent organically. In the current economic environment and over the long-term, ITW’s unique business model and the execution of our Enterprise Strategy have us well-positioned to continue to deliver differentiated performance,” Santi concluded.

4Q Highlights

  • EPS increased 4 percent to $1.23. Excluding $(0.08) impact from foreign currency translation, EPS would have been up 11 percent.
  • Operating margin increased 110 basis points to a fourth quarter record of 20.7 percent as Enterprise Initiatives contributed 110 basis points.
  • Free cash flow was very strong at $628 million, an increase of 12 percent; free cash flow conversion was 140 percent of net income.
  • After-tax return on invested capital improved 150 basis points to a fourth quarter record of 20.1 percent.
  • Total revenues of $3.3 billion were down 6.5 percent primarily due to the impact from foreign currency translation. Organic revenue declined 0.6 percent as the company’s ongoing PLS activities reduced organic growth by 1 percentage-point.
  • Automotive OEM organic revenue grew 5 percent, including 10 percent growth in Europe, 4 percent growth in North America and 14 percent growth in China. 
  • Construction Products organic revenue increased 3 percent driven by 7 percent growth in Asia Pacific and 2 percent growth in North America. Operating margin of 19.9 percent was up 420 basis points.
  • Food Equipment organic revenue increased 2 percent against a challenging prior year comparison with solid growth in international equipment and North America service. Operating margin of 23.9 percent increased 220 basis points.
  • Sequential demand in Welding was up 2 percent compared to the third quarter of 2015, and was flat on a seasonally adjusted basis. Facing challenging year-over-year comparisons, organic revenue declined 11 percent.
  • Test & Measurement/Electronics organic revenue declined 3 percent. Sequential demand was up 6 percent compared to the third quarter of 2015, and up 2 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis. Operating margin of 18.1 percent increased 300 basis points.

Capital Allocation Update On January 25, 2016, ITW announced that it had reached a definitive agreement to acquire the Engineered Fasteners and Components (EF&C) business, a leading global supplier of engineered fastening systems and interior technical components to the automotive OEM market, from ZF TRW for approximately $450 million. Headquartered in Germany, EF&C operates 13 manufacturing facilities globally and employs approximately 3,500 people.  EF&C had revenues of approximately $470 million in 2015. ITW plans to fund a majority of the purchase price with non-U.S. cash. The company expects the acquisition to be slightly accretive to EPS in the first 12 months and to generate long-term return on invested capital at or above the company’s 20-plus percent target.  Pending customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals, the transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2016.

In January 2016, ITW tax-efficiently accessed $1.2 billion of non-U.S. cash. As a result, the company is raising its 2016 share repurchase expectation by $1 billion to approximately $2 billion.

2016 Guidance

The company is reaffirming its 2016 full-year EPS guidance of $5.35 to $5.55, which is a year-over-year increase of 6 percent at the midpoint. Organic revenue for the year is projected to be up 1 to 3 percent, which is in-line with current demand levels. The organic growth forecast includes approximately 90 basis points of impact from the company’s ongoing PLS activities. Operating margin is projected to be approximately 22.5 percent, an increase of more than 100 basis points year-over-year. ITW’s Enterprise Initiatives are expected to improve operating margin by 100 basis points, independent of volume growth. 

For the first quarter 2016, the company expects EPS to be in a range of $1.20 to $1.30 and operating margin to be approximately 21.5 percent. Organic revenue is forecast to be flat to up 2 percent.

Forward-looking statement This earnings release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, without limitation, statements regarding diluted earnings per share, organic revenue growth, the impact of product line simplification activities, operating margin and return on invested capital. These statements are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. Such factors include those contained in ITW's Form 10-K for 2014 and Form 10-Q for the third quarter of 2015.

About ITW ITW (NYSE: ITW ) is a Fortune 200 global multi-industrial manufacturing leader with revenues totaling $13.4 billion in 2015. 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 has nearly 50,000 dedicated colleagues in operations around the world who thrive in the company’s unique decentralized and entrepreneurial culture. To learn more about the company and the ITW Business Model, visit www.itw.com .

ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC. and SUBSIDIARIES
STATEMENT OF INCOME (UNAUDITED)
       
  Three Months Ended   Twelve Months Ended
  December 31,   December 31,
In millions except per share amounts 2015   2014   2015   2014
Operating Revenue $ 3,275     $ 3,504     $ 13,405     $ 14,484  
Cost of revenue 1,941     2,114     7,888     8,673  
Selling, administrative, and research and development expenses 598     644     2,417     2,678  
Amortization of intangible assets 57     60     231     242  
Impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets —     —     2     3  
Operating Income 679     686     2,867     2,888  
Interest expense (58 )   (54 )   (226 )   (250 )
Other income (expense) 13     25     78     61  
Income from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes 634     657     2,719     2,699  
Income Taxes 184     196     820     809  
Income from Continuing Operations 450     461     1,899     1,890  
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations —     (11 )   —     1,056  
Net Income $ 450     $ 450     $ 1,899     $ 2,946  
               
Income Per Share from Continuing Operations:              
Basic $ 1.24     $ 1.19     $ 5.16     $ 4.70  
Diluted $ 1.23     $ 1.18     $ 5.13     $ 4.67  
Income (Loss) Per Share from Discontinued Operations:              
Basic $ —     $ (0.02 )   $ —     $ 2.63  
Diluted $ —     $ (0.02 )   $ —     $ 2.61  
Net Income Per Share:              
Basic $ 1.24     $ 1.17     $ 5.16     $ 7.33  
Diluted $ 1.23     $ 1.16     $ 5.13     $ 7.28  
               
Shares of Common Stock Outstanding During the Period:              
Average 363.7     386.4     367.9     401.7  
Average assuming dilution 365.9     389.2     370.1     404.6  
                       
ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC. and SUBSIDIARIES
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION (UNAUDITED)
   
  December 31,
In millions 2015   2014
Assets      
Current Assets:      
Cash and equivalents $ 3,090     $ 3,990  
Trade receivables 2,203     2,293  
Inventories 1,086     1,180  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 341     401  
Total current assets 6,720     7,864  
       
Net plant and equipment 1,577     1,686  
Goodwill 4,439     4,667  
Intangible assets 1,560     1,799  
Deferred income taxes 346     338  
Other assets 1,087     1,111  
  $ 15,729     $ 17,465  
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity      
Current Liabilities:      
Short-term debt $ 526     $ 1,476  
Accounts payable 449     512  
Accrued expenses 1,136     1,287  
Cash dividends payable 200     186  
Income taxes payable 57     64  
Total current liabilities 2,368     3,525  
       
Noncurrent Liabilities:      
Long-term debt 6,896     5,943  
Deferred income taxes 256     171  
Other liabilities 981     1,002  
Total noncurrent liabilities 8,133     7,116  
       
Stockholders’ Equity:      
Common stock 6     6  
Additional paid-in-capital 1,135     1,096  
Income reinvested in the business 18,316     17,173  
Common stock held in treasury (12,729 )   (10,798 )
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (1,504 )   (658 )
Noncontrolling interest 4     5  
Total stockholders’ equity 5,228     6,824  
  $ 15,729     $ 17,465  
               
ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC. and SUBSIDIARIES
GAAP to NON-GAAP RECONCILIATIONS (UNAUDITED)
       
ADJUSTED RETURN ON AVERAGE INVESTED CAPITAL (UNAUDITED)
       
  Three Months Ended   Twelve Months Ended
  December 31,   December 31,
Dollars in millions 2015   2014   2015   2014   2012
Operating income $ 679     $ 686     $ 2,867     $ 2,888     $ 2,475  
Adjustment for Decorative Surfaces —     —     —     —     (143 )
Adjusted operating income 679     686     2,867     2,888     2,332  
Tax rate (as adjusted for discrete tax charge in 4Q 2012) 29.0 %   30.0 %   30.1 %   30.0 %   29.2 %
Income taxes (196 )   (206 )   (864 )   (866 )   (681 )
Adjusted operating income after taxes $ 483     $ 480     $ 2,003     $ 2,022     $ 1,651  
                   
Invested capital:                  
Trade receivables $ 2,203     $ 2,293     $ 2,203     $ 2,293     $ 2,742  
Inventories 1,086     1,180     1,086     1,180     1,585  
Net plant and equipment 1,577     1,686     1,577     1,686     1,994  
Goodwill and intangible assets 5,999     6,466     5,999     6,466     7,788  
Accounts payable and accrued expenses (1,585 )   (1,799 )   (1,585 )   (1,799 )   (2,068 )
Other, net 280     427     280     427     773  
Total invested capital $ 9,560     $ 10,253     $ 9,560     $ 10,253     $ 12,814  
                   
Average invested capital $ 9,709     $ 10,362     $ 9,943     $ 11,215     $ 13,140  
Adjustment for Wilsonart (formerly the Decorative Surfaces segment) (118 )   (147 )   (123 )   (154 )   (274 )
Adjustment for Industrial Packaging —     95     —     (424 )   (1,504 )
Adjusted average invested capital $ 9,591     $ 10,310     $ 9,820     $ 10,637     $ 11,362  
Annualized adjusted return on average invested capital 20.1 %   18.6 %   20.4 %   19.0 %   14.5 %
                             
A reconciliation of the 2012 effective tax rate to the adjusted tax rate excluding the discrete tax charge is as follows:
   
  Twelve Months Ended
Dollars in millions December 31, 2012
  Income Taxes   Tax Rate
As reported $ 973     30.3 %
Discrete tax charges (36 )   (1.1 )%
As adjusted $ 937     29.2 %
             
ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC. and SUBSIDIARIES
GAAP to NON-GAAP RECONCILIATIONS (UNAUDITED)
       
ADJUSTED FREE CASH FLOW (UNAUDITED)
       
  Three Months Ended   Twelve Months Ended
Dollars in millions December 31,   December 31,
  2015   2014   2015   2014
Net cash provided by operating activities $ 703     $ 458     $ 2,299     $ 1,616  
Less: Additions to plant and equipment (75 )   (89 )   (284 )   (361 )
Free cash flow 628     369     2,015     1,255  
Plus: Taxes paid related to sale of Industrial Packaging —     191     —     724  
Adjusted free cash flow $ 628     $ 560     $ 2,015     $ 1,979  
               
Net Income - As reported $ 450     $ 450     $ 1,899     $ 2,946  
Less: Industrial Packaging gain on sale, after taxes —     —     —     (1,148 )
Adjusted net income $ 450     $ 450     $ 1,899     $ 1,798  
               
Adjusted free cash flow to adjusted net income conversion rate 140 %   124 %   106 %   110 %
                       
ADJUSTED INCOME PER SHARE FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS - DILUTED (UNAUDITED)
   
  Twelve Months Ended
  December 31, 2012
As reported $ 4.72  
Decorative Surfaces net gain 1.34  
Decorative Surfaces equity interest (0.04 )
Decorative Surface operating results 0.21  
As adjusted $ 3.21  
       
ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC. and SUBSIDIARIES
SEGMENT DATA (UNAUDITED)
 
For the Three Months Ended December 31, 2015
Dollars in millions Total Revenue Operating Income Operating Margin  
Automotive OEM $ 615   $ 135   22.0 %  
Test & Measurement and Electronics 500   90   18.1 %  
Food Equipment 532   128   23.9 %  
Polymers & Fluids 402   73   18.2 %  
Welding 395   89   22.5 %  
Construction Products 378   75   19.9 %  
Specialty Products 458   105   23.0 %  
Intersegment (5 ) —   — %  
Total Segments 3,275   695   21.2 %  
Unallocated —   (16 ) — %  
Total Company $ 3,275   $ 679   20.7 %  
For the Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2015
Dollars in millions Total Revenue Operating Income Operating Margin  
Automotive OEM $ 2,529   $ 613   24.2 %  
Test & Measurement and Electronics 1,969   322   16.3 %  
Food Equipment 2,096   498   23.7 %  
Polymers & Fluids 1,712   335   19.6 %  
Welding 1,650   415   25.2 %  
Construction Products 1,587   316   19.9 %  
Specialty Products 1,885   439   23.3 %  
Intersegment (23 ) —   — %  
Total Segments 13,405   2,938   21.9 %  
Unallocated —   (71 ) — %  
Total Company $ 13,405   $ 2,867   21.4 %  
ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC. and SUBSIDIARIES
SEGMENT DATA (UNAUDITED)
 
Q4 2015 vs. Q4 2014 Favorable/(Unfavorable)
Operating Revenue Automotive OEM Test & Measurement and Electronics Food Equipment Polymers & Fluids Welding Construction Products Specialty Products Total ITW
Organic 5.2 % (3.1 )% 2.4 % (2.9 )% (10.8 )% 3.0 % 0.1 % (0.6 )%
Divestitures — % — % — % (0.9 )% (0.1 )% — % — % (0.1 )%
Translation (6.1 )% (4.6 )% (6.3 )% (7.3 )% (2.7 )% (8.8 )% (5.3 )% (5.8 )%
Operating Revenue (0.9 )% (7.7 )% (3.9 )% (11.1 )% (13.6 )% (5.8 )% (5.2 )% (6.5 )%
Q4 2015 vs. Q4 2014 Favorable/(Unfavorable)
Change in Operating Margin Automotive OEM Test & Measurement and Electronics Food Equipment Polymers & Fluids Welding Construction Products Specialty Products Total ITW
Operating Leverage 80 bps (100) bps 60 bps (80) bps (200) bps 80 bps - bps (20) bps
Changes in Variable Margin & OH Costs   (70 )   280     210     180     (90 )   150     270     110  
Total Organic 10 bps 180 bps 270 bps 100 bps (290) bps 230 bps 270 bps 90 bps
Restructuring/Other   (40 )   120     (50 )   (30 ) —   190     130     20  
Total Operating Margin Change (30) bps 300 bps 220 bps 70 bps (290) bps 420 bps 400 bps 110 bps
                 
Total Operating Margin % *   22.0 %   18.1 %   23.9 %   18.2 %   22.5 %   19.9 %   23.0 %   20.7 %
                 
*Includes unfavorable operating margin impact of amortization expense from acquisition-related intangible assets 10 bps 400 bps 80 bps 460 bps 70 bps 70 bps 180 bps 180 bps

 

Investors Contact: Aaron Hoffman 224.661.7429 ahoffman@itw.com Media Contact: Alison Donnelly 224.661.7427 adonnelly@itw.com

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