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 period under review demonstrates significant fluctuations in economic profit. Net operating profit after taxes (NOPAT) exhibited an initial increase followed by a decline and subsequent recovery. The cost of capital remained relatively stable, while invested capital showed a decreasing trend initially, followed by a period of growth. These factors combined to produce a volatile economic profit performance.

Economic Profit Trend
Economic profit was negative in 2017, at -426 US$ millions. A substantial positive shift occurred in 2018, with economic profit reaching 662 US$ millions. This positive trend continued into 2019, albeit at a reduced level of 516 US$ millions. A significant decrease was observed in 2020, with economic profit falling to 52 US$ millions. The final year of the period, 2021, saw a strong recovery, with economic profit rising to 632 US$ millions, representing the second-highest value in the observed timeframe.
NOPAT Analysis
NOPAT increased from 1,924 US$ millions in 2017 to 2,774 US$ millions in 2018, indicating improved operational profitability. A slight decrease to 2,672 US$ millions occurred in 2019. A more substantial decline was noted in 2020, with NOPAT falling to 2,268 US$ millions. The final year showed a recovery, with NOPAT reaching 2,907 US$ millions, surpassing the 2018 peak.
Cost of Capital
The cost of capital experienced a minor increase over the period, moving from 16.32% in 2017 to 16.78% in 2021. The fluctuations were minimal, remaining within a narrow range of approximately 0.46 percentage points throughout the five years. This suggests relative stability in the company’s financing costs and risk profile.
Invested Capital
Invested capital decreased from 14,406 US$ millions in 2017 to 12,895 US$ millions in 2018. It then showed a slight increase to 13,033 US$ millions in 2019. Further growth was observed in 2020 and 2021, reaching 13,434 US$ millions and 13,555 US$ millions respectively. This indicates a trend of reinvestment in the business following the initial reduction.

The interplay between NOPAT, cost of capital, and invested capital significantly influenced economic profit. The strong economic profit performance in 2018 and 2021 was driven by increases in NOPAT, while the decline in 2020 was largely attributable to the decrease in NOPAT despite a relatively stable cost of capital and increasing invested capital. The initial decrease in invested capital in 2018 did not prevent a substantial increase in economic profit, suggesting operational improvements were a key driver.


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 period under review demonstrates significant fluctuations in economic performance. Initially, the company experienced a negative economic profit, followed by substantial improvements and then a decline before recovering strongly. These shifts are reflected in the economic spread ratio, which exhibits a corresponding pattern of volatility.

Economic Profit
Economic profit began at a loss of US$426 million in 2017. A considerable turnaround occurred in 2018, with economic profit rising to US$662 million. This positive trend continued, albeit at a slower pace, reaching US$516 million in 2019. A substantial decrease was observed in 2020, with economic profit falling to US$52 million. However, 2021 saw a strong recovery, with economic profit increasing to US$632 million, exceeding the 2018 level.
Invested Capital
Invested capital decreased from US$14,406 million in 2017 to US$12,895 million in 2018. It then experienced a modest increase over the subsequent three years, reaching US$13,555 million in 2021. The changes in invested capital appear relatively stable compared to the volatility observed in economic profit.
Economic Spread Ratio
The economic spread ratio mirrored the trends in economic profit. It started at -2.96% in 2017, indicating a return on invested capital below the cost of capital. The ratio improved significantly to 5.13% in 2018, then decreased to 3.96% in 2019. A sharp decline to 0.39% occurred in 2020, before a substantial increase to 4.66% in 2021. This suggests that the company’s ability to generate returns exceeding its cost of capital varied considerably over the period, with 2021 representing the strongest performance in this regard.

The correlation between economic profit and the economic spread ratio is evident. The fluctuations in economic profit directly influence the economic spread ratio, highlighting the company’s changing efficiency in deploying capital to generate returns above its cost.


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 economic profit margin exhibited considerable fluctuation between 2017 and 2021. Initial observations reveal a substantial improvement in profitability followed by a significant decline, and then a recovery towards levels seen earlier in the period.

Economic Profit Margin Trend
In 2017, the economic profit margin was negative at -2.97%. A marked positive shift occurred in 2018, with the margin increasing to 4.48%. This positive trend continued into 2019, albeit at a slower pace, reaching 3.66%. A substantial decrease was then observed in 2020, with the margin falling to 0.41%. The most recent year, 2021, demonstrated a strong recovery, with the economic profit margin rising to 4.32%, nearing the 2018 level.

The economic profit margin’s movement closely mirrors the trend in economic profit. The negative economic profit in 2017 corresponds with the negative margin, and the increases in economic profit in 2018, 2019, and 2021 are reflected in the corresponding margin improvements. The sharp decline in economic profit in 2020 directly resulted in the lowest economic profit margin during the analyzed period.

Relationship to Adjusted Operating Revenue
While adjusted operating revenue generally increased over the period, the economic profit margin did not consistently follow suit. Revenue decreased in 2019 and 2020, but the margin’s behavior was more strongly influenced by changes in economic profit than by revenue fluctuations. The significant drop in margin in 2020 occurred despite a decrease in revenue, suggesting that factors impacting profitability beyond revenue were dominant.

The volatility in the economic profit margin suggests potential sensitivity to underlying cost structures or capital allocation efficiency. Further investigation into the components of economic profit – operating profit after tax and the cost of capital – would be necessary to pinpoint the drivers of these fluctuations.