GLENVIEW, IL -- Illinois Tool Works today reported operating revenues fell 18% year-over-year to $3.4 billion for the period ended Oct. 31.

The revenue decline included a 17% decrease in base revenues and a 4% decline in contributions from currency translation. Acquisitions added 3% to revenues.

The company said base revenues improved modestly sequentially, mainly due to ongoing improvements in discrete end-markets such as automotive and construction.

Power Systems and Electronics, the group that includes Speedline Technologies, Kester, Vitronics and other leading brands, fell 31.8% year-over-year during the period.

In its 2009 third-quarter 10-Q, ITW said third quarter operating revenues in its Power Systems and Electronics unit were $620.7 million