Summary
Caterpillar Inc. (CAT) filed an 8-K on May 19, 2016, to provide supplemental information regarding its retail sales of machines and power systems for the three-month rolling periods ending in April, March, and February 2016, compared to the prior year. This information, primarily based on unaudited dealer reports, offers a view into end-user demand trends, which can precede Caterpillar's own sales to dealers. The data indicates a general downward trend across most segments and regions during these periods. Specifically, the report highlights significant declines in retail machine sales globally, particularly in Latin America and for the Resource Industries segment. The Energy & Transportation segment also experienced substantial year-over-year decreases in retail sales across its key sectors. While Construction Industries showed some mixed results with a slight increase in Asia/Pacific for April, overall trends remained negative. Investors should note that this data is intended to indicate trends and direction, not to substitute for Caterpillar's audited financial statements, and the company does not commit to updating this information.
Key Highlights
- 1Caterpillar is providing supplemental, unaudited data on retail sales to end-users for machines and power systems, offering a real-time look at demand trends.
- 2Global retail machine sales showed a consistent downward trend across the rolling three-month periods ending February, March, and April 2016.
- 3Significant declines in retail machine sales were observed in Latin America (down 37% in April 2016) and the Resource Industries segment (down 28% globally in April 2016).
- 4The Energy & Transportation segment experienced a substantial decrease in total retail sales, down 34% for the three months ended April 2016.
- 5Construction Industries segment showed a mixed picture, with global retail sales down 7% in April 2016, though Asia/Pacific saw a 6% increase.
- 6This supplemental information is based on voluntary dealer reports and is not subject to Caterpillar's internal controls, therefore intended as an approximate indication of trends.
- 7Caterpillar explicitly states it does not undertake to update or adjust prior period information provided in this report.