John Deere Reports Third-Quarter Earnings

Net income attributable to Deere & Company was $712.3 million, or $1.69 per share, for the third quarter ended July 31, compared with $617.0 million, or $1.44 per share, for the same period last year.

For the first nine months of the year, net income attributable to Deere & Company was $2.130 billion, or $5.01 per share, compared with $1.408 billion, or $3.28 per share, last year.  

Worldwide net sales and revenues increased 22%, to $8.372 billion, for the third quarter and were up 24% to $23.401 billion for nine months. Net sales of the equipment operations were $7.722 billion for the quarter and $21.563 billion for nine months, compared with $6.224 billion and $17.009 billion for the corresponding periods last year.

"Bolstered by yet another quarter of record results, John Deere remains on track for a year of exceptional achievement," says Samuel R. Allen, chairman and chief executive officer. "Our success reflects strong demand for the company's advanced equipment and the skillful execution of our ambitious business plans. These are aimed at expanding our global competitive position and introducing the John Deere brand to a wider group of customers."

Increased sales of large farm machinery are having a major impact on Deere's performance, Allen says, while construction-equipment sales are moving higher in spite of weakness in the North American residential and commercial construction sectors. "The company is achieving record performance in spite of certain key markets being in the early stages of recovery. This reflects our focus on managing costs and assets, while enhancing our geographic footprint and providing a range of innovative products and services to a growing global customer base."

Summary of Operations

Net sales of the worldwide equipment operations increased 24% for the quarter and 27% for nine months compared with a year ago. Sales included a favorable currency-translation effect of 6% for the quarter and 4% for nine months and price increases of 3% for both periods. Equipment net sales in the United States and Canada increased 10% for the quarter and 19% year to date. Outside the U.S. and Canada, net sales were up 49% for the quarter and 40% for nine months, with favorable currency-translation effects of 16% and 8%, respectively.

Deere's equipment operations reported operating profit of $969 million for the quarter and $2.883 billion for nine months, compared with $890 million and $2.193 billion last year. The increases were largely due to the impact of higher shipment volumes and improved price realization, partially offset by higher raw-material costs and increased selling, administrative and general expenses.

Net income of the company's equipment operations was $584 million for the quarter and $1.777 billion for nine months, compared with $512 million and $1.135 billion for the respective periods last year. The same operating factors mentioned above affected quarterly and nine-month results. In addition, a lower tax rate benefited performance for the year to date.

Financial services reported net income attributable to Deere & Company of $125.6 million for the quarter and $348.9 million for nine months compared with $102.1 million and $274.1 million last year. Results for both periods were higher primarily due to growth in the credit portfolio and a lower provision for credit losses, partially offset by narrower financing spreads.

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