Stock Analysis on Net

Illinois Tool Works Inc. (NYSE:ITW)

$22.49

This company has been moved to the archive! The financial data has not been updated since February 11, 2022.

Economic Value Added (EVA)

Microsoft Excel

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Economic Profit

Illinois Tool Works Inc., economic profit calculation

US$ in millions

Microsoft Excel
12 months ended: Dec 31, 2021 Dec 31, 2020 Dec 31, 2019 Dec 31, 2018 Dec 31, 2017
Net operating profit after taxes (NOPAT)1
Cost of capital2
Invested capital3
 
Economic profit4

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2018-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2017-12-31).

1 NOPAT. See details »

2 Cost of capital. See details »

3 Invested capital. See details »

4 2021 Calculation
Economic profit = NOPAT – Cost of capital × Invested capital
= × =


The analysis of economic profit from 2017 to 2021 reveals a transition from value destruction to consistent value creation, despite a period of volatility. The overall trend indicates an improvement in the organization's ability to generate returns that exceed its cost of capital, shifting from a negative economic profit position to a positive one.

Net Operating Profit After Taxes (NOPAT)
NOPAT exhibited an overall upward trajectory, increasing from 1,924 million USD in 2017 to 2,907 million USD in 2021. A significant increase was observed in 2018, followed by a decline in 2020 to 2,268 million USD, before recovering to a five-year peak in 2021.
Cost of Capital
The cost of capital remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period, fluctuating within a narrow range between 16.28% and 16.75%. A gradual upward trend is noted, peaking at 16.75% in 2021, which indicates a slight increase in the minimum required return to justify invested capital.
Invested Capital
Invested capital decreased from 14,406 million USD in 2017 to 12,895 million USD in 2018. Subsequent years showed a steady increase in the capital base, reaching 13,555 million USD by 2021. This suggests an initial optimization of the asset base followed by a period of gradual expansion.
Economic Profit
Economic profit moved from a deficit of -421 million USD in 2017 to positive territory for the following four years. Performance peaked in 2018 at 666 million USD and 2021 at 637 million USD. A sharp contraction occurred in 2020, with economic profit falling to 57 million USD, coinciding with the dip in NOPAT and the simultaneous rise in invested capital.

Net Operating Profit after Taxes (NOPAT)

Illinois Tool Works Inc., NOPAT calculation

US$ in millions

Microsoft Excel
12 months ended: Dec 31, 2021 Dec 31, 2020 Dec 31, 2019 Dec 31, 2018 Dec 31, 2017
Net income
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)1
Increase (decrease) in allowance for doubtful accounts2
Increase (decrease) in LIFO reserve3
Increase (decrease) in deferred revenue and customer deposits4
Increase (decrease) in accrued product warranties5
Increase (decrease) in equity equivalents6
Interest expense
Interest expense, operating lease liability7
Adjusted interest expense
Tax benefit of interest expense8
Adjusted interest expense, after taxes9
Interest income
Investment income, before taxes
Tax expense (benefit) of investment income10
Investment income, after taxes11
Net operating profit after taxes (NOPAT)

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2018-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2017-12-31).

1 Elimination of deferred tax expense. See details »

2 Addition of increase (decrease) in allowance for doubtful accounts.

3 Addition of increase (decrease) in LIFO reserve. See details »

4 Addition of increase (decrease) in deferred revenue and customer deposits.

5 Addition of increase (decrease) in accrued product warranties.

6 Addition of increase (decrease) in equity equivalents to net income.

7 2021 Calculation
Interest expense on capitalized operating leases = Operating lease liability × Discount rate
= × =

8 2021 Calculation
Tax benefit of interest expense = Adjusted interest expense × Statutory income tax rate
= × 21.00% =

9 Addition of after taxes interest expense to net income.

10 2021 Calculation
Tax expense (benefit) of investment income = Investment income, before tax × Statutory income tax rate
= × 21.00% =

11 Elimination of after taxes investment income.


Net Income
The net income exhibited an overall upward trend from 2017 to 2021, starting at 1,687 million US dollars in 2017 and rising to 2,694 million US dollars by 2021. There was a significant increase between 2017 and 2018, followed by a slight decline in 2019. A more noticeable decrease occurred in 2020, likely reflecting challenging conditions during that year. Nevertheless, the net income rebounded strongly in 2021, reaching its highest value in the period analyzed.
Net Operating Profit After Taxes (NOPAT)
Similar to net income, the NOPAT also demonstrated positive growth over the five-year span. It increased from 1,924 million US dollars in 2017 to 2,907 million US dollars in 2021. The data shows a peak in 2018, followed by a gradual decline in 2019 and 2020, before recovering substantially in 2021. The pattern aligns closely with the net income trend, indicating consistent operational performance and profitability improvements toward the end of the period.
Summary of Trends
Both net income and NOPAT reveal a pattern of growth with intermittent setbacks. The declines observed in 2019 and 2020 suggest external or internal challenges impacting profitability during those years. The recovery in 2021 indicates resilience and potential operational improvements or favorable market conditions. Overall, the financial results over the period reflect strong profitability with transient fluctuations rather than a continuous trend of increase or decrease.

Cash Operating Taxes

Illinois Tool Works Inc., cash operating taxes calculation

US$ in millions

Microsoft Excel
12 months ended: Dec 31, 2021 Dec 31, 2020 Dec 31, 2019 Dec 31, 2018 Dec 31, 2017
Provision for income taxes
Less: Deferred income tax expense (benefit)
Add: Tax savings from interest expense
Less: Tax imposed on investment income
Cash operating taxes

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2018-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2017-12-31).


The financial data reveals trends in the provision for income taxes and cash operating taxes over a five-year period ending in 2021.

Provision for Income Taxes
The provision for income taxes shows a clear downward trend from 2017 through 2020, starting at $1,583 million in 2017 and declining significantly to $595 million in 2020. This represents a decrease of approximately 62.4% over three years. In 2021, the provision for income taxes experienced a slight increase to $632 million, indicating a minor reversal of the prior years’ declining trend but still remaining well below the initial 2017 level.
Cash Operating Taxes
Cash operating taxes followed a similar pattern to the provision for income taxes but with less pronounced variability. Beginning at $1,597 million in 2017, cash operating taxes decreased to $666 million in 2020. This decline of roughly 58.3% over four years suggests effective cash tax management or changes in taxable income. Unlike the provision for income taxes, cash operating taxes increased notably in 2021 to $821 million, representing a larger rebound compared to the provision figure but still below 2017 values.

Overall, both tax-related expenses exhibit a significant downward trend during the initial four years, which may reflect changes in earnings, tax planning strategies, or tax rate adjustments. The partial recovery in both measures in 2021 suggests a stabilization or potential increase in taxable earnings or adjustments in tax liabilities. The gap between provision and cash operating taxes is relatively narrow throughout the period, indicating consistency between accrued and actual cash tax payments.


Invested Capital

Illinois Tool Works Inc., invested capital calculation (financing approach)

US$ in millions

Microsoft Excel
Dec 31, 2021 Dec 31, 2020 Dec 31, 2019 Dec 31, 2018 Dec 31, 2017
Short-term debt
Long-term debt
Operating lease liability1
Total reported debt & leases
Stockholders’ equity attributable to ITW
Net deferred tax (assets) liabilities2
Allowance for doubtful accounts3
LIFO reserve4
Deferred revenue and customer deposits5
Accrued product warranties6
Equity equivalents7
Accumulated other comprehensive (income) loss, net of tax8
Noncontrolling interest
Adjusted stockholders’ equity attributable to ITW
Construction in progress9
Invested capital

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2018-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2017-12-31).

1 Addition of capitalized operating leases.

2 Elimination of deferred taxes from assets and liabilities. See details »

3 Addition of allowance for doubtful accounts receivable.

4 Addition of LIFO reserve. See details »

5 Addition of deferred revenue and customer deposits.

6 Addition of accrued product warranties.

7 Addition of equity equivalents to stockholders’ equity attributable to ITW.

8 Removal of accumulated other comprehensive income.

9 Subtraction of construction in progress.


Total reported debt & leases
The total reported debt and leases exhibit some variability over the analyzed period. Starting at $8,612 million in 2017, the figure declines to a low of $7,583 million in 2018, before experiencing a gradual increase, reaching $8,310 million in 2020, and then decreasing again to $7,881 million in 2021. Overall, the debt level fluctuates within a relatively narrow range, indicating some active management of debt levels without significant long-term increases or decreases.
Stockholders’ equity attributable to ITW
Stockholders' equity shows a declining trend from 2017 through 2019, dropping from $4,585 million to $3,026 million. In 2020, there is a slight recovery to $3,181 million, followed by a more substantial increase to $3,625 million in 2021. This pattern suggests that the company faced equity reductions initially, with a partial rebound in the later years of the period under review.
Invested capital
Invested capital declines from $14,406 million in 2017 to $12,895 million in 2018, then experiences a steady increase each year to $13,033 million in 2019, $13,434 million in 2020, and $13,555 million in 2021. This trend indicates growing investment in the company's operations or assets after an initial drop, reflecting possibly increased capital expenditures or acquisition activity post-2018.

Cost of Capital

Illinois Tool Works Inc., cost of capital calculations

Capital (fair value)1 Weights Cost of capital
Equity2 ÷ = × =
Debt3 ÷ = × × (1 – 21.00%) =
Operating lease liability4 ÷ = × × (1 – 21.00%) =
Total:

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31).

1 US$ in millions

2 Equity. See details »

3 Debt. See details »

4 Operating lease liability. See details »

Capital (fair value)1 Weights Cost of capital
Equity2 ÷ = × =
Debt3 ÷ = × × (1 – 21.00%) =
Operating lease liability4 ÷ = × × (1 – 21.00%) =
Total:

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31).

1 US$ in millions

2 Equity. See details »

3 Debt. See details »

4 Operating lease liability. See details »

Capital (fair value)1 Weights Cost of capital
Equity2 ÷ = × =
Debt3 ÷ = × × (1 – 21.00%) =
Operating lease liability4 ÷ = × × (1 – 21.00%) =
Total:

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2019-12-31).

1 US$ in millions

2 Equity. See details »

3 Debt. See details »

4 Operating lease liability. See details »

Capital (fair value)1 Weights Cost of capital
Equity2 ÷ = × =
Debt3 ÷ = × × (1 – 21.00%) =
Operating lease liability4 ÷ = × × (1 – 21.00%) =
Total:

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2018-12-31).

1 US$ in millions

2 Equity. See details »

3 Debt. See details »

4 Operating lease liability. See details »

Capital (fair value)1 Weights Cost of capital
Equity2 ÷ = × =
Debt3 ÷ = × × (1 – 35.00%) =
Operating lease liability4 ÷ = × × (1 – 35.00%) =
Total:

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2017-12-31).

1 US$ in millions

2 Equity. See details »

3 Debt. See details »

4 Operating lease liability. See details »


Economic Spread Ratio

Illinois Tool Works Inc., economic spread ratio calculation, comparison to benchmarks

Microsoft Excel
Dec 31, 2021 Dec 31, 2020 Dec 31, 2019 Dec 31, 2018 Dec 31, 2017
Selected Financial Data (US$ in millions)
Economic profit1
Invested capital2
Performance Ratio
Economic spread ratio3
Benchmarks
Economic Spread Ratio, Competitors4
Boeing Co.
Caterpillar Inc.
Eaton Corp. plc
GE Aerospace
Honeywell International Inc.
Lockheed Martin Corp.
RTX Corp.

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2018-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2017-12-31).

1 Economic profit. See details »

2 Invested capital. See details »

3 2021 Calculation
Economic spread ratio = 100 × Economic profit ÷ Invested capital
= 100 × ÷ =

4 Click competitor name to see calculations.


The financial trajectory between 2017 and 2021 is characterized by significant volatility in economic profit and the resulting economic spread ratio, contrasted by a relatively stable trend in invested capital.

Economic Profit
A substantial reversal occurred between 2017 and 2018, moving from a deficit of 421 million USD to a surplus of 666 million USD. While performance remained positive in 2019, a sharp contraction was observed in 2020, with profit falling to 57 million USD. A robust recovery followed in 2021, with economic profit increasing to 637 million USD.
Invested Capital
Invested capital experienced an initial reduction from 2017 to 2018, decreasing from 14,406 million USD to 12,895 million USD. From 2019 through 2021, a gradual and consistent upward trend was maintained, with the capital base reaching 13,555 million USD by the end of the period.
Economic Spread Ratio
The spread ratio closely mirrored the fluctuations in economic profit. After a negative start of -2.92% in 2017, the ratio peaked at 5.16% in 2018. A successive decline was noted over the next two years, reaching a low of 0.42% in 2020, before returning to a strong positive position of 4.70% in 2021, signaling a recovery in the ability to generate returns above the cost of capital.

Economic Profit Margin

Illinois Tool Works Inc., economic profit margin calculation, comparison to benchmarks

Microsoft Excel
Dec 31, 2021 Dec 31, 2020 Dec 31, 2019 Dec 31, 2018 Dec 31, 2017
Selected Financial Data (US$ in millions)
Economic profit1
 
Operating revenue
Add: Increase (decrease) in deferred revenue and customer deposits
Adjusted operating revenue
Performance Ratio
Economic profit margin2
Benchmarks
Economic Profit Margin, Competitors3
Boeing Co.
Caterpillar Inc.
Eaton Corp. plc
GE Aerospace
Honeywell International Inc.
Lockheed Martin Corp.
RTX Corp.

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2018-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2017-12-31).

1 Economic profit. See details »

2 2021 Calculation
Economic profit margin = 100 × Economic profit ÷ Adjusted operating revenue
= 100 × ÷ =

3 Click competitor name to see calculations.


The financial performance from 2017 to 2021 is characterized by significant volatility in economic value generation, moving from a period of value destruction to a strong recovery by the end of the analyzed timeframe. A notable pattern emerges where a sharp contraction in 2020 was followed by a rapid return to pre-pandemic performance levels in 2021.

Economic Profit Trends
Economic profit transitioned from a negative value of -421 million US$ in 2017 to a peak of 666 million US$ in 2018. While a gradual decline occurred through 2019, a severe contraction was observed in 2020, where economic profit fell to 57 million US$. This downward trajectory was reversed in 2021, with economic profit rebounding to 637 million US$, nearly matching the 2018 peak.
Adjusted Operating Revenue Stability
Operating revenue remained relatively stable between 2017 and 2019, fluctuating around the 14 billion US$ mark. A significant contraction occurred in 2020, with revenue dropping to 12,608 million US$, which aligns with the simultaneous decline in economic profit. By 2021, revenue recovered to 14,627 million US$, representing the highest revenue level within the five-year period.
Economic Profit Margin Analysis
The economic profit margin mirrored the volatility of absolute profit, starting at -2.94% in 2017 and rising to 4.51% in 2018. The margin experienced a steady erosion over the next two years, reaching a low of 0.45% in 2020. The recovery in 2021 was substantial, with the margin increasing to 4.35%, indicating a restoration of the company's ability to generate returns above its cost of capital relative to its operating scale.