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

This 8-K filing is primarily for Regulation FD disclosure, providing supplemental, unaudited information on Caterpillar's dealer statistics for retail sales of machines and power systems. This data is intended to give investors a better understanding of business trends and industry demand, acknowledging the time lag between Caterpillar's sales to dealers and dealer deliveries to end-users.

What were the key trends in machine retail sales according to the filing?

The filing indicates a general downturn in machine retail sales for the three-month period ending March 2013 compared to the prior year. Asia/Pacific experienced the steepest decline at 24%, followed by North America at 11% and EAME at 8%. The Rest of the World (ROW) also saw an 11% decrease. Globally, machine retail sales were down 11%.

How did the Power Systems segment perform?

The Power Systems segment also showed weakness in retail sales, with Electric Power down 17% and Industrial down 24%. However, the Transportation sector within Power Systems demonstrated strong growth, with a 19% increase in retail sales. Overall, the total Power Systems segment saw a 6% decline in retail sales.

How are recent acquisitions reflected in this data?

Caterpillar has incorporated sales from its acquisitions of Bucyrus International (machinery) and MWM Holding GmbH (power systems) into these retail statistics starting from January 2013. The company aims to include acquisitions in its retail statistics approximately one calendar year after closing to ensure comparable prior period data where possible.

CAT 8-K: Regulation FD — Apr 19, 2013

Summary

Caterpillar Inc. (CAT) filed an 8-K on April 19, 2013, providing supplemental information regarding dealer statistics for retail sales of machines and power systems for the three-month rolling period ending March 2013. This data, based on unaudited reports from independent dealers, offers insights into end-user demand across various geographic regions and business sectors. Investors should note that the provided statistics are intended to complement, not replace, the company's audited financial statements and may differ from actual results due to various risk factors detailed in the filing. The key takeaway from the reported figures is a broad-based decline in retail sales. Machine sales saw significant year-over-year decreases in Asia/Pacific (down 24%) and EAME (down 8%), with North America also experiencing an 11% decline. Power Systems also reflected weakness, with Electric Power down 17% and Industrial down 24%. While Transportation showed a robust 19% increase, it was not enough to offset the overall negative trend in the segment. The company also noted the inclusion of recent acquisitions, Bucyrus and MWM, into its reporting metrics starting January 2013.

Key Highlights

1Caterpillar is providing supplemental, unaudited dealer statistics for the three-month rolling period ending March 2013.
2Retail sales of machines showed significant year-over-year declines in major regions: Asia/Pacific (-24%), EAME (-8%), and North America (-11%).
3Overall machine sales globally decreased by 11% compared to the prior year's comparable period.
4Power Systems retail sales also experienced a broad decline, with Electric Power down 17% and Industrial down 24%.
5Transportation, a segment within Power Systems, showed strong growth with a 19% increase in retail sales.
6Acquisitions of Bucyrus (machinery) and MWM (power systems) are now included in the reporting statistics starting January 2013.
7The company reiterated that these statistics are based on dealer reports and are subject to various risk factors that could materially affect actual results.

CATERPILLAR INC 8-K Report, Regulation FD Disclosure (Apr 19, 2013)

Summary

Key Highlights

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