Caterpillar Gives Strong Profit Outlook

By Chelsey Dulaney 

Caterpillar Inc. on Thursday gave a strong profit outlook for 2016, even as the company cut its sales guidance as it struggles with weak demand for its equipment used in mining and oil drilling.

The Peoria, Ill., maker of heavy equipment and engines also reported better-than-expected adjusted earnings for its fourth quarter, though its revenue missed expectations.

Shares rose 4.6% to $61 a share in premarket trading.

Caterpillar said it now expects its revenue to fall by about 10% to a range of $40 billion to $44 billion. In October, the company had forecast a 5% sales decline for 2016, with lower sales of mining equipment accounting for two-thirds of the damage. The decline would mark its fourth straight year of lower sales, a record for the company.

Still, Caterpillar forecast earnings of $4 a share for 2016 excluding restructuring charges. Analysts polled by Thomson Reuters had forecast $3.48 a share in adjusted earnings.

Caterpillar is facing tough conditions across a number of its markets. Weakening economic growth in the U.S. is driving down construction activity, while lower gas and oil prices have pulled down sales of Caterpillar machinery and engines used at frack well sites in North America.

A dismal economy in Brazil and weaker economic growth in China have choked sales in two of Caterpillar's key overseas markets.

For the fourth quarter ended Dec. 31, Caterpillar swung to a loss of $87 million, or 15 cents a share, compared with a prior-year profit of $757 million, or $1.23 a share.

Excluding restructuring costs, the company reported earnings of 74 cents a share. Analysts polled by Thomson Reuters had forecast 69 cents a share in earnings.

Revenue, including revenue from financing, tumbled 23% to $11.03 billion. Analysts had forecast $11.43 billion in revenue.

Write to Chelsey Dulaney at [e-mail]

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

January 28, 2016 08:06 ET (13:06 GMT)

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