Form 4: ITW Director Susan Crown Acquires Shares

Illinois Tool Works Director Susan Crown acquired 61 shares of common stock at $293.57 per share as part of her quarterly director fees.

Summary

• Susan Crown, a Director of Illinois Tool Works Inc. (ITW), acquired 61 shares of ITW common stock.
• The acquisition occurred on February 6, 2026, at a price of $293.57 per share.
• These shares were acquired pursuant to the Illinois Tool Works Inc. 2024 Long-Term Incentive Plan, representing quarterly director fees.
• Following this transaction, Susan Crown beneficially owns 58,081 shares directly, which includes 20,393 shares of deferred stock under the ITW Directors' Deferred Fee Plan.
• Additionally, 4,000 shares are indirectly owned by trusts for her children, and another 4,000 shares are indirectly owned by her spouse.
• The transaction was made pursuant to a Rule 10b5-1(c) plan.

Sentiment

Score: 7

Explanation: StockSavvy.ai views this as a moderately positive signal, as a director's acquisition of shares, even as part of compensation, indicates continued alignment with the company's performance and long-term strategy.

Positives

• A director is increasing their direct ownership in the company, which can signal confidence in the company's future performance.
• The acquisition is part of a compensation plan (quarterly director fees), aligning director interests with shareholders.

Future Outlook

This Form 4 filing does not contain forward-looking statements or guidance. It reports a past transaction.

Management Comments

• Susan Crown disclaims ownership of the shares described in Footnotes 2 and 3 except to the extent of her pecuniary interest.

Industry Context

StockSavvy.ai notes that routine insider acquisitions, especially those tied to compensation plans, are common and generally viewed as a positive signal of management's alignment with shareholder interests, though they typically do not indicate a significant shift in broader industry trends.

Comparison to Industry Standards

• This Form 4 filing details a standard director compensation-related stock acquisition. Such transactions are common across publicly traded companies, where directors often receive equity as part of their remuneration to align their interests with long-term shareholder value. There are no specific comparable companies or projects mentioned in the filing to detail.

Corporate Governance

Related Party Transactions

• Indirect ownership of 4,000 shares by trusts of which the Reporting Person's children are beneficiaries.
• Indirect ownership of 4,000 shares by the Reporting Person's spouse.

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders: Increased alignment of a director's interests with shareholders through equity ownership.

Key Dates

Recommendation

This Form 4 filing reports a routine acquisition of shares by a director as part of their compensation. While insider buying is generally a positive signal, this specific transaction is not substantial enough to warrant a change in investment recommendation on its own. It reinforces a "hold" position, indicating continued confidence in the company's governance and long-term strategy without providing new catalysts for significant upside or downside.

Keywords

Illinois Tool Works, ITW, Susan Crown, Insider Trading, Form 4, Director Compensation, Stock Acquisition, Equity Ownership, 10b5-1 Plan