8-KRegulation FD

CATERPILLAR INC 8-K Report, Regulation FD Disclosure (May 20, 2008)

Filed May 20, 2008For Securities:CAT

Summary

This Form 8-K filing by Caterpillar Inc. (CAT) announces the public release of its April 2008 Dealer Statistics on May 19, 2008. While the filing itself does not contain the detailed statistics, it serves as notification to investors that this data would be made available on Caterpillar's investor relations website. These dealer statistics are crucial for investors as they often provide early indicators of sales trends, market demand, and the overall health of the construction and mining equipment sectors, which are highly sensitive to economic conditions. Investors should note that this filing acts as a communication channel under Regulation FD, ensuring timely and broad dissemination of material information. The provided Safe Harbor statement highlights the forward-looking nature of Caterpillar's business and the various risks and uncertainties that could impact actual results, including economic conditions, currency fluctuations, and competitive pressures. Investors are encouraged to review the full dealer statistics on Caterpillar's website for a comprehensive understanding of the company's performance during that period.

Key Highlights

  • 1Caterpillar Inc. (CAT) filed an 8-K on May 19, 2008.
  • 2The filing announced the public release of April 2008 Dealer Statistics.
  • 3The statistics were made available on May 19, 2008, at 8:00 a.m. Central Daylight Time.
  • 4Information was accessible via Caterpillar's investor relations website (www.cat.com/investor).
  • 5This report serves as a Regulation FD disclosure, ensuring broad dissemination of information.
  • 6The filing includes a standard Safe Harbor statement regarding forward-looking statements and associated risks.
  • 7Investors are directed to the company's website for detailed dealer statistics.

Frequently Asked Questions

The primary purpose of this 8-K filing is to officially announce and provide notice to investors about the public release of Caterpillar's April 2008 Dealer Statistics. This ensures compliance with Regulation FD, which mandates the broad and simultaneous dissemination of material information.

The actual April 2008 Dealer Statistics were made available on Caterpillar's investor relations website at www.cat.com/investor on May 19, 2008. This 8-K filing itself does not contain the detailed statistical data.

Dealer statistics are important because they can serve as an early indicator of sales performance, market demand for Caterpillar's products, and the general health of the construction and mining industries. These statistics can provide insights into trends before more comprehensive financial reports are released.

The Safe Harbor statement is a legal disclaimer that warns investors that certain statements made by Caterpillar are forward-looking. These statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from what is expressed or implied. It encourages investors to review the company's SEC filings for a detailed discussion of these risks.