Revenue
Operating revenue in the fourth quarter increased 11.0% year over year to $4,169.3 million, compared with $3,757.4 million in the year-ago quarter and above the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $4,089.0 million.
Growth in operating revenue symbolized continued improvement in end market demand. The year-over-year increase was above the company's projected growth range of 7%-9%.
Of the total revenue, base revenue in the quarter grew 9.1% year over year, registering an 8.9% increase in North American and a 9.2% hike in international revenues. Acquisitions added 3.6% while currency translation had a negative impact of 1.4% to the total revenue growth.
For the fiscal year 2010, total revenue was $15,870.4 million, up 14.4% year over year. The growth rate was above the company's projected range of 13%-14% and above the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $15,785 million.
Revenue in the Power Systems and Electronics segment increased 22.8% year over year in the quarter, with base revenue increase of 21.4%, due to strong demand for welding (especially in North America) and electronics businesses.
Revenue in the Industrial Packaging segment rose 12.6% year over year, with base revenue increase of 12.6%, due to growing demand for consumable plastic and steel strapping products.
Revenue in All Other segment increased 14.0% year over year, with base revenue increase of 11.2%, due to strengthening test & measurement and finishing businesses.
Margins
Cost of goods sold increased 12.8% year over year and represented 65.7% of total revenue versus 64.6% in the year-ago quarter. Selling, administrative and R&D expenses, as a percentage of total revenue, declined to 19.1% in the quarter from 21.2% in the year-ago quarter due to benefits realized from the company’s restructuring activities in the past years.
Better end-market demands and benefits of restructuring activities fueled a 120 basis point increase in operating margin to 13.9% in the fourth quarter of 2010.
Balance Sheet
Exiting the fourth quarter, Illinois Tool Works' cash and cash equivalents decreased 27.8% sequentially to approximately $1,190.0 million compared with $1,649.1 million in the third quarter of 2010. Long-term debt, net of current portion plummeted to $2,511.9 million versus $2,737.4 million in the third quarter of 2010.
Cash Flow
Net cash flow from operating activities was $459.0 million, down from $506.3 million in the year-ago quarter. Capital expenditure increased to $90.6 million versus $72.7 million in the year-ago quarter. Lower operating cash flow and higher capital expenditures led to free cash flow of $368.4 million versus $433.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2009.
In the fiscal year, net cash flow from operating activities was $1,560.8 million, capital expenditure was $286.2 million and free cash flow was $1,274.6 million.
Outlook
For the first quarter of fiscal 2011, Illinois Tool Works expects EPS from continuing operations to be in a range of 81-87 cents. The guidance is based on total revenue growth expectations in the range of 12%–15%.
For full-year 2011, the company expects EPS from continuing operations to be within the $3.60-$3.84 range. Revenue growth for the year is expected to be within 11.5%-14.5%.
Illinois Tool Works, operating through 800 business units in 57 countries, is one of the leading manufacturers of industrial products and equipment. The company’s chief competitors include Cooper Industries plc (CBE), General Electric Co. (GE) and Manitowoc Co. Inc. (MTW).
Disclosure I am long GE and ITW shares,
Illinois tool works appears to have their work cut out for them.
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