Illinois Tool Works Inc. (ITW) reported its second quarter 2024 results and updated guidance for full-year 2024. The company reported that second quarter revenue of $4.0 billion declined by 1.2% as organic growth declined 0.1%. Foreign currency translation impact reduced revenue by 1.2% and acquisitions added 0.1%.

GAAP earnings per share (EPS) increased 2.4% to $2.54 and excluding a one-time tax item in 2023, EPS increased 5.4%. Operating income increased 4.5% to $1.05 billion, a second quarter record. Operating margin improved 140 basis points to 26.2%, a second quarter record, as enterprise initiatives contributed 140 basis points. Operating cash flow was $687 million, and free cash flow was $571 million with a conversion of 75% to net income. During the quarter, the company repurchased $375 million of its own shares and the effective tax rate was 24.4%.

“While the demand environment continued to moderate across our portfolio, we delivered a solid quarter with strong operational execution and profitability,” said Christopher A. O’Herlihy, president and chief executive officer. “Our ability to overcome near-term macro challenges and expand our margin and profitability to record levels as evidenced by margin improvement of 140 basis points to 26.2 percent and EPS growth of more than five percent, is a direct result of the focused execution by our team of dedicated ITW professionals around the world.

“Looking ahead, we are lowering the top-end of our full year GAAP EPS guidance to reflect current levels of demand partially offset by better margin performance. We remain focused on managing and investing for the long-term as we build above-market organic growth, fueled by customer-back innovation, into a core ITW strength.” 

ITW is lowering the top-end of its full year GAAP EPS guidance range of $10.30 to $10.70 per share to a narrower range of $10.30 to $10.40 per share, an increase of 6% compared to the prior year at the midpoint. Based on current levels of demand and foreign currency exchange rates exiting the second quarter, the company is projecting revenue growth and organic growth to be approximately flat for 2024. ITW is raising its operating margin guidance from 26% to 27% to a narrower range of 26.5% to 27%, an increase of 165 bps at the midpoint with enterprise initiatives projected to contribute more than 100 basis points. Free cash flow is expected to exceed 100% of net income and the company plans to repurchase approximately $1.5 billion of its own shares. The projected effective tax rate remains unchanged in the range of 24% to 24.5%.

To learn more about Illinois Tool Works, visit www.itw.com.