GLENVIEW, Ill. — Illinois Tool Works Inc. (ITW) has reported an operating revenue decrease of 18 percent for the three months ended Oct. 31. The revenue decline for the three months consisted of a 17 percent decrease in base revenues and a 4 percent decline in contributions from currency translation.

Acquisitions contributed 3 percent to revenues in the three month period. For the most recent three month period, base revenues improved modestly compared to the 2009 third quarter results mainly due to ongoing improvements in discrete end markets such as automotive and construction, ITW said.

The company is forecasting fourth quarter 2009 diluted income per share from continuing operations to be in a range of 54 cents to 66 cents. The 2009 fourth quarter forecast assumes a total revenue range of -1 percent to +5 percent versus the 2009 third quarter.