Illinois Tool Works (NYSE:ITW) Reaches New 52-Week High Following Earnings Beat

Illinois Tool Works Inc. (NYSE:ITW)’s share price reached a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Tuesday following a stronger than expected earnings report. The stock traded as high as $282.88 and last traded at $279.9580, with a volume of 1248807 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $264.21.

The industrial products company reported $2.72 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.69 by $0.03. Illinois Tool Works had a net margin of 19.11% and a return on equity of 95.16%. The firm had revenue of $4.09 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.07 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $2.54 EPS. The business’s revenue was up 4.1% compared to the same quarter last year. Illinois Tool Works has set its FY 2026 guidance at 11.000-11.400 EPS.

Key Headlines Impacting Illinois Tool Works

Here are the key news stories impacting Illinois Tool Works this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Q4 results beat Street expectations — GAAP EPS $2.72 vs. ~$2.69 consensus, revenue $4.09B, operating margin expanded to 26.5% and full‑year GAAP EPS was $10.49; management raised FY2026 guidance to $11.00–$11.40 and called for ~100 bps of margin expansion from enterprise initiatives. ITW Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2025 Results
• Positive Sentiment: Management expects mid‑single digit revenue growth and ~7% EPS growth at the midpoint, with enterprise initiatives and Customer‑Back Innovation (CBI) driving margin and organic growth; buybacks were reiterated — supporting cash return narrative and valuation support. ITW targets $11.20 EPS and 100 bps margin expansion for 2026, driven by CBI and enterprise initiatives
• Positive Sentiment: Analyst reaction: JPMorgan raised its price target to $310 and kept an overweight rating, providing institutional validation for upside after the report. JPMorgan adjusts price target on Illinois Tool Works to $310 from $275; maintains overweight rating
• Neutral Sentiment: Full earnings materials and call transcript are available for investors who want line‑by‑line detail on segment trends (auto parts strength cited) and execution on enterprise initiatives. Illinois Tool Works (ITW) Earnings Transcript
• Neutral Sentiment: Previews and coverage summarized what to watch in the print (margin drivers, automotive demand, CBI contribution); useful for confirming why results moved the tape but not new information beyond the release. Illinois Tool Works (ITW) Q4 Earnings Report Preview: What To Look For
• Negative Sentiment: Not all analyst moves were bullish — Truist raised its target only to $280 and kept a Hold, which could temper upside expectations among some investors. Truist raises price target on Illinois Tool Works to $280 from $275, keeps Hold rating

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on the stock. Evercore ISI reduced their price objective on shares of Illinois Tool Works from $261.00 to $253.00 and set an “underperform” rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, November 17th. Truist Financial upped their price target on shares of Illinois Tool Works from $275.00 to $280.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a report on Wednesday. Citigroup lifted their price objective on shares of Illinois Tool Works from $271.00 to $284.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Wednesday. Wolfe Research upped their target price on Illinois Tool Works from $264.00 to $278.00 and gave the stock an “underperform” rating in a research note on Thursday, January 15th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on Illinois Tool Works from $275.00 to $310.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Wednesday. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, seven have issued a Hold rating and five have given a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, Illinois Tool Works presently has an average rating of “Reduce” and an average target price of $270.69.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Illinois Tool Works

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of ITW. Meridian Wealth Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of Illinois Tool Works by 1.3% during the 4th quarter. Meridian Wealth Management LLC now owns 2,818 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $694,000 after acquiring an additional 37 shares during the last quarter. Mayflower Financial Advisors LLC boosted its position in Illinois Tool Works by 3.8% during the fourth quarter. Mayflower Financial Advisors LLC now owns 1,065 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $262,000 after purchasing an additional 39 shares during the period. Revisor Wealth Management LLC grew its holdings in Illinois Tool Works by 1.4% during the fourth quarter. Revisor Wealth Management LLC now owns 2,841 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $734,000 after purchasing an additional 39 shares during the last quarter. Concord Asset Management LLC VA lifted its stake in shares of Illinois Tool Works by 1.1% in the fourth quarter. Concord Asset Management LLC VA now owns 3,591 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $884,000 after buying an additional 39 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Northcape Wealth Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Illinois Tool Works by 2.1% in the second quarter. Northcape Wealth Management LLC now owns 1,922 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $475,000 after buying an additional 40 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 79.77% of the company’s stock.

Illinois Tool Works Stock Up 3.5%

The firm has a market capitalization of $83.71 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 27.51, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 14.94 and a beta of 1.15. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.07, a quick ratio of 1.11 and a current ratio of 1.21. The business’s 50 day moving average is $255.14 and its 200-day moving average is $255.36.

Illinois Tool Works Company Profile

Illinois Tool Works Inc (ITW) is a diversified industrial manufacturer that designs and produces a broad array of engineered products, consumables and related service solutions for industrial customers. Its offerings span engineered fastening systems, specialty components, industrial equipment, welding products, foodservice and packaging equipment, adhesives and polymer products, and test-and-measurement technologies. These products are used as critical inputs by customers across automotive, construction, electronics, foodservice, maintenance and other industrial end markets.

The company operates a decentralized business model in which independently managed businesses focus on niche product lines and close customer relationships.