ITW Reports a 21 Percent Decrease in Operating Revenues for Three Months

Ended August 31, 2009; Base Revenues Show Modest Improvement from Prior Three Month Period; Company Raises Third Quarter Earnings Forecast

GLENVIEW, Ill. Sept. 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Illinois Tool Works Inc. (NYSE: ITW) today reported an operating revenue decrease of 21 percent for the three months ended August 31, 2009. The revenue decline for the three months consisted of a 19 percent decrease in base revenues and a 7 percent decline in contributions from currency translation. Acquisitions contributed 5 percent to revenues in the three month period. For the most recent three month period, base revenues modestly improved versus the prior three month period largely as a result of improvements in discrete end markets such as automotive and construction.

On a segment basis, the Company's three month moving average percentage change for operating revenues, comprised of base revenues, acquisitions/divestitures and currency translation, is provided below.

       (% change for 3 months ended August 31, 2009 versus prior year period)
 
         *Industrial Packaging:                    -  31.6 % 
        *Power Systems and Electronics:           -  36.9 % 
       
         *Food Equipment:                          -  12.4 % 
        

          *Transportation:                          -   9.2 %
         *Construction Products:                   -  27.0 %         

          *Polymers and Fluids:                     -  10.3 % 

          *Decorative Surfaces:                     -  19.2 % 

          *All Other:                               -  16.2 % 

Based on the ongoing contributions from restructuring activities and improvements in discrete end markets, the Company is raising its 2009 third quarter earnings forecast range. The Company is now forecasting third quarter 2009 diluted income per share from continuing operations to be in a range of $0.48 to $0.56. The third quarter forecast assumes a total revenue range of +3 percent to +6 percent versus the 2009 second quarter.