Summary
Caterpillar Inc. (CAT) reported a slight increase in sales and revenues for the first quarter of 2014, reaching $13.241 billion, up marginally from $13.210 billion in the same period of 2013. The company demonstrated improved profitability, with profit per share rising to $1.44 from $1.31 year-over-year, reflecting a 5% increase in total profit to $922 million. This earnings improvement was driven by lower operating costs, including reduced selling, general, and administrative expenses, as well as research and development costs, and a favorable currency impact. Despite flat overall sales, Caterpillar saw mixed performance across its segments. Construction Industries and Energy & Transportation reported increased sales, driven by higher volumes and changes in dealer inventories. However, Resource Industries experienced a significant sales decline of 37%, primarily due to weaker demand in the mining sector. The company also incurred substantial restructuring costs of $149 million in the quarter, mainly related to workforce reductions in Belgium, which impacted earnings per share by $0.17. Significant share repurchases totaling $1.7 billion were completed in the quarter, underscoring a focus on returning capital to shareholders.
Financial Highlights
47 data points| Revenue | $13.24B |
| Cost of Revenue | $9.44B |
| Gross Profit | $3.06B |
| R&D Expenses | $508.00M |
| SG&A Expenses | $1.29B |
| Operating Expenses | $11.84B |
| Operating Income | $1.40B |
| Net Income | $922.00M |
| EPS (Basic) | $1.47 |
| EPS (Diluted) | $1.44 |
| Shares Outstanding (Basic) | 626.70M |
| Shares Outstanding (Diluted) | 639.30M |
Key Highlights
- 1Total sales and revenues for Q1 2014 were $13.241 billion, a slight increase from $13.210 billion in Q1 2013.
- 2Profit per share increased by 10% to $1.44 in Q1 2014, compared to $1.31 in Q1 2013.
- 3Operating profit increased by $180 million to $1.398 billion, driven by lower manufacturing costs, reduced SG&A and R&D, and favorable currency impacts.
- 4Restructuring costs of $149 million were recognized in Q1 2014, primarily related to workforce reductions.
- 5Sales in Construction Industries increased by 20% and Energy & Transportation by 8%, while Resource Industries sales decreased by 37%.
- 6The company repurchased approximately $1.7 billion of its common stock in Q1 2014.