What is the primary purpose of this 8-K filing?

The primary purpose of this 8-K filing is to provide investors with supplemental information on Caterpillar's dealer statistics, specifically retail sales of machinery and engines by region and business sector for the three-month rolling period ending April 2009, and to compare these figures with the same period in the prior year. This data is intended to offer a better understanding of the company's business and the industries it serves.

Are the figures presented in this report audited?

No, the information presented in this report is based on unaudited reports provided by Caterpillar's independent dealers and is not subject to Caterpillar's internal controls over financial reporting.

What is the overall trend in machinery sales based on this report?

The overall trend in machinery sales indicates a significant contraction. Most regions, particularly North America and the Asia/Pacific, show substantial year-over-year declines in retail sales for the rolling three-month period ending April 2009. This reflects a challenging economic environment impacting demand for construction and mining equipment.

How are the engine sales performing compared to machinery sales?

Engine sales performance is mixed. While some segments like Truck & Bus are experiencing severe declines, others such as Marine and Petroleum engines are showing notable growth. The total engine sales for the rolling three-month period were down 9% for April, which represents a slight improvement from the previous month's decline.

CAT 8-K: Regulation FD — May 20, 2009

Summary

Caterpillar Inc. (CAT) filed an 8-K on May 20, 2009, to provide supplemental information regarding dealer statistics for April 2009 and the preceding two months. This report offers insights into retail sales of machinery and engines by marketing region and business sector, comparing them to the prior year. The data is based on unaudited reports from independent dealers and is presented in constant dollars, excluding Caterpillar’s internal financial controls. Investors should note the significant year-over-year declines reported across most machinery segments and regions for the three-month rolling period ending April 2009, indicating a challenging economic environment. While some engine segments showed resilience or growth, the overall trend points to a substantial contraction in demand for Caterpillar's products. The report also details a change in how Cat Japan's numbers will be incorporated into regional statistics going forward.

Key Highlights

1The report provides unaudited dealer statistics for retail sales of machinery and engines for the three-month rolling period ending April 2009, compared to the same period in the prior year.
2Machinery sales in North America experienced a significant decline, down 51% in April 2009 on a rolling three-month basis compared to the previous year.
3The Asia/Pacific region also saw a substantial decrease in machinery sales, down 13% for the rolling three-month period ending April 2009.
4The EAME (Europe, Africa, and Middle East) region reported a sharp 44% drop in machinery sales for the rolling three-month period ending March 2009, with a 4% drop for April.
5Sales of reciprocating and turbine engines showed mixed results: Truck & Bus engines were down significantly (69% for April rolling three-month), while Marine (up 48%) and Petroleum (up 7%) segments showed growth for the same period.
6Total engine sales for the rolling three-month period ending April 2009 were down 9%, a slight improvement from the 2% decline in March.
7Caterpillar is changing its reporting to incorporate Cat Japan into the Asia/Pacific region statistics starting with the April 2009 data.

CATERPILLAR INC 8-K Report, Regulation FD Disclosure (May 20, 2009)

Summary

Key Highlights

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