Illinois Tool Works (ITW) has reported its first-quarter 2019 results including earnings per share (EPS) of $1.81 compared to $1.90 in the first quarter of 2018. Unfavorable foreign currency translation impact, higher restructuring costs and a higher effective tax rate reduced EPS by a combined 16 cents year-over-year, according to ITW.
“ITW had a solid start to 2019. We expanded operating margin to 24.3 percent, excluding the impact from accelerated restructuring, as enterprise initiatives contributed 100 basis points and price/cost was more favorable than expected. We grew free cash flow 21 percent, with conversion of 90 percent, well above our seasonal average. After a slow start in January, sales trends improved across the board as the quarter progressed,” said E. Scott Santi, chairman and CEO.
“Looking ahead, our view that continued contributions from enterprise initiatives, improving price/cost dynamics, restructuring benefits, more favorable sales and foreign currency comparisons and stabilizing auto production in Europe and China will all contribute to a stronger operating environment in the back half of the year is unchanged,” Santi added. “As a result, we remain firmly on track to deliver on our full year EPS guidance. As the ITW team continues to execute on our ‘Finish the Job’ agenda, I am confident that we will continue to deliver differentiated financial performance in 2019 and beyond.”
Revenue of $3.6 billion was down five percent, with an unfavorable foreign currency translation impact of 3.4 percent and organic revenue down 1.5 percent. Excluding the impact of one less shipping day in the quarter, organic revenue was flat.
2019 Guidance
The company is reaffirming its full-year EPS guidance of $7.90 to $8.20 per share, which represents four to eight percent growth year-over-year. Factoring in the slower start to the year, organic revenue growth is expected to be in the range of 0.5 to 2.5%.
