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New staplers, hammer tackers and universal staples reach pros through select stores nationwide and online at Lowes.com.

, /PRNewswire/ -- Paslode is expanding access to its professional-grade manual fastening solutions with the launch of its Universal Heavy-Duty Stapling program at Lowe's, bringing a new lineup of staplers, hammer tackers and universal staples to professionals through one of the country's leading home improvement retailers.

New staplers, hammer tackers and universal staples reach pros through select Lowe's stores nationwide.

Featured is the Paslode Pro Hammer Tacker - Built for roofing, house wrap, insulation and demanding jobsite applications.

The Paslode 5-in-1 Pro Stapler delivers professional versatility in one tool, driving five fastener types with adjustable power control. The line includes three compression staplers — the Heavy-Duty Pro Stapler, 5-in-1 Pro Stapler and 2-in-1 Pro Stapler — and two hammer tackers, the Pro Hammer Tacker and Compact Hammer Tacker. The range is designed for fastening house wrap, roof paper, underlayment, insulation, carpet pad, upholstery, trim components and temporary jobsite materials.

The tools are compatible with new Paslode Heavy-Duty Universal 3/8-inch Crown Staples, as well as most heavy-duty competitor staples. Paslode universal staples are 20-gauge, galvanized chisel-point fasteners available in 1/4-inch, 5/16-inch, 3/8-inch and 1/2-inch lengths, in multiple pack configurations.

Lowe's stores will carry a select assortment of Heavy-Duty Manual Staplers & Hammer Tackers, along with a range of 20-gauge 3/8-inch crown staples. The complete lineup is  available online for either free pickup or shipping (for MyLowe's Rewards™ members), as well as delivery.

"Bringing the Universal Heavy-Duty Stapling program to Lowe's gives pros a simple way to find the hand fastening tools and staples they need for everyday jobsite work," said Ashley Mack, Commercial Director at Paslode. "From compression staplers to hammer tackers and universal-fit fasteners, the lineup is built to help the Lowe's PRO work efficiently across common stapling and tacking applications."

The new stapling program brings together durable, jobsite-ready tools and compatible Paslode fasteners in one convenient offering.  Available at Lowe's, the program expands Paslode's fastening portfolio while giving contractors greater access to dependable solutions backed by the performance and reliability they expect from the Paslode brand.

About Paslode

Paslode® is a leading manufacturer of cordless and pneumatic fastening solutions designed to help professional contractors work faster, smarter and more efficiently. For more than 90 years, Paslode has pioneered innovative fastening technology that delivers reliable performance, productivity and ease of use on the jobsite. From framing and finishing to siding and subfloor applications, Paslode products are engineered to meet the demands of professional construction. Paslode is one of the largest brands in ITW Construction Products, a division of Illinois Tool Works Inc. (NYSE: ITW). Visit paslode.com to learn more.

SOURCE ITW Construction

A month has gone by since the last earnings report for Illinois Tool Works (ITW - Free Report) . Shares have lost about 2.4% in that time frame, underperforming the S&P 500.

But investors have to be wondering, will the recent negative trend continue leading up to its next earnings release, or is Illinois Tool Works due for a breakout? Before we dive into how investors and analysts have reacted as of late, let's take a quick look at the most recent earnings report in order to get a better handle on the important catalysts.

Illinois Tool Tops Q2 Earnings & Revenue Estimates, Raises 2026 ViewIllinois Tool reported second-quarter 2026 adjusted earnings of $2.84 per share, which surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.80. Earnings increased 10.1% year over year.

Illinois Tool’s revenues of $4.30 billion beat the consensus estimate of $4.18 billion. The top line increased 6.1% year over year, driven by an organic sales growth of 4.5%. Favorable foreign currency translation and acquisitions had a positive impact of 1.4% and 0.2%, respectively, in the quarter.

Segmental PerformanceTest & Measurement and Electronics’ revenues were $769 million, up 12.1% year over year. Revenues from Automotive Original Equipment Manufacturer increased 1.3% year over year to $857 million. Food Equipment generated revenues of $692 million, up 1.6% year over year. Welding revenues were $549 million, up 14.7% year over year.

Construction Products’ revenues were up 4.3% year over year to $494 million. Revenues of $468 million from Specialty Products reflected an increase of 3% year over year. Polymers & Fluids’ revenues of $476 million increased 8.8% year over year.

Illinois Tool’s Margin ProfileIllinois Tool’s cost of sales increased 5.8% year over year to $2.40 billion. Selling, administrative and research and development expenses increased 6.1% year over year to $735 million. The operating margin was 26.7%, up 40 basis points (bps) from the year-ago quarter. Enterprise initiatives contributed 120 bps to the operating margin.

Balance Sheet and Cash FlowAt the end of the second quarter, Illinois Tool had cash and equivalents of $839 million compared with $851 million at the end of December 2025. Long-term debt was $6.55 billion compared with $6.68 billion at the end of December 2025.

In the second quarter of 2026, Illinois Tool generated net cash of $723 million from operating activities, reflecting an increase of 31.5% from the year-ago number. Capital spending on the purchase of plant and equipment was $92 million, down 8.9% year over year. Free cash flow was $631 million, up 40.5% year over year.

Illinois Tool’s 2026 GuidanceIllinois Tool raised its full-year 2026 financial guidance. It now expects earnings to be in the range of $11.35-$11.55 per share compared with $11.10-$11.50 expected earlier. Revenues are expected to increase 4-5% while organic revenues are anticipated to rise 3-4%. Operating margin is expected to be 26.5–27.5%. Enterprise initiatives are expected to contribute more than 100 bps to the operating margin.

Illinois Tool projects free cash flow to be more than 100% of its net income. The company expects to repurchase about $1.5 billion worth of shares. The effective tax rate is expected to be 23-24%.

How Have Estimates Been Moving Since Then?In the past month, investors have witnessed a upward trend in fresh estimates.

VGM ScoresCurrently, Illinois Tool Works has a average Growth Score of C, a score with the same score on the momentum front. However, the stock was allocated a grade of F on the value side, putting it in the fifth quintile for value investors.

Overall, the stock has an aggregate VGM Score of D. If you aren't focused on one strategy, this score is the one you should be interested in.

OutlookEstimates have been trending upward for the stock, and the magnitude of these revisions looks promising. Interestingly, Illinois Tool Works has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). We expect an in-line return from the stock in the next few months.

Performance of an Industry PlayerIllinois Tool Works is part of the Zacks Manufacturing - General Industrial industry. Over the past month, Dover Corporation (DOV - Free Report) , a stock from the same industry, has gained 3.4%. The company reported its results for the quarter ended June 2026 more than a month ago.

Dover reported revenues of $2.19 billion in the last reported quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +6.9%. EPS of $2.74 for the same period compares with $2.44 a year ago.

For the current quarter, Dover is expected to post earnings of $2.86 per share, indicating a change of +9.2% from the year-ago quarter. The Zacks Consensus Estimate has changed -0.2% over the last 30 days.

The overall direction and magnitude of estimate revisions translate into a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) for Dover. Also, the stock has a VGM Score of D.

Biondo Investment Advisors LLC bought a new stake in Illinois Tool Works Inc. (NYSE:ITW – Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor bought 43,436 shares of the industrial products company’s stock, valued at approximately $11,748,000. Illinois Tool Works comprises about 1.4% of Biondo Investment Advisors LLC’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 27th biggest holding.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Cresta Advisors Ltd. acquired a new position in shares of Illinois Tool Works during the 4th quarter valued at about $25,000. Motiv8 Investments LLC acquired a new position in Illinois Tool Works during the fourth quarter worth approximately $27,000. Kemnay Advisory Services Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Illinois Tool Works in the 4th quarter worth $27,000. Ares Financial Consulting LLC purchased a new stake in Illinois Tool Works during the fourth quarter valued at about $31,000. Finally, Wilkerson Advisory Group LLC increased its stake in Illinois Tool Works by 77.6% during the first quarter. Wilkerson Advisory Group LLC now owns 119 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $31,000 after acquiring an additional 52 shares during the last quarter. 79.77% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insider Buying and Selling at Illinois Tool Works In related news, CAO Matteo C. Pigozzo sold 277 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, August 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $289.22, for a total transaction of $80,113.94. Following the transaction, the chief accounting officer owned 3,394 shares in the company, valued at $981,612.68. This trade represents a 7.55% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, Director Jennifer F. Scanlon bought 806 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, June 2nd. The stock was purchased at an average price of $247.99 per share, with a total value of $199,879.94. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 1,652 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $409,679.48. This trade represents a 95.27% increase in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this purchase provides additional information. 0.83% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several equities analysts have recently weighed in on ITW shares. Weiss Ratings raised Illinois Tool Works from a “hold (c+)” rating to a “buy (b-)” rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 11th. Evercore reduced their target price on shares of Illinois Tool Works from $296.00 to $272.00 in a report on Monday, May 11th. Truist Financial increased their price objective on shares of Illinois Tool Works from $280.00 to $301.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research report on Thursday, July 2nd. The Goldman Sachs Group restated a “sell” rating and issued a $254.00 price target on shares of Illinois Tool Works in a research note on Thursday, April 30th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price target on shares of Illinois Tool Works from $310.00 to $350.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Wednesday, July 29th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, six have issued a Hold rating and five have given a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Reduce” and a consensus price target of $281.25. View Our Latest Report on Illinois Tool Works

Illinois Tool Works Price Performance ITW opened at $282.23 on Monday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.81, a current ratio of 1.11 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.26. The company’s 50-day moving average price is $278.00 and its 200 day moving average price is $271.55. Illinois Tool Works Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $238.82 and a fifty-two week high of $303.15. The firm has a market cap of $80.38 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 25.59, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.77 and a beta of 0.99.

Illinois Tool Works (NYSE:ITW – Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, July 28th. The industrial products company reported $2.84 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.80 by $0.04. The business had revenue of $4.30 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $4.19 billion. Illinois Tool Works had a return on equity of 101.72% and a net margin of 19.39%.The business’s quarterly revenue was up 6.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $2.58 EPS. Illinois Tool Works has set its FY 2026 guidance at 11.350-11.550 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Illinois Tool Works Inc. will post 11.45 earnings per share for the current year.

Illinois Tool Works Increases Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, October 9th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, September 30th will be given a $1.72 dividend. This is a positive change from Illinois Tool Works’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.61. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, September 30th. This represents a $6.88 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.4%. Illinois Tool Works’s payout ratio is currently 58.39%.

Illinois Tool Works Profile (Free Report)

Illinois Tool Works Inc (ITW) is a diversified industrial manufacturer that designs and produces a broad array of engineered products, consumables and related service solutions for industrial customers. Its offerings span engineered fastening systems, specialty components, industrial equipment, welding products, foodservice and packaging equipment, adhesives and polymer products, and test-and-measurement technologies. These products are used as critical inputs by customers across automotive, construction, electronics, foodservice, maintenance and other industrial end markets.

The company operates a decentralized business model in which independently managed businesses focus on niche product lines and close customer relationships.

Featured Stories Five stocks we like better than Illinois Tool Works VIG, VYM, and VYMI: Which Vanguard Dividend ETF Is Right for You? 3 Closed-End Funds to Maximize Dividend Payments Rocket Lab’s Sell-Off Is Fading—Is It Finally Safe to Buy? $27 Billion in Buybacks: 3 Stocks Betting Their Strong Runs Aren’t Over Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ITW? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Illinois Tool Works Inc. (NYSE:ITW – Free Report).

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Advisors Capital Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Illinois Tool Works Inc. (NYSE:ITW – Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor bought 3,650 shares of the industrial products company’s stock, valued at approximately $987,000.

A number of other large investors have also recently modified their holdings of ITW. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Illinois Tool Works by 0.7% during the 4th quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 26,887,218 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $6,622,322,000 after buying an additional 189,229 shares in the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. bought a new position in Illinois Tool Works in the second quarter valued at about $6,296,349,000. State Street Corp raised its stake in Illinois Tool Works by 1.2% during the fourth quarter. State Street Corp now owns 12,596,511 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $3,122,535,000 after acquiring an additional 151,864 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC raised its stake in Illinois Tool Works by 2.7% during the fourth quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 6,944,651 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $1,709,734,000 after acquiring an additional 184,301 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Capital Research Global Investors boosted its stake in shares of Illinois Tool Works by 3.2% in the 4th quarter. Capital Research Global Investors now owns 4,636,392 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $1,141,948,000 after purchasing an additional 142,837 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 79.77% of the company’s stock.

Insider Activity In related news, CAO Matteo C. Pigozzo sold 277 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Thursday, August 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $289.22, for a total value of $80,113.94. Following the transaction, the chief accounting officer owned 3,394 shares in the company, valued at $981,612.68. The trade was a 7.55% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, Director Jennifer F. Scanlon purchased 806 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, June 2nd. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $247.99 per share, for a total transaction of $199,879.94. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 1,652 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $409,679.48. The trade was a 95.27% increase in their position. Additional details regarding this purchase are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders own 0.83% of the company’s stock.

Illinois Tool Works Stock Performance NYSE ITW opened at $282.23 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $80.38 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 25.59, a PEG ratio of 4.78 and a beta of 0.99. Illinois Tool Works Inc. has a twelve month low of $238.82 and a twelve month high of $303.15. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $278.00 and a 200 day simple moving average of $271.50. The company has a quick ratio of 0.81, a current ratio of 1.11 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.26. Illinois Tool Works (NYSE:ITW – Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, July 28th. The industrial products company reported $2.84 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.80 by $0.04. The company had revenue of $4.30 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $4.19 billion. Illinois Tool Works had a return on equity of 101.72% and a net margin of 19.39%.The business’s quarterly revenue was up 6.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $2.58 earnings per share. Illinois Tool Works has set its FY 2026 guidance at 11.350-11.550 EPS. Sell-side analysts expect that Illinois Tool Works Inc. will post 11.45 EPS for the current year.

Illinois Tool Works Increases Dividend The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, October 9th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, September 30th will be given a $1.72 dividend. This is an increase from Illinois Tool Works’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.61. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, September 30th. This represents a $6.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.4%. Illinois Tool Works’s dividend payout ratio is presently 58.39%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of research firms recently issued reports on ITW. The Goldman Sachs Group reiterated a “sell” rating and set a $254.00 price objective on shares of Illinois Tool Works in a research report on Thursday, April 30th. UBS Group restated a “neutral” rating and issued a $300.00 target price on shares of Illinois Tool Works in a research report on Wednesday, July 29th. Truist Financial boosted their target price on shares of Illinois Tool Works from $280.00 to $301.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a research note on Thursday, July 2nd. Evercore dropped their price target on Illinois Tool Works from $296.00 to $272.00 in a research note on Monday, May 11th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price objective on Illinois Tool Works from $310.00 to $350.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Wednesday, July 29th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, six have assigned a Hold rating and five have assigned a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of “Reduce” and an average target price of $281.25.

Read Our Latest Report on Illinois Tool Works

(Free Report)

Illinois Tool Works Inc (ITW) is a diversified industrial manufacturer that designs and produces a broad array of engineered products, consumables and related service solutions for industrial customers. Its offerings span engineered fastening systems, specialty components, industrial equipment, welding products, foodservice and packaging equipment, adhesives and polymer products, and test-and-measurement technologies. These products are used as critical inputs by customers across automotive, construction, electronics, foodservice, maintenance and other industrial end markets.

The company operates a decentralized business model in which independently managed businesses focus on niche product lines and close customer relationships.

Featured Articles Five stocks we like better than Illinois Tool Works Blueprint for a Boom: SEC Clears the Crypto Runway Ross Stores Just Flipped the Off-Price Retail Story After TJX’s Marmaxx Miss Advance Auto Parts Plunged, But Its Turnaround Is Still Working Is Palo Alto Networks Priced for Perfection Again as AI Security Demand Accelerates?

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B. Metzler seel. Sohn & Co. AG purchased a new position in shares of Illinois Tool Works Inc. (NYSE:ITW – Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund purchased 18,548 shares of the industrial products company’s stock, valued at approximately $5,017,000.

Several other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Cresta Advisors Ltd. acquired a new position in shares of Illinois Tool Works in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Motiv8 Investments LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Illinois Tool Works during the fourth quarter worth approximately $27,000. Kemnay Advisory Services Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Illinois Tool Works in the fourth quarter worth $27,000. Abound Wealth Management raised its holdings in Illinois Tool Works by 178.6% in the second quarter. Abound Wealth Management now owns 117 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $32,000 after acquiring an additional 75 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Wilkerson Advisory Group LLC boosted its stake in Illinois Tool Works by 77.6% during the 1st quarter. Wilkerson Advisory Group LLC now owns 119 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $31,000 after acquiring an additional 52 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 79.77% of the company’s stock.

Illinois Tool Works Stock Performance ITW opened at $282.23 on Friday. Illinois Tool Works Inc. has a twelve month low of $238.82 and a twelve month high of $303.15. The stock has a market cap of $80.38 billion, a PE ratio of 25.59, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.78 and a beta of 0.99. The business’s 50 day moving average is $278.00 and its 200-day moving average is $271.50. The company has a current ratio of 1.11, a quick ratio of 0.81 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.26.

Illinois Tool Works (NYSE:ITW – Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 28th. The industrial products company reported $2.84 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.80 by $0.04. The business had revenue of $4.30 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.19 billion. Illinois Tool Works had a net margin of 19.39% and a return on equity of 101.72%. The company’s quarterly revenue was up 6.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $2.58 earnings per share. Illinois Tool Works has set its FY 2026 guidance at 11.350-11.550 EPS. On average, analysts predict that Illinois Tool Works Inc. will post 11.45 earnings per share for the current year. Illinois Tool Works Increases Dividend The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, October 9th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, September 30th will be given a dividend of $1.72 per share. This represents a $6.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.4%. This is a boost from Illinois Tool Works’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.61. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, September 30th. Illinois Tool Works’s payout ratio is presently 58.39%.

Insider Activity In other Illinois Tool Works news, Director Ernest Scott Santi sold 41,431 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, August 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $287.09, for a total value of $11,894,425.79. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 266,288 shares in the company, valued at $76,448,621.92. This trade represents a 13.46% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, CAO Matteo C. Pigozzo sold 277 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, August 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $289.22, for a total transaction of $80,113.94. Following the completion of the sale, the chief accounting officer owned 3,394 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $981,612.68. This trade represents a 7.55% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. 0.83% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades ITW has been the subject of several research analyst reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their target price on shares of Illinois Tool Works from $310.00 to $350.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 29th. Wolfe Research reissued an “underperform” rating and issued a $286.00 price objective on shares of Illinois Tool Works in a report on Thursday, July 9th. The Goldman Sachs Group reaffirmed a “sell” rating and set a $254.00 target price on shares of Illinois Tool Works in a report on Thursday, April 30th. Robert W. Baird lifted their target price on Illinois Tool Works from $278.00 to $297.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 29th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price target on Illinois Tool Works from $245.00 to $255.00 and gave the company an “underweight” rating in a report on Monday, May 4th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, six have issued a Hold rating and five have issued a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Reduce” and a consensus price target of $281.25.

View Our Latest Stock Analysis on ITW

Illinois Tool Works Company Profile (Free Report)

Illinois Tool Works Inc (ITW) is a diversified industrial manufacturer that designs and produces a broad array of engineered products, consumables and related service solutions for industrial customers. Its offerings span engineered fastening systems, specialty components, industrial equipment, welding products, foodservice and packaging equipment, adhesives and polymer products, and test-and-measurement technologies. These products are used as critical inputs by customers across automotive, construction, electronics, foodservice, maintenance and other industrial end markets.

The company operates a decentralized business model in which independently managed businesses focus on niche product lines and close customer relationships.

Read More Five stocks we like better than Illinois Tool Works Blueprint for a Boom: SEC Clears the Crypto Runway Ross Stores Just Flipped the Off-Price Retail Story After TJX’s Marmaxx Miss Advance Auto Parts Plunged, But Its Turnaround Is Still Working Is Palo Alto Networks Priced for Perfection Again as AI Security Demand Accelerates? Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ITW? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Illinois Tool Works Inc. (NYSE:ITW – Free Report).

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Representative Richard McCormick (Republican-Georgia) recently sold shares of Walmart Inc. (NASDAQ:WMT). In a filing disclosed on August 14th, the Representative disclosed that they had sold between $1,001 and $15,000 in Walmart stock on July 30th. The trade occurred in the Representative’s “GROWTH PARTNERS ROTH IRA” account.

Representative Richard McCormick also recently made the following trade(s):

Sold $1,001 – $15,000 in shares of Medtronic (NYSE:MDT) on 7/30/2026. Sold $1,001 – $15,000 in shares of NextEra Energy (NYSE:NEE) on 7/30/2026. Sold $1,001 – $15,000 in shares of PepsiCo (NASDAQ:PEP) on 7/30/2026. Sold $1,001 – $15,000 in shares of Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT) on 7/30/2026. Sold $1,001 – $15,000 in shares of McDonald’s (NYSE:MCD) on 7/30/2026. Sold $1,001 – $15,000 in shares of L3Harris Technologies (NYSE:LHX) on 7/30/2026. Sold $1,001 – $15,000 in shares of Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) on 7/30/2026. Sold $1,001 – $15,000 in shares of Intercontinental Exchange (NYSE:ICE) on 7/30/2026. Sold $1,001 – $15,000 in shares of Illinois Tool Works (NYSE:ITW) on 7/30/2026. Sold $1,001 – $15,000 in shares of Home Depot (NYSE:HD) on 7/30/2026. Walmart Price Performance Shares of NASDAQ WMT opened at $114.33 on Tuesday. The stock has a market cap of $909.85 billion, a PE ratio of 40.12, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.30 and a beta of 0.61. Walmart Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $95.42 and a fifty-two week high of $135.15. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.42, a quick ratio of 0.23 and a current ratio of 0.77. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $114.23 and a 200-day moving average of $121.53.

Walmart (NASDAQ:WMT – Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 21st. The retailer reported $0.66 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, hitting analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.66. Walmart had a return on equity of 21.25% and a net margin of 3.13%.The business had revenue of $177.75 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $174.84 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $0.61 EPS. The firm’s quarterly revenue was up 7.4% on a year-over-year basis. Walmart has set its FY 2027 guidance at 2.750-2.850 EPS and its Q2 2027 guidance at 0.720-0.740 EPS. Equities research analysts anticipate that Walmart Inc. will post 2.88 earnings per share for the current year. Insider Activity at Walmart In other news, Director C Douglas Mcmillon sold 19,416 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, May 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $118.63, for a total transaction of $2,303,320.08. Following the completion of the sale, the director directly owned 4,174,579 shares in the company, valued at approximately $495,230,306.77. This represents a 0.46% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, EVP Christopher James Nicholas sold 2,900 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, June 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $118.19, for a total value of $342,751.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 574,953 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $67,953,695.07. The trade was a 0.50% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Insiders sold a total of 70,189 shares of company stock valued at $8,377,320 in the last quarter. 0.09% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Key Headlines Impacting Walmart Here are the key news stories impacting Walmart this week:

Positive Sentiment: DA Davidson reaffirmed its Buy rating and set a $150 price target, implying substantial upside from recent trading levels. The bullish view supports the stock by pointing to Walmart’s defensive business model and continued customer traffic. Benzinga analyst rating report Positive Sentiment: Analysts say Walmart has not yet seen a major change in shopping behavior despite gasoline prices rising above $4 per gallon. The retailer is also gaining share among higher-income customers, which could help offset pressure on lower-income households. TheStreet gas price and Walmart shoppers article Neutral Sentiment: Walmart leads a closely watched retail earnings week. Its results, along with reports from Target, Home Depot and Lowe’s, are expected to provide fresh evidence about consumer health, promotional activity and the effects of inflation and fuel costs. Yahoo Finance consumer landscape preview Negative Sentiment: Investor expectations appear cautious ahead of earnings. Oppenheimer downgraded Walmart to Perform and reportedly expects U.S. comparable sales growth of about 3%, below the roughly 3.8% consensus, with slower General Merchandise and Health & Wellness growth. Seeking Alpha Walmart earnings preview Negative Sentiment: Higher fuel prices could eventually squeeze discretionary spending among Walmart’s lower-income customers. Analysts also cite cautious guidance, elevated costs and a demanding valuation as reasons the stock may remain vulnerable if quarterly results or the outlook disappoint. Walmart’s previously reaffirmed fiscal 2027 guidance calls for 3.5%–4.5% net sales growth and adjusted EPS of $2.75–$2.85, rather than an upgrade. Seeking Alpha Walmart earnings setup Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several equities research analysts have recently weighed in on the company. Mizuho set a $130.00 price target on Walmart in a research report on Monday, July 27th. Freedom Capital upgraded shares of Walmart from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Thursday, May 21st. Truist Financial set a $140.00 price objective on shares of Walmart in a research note on Thursday, May 21st. Morgan Stanley upped their target price on shares of Walmart from $135.00 to $140.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Wednesday, April 22nd. Finally, Erste Group Bank cut shares of Walmart from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Friday, June 5th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirty have assigned a Buy rating and five have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Walmart has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $138.50.

Get Our Latest Research Report on Walmart

Institutional Inflows and Outflows Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Walmart by 1.0% in the 4th quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 439,957,146 shares of the retailer’s stock worth $49,015,626,000 after acquiring an additional 4,304,436 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp grew its holdings in Walmart by 1.2% in the 3rd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 184,805,978 shares of the retailer’s stock worth $19,046,104,000 after acquiring an additional 2,242,364 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC increased its position in shares of Walmart by 6.8% in the fourth quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 103,010,709 shares of the retailer’s stock valued at $11,426,753,000 after acquiring an additional 6,517,394 shares during the period. Bank of America Corp DE purchased a new position in shares of Walmart in the second quarter valued at about $7,455,131,000. Finally, Norges Bank bought a new position in shares of Walmart during the fourth quarter valued at about $6,458,529,000. Institutional investors own 26.76% of the company’s stock.

About Representative McCormick Rich McCormick (Republican Party) is a member of the U.S. House, representing Georgia’s 7th Congressional District. He assumed office on January 3, 2025. His current term ends on January 3, 2027.

McCormick (Republican Party) is running for re-election to the U.S. House to represent Georgia’s 7th Congressional District. He declared candidacy for the 2026 election.

Rich McCormick lives in Suwanee, Georgia. McCormick served in the U.S. Marine Corps and the U.S. Navy. He earned an M.B.A. from National University and an M.D. from Morehouse School of Medicine. McCormick’s career experience includes working as an emergency medicine physician with Gwinnett Medical Center and Northside Hospital, a Marine officer instructor with Georgia Tech and Morehouse College, and a pilot.

Walmart Company Profile (Get Free Report)

Walmart is a multinational retail corporation that operates a broad portfolio of store formats and digital services. Its core business includes large-format supercenters, discount department stores, neighborhood grocery stores and a membership warehouse chain, Sam’s Club. The company’s merchandising mix covers groceries, household goods, apparel, electronics and pharmacy services, supplemented by private-label products and category-specific offerings. Walmart pairs its physical store network with online platforms and mobile applications to provide omnichannel shopping, fulfillment and delivery options for consumers and businesses.

The company was founded by Sam Walton, who opened the first store in Rogers, Arkansas in 1962; it is headquartered in Bentonville, Arkansas.

Featured Articles Five stocks we like better than Walmart Commodities Are Booming, But These 3 ETFs Tell Different Stories 3 Active ETFs Making Big Moves in August This ETF Is Outperforming by Avoiding the S&P 500’s Biggest Problem Birkenstock Beats the Skeptics—But Not on EPS Receive News & Ratings for Walmart Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Walmart and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.

Three new compression staplers, two hammer tackers, & 3/8-inch crown staples deliver versatile fastening for professional contractors.

, /PRNewswire/ -- Paslode has introduced its Universal Heavy-Duty Stapling Program, a family of five manual fastening tools and universal 3/8-inch crown staples for stapling and tacking applications in construction, remodeling, maintenance and repair.

Paslode launches new universal heavy-duty stapling solutions for PROs - a family of five manual fastening tools and universal 3/8-inch crown staples for stapling and tacking applications. The line includes three compression staplers — the Heavy-Duty Pro Stapler, 5-in-1 Pro Stapler and 2-in-1 Pro Stapler — and two hammer tackers, the Pro Hammer Tacker and Compact Hammer Tacker. The range is designed for fastening house wrap, roof paper, underlayment, insulation, carpet pad, upholstery, trim components and temporary jobsite materials.

In addition, the launch adds a manual fastening platform aimed at recurring jobsite needs, with universal-fit 3/8" staples intended to simplify stocking and purchasing across multiple trades.

The tools are compatible with new Paslode Heavy-Duty Universal 3/8-inch Crown Staples and most heavy-duty competitor staples. Paslode's universal staples are 20-gauge, galvanized chisel-point fasteners available in 1/4-inch, 5/16-inch, 3/8-inch and 1/2-inch lengths, in both multiple pack configurations.

"Pros need tools that can keep up with the variety of applications they encounter every day," said Ashley Mack, Commercial Director at Paslode. "This new lineup gives pros the versatility to tackle a wide range of stapling and tacking applications, while universal-fit staples make it easier to keep the right fasteners on hand and get the job done."

With a mix of compression staplers and hammer tackers, the lineup gives contractors and channel partners a single manual fastening platform for common fastening needs across multiple trades.

Each tool is built around jobsite priorities: durability, comfort and fast loading to reduce downtime. By pairing universal-fit staples with a broader manual fastening platform, Paslode gives pros and dealers a straightforward system for work across multiple trades. Contractors can find the full assortment of Paslode Universal Heavy-Duty Stapling products in-store & online at participating retailers such as Menards, Lowes, Home Depot, Amazon, & more.

About Paslode

Paslode® is a leading manufacturer of cordless and pneumatic fastening solutions designed to help professional contractors work faster, smarter and more efficiently. For more than 90 years, Paslode has pioneered innovative fastening technology that delivers reliable performance, productivity and ease of use on the jobsite. From framing and finishing to siding and subfloor applications, Paslode products are engineered to meet the demands of professional construction. Paslode is one of the largest brands in ITW Construction Products, a division of Illinois Tool Works Inc. (NYSE: ITW). Visit www.paslode.com to learn more.

SOURCE ITW Construction

August 07, 2026 13:26 ET  | Source: Illinois Tool Works Inc.

GLENVIEW, Ill., Aug. 07, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Illinois Tool Works Inc. (NYSE: ITW) today announced that its Board of Directors has approved a seven percent increase in the company’s regular annual cash dividend from $6.44 to $6.88 per share. The increase is effective with the fourth-quarter dividend of $1.72, which was declared today, and is payable on October 9, 2026, to holders of record at the close of business on September 30, 2026.

In addition, ITW announced that its Board of Directors has approved a new authorization for the company to repurchase up to $6 billion of its common stock as part of its disciplined capital allocation strategy. The timing and volume of any share repurchases will be determined by management at its discretion.

"Our 63rd consecutive annual dividend increase and new $6 billion share repurchase authorization reflect the strength of the ITW Business Model and our continued confidence in the company’s long-term growth and free cash flow generation," said Christopher A. O’Herlihy, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Returning capital to our shareholders remains a core element of our disciplined capital allocation framework."

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.

Investor Relations & Media Contact:                                                  
Erin Linnihan
Tel: 224.661.7431
[email protected] | [email protected]           

A Weaker Dollar Could Put These 3 Industrial Stocks Back in FocusIllinois Tool Works NYSE: ITW reported record second-quarter operating income as growth accelerated in several capital-expenditure-related businesses, prompting the company to raise its full-year organic growth and earnings outlook.

Chief Executive Officer Chris O'Herlihy said the company generated 4.5% organic growth in the second quarter, expanded operating margin to 26.7%, and increased GAAP earnings per share 10% to $2.84. Operating income rose 7.4% to $1.15 billion, which O'Herlihy described as the most profitable quarter in the company's history.

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3 Industrial Stocks Making New All-Time HighsTotal revenue increased 6.1%, including 4.5% organic growth, a 1.4% benefit from foreign currency translation, and a 0.2% contribution from an acquisition, according to Chief Financial Officer Michael Larsen.

CapEx, Semiconductor Businesses Lead Growth ITW's strongest second-quarter growth came from businesses tied to capital spending and semiconductor production. Welding posted 14% organic growth, while Test & Measurement and Electronics grew 10%. Polymers and Fluids recorded 7% organic growth.

Boring is Beautiful, Illinois Tool Works Stock Fits the Bill Within Test & Measurement and Electronics, electronics revenue climbed 21%. Larsen said the principal drivers were electronic assembly operations serving the printed circuit board market and semiconductor-related operations serving chip manufacturers. He said the businesses have expanded capacity, differentiated product portfolios, and customer-facing capabilities that have enabled them to capture demand and gain share.

Welding generated record revenue, with equipment sales rising 19%. North America, which represents roughly 85% of the segment, grew 19% amid broad-based demand across industrial and commercial markets, including infrastructure, energy, aerospace and defense. The segment's operating margin remained 32.4%.

Larsen said order growth continued to exceed revenue growth in both welding and Test & Measurement and Electronics, resulting in somewhat more backlog than normal for ITW. However, he said the company generally does not carry a large backlog and bases its forecasts primarily on current run rates and customer feedback.

“We’re very confident going into the back half of the year based on what we see in terms of the order rates, based on what we hear from our customers,” Larsen said.

A storm damaged one manufacturing facility and one warehouse at two ITW welding locations in Appleton, Wisconsin, shortly before the call. Larsen said all employees were safe and accounted for, contingency plans were being executed, and the company did not expect a material effect on its guidance.

Innovation Contribution Builds Management highlighted Customer-Back Innovation, or CBI, as a key contributor to first-half results. CBI contributed 3% to revenue growth in the first half, up from 2.4% for full-year 2025.

O'Herlihy said sustaining a CBI contribution above 3% is central to ITW's objective of generating enterprise organic growth of 4% or more over time. He said the company launched its innovation framework in the second half of 2024 and has implemented it across divisions and segments.

Management measures CBI as incremental revenue from products introduced during the prior three years, net of any cannibalization of existing products. O'Herlihy said it is also one of four long-term performance metrics used in employee compensation.

Polymers and Fluids was a notable beneficiary of the initiative, with CBI contributing nearly 5% in the segment during the quarter, according to O'Herlihy. The segment's 7% organic growth included 7% growth in automotive aftermarket, 7% growth in polymers, and 8% growth in fluids. Its operating margin expanded 160 basis points to a record 29.3%.

Margins Expand Despite Price-Cost Timing Effects Companywide operating margin rose 40 basis points from a year earlier to 26.7%, aided by 120 basis points from enterprise initiatives. Price increases exceeded higher raw-material costs in dollar terms, Larsen said, though the timing lag between inflation and pricing actions reduced margin by 40 basis points in the quarter.

The company cited inflation in crude-oil derivatives such as resins and chemicals, along with logistics, freight and electronic components. Larsen said ITW expects to recover the margin effect over time through pricing, productivity and strategic sourcing efforts. Resin and crude-oil prices were trending lower in the third quarter while price increases were moving through, he said.

Among other segments, Automotive OEM revenue was roughly flat organically, with North America and China each up 1% and Europe down 5%. The segment's operating margin improved 30 basis points to 21.6%. Food Equipment was flat organically, as 5% service growth offset a 2% decline in equipment revenue. ITW expects Food Equipment organic growth and margins to improve in the second half.

Construction Products posted 2% organic growth, its highest rate in four years, while Specialty Products revenue rose 3%, including 2% organic growth. Specialty Products margin faced the company's largest price-cost headwind during the quarter, Larsen said.

Full-Year Outlook Raised Again ITW raised its 2026 organic growth forecast to 3% to 4%, from a prior range of 1% to 3%. The new midpoint of 3.5% represents a 1.5-percentage-point increase from prior guidance and implies 4.5% organic growth during the second half, management said.

GAAP EPS guidance was raised by $0.15 to $11.35 to $11.55, with a midpoint of $11.45. Operating margin guidance was maintained at 26.5% to 27.5%. Free cash flow conversion is expected to exceed 100% of net income. Full-year share repurchases are projected at about $1.5 billion. ITW bought back $750 million of stock during the second quarter, or about 1% of its outstanding shares, at an average price of $255 per share. The company said it pulled forward repurchases that had originally been planned for the third quarter. ITW also returned more than $1.2 billion to shareholders during the quarter through dividends and repurchases.

Larsen said the company has not included any material potential tariff refunds in its updated outlook.

About Illinois Tool Works (NYSE:ITW)Illinois Tool Works Inc (ITW) is a diversified industrial manufacturer that designs and produces a broad array of engineered products, consumables and related service solutions for industrial customers. Its offerings span engineered fastening systems, specialty components, industrial equipment, welding products, foodservice and packaging equipment, adhesives and polymer products, and test-and-measurement technologies. These products are used as critical inputs by customers across automotive, construction, electronics, foodservice, maintenance and other industrial end markets.

The company operates a decentralized business model in which independently managed businesses focus on niche product lines and close customer relationships.

This instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from MarketBeat in order to provide readers with the fastest reporting and unbiased coverage. Please send any questions or comments about this story to [email protected].

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Illinois Tool Works Inc. (ITW) Q2 2026 Earnings Call Transcript

Illinois Tool Works (ITW - Free Report) came out with quarterly earnings of $2.84 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.8 per share. This compares to earnings of $2.58 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items.

This quarterly report represents an earnings surprise of +1.43%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this equipment manufacturer for the transportation, power, food and construction industries would post earnings of $2.55 per share when it actually produced earnings of $2.66, delivering a surprise of +4.31%.

Over the last four quarters, the company has surpassed consensus EPS estimates four times.

Illinois Tool Works, which belongs to the Zacks Manufacturing - General Industrial industry, posted revenues of $4.3 billion for the quarter ended June 2026, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 2.83%. This compares to year-ago revenues of $4.05 billion. The company has topped consensus revenue estimates three times over the last four quarters.

The sustainability of the stock's immediate price movement based on the recently-released numbers and future earnings expectations will mostly depend on management's commentary on the earnings call.

Illinois Tool Works shares have added about 15.6% since the beginning of the year versus the S&P 500's gain of 8.3%.

What's Next for Illinois Tool Works?While Illinois Tool Works has outperformed the market so far this year, the question that comes to investors' minds is: what's next for the stock?

There are no easy answers to this key question, but one reliable measure that can help investors address this is the company's earnings outlook. Not only does this include current consensus earnings expectations for the coming quarter(s), but also how these expectations have changed lately.

Empirical research shows a strong correlation between near-term stock movements and trends in earnings estimate revisions. Investors can track such revisions by themselves or rely on a tried-and-tested rating tool like the Zacks Rank, which has an impressive track record of harnessing the power of earnings estimate revisions.

Ahead of this earnings release, the estimate revisions trend for Illinois Tool Works was mixed. While the magnitude and direction of estimate revisions could change following the company's just-released earnings report, the current status translates into a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) for the stock. So, the shares are expected to perform in line with the market in the near future. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

It will be interesting to see how estimates for the coming quarters and the current fiscal year change in the days ahead. The current consensus EPS estimate is $2.96 on $4.18 billion in revenues for the coming quarter and $11.37 on $16.57 billion in revenues for the current fiscal year.

Investors should be mindful of the fact that the outlook for the industry can have a material impact on the performance of the stock as well. In terms of the Zacks Industry Rank, Manufacturing - General Industrial is currently in the top 23% of the 250 plus Zacks industries. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperform the bottom 50% by a factor of more than 2 to 1.

One other stock from the same industry, Gates Industrial (GTES - Free Report) , is yet to report results for the quarter ended June 2026. The results are expected to be released on July 31.

This manufacturer of power transmission and fluid power systems is expected to post quarterly earnings of $0.40 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +2.6%. The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 2.4% lower over the last 30 days to the current level.

Gates Industrial's revenues are expected to be $922.4 million, up 4.4% from the year-ago quarter.

Revenue of $4.30 billion, increased +6.1% as organic growth accelerated to +4.5%Operating income of $1.15 billion grew +7.4% marking the most profitable quarter in company historyOperating margin of 26.7% expanded 40 bps, as enterprise initiatives contributed 120 bpsGAAP EPS of $2.84 increased +10.1%Operating cash flow of $723 million and free cash flow of $631 million; an increase of +41%Full Year 2026 guidance raised; organic revenue raised +1.5%-pts to new midpoint of 3.5% and GAAP EPS raised +$0.15 to new midpoint of $11.45 GLENVIEW, Ill., July 28, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Illinois Tool Works Inc. (NYSE: ITW) today reported its second quarter 2026 results and raised full year 2026 guidance.

“The ITW team delivered a strong operational and financial performance in the second quarter highlighted by organic growth of 4.5 percent, operating margin of 26.7 percent, and a 10 percent increase in GAAP earnings per share to $2.84,” said Christopher A. O’Herlihy, President and Chief Executive Officer.

“Our results reflect a meaningful acceleration in our capex-related segments, led by double-digit organic growth in Welding and Test & Measurement and Electronics, alongside strong performance in Polymers & Fluids. As we advance our enterprise strategy priorities, we remain well-positioned to drive consistent, above-market organic growth powered by increased contribution to revenue growth from Customer-Back Innovation while further expanding profitability and margins. As a result of our strong operational momentum, we are raising both top- and bottom-line guidance for the full year,” O’Herlihy concluded.

Second Quarter 2026 Results

Second quarter revenue of $4.30 billion increased by 6.1 percent. Organic revenue growth was 4.5 percent, led by 6.4 percent growth in North America. Foreign currency translation increased revenue by 1.4 percent and an acquisition added 0.2 percent.

GAAP EPS grew 10.1 percent to $2.84, while operating income increased 7.4 percent to $1.15 billion, marking the most profitable quarter in the history of the company. Operating margin expanded by 40 basis points to 26.7 percent as enterprise initiatives contributed 120 basis points. In the quarter, price increases more than offset higher raw material costs in dollar terms, though timing lags between inflation and price adjustments modestly diluted margins. Operating cash flow was $723 million, and free cash flow was $631 million, a 41 percent increase representing a 77 percent conversion of net income. During the quarter, the company returned over $1.2 billion to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases of $750 million. The effective tax rate for the quarter was 24.4 percent.

2026 Guidance

ITW is raising its full year 2026 GAAP EPS guidance by $0.15 to a narrowed range of $11.35 to $11.55 per share, representing 9 percent growth at the midpoint. Based on current demand levels and prevailing foreign exchange rates, the company is raising revenue growth guidance to a new range of 4 to 5 percent and raising organic growth guidance to 3 to 4 percent, a 1.5 percentage point increase at the midpoint.

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 exceed 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 the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements may include, without limitation, statements regarding global 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, operating and incremental margin, price/cost impact, statements regarding diluted income per share, expected dividend payments, after-tax return on invested capital, effective tax rates, exchange rates, expected timing and amount of share repurchases, end market economic and regulatory conditions, the impact of recent or potential acquisitions and/or divestitures, 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 Form 10-K for 2025 and subsequent reports filed with the SEC.

About Illinois Tool Works
ITW (NYSE: ITW) is a Fortune 300 global multi-industrial 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. www.itw.com.

    ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC. and SUBSIDIARIES
STATEMENT OF INCOME (UNAUDITED)
     Three Months Ended Six Months Ended June 30, June 30,In millions except per share amounts2026 2025 2026 2025Operating Revenue$4,301  $4,053  $8,317  $7,892 Cost of revenue 2,403   2,271   4,659   4,432 Selling, administrative, and research and development expenses 735   693   1,457   1,399 Amortization and impairment of intangible assets 16   21   34   42 Operating Income 1,147   1,068   2,167   2,019 Interest expense (79)  (74)  (152)  (142)Other income (expense) 12   4   32   16 Income Before Taxes 1,080   998   2,047   1,893 Income Taxes 265   243   464   438 Net Income$815  $755  $1,583  $1,455         Net Income Per Share:       Basic$2.85  $2.58  $5.51  $4.97 Diluted$2.84  $2.58  $5.50  $4.95         Cash Dividends Per Share:       Paid$1.61  $1.50  $3.22  $3.00 Declared$1.61  $1.50  $3.22  $3.00         Shares of Common Stock Outstanding During the Period:       Average 286.4   292.3   287.3   292.9 Average assuming dilution 287.0   292.9   288.1   293.7                  ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC. and SUBSIDIARIES
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION (UNAUDITED)    In millionsJune 30, 2026 December 31, 2025Assets   Current Assets:   Cash and equivalents$839  $851 Trade receivables 3,564   3,227 Inventories 1,756   1,659 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 441   463 Total current assets 6,600   6,200     Net plant and equipment 2,235   2,230 Goodwill 5,074   5,098 Intangible assets 558   591 Deferred income taxes 489   519 Other assets 1,538   1,510  $16,494  $16,148     Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity   Current Liabilities:   Short-term debt$3,145  $2,286 Accounts payable 636   522 Accrued expenses 1,592   1,636 Cash dividends payable 457   465 Income taxes payable 123   217 Total current liabilities 5,953   5,126     Noncurrent Liabilities:   Long-term debt 6,549   6,683 Deferred income taxes 162   154 Other liabilities 935   959 Total noncurrent liabilities 7,646   7,796     Stockholders' Equity:   Common stock 6   6 Additional paid-in-capital 1,838   1,771 Retained earnings 30,812   30,150 Common stock held in treasury (28,004)  (26,875)Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (1,758)  (1,827)Noncontrolling interest 1   1 Total stockholders' equity 2,895   3,226  $16,494  $16,148          ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC. and SUBSIDIARIES
SEGMENT DATA (UNAUDITED)
 Three Months Ended June 30, 2026Dollars in millionsTotal RevenueOperating IncomeOperating MarginAutomotive OEM$857 $185 21.6 %Food Equipment 692  188 27.1 %Test & Measurement and Electronics 769  193 25.2 %Welding 549  178 32.4 %Polymers & Fluids 476  140 29.3 %Construction Products 494  151 30.6 %Specialty Products 468  148 31.5 %Intersegment (4) — — %Total Segments 4,301  1,183 27.5 %Unallocated —  (36)— %Total Company$4,301 $1,147 26.7 %           Six Months Ended June 30, 2026Dollars in millionsTotal RevenueOperating IncomeOperating MarginAutomotive OEM$1,677 $358 21.3 %Food Equipment 1,329  345 26.0 %Test & Measurement and Electronics 1,484  357 24.1 %Welding 1,056  341 32.3 %Polymers & Fluids 928  266 28.7 %Construction Products 952  286 30.0 %Specialty Products 899  283 31.4 %Intersegment (8) — — %Total Segments 8,317  2,236 26.9 %Unallocated —  (69)— %Total Company$8,317 $2,167 26.1 %           ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC. and SUBSIDIARIES
SEGMENT DATA (UNAUDITED)
 Q2 2026 vs. Q2 2025 Favorable/(Unfavorable)Operating
RevenueAutomotive OEMFood EquipmentTest & Measurement and ElectronicsWeldingPolymers & FluidsConstruction ProductsSpecialty ProductsTotal ITWOrganic(0.4)%— %10.0 %13.9 %7.3 %2.0 %1.6 %4.5 %Acquisitions/
Divestitures— %— %1.3 %— %— %— %— %0.2 %Translation1.7 %1.6 %0.8 %0.8 %1.5 %2.3 %1.4 %1.4 %Operating
Revenue1.3 %1.6 %12.1 %14.7 %8.8 %4.3 %3.0 %6.1 %                          Q2 2026 vs. Q2 2025 Favorable/(Unfavorable)Change in Operating MarginAutomotive OEMFood EquipmentTest & Measurement and ElectronicsWeldingPolymers & FluidsConstruction ProductsSpecialty ProductsTotal ITWOperating Leverage(10) bps—250 bps220 bps140 bps40 bps20 bps90 bpsChanges in Variable
Margin & OH Costs20 bps(60) bps—(250) bps40 bps(40) bps(150) bps(50) bpsTotal Organic10 bps(60) bps250 bps(30) bps180 bps—(130) bps40 bpsAcquisitions/
Divestitures——(20) bps—————Restructuring/Other20 bps—10 bps(40) bps(20) bps(20) bps20 bps—Total Operating
Margin Change30 bps(60) bps240 bps(70) bps160 bps(20) bps(110) bps40 bps         Total Operating
Margin % *21.6%27.1%25.2%32.4%29.3%30.6%31.5%26.7%         * Includes unfavorable operating margin impact of amortization expense from acquisition-related intangible assets20 bps10 bps120 bps—80 bps10 bps20 bps40 bps **** Amortization expense from acquisition-related intangible assets had an unfavorable impact of ($0.04) on GAAP earnings per share for the second quarter of 2026.  ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC. and SUBSIDIARIES
SEGMENT DATA (UNAUDITED) H1 2026 vs. H1 2025 Favorable/(Unfavorable)Operating
RevenueAutomotive OEMFood EquipmentTest & Measurement and ElectronicsWeldingPolymers & FluidsConstruction ProductsSpecialty ProductsTotal ITWOrganic(0.6)%(1.3)%7.4 %10.0 %4.6 %0.4 %(1.5)%2.5 %Acquisitions/
Divestitures— %— %1.5 %— %— %— %— %0.3 %Translation3.4 %2.9 %2.0 %1.0 %2.5 %3.5 %2.6 %2.6 %Operating
Revenue2.8 %1.6 %10.9 %11.0 %7.1 %3.9 %1.1 %5.4 %                          H1 2026 vs. H1 2025 Favorable/(Unfavorable)Change in
Operating MarginAutomotive OEMFood EquipmentTest & Measurement and ElectronicsWeldingPolymers & FluidsConstruction ProductsSpecialty ProductsTotal ITWOperating Leverage(10) bps(20) bps200 bps160 bps90 bps20 bps(30) bps50 bpsChanges in Variable
Margin & OH Costs70 bps(100) bps20 bps(180) bps80 bps(10) bps(40) bps(10) bpsTotal Organic60 bps(120) bps220 bps(20) bps170 bps10 bps(70) bps40 bpsAcquisitions/
Divestitures——(40) bps—————Restructuring/Other40 bps10 bps20 bps(30) bps(10) bps(10) bps30 bps10 bpsTotal Operating
Margin Change100 bps(110) bps200 bps(50) bps160 bps—(40) bps50 bps         Total Operating
Margin % *21.3%26.0%24.1%32.3%28.7%30.0%31.4%26.1%         * Includes unfavorable operating margin impact of amortization expense from acquisition-related intangible assets20 bps—130 bps—90 bps10 bps20 bps40 bps  **** Amortization expense from acquisition-related intangible assets had an unfavorable impact of ($0.09) on GAAP earnings per share for the first half 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 Six Months Ended June 30, June 30,Dollars in millions2026 2025 2026 2025Numerator:       Net Income$815  $755  $1,583  $1,455 Discrete tax benefit related to the first quarter 2026 —   —   (34)  — Discrete tax benefit related to the first quarter 2025 —   —   —   (21)Interest expense, net of tax (1) 59   56   115   108 Other (income) expense, net of tax (1) (9)  (3)  (24)  (12)Operating income after taxes$865  $808  $1,640  $1,530         Denominator:       Invested capital:       Cash and equivalents$839  $788  $839  $788 Trade receivables 3,564   3,320   3,564   3,320 Inventories 1,756   1,710   1,756   1,710 Net plant and equipment 2,235   2,177   2,235   2,177 Goodwill and intangible assets 5,632   5,596   5,632   5,596 Accounts payable and accrued expenses (2,228)  (2,157)  (2,228)  (2,157)Debt (9,694)  (8,937)  (9,694)  (8,937)Other, net 791   714   791   714 Total net assets (stockholders' equity) 2,895   3,211   2,895   3,211 Cash and equivalents (839)  (788)  (839)  (788)Debt 9,694   8,937   9,694   8,937 Total invested capital$11,750  $11,360  $11,750  $11,360         Average invested capital (2)$11,650  $10,996  $11,548  $10,741         Net income to average invested capital (3) 28.0 %  27.4 %  27.4 %  27.1 %After-tax return on average invested capital (3) 29.7 %  29.4 %  28.4 %  28.5 %                 (1) Effective tax rate used for interest expense and other (income) expense for the three months ended June 30, 2026 and 2025 was 24.4% in both periods. Effective tax rate used for interest expense and other (income) expense for the six months ended June 30, 2026 and 2025 was 24.3% and 24.2%, respectively.

(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 June 30, 2026 and 2025 were converted to an annual rate by multiplying the calculated return by 4. Returns for the six months ended June 30, 2026 and 2025 were converted to an annual rate by multiplying the calculated return by 2.

A reconciliation of the tax rate for the six month period ended June 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:

 Six Months Ended June 30, 2026Dollars in millionsIncome Taxes
 Tax RateAs reported$464  22.6 %Discrete tax benefit related to the first quarter 2026 34  1.7 %As adjusted$498  24.3 %        A reconciliation of the tax rate for the six month period ended June 30, 2025, 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:

 Six Months Ended June 30, 2025Dollars in millionsIncome Taxes Tax RateAs reported$438  23.1 %Discrete tax benefit related to the first quarter 2025 21  1.1 %As adjusted$459  24.2 %        AFTER-TAX RETURN ON AVERAGE INVESTED CAPITAL (UNAUDITED)
   Twelve Months EndedDollars in millionsDecember 31, 2025Numerator: 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, 2025Dollars in millionsIncome Taxes
 Tax RateAs 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 Six Months Ended June 30, June 30,Dollars in millions2026 2025 2026 2025Net cash provided by operating activities$723  $550  $1,346  $1,142 Less: Additions to plant and equipment (92)  (101)  (187)  (197)Free cash flow$631  $449  $1,159  $945         Net income$815  $755  $1,583  $1,455         Net cash provided by operating activities to net income conversion rate 89 %  73 %  85 %  78 %Free cash flow to net income conversion rate 77 %  59 %  73 %  65 %                 Investor Relations & Media Contact:                                               
Erin Linnihan
Tel: 224.661.7431 
[email protected] | [email protected]                     

Let's be honest. When an investor is looking for growth, they're not starting their search with industrial stocks. These companies tend to be closely tethered to the economy itself, which just doesn't move all that quickly.

Every now and then, though, an industrial stock will surprise you. The right industrial company with the right product or right service at the right time can drive more gains than you might have thought possible. Here's a closer look at two of these tickers.

Image source: Getty Images.

Illinois Tool Works Despite the name, Illinois Tool Works (ITW +2.21%) actually makes very little in the way of traditional tools. Rather, restaurant-scale dishwashers, industrial testing and measurement, welding supplies, plastic packaging, and automobile parts are a sampling of this conglomerate's product portfolio, with each of these distinctly different business lines being run independently of one another.

The thing is, it works. With a leaner, simplified structure that fosters grassroots entrepreneurialism, Illinois Tool Works is consistently able to outperform its industrial peers. Its first-quarter revenue improved 5% year over year, with more than 25% of that top line being turned into operating profit despite inflationary headwinds already blowing at the time. Analysts expect similar results for its second fiscal quarter as well.

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The chief driver of this stock's market-beating growth, however, is a combination of its dividend payments and persistent stock buybacks. This Dividend King, a company that's grown its dividend payment for at least 50 consecutive years, has not only upped its per-share payout for 63 consecutive years now but, during the past decade, has also raised its dividend at an average annual pace of a little over 10%, boosted by the repurchase of nearly 10% of its outstanding shares over the course of just the past five years.

The end result is solid net gains driven largely by reinvested dividends rather than raw price appreciation. But it works.

You'd be stepping into a forward-looking dividend yield of 2.3%, by the way, if you wanted to use these cash payments for something other than buying more shares of the company making them.

CarMax Yes, even though it's dependent on the ever-changing financial health of consumers, used car dealership chain CarMax (KMX -0.17%) is categorized as an industrial stock.

It hasn't performed particularly well in a while. After peaking during (and ultimately because of) the COVID-19 pandemic, shares have lost more than 60% of their value, hitting a multiyear low just this past December.

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The growth of online-only rival Carvana, the rise of ride-hailing services like Uber and Lyft, and the growing unaffordability of used cars themselves (Cox Automotive's Kelley Blue Book indicates the average price of a used car in the United States is now back to a three-year high above $27,000) are all contributing factors.

But consumers may be quietly struggling on their end of the business as well. Based on data from the U.S. Federal Reserve, Wards Auto reports 90-day delinquencies on auto loans remain at 3%, holding at levels last seen during the recession following 2008's subprime-mortgage meltdown. This backdrop is obviously concerning for CarMax and, by extension, its shareholders.

What's largely being lost in the mix, though, is the cyclical nature of all these headwinds and the fact that we may be nearer the end of the downcycle and closer to the beginning of a new up cycle than most investors realize. As Cox Automotive's Chief Economist, Jeremy Robb, explains, "Affordability drives demand for used units, but lower new-car sales mean fewer trade-ins, and that means lower used sales for dealers."

In other words, the used automobile industry's biggest headwind right now still isn't a lack of demand or crimped consumerism, but rather a lack of inventory.

It's coming, though, sooner or later, and likely sooner than later. Indeed, Cox adds that the nation's used car inventories have been edging higher for a few months now, climbing from March's multiyear low to 47 days' worth of inventory as of last month. It's a start.

Or if nothing else, consider this: With the Bureau of Transportation reporting the average age of cars being driven on U.S. roads now stands at 12.8 years, while the average sales price of a new vehicle is a jaw-dropping $49,758 (again, according to Cox), consumers may have little choice but to visit their nearby CarMax soon.

This stock has climbed more than 40% since the end of last year, by the way, rallying 19% just last month. It may be a subtle sign that its business has turned the corner, even if most people don't yet see it.

The upcoming report from Illinois Tool Works (ITW - Free Report) is expected to reveal quarterly earnings of $2.80 per share, indicating an increase of 8.5% compared to the year-ago period. Analysts forecast revenues of $4.18 billion, representing an increase of 3.2% year over year.

The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has undergone a downward revision of 0.1% in the past 30 days, bringing it to its present level. This represents how the covering analysts, as a whole, have reassessed their initial estimates during this timeframe.

Before a company reveals its earnings, it is vital to take into account any changes in earnings projections. These revisions play a pivotal role in predicting the possible reactions of investors toward the stock. Multiple empirical studies have consistently shown a strong association between trends in earnings estimates and the short-term price movements of a stock.

While investors typically rely on consensus earnings and revenue estimates to gauge how the business may have fared during the quarter, examining analysts' projections for some of the company's key metrics often helps gain a deeper insight.

That said, let's delve into the average estimates of some Illinois Tool Works metrics that Wall Street analysts commonly model and monitor.

Analysts predict that the 'Operating Revenues- Test & Measurement and Electronics' will reach $711.73 million. The estimate points to a change of +3.8% from the year-ago quarter.

The average prediction of analysts places 'Operating Revenues- Construction Products' at $481.52 million. The estimate indicates a year-over-year change of +1.8%.

It is projected by analysts that the 'Operating Revenues- Food Equipment' will reach $695.22 million. The estimate indicates a year-over-year change of +2.2%.

Based on the collective assessment of analysts, 'Operating Revenues- Specialty Products' should arrive at $465.35 million. The estimate indicates a year-over-year change of +2.3%.

The collective assessment of analysts points to an estimated 'Operating Revenues- Automotive OEM' of $866.34 million. The estimate indicates a change of +2.5% from the prior-year quarter.

The combined assessment of analysts suggests that 'Operating Revenues- Welding' will likely reach $497.44 million. The estimate suggests a change of +3.9% year over year.

Analysts expect 'Operating Revenues- Polymers & Fluids' to come in at $450.98 million. The estimate indicates a change of +3% from the prior-year quarter.

The consensus estimate for 'Operating Income- Automotive OEM' stands at $186.26 million. The estimate is in contrast to the year-ago figure of $180.00 million.

According to the collective judgment of analysts, 'Operating Income- Food Equipment' should come in at $199.13 million. The estimate compares to the year-ago value of $189.00 million.

Analysts' assessment points toward 'Operating Income- Test & Measurement and Electronics' reaching $173.11 million. The estimate is in contrast to the year-ago figure of $157.00 million.

The consensus among analysts is that 'Operating Income- Specialty Products' will reach $150.68 million. The estimate is in contrast to the year-ago figure of $148.00 million.

Analysts forecast 'Operating Income- Polymers & Fluids' to reach $128.43 million. The estimate compares to the year-ago value of $121.00 million.

View all Key Company Metrics for Illinois Tool Works here>>>

Over the past month, Illinois Tool Works shares have recorded returns of +3.9% versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +0.4% change. Based on its Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), ITW will likely exhibit a performance that aligns with the overall market in the upcoming period. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>> .

The market expects Illinois Tool Works (ITW - Free Report) to deliver a year-over-year increase in earnings on higher revenues when it reports results for the quarter ended June 2026. This widely-known consensus outlook is important in assessing the company's earnings picture, but a powerful factor that might influence its near-term stock price is how the actual results compare to these estimates.

The earnings report, which is expected to be released on July 28, might help the stock move higher if these key numbers are better than expectations. On the other hand, if they miss, the stock may move lower.

While management's discussion of business conditions on the earnings call will mostly determine the sustainability of the immediate price change and future earnings expectations, it's worth having a handicapping insight into the odds of a positive EPS surprise.

Zacks Consensus EstimateThis equipment manufacturer for the transportation, power, food and construction industries is expected to post quarterly earnings of $2.80 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +8.5%.

Revenues are expected to be $4.18 billion, up 3.2% from the year-ago quarter.

Estimate Revisions TrendThe consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 0.38% lower over the last 30 days to the current level. This is essentially a reflection of how the covering analysts have collectively reassessed their initial estimates over this period.

Investors should keep in mind that an aggregate change may not always reflect the direction of estimate revisions by each of the covering analysts.

Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

Earnings WhisperEstimate revisions ahead of a company's earnings release offer clues to the business conditions for the period whose results are coming out. This insight is at the core of our proprietary surprise prediction model -- the Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction).

The Zacks Earnings ESP compares the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter; the Most Accurate Estimate is a more recent version of the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate. The idea here is that analysts revising their estimates right before an earnings release have the latest information, which could potentially be more accurate than what they and others contributing to the consensus had predicted earlier.

Thus, a positive or negative Earnings ESP reading theoretically indicates the likely deviation of the actual earnings from the consensus estimate. However, the model's predictive power is significant for positive ESP readings only.

A positive Earnings ESP is a strong predictor of an earnings beat, particularly when combined with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold). Our research shows that stocks with this combination produce a positive surprise nearly 70% of the time, and a solid Zacks Rank actually increases the predictive power of Earnings ESP.

Please note that a negative Earnings ESP reading is not indicative of an earnings miss. Our research shows that it is difficult to predict an earnings beat with any degree of confidence for stocks with negative Earnings ESP readings and/or Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell) or 5 (Strong Sell).

How Have the Numbers Shaped Up for Illinois Tool Works?For Illinois Tool Works, the Most Accurate Estimate is higher than the Zacks Consensus Estimate, suggesting that analysts have recently become bullish on the company's earnings prospects. This has resulted in an Earnings ESP of +0.31%.

On the other hand, the stock currently carries a Zacks Rank of #3.

So, this combination indicates that Illinois Tool Works will most likely beat the consensus EPS estimate.

Does Earnings Surprise History Hold Any Clue?Analysts often consider to what extent a company has been able to match consensus estimates in the past while calculating their estimates for its future earnings. So, it's worth taking a look at the surprise history for gauging its influence on the upcoming number.

For the last reported quarter, it was expected that Illinois Tool Works would post earnings of $2.55 per share when it actually produced earnings of $2.66, delivering a surprise of +4.31%.

Over the last four quarters, the company has beaten consensus EPS estimates four times.

Bottom LineAn earnings beat or miss may not be the sole basis for a stock moving higher or lower. Many stocks end up losing ground despite an earnings beat due to other factors that disappoint investors. Similarly, unforeseen catalysts help a number of stocks gain despite an earnings miss.

That said, betting on stocks that are expected to beat earnings expectations does increase the odds of success. This is why it's worth checking a company's Earnings ESP and Zacks Rank ahead of its quarterly release. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported.

Illinois Tool Works appears a compelling earnings-beat candidate. However, investors should pay attention to other factors too for betting on this stock or staying away from it ahead of its earnings release.

An Industry Player's Expected ResultsAnother stock from the Zacks Manufacturing - General Industrial industry, Illinois Tool Works (ITW - Free Report) , is soon expected to post earnings of $2.8 per share for the quarter ended June 2026. This estimate indicates a year-over-year change of +8.5%. Revenues for the quarter are expected to be $4.18 billion, up 3.2% from the year-ago quarter.

The consensus EPS estimate for Illinois Tool Works has been revised 0.4% lower over the last 30 days to the current level. However, a higher Most Accurate Estimate has resulted in an Earnings ESP of +0.31%.

This Earnings ESP, combined with its Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), suggests that Illinois Tool Works will most likely beat the consensus EPS estimate. The company beat consensus EPS estimates in each of the trailing four quarters.

Stay on top of upcoming earnings announcements with the Zacks Earnings Calendar.

Illinois Tool Works remains a quality operator but is currently rated 'hold' due to valuation at the higher end of fair value. Recent revenue growth has been driven primarily by foreign currency gains, masking organic sales declines across several segments. Management guides for 2026 revenue of $16.3–$16.6 billion and net profit growth, but organic demand remains soft in key end markets.

ITW is seeing broad strength across key segments and margin gains from enterprise initiatives, even as construction weakness and currency risks remain.

Need a new dividend stock you know you can count on? The usual suspects like Coca-Cola and Procter & Gamble remain solid options. You may have better luck, however, with a dividend stock that has an equally strong track record that's a bit off the beaten path. That's Dividend King Illinois Tool Works (ITW +0.14%).

Built to last Contrary to a common assumption, Illinois Tool Works doesn't manufacture typical hand tools like hammers and drills. Rather, automobile parts, commercial-grade cooking, industrial testing equipment, plastic packaging, construction fasteners, and welding supplies are all in its product portfolio. It makes very little under the company's brand name, though. Illinois Tool Works is a true conglomerate of several different businesses that not only operate independently of one another, but each of which operates under its own moniker.

Image source: Getty Images.

This entrepreneurial-minded model works, too. Illinois Tool Works is consistently profitable and a reliable grower.

More important to interested investors, this constant cash flow has allowed the company to raise its dividend payment for 62 consecutive years. And by more than a little. Over the course of just the past decade, its quarterly per-share payout has improved from $0.55 to $1.61. That's annualized growth of a little more than 11%, easily outpacing inflation during this stretch.

Affording these payments isn't a problem, either. Last year's total payout of $6.22 per share was more than covered by the company's full-year GAAP earnings of $10.49, extending a long-standing payout ratio that's hovered around a comfortable -- and sustainable -- 60% for several years now.

No pizzazz, but plenty of performance And this begs the question: Why is this solid dividend stock down 12% from its mid-February peak?

It's for many of the usual reasons you'd expect, like growth headwinds, economic uncertainty, and valuation concerns. Mostly, though, rather than an indictment of the company's prospects or the stock's valuation, the slide since then is just a right-pricing of the stock following its early February surge. Analysts still expect continued top-line growth of a little more than 3% this year as well as next to drive considerably faster per-share earnings growth, as has been the case for years now.

ITW Shares Outstanding (Quarterly) data by YCharts

See, Illinois Tool Works has also been steadily buying back its own stock since 2004, more than halving its outstanding share count over that period. These stock repurchases aren't apt to end anytime soon. The $76 billion company expects to spend $1.5 billion buying back its own stock this year alone.

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No, it's not a sexy growth company in a high-flying industry like artificial intelligence. It's relatively boring, in fact, and slow moving.

For income investors in need of reliable income and inflation-beating dividend growth, though, this often-overlooked outfit offers it in droves. The recent weakness is a buying opportunity, letting you in at a relative low point in a long-term uptrend. Don't overthink it.

APPLETON, Wis.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Miller Electric Mfg. LLC, a leading worldwide manufacturer of Miller® brand arc welding equipment, today announced a free product upgrade for the Millermatic® 211 PRO and Multimatic® 215 PRO. The upgrade adds new capabilities, including Dyna-Pulse™ technology never before available from Miller in this amp class, to machines already in welders' shops. The upgrade is delivered through a quick USB-enabled software download at no additional cost. The upgrade reflect.

A calm lake with a wooden dock in the foreground in Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada. Two Adirondack chairs with neatly folded beach towels on the arms face the water. Long exposure shot.

getty

Sell in May? Ha! Try “buy in July.”

Truth is, summer is the best time to troll for dividend deals—especially July. We’re going to “back up the truck” on two tickers in a sec.

Why July?

Because it’s the strongest month of the year for stocks, according to a 2024 report from the Carson Group, a financial-advisory firm. Here’s the upshot: Over the 20 years leading up to July 2024, the S&P 500 rose 2.3% on average.

And that’s just the average. Many years saw bigger gains than that.

This is our short-term play.

On the horizon, we’ve got the midterms. We’re not going to linger on that dreaded event. Suffice it to say, the vote is not what we’re interested in—it’s what traditionally comes in the year after it: stock-market gains.

A May study by RBC Wealth Management sets the table here. Going back to 1932, it found that the year following the midterms was the strongest in the four-year presidential cycle, with S&P 500 rising 14% on average.

MORE FOR YOU

The bottom line for us is that we’ve got a nice setup for gains this summer, plus another price pop setting up for 2027.

And despite what the headlines say, inflation (and interest rates) will come down. We’re already seeing it in oil prices, and the International Energy Agency (IEA) actually forecasts an oil glut next year.

Oversupply of the goo is fuel (sorry, couldn’t resist!) for growth. It’s an inflation-killer, too.

But we don’t want to be naïve. There’s certainly concern out there. But at times like these, it pays to remember the old stock-market adage: Stocks climb a wall of worry.

They’re certainly doing that now! And my indicators suggest they’ll keep it up. That makes now a good time to buy. Here are two dividend-growth plays to put on your list.

ITW: Hated By Wall Street, Loved By Dividend InvestorsIllinois Tool Works (ITW) is one of those stocks analysts hate. That’s because it’s basically an umbrella name covering a range of businesses that aren’t really connected.

Kitchen ovens and fryers? ITW makes ’em under its Hobart and Vulcan brands. Gear for testing electronics? It makes that, too. Fasteners and components for cars? Check.

It’s enough to drive Wall Street—which loves a “clean” single-product story—batty! According to the WSJ, and only two analysts covering the stock rate it a buy right now, with 11 at hold, two “underweight” and five sells. Perfect. We love disliked stocks like these because as they beat low expectations, more analysts come onboard, creating a feedback loop that boosts its price.

And there’s every reason for that to happen.

For one, the company follows what it calls the 80/20 model, where it zeroes in on its biggest/most profitable clients or products—the top 20% or so—which the company sees as providing the bulk (or 80%) of the company’s sales. That tight focus keeps margins high: in Q1, operating margins rose 60 basis points, to 25.4%.

Revenue also jumped a tidy 5% and EPS gained 12%. And management raised full-year guidance by $0.10, to between $11.10 to $11.50. The stock trades at a reasonable 24-times the midpoint of that range.

Which brings me to another reason why ITW is overlooked: the dividend. As I write this, shares yield 2.4%, which sounds okay—until you look at the company’s payout history:

ITW Total Returns

Ycharts

As you can see, over the last decade, ITW has nearly tripled its dividend. You can also see what I call the “Dividend Magnet” in action: The share price has climbed in lockstep. That gap on the right side represents further upside.

That means, of course, that an investor who bought back then is not yielding 2.4% today. They’re pocketing 6.2% (and climbing) on their buy instead. And that’s before we account for the 17% of the company’s float that management has bought back in that time, throwing an additional lift under the stock.

ITW, in other words, is the picture of shareholder friendliness, which makes it worth our attention now.

Deere: Buy for the Construction Boom, Stay for the Farm RevivalDeere & Co. (DE) is sitting in a “sweet spot” for us to buy now.

For starters, the company, a holding my Hidden Yields service, boasts a booming construction-equipment segment, with management forecasting a 20% sales gain, plus 10% to 12% operating-margin expansion for this business, in 2026.

That’s the good news.

The drag? The segment of its agricultural business focusing on large farms, where sales slumped 14% in Q1, and management sees slipping 5% to 10% this year, according to the company’s latest earnings presentation.

But there are green shoots in these numbers, namely that corn and wheat prices have been firming up in the last few weeks, according to the two Teucrium ETFs tracking them, and management itself has said it sees now as the bottom of the ag cycle:

Crop Prices

Ycharts

That’s a nice window for us: We never chase a boom. We buy the bottom instead. And as with ITW, we’re looking at a stock that Wall Street doesn’t understand.

Beyond that, high fuel and fertilizer costs, as well as high borrowing costs, have been squeezing farmers, but fuel costs look set to trend lower (see the oil glut mentioned above), and a decline in overall inflation should slow the rise of other costs, as well.

Meantime, as with ITW, Deere’s share price has been following the furrow plowed by its dividend—a trend I expect to continue as the ag cycle turns and global infrastructure spending (including, yes, on data centers) keeps Deere’s construction-equipment business booming:

DE Total Returns

Ycharts

A final upside driver for the payout? Deere’s low payout ratio, with the divvie accounting for just 47% of the last 12 months of free cash flow. That’s very manageable and lends itself to strong payout growth, especially in this “sweet spot” in the ag-growth cycle.

Brett Owens is Chief Investment Strategist for Contrarian Outlook. For more great income ideas, get your free copy his latest special report: Your Early Retirement Portfolio: Huge Dividends—Every Month—Forever.

Posted by Defense World Staff on Apr 21st, 2026

Alley Investment Management Company LLC lessened its holdings in Illinois Tool Works Inc. (NYSE:ITW – Free Report) by 94.9% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 1,932 shares of the industrial products company’s stock after selling 36,172 shares during the quarter. Alley Investment Management Company LLC’s holdings in Illinois Tool Works were worth $476,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

A number of other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Mayflower Financial Advisors LLC grew its stake in Illinois Tool Works by 3.8% in the 4th quarter. Mayflower Financial Advisors LLC now owns 1,065 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $262,000 after purchasing an additional 39 shares during the period. Revisor Wealth Management LLC grew its stake in Illinois Tool Works by 1.4% in the 4th quarter. Revisor Wealth Management LLC now owns 2,841 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $734,000 after purchasing an additional 39 shares during the period. Fort Washington Investment Advisors Inc. OH grew its stake in Illinois Tool Works by 1.3% in the 4th quarter. Fort Washington Investment Advisors Inc. OH now owns 3,015 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $743,000 after purchasing an additional 40 shares during the period. JFS Wealth Advisors LLC grew its stake in Illinois Tool Works by 22.3% in the 4th quarter. JFS Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 219 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $54,000 after purchasing an additional 40 shares during the period. Finally, Everpar Advisors LLC grew its stake in Illinois Tool Works by 1.7% in the 3rd quarter. Everpar Advisors LLC now owns 2,574 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $671,000 after purchasing an additional 42 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 79.77% of the company’s stock.

Insider Transactions at Illinois Tool Works In related news, EVP Axel Beck sold 4,223 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $290.22, for a total transaction of $1,225,599.06. Following the sale, the executive vice president owned 5,789 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,680,083.58. This represents a 42.18% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, Director Ernest Scott Santi sold 167,345 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $290.93, for a total value of $48,685,680.85. Following the sale, the director directly owned 258,766 shares in the company, valued at $75,282,792.38. This trade represents a 39.27% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Corporate insiders own 0.83% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes A number of research analysts have issued reports on the company. Citigroup upped their price objective on Illinois Tool Works from $271.00 to $284.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 4th. Wolfe Research upped their price target on Illinois Tool Works from $276.00 to $295.00 and gave the company an “underperform” rating in a research report on Friday, February 27th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “buy (b-)” rating on shares of Illinois Tool Works in a research report on Wednesday, January 28th. The Goldman Sachs Group reaffirmed a “sell” rating and set a $253.00 price target on shares of Illinois Tool Works in a research report on Tuesday, February 3rd. Finally, Barclays dropped their price target on Illinois Tool Works from $275.00 to $250.00 and set an “underweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, April 1st. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, seven have issued a Hold rating and five have given a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Illinois Tool Works has an average rating of “Reduce” and an average target price of $270.00.

Read Our Latest Stock Report on Illinois Tool Works

Illinois Tool Works Stock Performance Shares of ITW opened at $272.34 on Tuesday. The stock’s 50-day simple moving average is $275.60 and its 200 day simple moving average is $260.95. The stock has a market capitalization of $78.46 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 25.96, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.89 and a beta of 1.13. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.07, a quick ratio of 0.89 and a current ratio of 1.21. Illinois Tool Works Inc. has a 52-week low of $224.90 and a 52-week high of $303.15.

Illinois Tool Works (NYSE:ITW – Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 3rd. The industrial products company reported $2.72 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.69 by $0.03. The business had revenue of $4.09 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $4.07 billion. Illinois Tool Works had a return on equity of 95.16% and a net margin of 19.11%.The firm’s quarterly revenue was up 4.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $2.54 EPS. Illinois Tool Works has set its FY 2026 guidance at 11.000-11.400 EPS. Research analysts forecast that Illinois Tool Works Inc. will post 11.26 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Illinois Tool Works Announces Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, April 9th. Investors of record on Tuesday, March 31st were issued a dividend of $1.61 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, March 31st. This represents a $6.44 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.4%. Illinois Tool Works’s dividend payout ratio is 61.39%.

About Illinois Tool Works (Free Report)

Illinois Tool Works Inc (ITW) is a diversified industrial manufacturer that designs and produces a broad array of engineered products, consumables and related service solutions for industrial customers. Its offerings span engineered fastening systems, specialty components, industrial equipment, welding products, foodservice and packaging equipment, adhesives and polymer products, and test-and-measurement technologies. These products are used as critical inputs by customers across automotive, construction, electronics, foodservice, maintenance and other industrial end markets.

The company operates a decentralized business model in which independently managed businesses focus on niche product lines and close customer relationships.

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Wall Street expects a year-over-year increase in earnings on higher revenues when Illinois Tool Works (ITW - Free Report) reports results for the quarter ended March 2026. While this widely-known consensus outlook is important in gauging the company's earnings picture, a powerful factor that could impact its near-term stock price is how the actual results compare to these estimates.

The stock might move higher if these key numbers top expectations in the upcoming earnings report, which is expected to be released on April 30. On the other hand, if they miss, the stock may move lower.

While the sustainability of the immediate price change and future earnings expectations will mostly depend on management's discussion of business conditions on the earnings call, it's worth handicapping the probability of a positive EPS surprise.

Zacks Consensus EstimateThis equipment manufacturer for the transportation, power, food and construction industries is expected to post quarterly earnings of $2.55 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +7.1%.

Revenues are expected to be $4 billion, up 4.1% from the year-ago quarter.

Estimate Revisions TrendThe consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 0.1% lower over the last 30 days to the current level. This is essentially a reflection of how the covering analysts have collectively reassessed their initial estimates over this period.

Investors should keep in mind that an aggregate change may not always reflect the direction of estimate revisions by each of the covering analysts.

Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

Earnings WhisperEstimate revisions ahead of a company's earnings release offer clues to the business conditions for the period whose results are coming out. This insight is at the core of our proprietary surprise prediction model -- the Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction).

The Zacks Earnings ESP compares the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter; the Most Accurate Estimate is a more recent version of the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate. The idea here is that analysts revising their estimates right before an earnings release have the latest information, which could potentially be more accurate than what they and others contributing to the consensus had predicted earlier.

Thus, a positive or negative Earnings ESP reading theoretically indicates the likely deviation of the actual earnings from the consensus estimate. However, the model's predictive power is significant for positive ESP readings only.

A positive Earnings ESP is a strong predictor of an earnings beat, particularly when combined with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold). Our research shows that stocks with this combination produce a positive surprise nearly 70% of the time, and a solid Zacks Rank actually increases the predictive power of Earnings ESP.

Please note that a negative Earnings ESP reading is not indicative of an earnings miss. Our research shows that it is difficult to predict an earnings beat with any degree of confidence for stocks with negative Earnings ESP readings and/or Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell) or 5 (Strong Sell).

How Have the Numbers Shaped Up for Illinois Tool Works?For Illinois Tool Works, the Most Accurate Estimate is higher than the Zacks Consensus Estimate, suggesting that analysts have recently become bullish on the company's earnings prospects. This has resulted in an Earnings ESP of +0.30%.

On the other hand, the stock currently carries a Zacks Rank of #3.

So, this combination indicates that Illinois Tool Works will most likely beat the consensus EPS estimate.

Does Earnings Surprise History Hold Any Clue?While calculating estimates for a company's future earnings, analysts often consider to what extent it has been able to match past consensus estimates. So, it's worth taking a look at the surprise history for gauging its influence on the upcoming number.

For the last reported quarter, it was expected that Illinois Tool Works would post earnings of $2.68 per share when it actually produced earnings of $2.72, delivering a surprise of +1.49%.

Over the last four quarters, the company has beaten consensus EPS estimates four times.

Bottom LineAn earnings beat or miss may not be the sole basis for a stock moving higher or lower. Many stocks end up losing ground despite an earnings beat due to other factors that disappoint investors. Similarly, unforeseen catalysts help a number of stocks gain despite an earnings miss.

That said, betting on stocks that are expected to beat earnings expectations does increase the odds of success. This is why it's worth checking a company's Earnings ESP and Zacks Rank ahead of its quarterly release. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported.

Illinois Tool Works appears a compelling earnings-beat candidate. However, investors should pay attention to other factors too for betting on this stock or staying away from it ahead of its earnings release.

Expected Results of an Industry PlayerAmong the stocks in the Zacks Manufacturing - General Industrial industry, Idex (IEX - Free Report) , is soon expected to post earnings of $1.78 per share for the quarter ended March 2026. This estimate indicates a year-over-year change of +1.7%. This quarter's revenue is expected to be $835.16 million, up 2.6% from the year-ago quarter.

The consensus EPS estimate for Idex has been revised 0.1% lower over the last 30 days to the current level. However, a lower Most Accurate Estimate has resulted in an Earnings ESP of -0.85%.

This Earnings ESP, combined with its Zacks Rank #4 (Sell), makes it difficult to conclusively predict that Idex will beat the consensus EPS estimate. The company beat consensus EPS estimates in each of the trailing four quarters.

Stay on top of upcoming earnings announcements with the Zacks Earnings Calendar.

Posted by Defense World Staff on Apr 26th, 2026

Calamos Advisors LLC decreased its position in Illinois Tool Works Inc. (NYSE:ITW – Free Report) by 3.7% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 60,902 shares of the industrial products company’s stock after selling 2,327 shares during the period. Calamos Advisors LLC’s holdings in Illinois Tool Works were worth $15,000,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in ITW. Lodestone Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in Illinois Tool Works in the 4th quarter valued at about $28,000. Beacon Financial Strategies CORP purchased a new stake in Illinois Tool Works in the 4th quarter valued at about $29,000. True Wealth Design LLC increased its stake in Illinois Tool Works by 341.9% in the 3rd quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 137 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $36,000 after buying an additional 106 shares during the last quarter. MTM Investment Management LLC increased its stake in Illinois Tool Works by 70.5% in the 3rd quarter. MTM Investment Management LLC now owns 162 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $42,000 after buying an additional 67 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Financial Consulate Inc. purchased a new stake in Illinois Tool Works in the 3rd quarter valued at about $43,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 79.77% of the company’s stock.

Trending Headlines about Illinois Tool Works Here are the key news stories impacting Illinois Tool Works this week:

Positive Sentiment: Wall Street expects ITW to report earnings growth next week; analysts see the company as having the right setup for a likely beat, which supports near-term upside into the report. Illinois Tool Works (ITW) Reports Next Week: Wall Street Expects Earnings Growth (Zacks) Positive Sentiment: Analyst write-up positions ITW as a top defensive stock (ranked 6th on a defensive list), highlighting its 80/20 front-to-back process and steady cash generation — a reason some investors buy on weakness. Illinois Tool Works Inc. (ITW): Emerging as Premier Defensive Play Neutral Sentiment: General coverage names ITW among large-cap stocks to watch; this is broad interest/visibility but not new company-specific catalyst. 1 Large-Cap Stock Worth Your Attention and 2 We Find Risky Negative Sentiment: MarketWatch notes ITW underperformed rivals on Friday, signaling relative weakness vs. peers that can amplify selling when sector sentiment turns cautious. Illinois Tool Works Inc. stock underperforms Friday when compared to competitors Negative Sentiment: Peer Allegion flagged rising costs and FX headwinds ahead of earnings — signals that cost/forex pressure is present across industrial peers and could temper ITW’s margin outlook. Allegion Gears Up to Post Q1 Earnings: Is a Beat in the Offing? Negative Sentiment: IDEX warned of weak end-market demand in parts (fire safety) and rising costs — another indicator of demand/margin pressure in the industrials group. IDEX Gears Up to Report Q1 Earnings: What’s in the Cards? Negative Sentiment: Gates Industrial is expected to report an earnings decline, reflecting weaker industrial demand in parts of the cycle — a caution for investors watching momentum across the space. Analysts Estimate Gates Industrial (GTES) to Report a Decline in Earnings: What to Look Out for Negative Sentiment: Avery Dennison’s preview highlights margin pressures and a negative earnings surprise signal — adds to the theme of input-cost and margin risk across packaging/industrial stocks. Avery Dennison to Report Q1 Earnings: What’s in Store for the Stock? Analyst Ratings Changes ITW has been the subject of several research analyst reports. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price target on shares of Illinois Tool Works from $270.00 to $245.00 and set an “underweight” rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, April 1st. Citigroup raised their price target on shares of Illinois Tool Works from $271.00 to $284.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 4th. Weiss Ratings restated a “buy (b-)” rating on shares of Illinois Tool Works in a research note on Wednesday, January 28th. Barclays decreased their price target on shares of Illinois Tool Works from $275.00 to $250.00 and set an “underweight” rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, April 1st. Finally, Wolfe Research raised their price target on shares of Illinois Tool Works from $276.00 to $295.00 and gave the stock an “underperform” rating in a research note on Friday, February 27th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, seven have assigned a Hold rating and five have issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Reduce” and a consensus price target of $270.00.

View Our Latest Analysis on ITW

Insider Activity at Illinois Tool Works In related news, Director Ernest Scott Santi sold 167,345 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $290.93, for a total value of $48,685,680.85. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 258,766 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $75,282,792.38. This trade represents a 39.27% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Axel Beck sold 4,223 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $290.22, for a total transaction of $1,225,599.06. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 5,789 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,680,083.58. This trade represents a 42.18% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. 0.83% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Illinois Tool Works Trading Down 1.4% Shares of ITW stock opened at $269.44 on Friday. The company has a 50 day moving average of $273.43 and a 200-day moving average of $261.27. The company has a quick ratio of 0.89, a current ratio of 1.21 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.07. Illinois Tool Works Inc. has a 12-month low of $228.76 and a 12-month high of $303.15. The firm has a market cap of $77.62 billion, a P/E ratio of 25.69, a PEG ratio of 4.90 and a beta of 1.13.

Illinois Tool Works (NYSE:ITW – Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 3rd. The industrial products company reported $2.72 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.69 by $0.03. The company had revenue of $4.09 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.07 billion. Illinois Tool Works had a net margin of 19.11% and a return on equity of 95.16%. Illinois Tool Works’s quarterly revenue was up 4.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $2.54 EPS. Illinois Tool Works has set its FY 2026 guidance at 11.000-11.400 EPS. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Illinois Tool Works Inc. will post 11.26 earnings per share for the current year.

Illinois Tool Works Dividend Announcement The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, April 9th. Investors of record on Tuesday, March 31st were issued a $1.61 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, March 31st. This represents a $6.44 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.4%. Illinois Tool Works’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 61.39%.

Illinois Tool Works Profile (Free Report)

Illinois Tool Works Inc (ITW) is a diversified industrial manufacturer that designs and produces a broad array of engineered products, consumables and related service solutions for industrial customers. Its offerings span engineered fastening systems, specialty components, industrial equipment, welding products, foodservice and packaging equipment, adhesives and polymer products, and test-and-measurement technologies. These products are used as critical inputs by customers across automotive, construction, electronics, foodservice, maintenance and other industrial end markets.

The company operates a decentralized business model in which independently managed businesses focus on niche product lines and close customer relationships.

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Posted by Defense World Staff on Apr 29th, 2026

Comerica Bank lessened its stake in shares of Illinois Tool Works Inc. (NYSE:ITW – Free Report) by 3.6% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 64,343 shares of the industrial products company’s stock after selling 2,370 shares during the period. Comerica Bank’s holdings in Illinois Tool Works were worth $15,848,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in ITW. Lodestone Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in Illinois Tool Works during the 4th quarter worth $28,000. Beacon Financial Strategies CORP bought a new position in Illinois Tool Works during the 4th quarter worth $29,000. True Wealth Design LLC increased its stake in Illinois Tool Works by 341.9% during the 3rd quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 137 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $36,000 after acquiring an additional 106 shares during the period. MTM Investment Management LLC increased its stake in Illinois Tool Works by 70.5% during the 3rd quarter. MTM Investment Management LLC now owns 162 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $42,000 after acquiring an additional 67 shares during the period. Finally, Financial Consulate Inc. bought a new position in Illinois Tool Works during the 3rd quarter worth $43,000. Institutional investors own 79.77% of the company’s stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of equities analysts have commented on the company. Weiss Ratings restated a “buy (b-)” rating on shares of Illinois Tool Works in a research note on Wednesday, January 28th. Barclays lowered their price objective on Illinois Tool Works from $275.00 to $250.00 and set an “underweight” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, April 1st. UBS Group reaffirmed a “neutral” rating and issued a $285.00 target price on shares of Illinois Tool Works in a report on Wednesday, February 4th. Robert W. Baird set a $278.00 target price on Illinois Tool Works in a report on Wednesday, February 4th. Finally, Citigroup raised their target price on Illinois Tool Works from $271.00 to $284.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Wednesday, February 4th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, seven have assigned a Hold rating and five have given a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Illinois Tool Works presently has an average rating of “Reduce” and a consensus price target of $270.00.

Check Out Our Latest Report on Illinois Tool Works

Insider Activity In other Illinois Tool Works news, EVP Axel Beck sold 4,223 shares of Illinois Tool Works stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $290.22, for a total transaction of $1,225,599.06. Following the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 5,789 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,680,083.58. The trade was a 42.18% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, Director Ernest Scott Santi sold 167,345 shares of Illinois Tool Works stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $290.93, for a total value of $48,685,680.85. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 258,766 shares in the company, valued at $75,282,792.38. The trade was a 39.27% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. 0.83% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Illinois Tool Works Price Performance Shares of ITW opened at $268.72 on Wednesday. Illinois Tool Works Inc. has a 12-month low of $228.76 and a 12-month high of $303.15. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $272.27 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $261.65. The company has a quick ratio of 0.89, a current ratio of 1.21 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.07. The stock has a market cap of $77.41 billion, a PE ratio of 25.62, a PEG ratio of 4.84 and a beta of 1.13.

Illinois Tool Works (NYSE:ITW – Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, February 3rd. The industrial products company reported $2.72 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.69 by $0.03. The firm had revenue of $4.09 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.07 billion. Illinois Tool Works had a return on equity of 95.16% and a net margin of 19.11%.The business’s quarterly revenue was up 4.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $2.54 EPS. Illinois Tool Works has set its FY 2026 guidance at 11.000-11.400 EPS. Analysts anticipate that Illinois Tool Works Inc. will post 11.26 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Illinois Tool Works Announces Dividend The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, April 9th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, March 31st were issued a dividend of $1.61 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, March 31st. This represents a $6.44 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.4%. Illinois Tool Works’s payout ratio is presently 61.39%.

Illinois Tool Works Company Profile (Free Report)

Illinois Tool Works Inc (ITW) is a diversified industrial manufacturer that designs and produces a broad array of engineered products, consumables and related service solutions for industrial customers. Its offerings span engineered fastening systems, specialty components, industrial equipment, welding products, foodservice and packaging equipment, adhesives and polymer products, and test-and-measurement technologies. These products are used as critical inputs by customers across automotive, construction, electronics, foodservice, maintenance and other industrial end markets.

The company operates a decentralized business model in which independently managed businesses focus on niche product lines and close customer relationships.

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GAAP diluted EPS was $2.66. The estimated earnings per share was $2.56.Revenue was $4.02 billion. The estimated revenue was $4.01 billion.Operating margin was 25.4%, up 60 bps year over year.Organic revenue increased 0.4%. Foreign currency translation increased revenue by 3.9%.Operating income was $1.02 billion, up 7% year over year.Free cash flow was $528 million, a 69% conversion of net income.Share repurchases were $375 million in the quarter.Effective tax rate was 20.6%.After-tax return on average invested capital (annualized) was 27.1%. On April 30, 2026, Illinois Tool Works Inc ITW released its 8-K filing reporting first quarter 2026 results. The company posted revenue of $4.02 billion and GAAP EPS of $2.66, alongside a 60 bps improvement in operating margin to 25.4%, supported by 120 bps from Enterprise Initiatives.

Founded in 1912, Illinois Tool Works has become a diversified industrial manufacturer through acquisitions and innovations that follow customer needs. ITW operates through seven business segments, with no segment representing more than one-fifth of revenue. ITW's automotive OEM segment sells vehicle components; its food equipment segment sells commercial kitchen appliances; its test and measurement and electronics segment sells inspection and analysis equipment; its welding segment sells welding equipment and consumables; its polymers and fluids segment sells industrial and consumer adhesives, solvents, and coatings; its construction products segment sells building fasteners and tools; and its specialty products segment sells medical, packaging, HVAC, and airport ground equipment.

Quarterly performance and estimate comparison GAAP diluted EPS of $2.66 exceeded the analyst estimate of $2.56. Revenue of $4.02 billion exceeded the analyst estimate of $4.01 billion. Reported revenue grew 4.6% year over year, with organic growth of 0.4% and a 3.9% tailwind from currency. Operating income rose 7% to $1.02 billion, and operating margin expanded to 25.4%.

“ITW delivered a solid start to the year, marked by five percent revenue growth, margin expansion of 60 basis points to 25.4 percent, and a 12 percent increase in GAAP earnings per share to $2.66. Positive demand trends continued in our capex-related segments, led by Welding and Test & Measurement and Electronics, which delivered organic growth of six percent and five percent, respectively, this quarter,”Management noted Enterprise Initiatives contributed 120 bps to margin, while amortization of acquisition-related intangibles reduced GAAP EPS by $0.05. The effective tax rate was 20.6% for the quarter.

Segment trends and margins Performance was mixed across segments, with capex-related areas leading growth. Welding organic growth was 6.0%. Test & Measurement and Electronics organic growth was 4.6%. Automotive OEM and Food Equipment faced modest organic declines, and Specialty Products declined organically.

SegmentRevenue ($M)Operating Margin Automotive OEM82021.0% Food Equipment63724.7% Test & Measurement and Electronics71522.9% Welding50732.1% Polymers & Fluids45228.0% Construction Products45829.4% Specialty Products43131.3% Total Company4,01625.4% Operating margin improved year over year in most segments, led by Automotive OEM (+170 bps) and Test & Measurement and Electronics (+150 bps). Food Equipment margin declined by 180 bps, reflecting softer organic demand (-2.8%). Specialty Products organic revenue declined 4.7%, though margins remained above 30%.

Income statement and cash flow highlights MetricQ1 2026Q1 2025 Revenue$4,016M$3,839M Operating Income$1,020M$951M Operating Margin25.4%24.8% Net Income$768M$700M Diluted EPS$2.66$2.38 Operating cash flow was $623 million. Free cash flow was $528 million, equating to 69% of net income, which the company noted is in line with seasonal patterns. After-tax return on average invested capital (annualized) was 27.1%, reflecting disciplined capital efficiency in an industrial context.

Balance sheet and capital allocation Cash and equivalents were $827 million at quarter end, compared with $851 million at year-end 2025. Trade receivables increased to $3.38 billion and inventories rose to $1.73 billion. Short-term debt increased to $2.55 billion, while long-term debt decreased slightly to $6.60 billion. Total stockholders’ equity was $3.23 billion.

The company returned capital through $375 million of share repurchases during the quarter. Cash dividends paid were $1.61 per share, up from $1.50 per share in the prior-year quarter. The average diluted share count declined to 289.1 million from 294.5 million, supporting per-share results.

Key takeaways for investors The quarter showed resilient execution, with margin expansion and cash generation underpinning earnings that surpassed consensus. The importance of these results for an industrial products company lies in sustaining high incremental margins and ROIC through varied cycles, aided by Enterprise Initiatives and pricing/mix discipline.

At the same time, organic growth of 0.4% indicates varied end-market demand. Several segments posted organic declines, including Food Equipment and Specialty Products, and currency provided most of the top-line growth. Segment dispersion, a lower organic contribution, and a quarter featuring a favorable tax rate underscore areas to monitor. The increase in short-term debt and modestly lower current ratio also merit attention.

GuruFocus Valuation Check Based on GuruFocus’s proprietary GF Value framework, Illinois Tool Works Inc ITW appears slightly overvalued. The current price of $265.67 sits about 1.3% above the GF Value estimate of $262.3, suggesting limited near-term margin of safety at today’s quotation.

The GF Score is 89/100, which is strong and indicative of attractive overall quality and performance potential. The Profitability Rank is 9/10, aligning with ITW’s high margins and consistent returns. The Growth Rank is 6/10, pointing to steady but not rapid expansion. Financial Strength at 6/10 reflects a solid, though not fortress, balance sheet. Predictability is rated 3 stars, implying moderate earnings consistency. The Moat Score of 8/10 suggests durable competitive advantages across its diversified segments.

Insider Activity shows $55.0 million in sales over the last three months and no insider buying, which is typically a cautionary signal for prospective buyers. For a deeper dive, visit the Illinois Tool Works Inc stock page on GuruFocus.

Explore the complete 8-K earnings release (here) from Illinois Tool Works Inc for further details.

This stock alert was generated using automated technology and GuruFocus financial data to provide readers with timely and accurate market reporting. This content was reviewed by GuruFocus editorial team prior to publication. Please send any questions or comments about this story to [email protected].