Press Release

ITW Reports Diluted Income Per Share from Continuing Operations of 57 Cents in the 2008 First Quarter; Revenues Increased 11.4 Percent; Diluted Net Income Per Share from Continuing Operations Declined 16.2 Percent Due to Previously Announced Impairment and European Tax Charges

Glenview, Illinois – April 16, 2008

Illinois Tool Works Inc. (NYSE: ITW) today reported 11.4 percent growth in 2008 first quarter revenues and a 16.2 percent decline in diluted income per share from continuing operations. The earnings decline was directly attributable to impairment and European tax charges previously announced on March 17, 2008. These two charges, which had a pretax impact of $129 million or $0.22 per share after tax in the first quarter, reduced diluted income per share from continuing operations to $0.57 in the quarter. Absent these charges, the Company's income from continuing operations would have been at $0.79 per share, or a 16 percent increase versus the prior year period.

As part of the Company's annual testing of goodwill in the first quarter of each year, an impairment charge of $97 million was recorded related to the Company's industrial software businesses. Separately, a pretax charge of $32 million was recorded in the first quarter for European taxes on investment transfers related to legal entity structuring transactions.

The operating revenue increase of 11.4 percent in the quarter was due to a 6.3 percent contribution from acquisitions and a 4.8 percent contribution from translation. Base revenues increased 0.4 percent in the quarter, with international base revenues growing 4.6 percent and North American base revenues declining 2.5 percent. For the 2008 first quarter, revenues were $4.139 billion versus $3.717 billion for the prior year period. As a result of the aforementioned charges, first quarter operating income of $520.0 million declined 8.5 percent from the year earlier period. Additionally, income from continuing operations of $301.4 million was 21.7 percent lower than a year ago. Net income of $303.6 million declined 24.6 percent from the year-ago period.

First quarter operating margins of 12.6 percent were 270 basis points lower than a year ago due to impairment and acquisitions. Excluding the impact of impairment, margins would have been at 14.9 percent or 40 basis points lower than a year ago. Base margins improved 20 basis points in the quarter versus the year ago period.

"We are very pleased with our operating performance in the 2008 first quarter, especially in light of difficult end market conditions in North America and the modest slowing but still positive growth in international end markets," said David B. Speer, chairman and chief executive officer. "We believe end markets will continue to be challenging in North America over the foreseeable future. We also remain optimistic about our acquisition opportunities based on our strong pipeline of potential deals."

• Food Equipment's worldwide base revenues grew 6 percent in the quarter, with international base revenues increasing 13 percent and North American base revenues growing 2 percent.
• Base revenues for the worldwide Polymers and Fluids segment increased 4 percent in the quarter, with international base revenues growing 7 percent and North American base revenues increasing 1 percent.
• Base revenues for the worldwide Transportation segment increased 1 percent in the quarter, with international base revenues growing 6 percent and North American base revenues declining 3 percent. For automotive OEM and tier customers, base revenues were down 5 percent while North American auto builds declined 8 percent in the quarter.
• Base revenues for the worldwide Construction segment decreased 6 percent in the first quarter, with North America base revenues declining 18 percent and international base revenues growing 4 percent. The Company's North American residential construction base revenues significantly outperformed first quarter housing starts which declined 29 percent in the quarter.
• The Company's free operating cash flow was $405 million in the first quarter or 133 percent of net income. Free cash was utilized, in part, to acquire 16 companies in the quarter representing $230 million of annualized revenues. Key acquisitions made during the quarter include:
  • Vitronics: As part of the Power Systems and Electronics segment, this $84 million revenue company is a worldwide manufacturer of wave solder and reflow ovens.
  • Peerless: As part of the Food Equipment segment, this $40 million revenue company is a manufacturer of commercial mixers and other commercial food equipment.
• Free cash also was employed to repurchase shares. In the first quarter, the Company paid $386 million to repurchase 7.9 million shares. For the quarter, average shares outstanding assuming dilution was 529.7 million. The Company's debt-to-capitalization at March 31, 2008 was 23 percent.

Looking ahead, the Company is forecasting a full-year 2008 diluted income per share from continuing operations of $3.35 to $3.49. The full-year forecast assumes a total company revenue growth range of 8 percent to 12 percent. For the 2008 second quarter, the Company is forecasting diluted income per share from continuing operations of $0.94 to $1.00. The 2008 second quarter forecast assumes a total company growth range of 9 percent to 12 percent.

This Earnings Release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, without limitations, statements regarding revenue growth, operating income, diluted income per share from continuing operations, acquisition opportunities, use of free cash, end market conditions, charges, and the Company's related forecasts. These statements are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and other factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations are set forth in ITW's Form 10-K for 2007.

With $16.2 billion in revenues, ITW is a multinational manufacturer of a diversified range of value-added industrial products and equipment. The Company consists of approximately 825 business units in 52 countries and employs some 60,000 people.

Highlights for the 2008 first quarter include:

For a complete report, see this Excel document.

CONTACT: John Brooklier, 847.657.4104 or jbrooklier@itw.com