Shares in the world's largest mining and construction equipment maker Caterpillar (NYSE:CAT) were up almost 4% in pre-market trading on Thursday after the company posted results that beat investors' expectations.
The Deerfield, Illinois-based firm, which is considered a reliable bellwether of global economic activity, reported positive fourth quarter and full-year results and delivered bullish projections for 2018, particularly in relation to its construction and mining-equipment divisions.
Caterpillar's profit in 2017 was $586 million, a $202 million, or 53%, increase from a year earlier.Sales and revenues for the three months to the end of December climbed 35% to $12.9bn compared with $9.6bn in the same period of 2016.
Adjusted fourth quarter earnings per share, at $2.16, compared with $0.83 for the year earlier period and came in well above market expectations of $1.77. The adjustment to earnings included a $2.37bn charge related to US tax reform, including writing down deferred tax assets because of the reduction in the US tax rate as well as a charge for mandatory repatriation of non-US earnings, the machinery giant said.
Revenues for 2017 reached $2.69 billion, an increase of $94 million, or 4%, compared with 2016. Profit was $586 million, a $202 million, or 53%, increase from 2016.
"Caterpillar is beginning 2018 with strong sales momentum resulting from strong order rates, lean dealer inventories and an increasing backlog," chief executive Jim Umpleby said in a statement. "Additionally, there are positive economic indicators across most of the world and in many of the company's end markets," he noted.
Caterpillar also said it expected an adjusted profit of $8.25-$9.25 per share for 2018, compared with analysts' average estimate of $8.19 to $8.63.
While the company kicked off 2017 with a cautious message, booming sales triggered by improved Chinese demand and a recovering economy in the U.S. - Caterpillar's home country -, forced it to lift 2017 revenue projections three times last year.
The equipment maker said the earnings recovery experienced last year was driven mainly by its construction division. However, a strengthening global economy and soaring commodities prices have boosted the outlook for other two divisions -resource industries and energy & transportation.
The company's shares have risen more than 7% since the beginning of the year, while the Standard & Poor's 500 index has increased 6%.
Before the earnings release, the stock had already climbed 75% in the past year, and it was up 3.87% in pre-market Thursday to $174.85 at 8:35AM ET.