GLENVIEW, Ill. — Illinois Tool Works Inc. (ITW) has reported a total company operating revenue increase of 10 percent for the three months ended Feb. 28, 2010, versus the year-ago period. Base revenues contributed 2 percent to revenue growth in the three month period. In addition, acquisitions and currency translation added 2 percent and 6 percent to revenue growth, respectively. The improvement in base revenue was largely due to increased production by the global automotive manufacturers as well as more modest improvement in the industrial packaging and polymers and fluids end-markets.

After two months of results in the 2010 first quarter, the company’s revised first quarter 2010 diluted income per share from continuing operations is estimated to be in the range of 52 cents to 60 cents and assumes a first quarter revenue growth forecast range of 13 percent to 15 percent.

For the full year 2010, the company is forecasting diluted income per share from continuing operations to be in the range of $2.43 to $2.93. The 2010 full-year forecast assumes a total revenue growth range of 10 percent to 14 percent.