Summary
Caterpillar Inc. reported a significant increase in sales and revenues for the third quarter and first nine months of 2017 compared to the prior year, driven by higher sales volumes across its Construction Industries, Resource Industries, and Energy & Transportation segments. This growth was attributed to improved end-user demand and favorable adjustments in dealer inventories. Consequently, profit per share and overall profit saw substantial improvements, reflecting the positive impact of increased sales, favorable price realization, and reduced restructuring costs. Despite higher period costs, notably short-term incentive compensation, the company's operational performance improved considerably. Management highlighted a strategic focus on structural cost reduction and an increase in production levels to meet demand. The Financial Products segment showed stable revenues and a slight increase in profit. Caterpillar continues to manage its liquidity and capital resources effectively, with a strong cash position and a focus on maintaining its credit rating.
Financial Highlights
49 data points| Revenue | $11.41B |
| Cost of Revenue | $7.63B |
| Gross Profit | $3.04B |
| R&D Expenses | $461.00M |
| SG&A Expenses | $1.25B |
| Operating Expenses | $9.90B |
| Operating Income | $1.51B |
| Net Income | $1.06B |
| EPS (Basic) | $1.79 |
| EPS (Diluted) | $1.77 |
| Shares Outstanding (Basic) | 592.90M |
| Shares Outstanding (Diluted) | 600.10M |
Key Highlights
- 1Total sales and revenues increased by 25% to $11.413 billion in Q3 2017 compared to $9.160 billion in Q3 2016.
- 2Profit per share increased significantly to $1.77 in Q3 2017 from $0.48 in Q3 2016.
- 3Nine-month sales and revenues grew 12% to $32.566 billion compared to $28.963 billion in the prior year.
- 4Nine-month profit per share rose to $3.44 from $1.88 in the comparable period of 2016.
- 5Restructuring costs were substantial, totaling $1.011 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, primarily related to the closure of the Gosselies, Belgium facility.
- 6Machinery, Energy & Transportation (ME&T) operating cash flow improved to $4.164 billion for the first nine months of 2017, up from $1.795 billion in the prior year.
- 7The company is increasing production levels in response to improved end-user demand across various end markets.