Caterpillar Reports Third-Quarter Results, Provides Updated 2013 Outlook and Preliminary 2014 Outlook

PEORIA, Ill., Oct. 23, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE: CAT) today announced third-quarter sales and revenues of $13.423 billion, down from $16.445 billion in the third quarter of 2012.  Profit per share for the third quarter of 2013 was $1.45, down from third-quarter 2012 profit per share of $2.54.

The company has revised its 2013 outlook and now expects sales and revenues to be about $55 billion, with profit per share of about $5.50.  The previous outlook for 2013 sales and revenues was a range of $56 to $58 billion with profit per share of about $6.50 at the middle of that range. 

"This year has proven to be difficult, with expected sales and revenues nearly $11 billion lower than last year.  That is a 17 percent decline from 2012, with about 75 percent of the drop from Resource Industries, which is principally mining.  We expect Resource Industries to be down close to 40 percent for the full year and Power Systems' and Construction Industries' sales to each be down about 5 percent," said Caterpillar Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Doug Oberhelman.

Not only is mining down from 2012, the demand for equipment has been difficult to forecast.  Orders for new mining equipment began to drop significantly in mid-2012 and have continued at very low levels.  As a result of weak orders and feedback from end users, the sales and revenues outlook provided in January of 2013 included a decline in mining sales.  At that time, based on strong mine production for many commodities, the company's outlook expected that order rates would improve later in 2013.

"Unfortunately, order rates have not picked up much despite continuing strong commodity production.  That has caused us to ratchet down our sales and revenues outlook as we have moved through 2013," Oberhelman said.

A key element of Caterpillar's strategy is focused on cost flexibility and reducing costs in a downturn.  The magnitude of the decline in sales in 2013 has resulted in substantial actions to lower production, costs and employment.  Actions taken already include many temporary plant shutdowns, a reduction of more than 13,000 of our global workforce throughout the past year, temporary layoffs for thousands of salaried and management employees, reductions in program spending, substantially lowered incentive pay, lower capital expenditures and implementation of general austerity measures across the company. 

Caterpillar has taken substantial actions and is mitigating some of the impact of lower mining sales on profit.  The company expects to limit the decline in 2013 operating profit from 2012 to about 30 percent of the sales and revenues change.  This is at the high end of the company's incremental operating profit pull through target range and is a result of unfavorable product mix as the sales decline is weighted toward higher margin mining products.

Although it has been a challenging year for sales and profit, it has been a positive year for cash flow.  In the third quarter, the Machinery and Power Systems (M&PS) operating cash flow was $2.1 billion, and the company is expecting 2013 to be its second best year in history for cash flow and not far from the all-time record.  Strong cash flow has enabled the company to improve its balance sheet, repurchase $2 billion in Caterpillar stock this year, raise the quarterly dividend by 15 percent and improve the debt-to-capital ratio.  The company's debt-to-capital ratio was 34 percent at the end of the third quarter, and it is expected to improve further by year end.  This represents a substantial improvement over the past five years from the 58 percent debt-to-capital ratio at the end of 2008.

"With $11 billion coming off the top line, it has been a painful year and has required wide ranging and substantial actions across the company.  Year-to-date, excluding the impact of inventory absorption, we've lowered costs about $700 million and reduced capital expenditures by about $400 million.  We've continued to improve our operational performance this year, and it's unfortunate that the improvements we've made have been far overshadowed by the sales decline in mining.  Safety levels in our factories continue to improve, and product quality is better — we see it in our metrics and are hearing it from dealers and customers.  While our machine sales are down, in most industries, including mining, we're doing better than our competitors as a whole and that includes those in China.  Our year-to-date sales in China are up, including an increase of almost 30 percent in the third quarter of 2013.  Our balance sheet is the strongest in years; we're having a great year for cash flow; our debt-to-capital ratio is improving; we repurchased $2 billion of stock and raised the dividend 15 percent.  In addition, our Power Systems segment has done a good job this year.  It's our largest segment with sales and profit that has been relatively stable in 2013," Oberhelman said.

Preliminary 2014 Sales and Revenues Outlook

From an economic standpoint, the company expects better world growth in 2014.  However, significant risks and uncertainties remain that could temper global economic growth.  The direction of U.S. fiscal and monetary policy remains uncertain; Eurozone economies are far from healthy and China continues to transition to a more consumer-demand led economy.  In addition, despite higher mine production around the world, new orders for mining equipment remain very low.  As a result, the company is holding its outlook for 2014 sales and revenues flat with 2013 in a plus or minus 5 percent range.  The company expects sales growth in Construction Industries, relatively flat sales in Power Systems and a decline in Resource Industries' sales.

"There are encouraging signs, but there is also a good deal of uncertainty worldwide as we look ahead to 2014, and our preliminary outlook reflects that uncertainty.  Despite prospects for improved economic growth and continued strong mine production around the world, we won't be increasing our expectations for Resource Industries until mining orders improve.  We can't change the economy or industry demand, but we've taken many actions to align our costs with the environment we're in currently.  While we've done much already, we're not finished and expect to take deeper actions to improve our cost structure and balance sheet.  We're not seeing bright spots in mining yet, but the turnaround will happen at some point, and when it does, we'll be ready to respond," Oberhelman added.

Notes:

• Glossary of terms is included on pages 18-19; first occurrence of terms shown in bold italics.
• Information on non-GAAP financial measures is included on page 20.

For more than 85 years, Caterpillar Inc. has been making sustainable progress possible and driving positive change on every continent.  With 2012 sales and revenues of $65.875 billion, Caterpillar is the world's leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines and diesel-electric locomotives.  The company also is a leading services provider through Caterpillar Financial Services, Caterpillar Remanufacturing Services and Progress Rail Services.  More information is available at: http://www.caterpillar.com.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain statements in this Release relate to future events and expectations and are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Words such as "believe," "estimate," "will be," "will," "would," "expect," "anticipate," "plan," "project," "intend," "could," "should" or other similar words or expressions often identify forward-looking statements.  All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements regarding our outlook, projections, forecasts or trend descriptions.  These statements do not guarantee future performance, and we do not undertake to update our forward-looking statements.

Caterpillar's actual results may differ materially from those described or implied in our forward-looking statements based on a number of factors, including, but not limited to: (i) global economic conditions and economic conditions in the industries and markets we serve; (ii) government monetary or fiscal policies and infrastructure spending; (iii) commodity or component price increases, fluctuations in demand for our products, or limited availability of raw materials and component products, including steel; (iv) our and our customers', dealers' and suppliers' ability to access and manage liquidity; (v) political and economic risks and instability, including national or international conflicts and civil unrest; (vi) our and Cat Financial's ability to: maintain credit ratings, avoid material increases in borrowing costs, and access capital markets; (vii) the financial condition and credit worthiness of Cat Financial's customers; (viii) changes in interest rates or market liquidity; (ix) changes in financial services regulation; (x) inability to realize expected benefits from acquisitions, including ERA Mining Machinery Limited, and divestitures, including the divestiture of the Bucyrus International, Inc. distribution business to our independent dealers; (xi) international trade and investment policies; (xii) market acceptance of our products and services; (xiii) changes in the competitive environment, including market share, pricing and geographic and product mix of sales; (xiv) successful implementation of capacity expansion projects, cost reduction initiatives and efficiency or productivity initiatives, including the Caterpillar Production System; (xv) inventory management decisions and sourcing practices of our dealers or original equipment manufacturers; (xvi) compliance with environmental laws and regulations; (xvii) alleged or actual violations of trade or anti-corruption laws and regulations; (xviii) additional tax expense or exposure; (xix) currency fluctuations; (xx) our or Cat Financial's compliance with financial covenants; (xxi) increased pension plan funding obligations; (xxii) union disputes or other labor matters; (xxiii) significant legal proceedings, claims, lawsuits or investigations; (xxiv) compliance requirements imposed if carbon emissions legislation and/or regulations are adopted; (xxv) changes in accounting standards; (xxvi) failure or breach of information technology security; (xxvii) adverse effects of natural disasters; and (xxviii) other factors described in more detail under "Item 1A.  Risk Factors" in our Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 19, 2013 for the year ended December 31, 2012.  This filing is available on our website at www.caterpillar.com/secfilings. 

• Third-quarter sales and revenues of $13.423 billion were 18 percent lower than the third quarter of 2012.  More than half of the decline in sales and revenues was a result of changes in dealer inventories.  In addition, dealer deliveries to end users declined, primarily in Resource Industries.
• Profit per share was $1.45 in the third quarter of 2013, down $1.09 from the third quarter of 2012.
• Our inventory continued to decline in the third quarter of 2013, which was positive to operating cash flow but unfavorable to profit.  Inventory was about $500 million below the end of the second quarter of 2013 and $2.2 billion below year-end 2012.
• Machinery and Power Systems (M&PS) operating cash flow was $2.109 billion in the third quarter of 2013, compared with $994 million in the third quarter of 2012.
• M&PS debt-to-capital ratio was 34.1 percent, down from 34.9 percent at the end of the second quarter of 2013.
• We repurchased $1 billion of stock in the third quarter of 2013 in addition to the $1 billion repurchased in the second quarter of 2013.

2013 Outlook

• The revised 2013 outlook reflects sales and revenues of about $55 billion.  The previous sales and revenues outlook was a range of $56 to $58 billion.
• The revised 2013 profit outlook is profit per share of about $5.50.  The previous profit outlook was about $6.50 per share at the middle of the sales and revenues outlook range.
• We expect capital expenditures for 2013 will be less than $3 billion.  Capital expenditures were $3.4 billion in 2012.

Preliminary 2014 Sales and Revenues Outlook

• While many economic indicators are improving, significant risks and uncertainties remain that could temper global economic growth in 2014.
• The preliminary 2014 outlook for sales and revenues is flat with 2013 in a plus or minus 5 percent range.

CONSOLIDATED RESULTS

Consolidated Sales and Revenues

Consolidated Sales and Revenues Comparison
Third Quarter 2013 vs. Third Quarter 2012

To access this chart, go to http://caterpillar.com for the downloadable version of Caterpillar 3Q2013 earnings.

Sales and Revenues

Total sales and revenues were $13.423 billion in the third quarter of 2013, a decrease of $3.022 billion, or 18 percent, from the third quarter of 2012.  When reviewing the change in sales and revenues, we focus on the following perspectives:

• Reason for the change: Sales volume decreased $2.729 billion with nearly 80 percent of the decline in Resource Industries.  More than half of the total volume decrease was related to changes in dealer machine and engine inventories and the remainder was primarily a result of lower dealer deliveries to end users.  During the third quarter of 2012, dealers increased machine and engine inventories by about $800 million, and during the third quarter of 2013, dealers reduced machine and engine inventories by about $800 million.  Most of the decline was related to Resource Industries' products, as dealers adjusted inventory levels in response to lower end-user demand resulting primarily from mining companies reducing their capital expenditures.

In addition, currency was unfavorable $188 million primarily due to the weaker Japanese yen, as sales in yen translated into fewer U.S. dollars.  The net impact of acquisitions and divestitures was unfavorable $87 million, with more than half of the decline due to the absence of our third party logistics business.  Price realization was unfavorable $57 million mainly due to continuing sales from a large government order in Brazil and an increasingly competitive pricing environment primarily within Construction Industries.  These decreases were partially offset by increased Financial Products' revenues of $39 million.

While almost all of the decline in sales was related to new equipment, aftermarket parts sales declined slightly.    

• Sales by geographic region: While sales declined in all geographic regions, the most significant reduction was in Asia/Pacific.  The Asia/Pacific decline was primarily related to lower sales in Australia where the most significant decrease was in mining sales, due to continued low demand.  While sales in Asia/Pacific declined overall, sales in China increased.  During the quarter, our total sales and revenues in China increased about 30 percent from the third quarter of 2012 and represented about 6 percent of total sales and revenues.  The declines in North America and EAME were primarily due to unfavorable changes in dealer inventories.
• Sales by segment: Sales decreased in all segments.  The most significant was a 42-percent decline in Resource Industries resulting primarily from changes in dealer inventories and weaker demand in mining primarily due to mining companies reducing their capital expenditures.  Power Systems' sales and Construction Industries' sales both decreased 7 percent.  Financial Products segment revenues were up 4 percent.

Consolidated Operating Profit

Consolidated Operating Profit Comparison
Third Quarter 2013 vs. Third Quarter 2012

To access this chart, go to http://caterpillar.com for the downloadable version of Caterpillar 3Q2013 earnings. 

Operating profit for the third quarter of 2013 was $1.401 billion, a decline of $1.195 billion from the third quarter of 2012.  The decrease was primarily the result of lower sales volume, which included an unfavorable mix of products.  The unfavorable mix was primarily due to a more significant decline in Resource Industries' sales than sales for other segments.  Acquisitions and divestitures negatively impacted operating profit by $268 million primarily due to the absence of a gain from the sale of a majority interest in our external logistics business during the third quarter of 2012.  Price realization was unfavorable mainly due to continuing sales from a large government order in Brazil and an increasingly competitive pricing environment primarily within Construction Industries.  These unfavorable impacts were partially offset by decreases in SG&A and R&D expenses, a favorable impact from currency and lower manufacturing costs.

Decreases in SG&A and R&D expenses were primarily due to lower discretionary and program spending driven by cost reduction measures implemented in response to lower volumes.  The favorable impact of currency was mostly due to the Japanese yen.  We have a sizeable manufacturing presence in Japan, and while some of this production is sold in Japan, we are a net exporter, and therefore, a weaker yen provides a cost benefit. 

Manufacturing costs decreased $102 million.  The decrease was primarily due to lower material costs and warranty expense, partially offset by unfavorable changes in cost absorption resulting from a decrease in inventory during the third quarter of 2013 and an increase in inventory during the third quarter of 2012.

Despite the significant reduction in sales volume, manufacturing efficiencies were about flat due to cost reduction initiatives including temporary factory shutdowns, rolling layoffs throughout much of the company and reductions in our workforce. 

Other Profit/Loss Items

• Interest expense excluding Financial Products decreased $13 million compared with the third quarter of 2012.
• Other income/expense was expense of $24 million compared with expense of $17 million in the third quarter of 2012.  Both periods include unfavorable impacts from currency translation and hedging.
• The provision for income taxes in the third quarter of 2013 reflects an estimated annual tax rate of 29 percent compared with 30.5 percent for 2012, excluding the item discussed below.  The decrease is primarily due to the U.S. research and development tax credit that was expired in 2012, along with expected changes in our geographic mix of profits from a tax perspective.

The tax provision for the third quarter of 2013 also included a tax benefit of $55 million resulting from true-up of estimated amounts used in the tax provision to the 2012 U.S. tax return as filed in September 2013.    

Global Workforce

Caterpillar worldwide full-time employment was 121,506 at the end of the third quarter of 2013, compared with 129,113 at the end of the third quarter of 2012, a decrease of 7,607 full-time employees.  The flexible workforce decreased 6,054 for a total decrease in the global workforce of 13,661. 

The decrease was primarily the result of lower production volume.

 SEGMENT RESULTS

Construction Industries' sales were $4.547 billion in the third quarter of 2013, a decrease of $357 million, or 7 percent, from the third quarter of 2012.  The sales decrease was due to the unfavorable impact of currency, lower sales volume and unfavorable price realization.  Sales of new equipment declined, and sales of aftermarket parts were about flat. 

• The unfavorable currency impact was primarily from a weaker Japanese yen, as sales in yen translated into fewer U.S. dollars.
• The decline in sales volume was primarily related to changes in dealer inventories which more than offset improvements in deliveries to end users in North America and Latin America.
• Price realization was unfavorable primarily due to continuing sales from a large government order in Brazil and an increasingly competitive pricing environment.

Sales declined in all geographic regions except Latin America.

• The increase in Latin America was primarily due to continuing sales from a large government order in Brazil. 
• In EAME, end-user demand declined as a result of continuing economic weakness in Europe, dealer inventory changes were negative and price realization was unfavorable, due to an increasingly competitive pricing environment.     
• In North America, end-user demand increased, but was more than offset by the negative impact of dealer inventory changes.  The increase in end-user demand resulted primarily from construction-related spending in the United States.  Although still below prior peaks, it has improved.
• In Asia/Pacific, higher sales in China were more than offset by negative currency impacts primarily from the weaker Japanese yen and lower sales in other countries due to slower economic growth.

Construction Industries' profit was $262 million in the third quarter of 2013, compared with $459 million in the third quarter of 2012.  The decrease in profit was primarily due to unfavorable price realization, lower sales volume, which included an unfavorable mix of products, and the absence of a gain on sale of land from the third quarter of 2012. 

Resource Industries' sales were $3.004 billion in the third quarter of 2013, a decrease of $2.210 billion, or 42 percent, from the third quarter of 2012, almost all from lower sales volume.  About half of the decline in sales volume was due to changes in dealer machine inventory.  Dealers continued to significantly reduce machine inventory during the third quarter of 2013 to better align inventory levels with demand.  This compares with an increase in dealer machine inventory during the third quarter of 2012.  Demand was also lower as dealer deliveries to end users declined resulting from mining companies reducing their capital expenditures.  Almost all of the sales decline was related to new equipment.  Aftermarket part sales also declined as some companies are delaying maintenance and rebuild activities.

Sales were lower in every region of the world, with the most significant decline in Asia/Pacific, where about half of the worldwide dealer inventory impacts occurred.  Although production of most mined commodities is near or above a year ago, after several years of increasing capital expenditures customers in all geographic regions have reduced spending across the mining industry.  As a result, end-user demand was lower, and new orders for mining equipment continued to be weak in the quarter. 

Resource Industries' profit was $409 million in the third quarter of 2013 compared with $1.113 billion in the third quarter of 2012.  The decrease was primarily the result of lower sales volume, partially offset by lower SG&A and R&D expenses and decreased manufacturing costs.

Decreases in SG&A and R&D expenses were primarily due to lower discretionary and program spending driven by cost reduction measures implemented in response to lower volumes.  The decrease in manufacturing costs was driven by lower period manufacturing expenses due to cost reduction measures and lower material costs.  These favorable impacts were partially offset by unfavorable changes in cost absorption resulting from a decrease in inventory during the third quarter of 2013 and an increase in inventory during the third quarter of 2012.  

Power Systems' sales were $4.922 billion in the third quarter of 2013, a decrease of $395 million, or 7 percent, from the third quarter of 2012.  The decrease was a result of lower volume primarily for electric power, rail and petroleum applications.  Sales declines in electric power and petroleum applications were driven by dealers reducing their inventory levels in the third quarter of 2013, compared with dealers increasing inventory levels in the third quarter of 2012.  Turbine-related sales, which are sold directly to end users and are not affected by dealer inventory, were about flat.  Decreases in rail were driven by a reduction in services and locomotive sales.

Sales decreased in all regions except Latin America. 

• In North America, the sales decrease was due to declines in end-user demand, primarily in petroleum applications and rail services.  For petroleum, lower demand was due to an oversupply of equipment used in drilling and well servicing applications.  For rail services, declines in railway coal traffic resulted in lower maintenance and repair needs.  In addition, changes in dealer inventories were unfavorable for electric power applications as dealers increased inventories in anticipation of higher demand during the third quarter of 2012, and reduced their inventories during the third quarter of 2013.
• In EAME, the sales decrease was primarily due to the impact of dealer inventory changes for electric power applications.  During the third quarter of 2012, dealers increased inventories in anticipation of higher demand and reduced their inventories during the third quarter of 2013.
• In Asia/Pacific, the decline in sales was due to unfavorable changes in dealer inventories.  During the third quarter of 2012, dealers increased inventories in anticipation of higher demand and reduced their inventories during the third quarter of 2013.  Those negative impacts were partially offset by higher end-user demand across most applications. 
• The improvement in Latin America was primarily due to the completion of two large turbine projects.

Power Systems' profit was $883 million in the third quarter of 2013 compared with $943 million in the third quarter of 2012.  The decrease was primarily due to lower sales volume, partially offset by lower manufacturing costs, decreased SG&A and R&D expenses and favorable price realization.

The decrease in manufacturing costs was driven by lower material costs and a favorable change in cost absorption resulting from an increase in inventory during the third quarter of 2013 and a decrease in inventory during the third quarter of 2012.  SG&A and R&D expenses were favorable primarily due to lower program costs. 

Financial Products' revenues were $807 million, an increase of $31 million, or 4 percent, from the third quarter of 2012.  The increase was primarily due to the favorable impact from higher average earning assets across all geographic regions except Asia/Pacific and an increase in Cat Insurance revenues in North America partially offset by declines in EAME and Latin America.  These increases were partially offset by the unfavorable impact from lower average financing rates on new and existing finance receivables and operating leases across all geographic regions.

Financial Products' profit was $218 million in the third quarter of 2013, compared with $190 million in the third quarter of 2012.  The increase was primarily due to an $18 million favorable impact from higher average earning assets and a $17 million favorable impact from lower claims experience at Cat Insurance.

At the end of the third quarter of 2013, past dues at Cat Financial were 2.45 percent compared with 2.64 percent at the end of the second quarter of 2013, 2.26 percent at the end of 2012 and 2.80 percent at the end of the third quarter of 2012.  Write-offs, net of recoveries, were $58 million for the third quarter of 2013, up from $29 million for the third quarter of 2012.  The increase in write-offs was primarily related to Cat Financial's European marine portfolio and was previously provided for in the allowance for credit losses.

As of September 30, 2013, Cat Financial's allowance for credit losses totaled $404 million or 1.40 percent of net finance receivables, compared with $426 million or 1.49 percent of net finance receivables at year-end 2012.  The allowance for credit losses as of September 30, 2012, was $404 million or 1.47 percent of net finance receivables. 

All Other Segment

All Other Segment includes groups that provide services such as component manufacturing, remanufacturing and logistics. 

The decrease in sales was primarily due to the absence of our third party logistics business, which was sold in the third quarter of 2012.  Lower profit was primarily due to the absence of the gain on the sale of our third party logistics business.

Corporate Items and Eliminations

Expense for corporate items and eliminations was $477 million in the third quarter of 2013, a decrease of $44 million from the third quarter of 2012.  Corporate items and eliminations include: corporate-level expenses; timing differences, as some expenses are reported in segment profit on a cash basis; retirement benefit costs other than service cost; currency differences for M&PS, as segment profit is reported using annual fixed exchange rates; and inter-segment eliminations. 

The decrease in expense from the third quarter of 2012 was primarily due to favorable impacts from timing differences, partially offset by unfavorable impacts from currency.  Segment profit for 2013 is based on fixed exchange rates set at the beginning of 2013, while segment profit for 2012 is based on fixed exchange rates set at the beginning of 2012.  The difference in actual exchange rates compared with fixed exchange rates is included in corporate items and eliminations and is not reflected in segment profit.

2013 Outlook

We now expect 2013 sales and revenues of about $55 billion and profit per share of about $5.50.  The previous outlook for 2013 sales and revenues was a range of $56 to $58 billion with profit per share of about $6.50 at the middle of that range.  Sales expectations are lower for Resource Industries and Construction Industries.

The primary reason for the decline in the profit outlook is lower sales volume including an unfavorable mix of products and lower price realization.

The 2013 outlook expects sales and revenues in the fourth quarter to be slightly higher than in the third quarter, but profit per share to be lower.  The expected decline in profit despite higher sales is primarily due to higher costs in the fourth quarter resulting from seasonal spending patterns.

Preliminary 2014 Sales and Revenues Outlook

World purchasing manager surveys for both manufacturing and services have improved in recent months, signaling the world economy is rebounding from more than two years of slowing growth.  Recent economic indicators also suggest that growth in the United States, Europe, Japan and China in 2014 should match or exceed 2013 growth.  Better growth in these key economies would improve export opportunities for other countries and increase commodity demand.  We expect world economic growth will improve from 2.1 percent in 2013 to about 3 percent in 2014.

However, significant risks and uncertainties remain that could temper global economic growth in 2014.  The direction of U.S. fiscal and monetary policy action is highly uncertain; Eurozone economies are far from healthy and China continues to transition to a more consumer-demand led economy.  In addition, despite higher mine production, new orders for mining equipment remain very low.

As a result, we are holding our outlook for 2014 sales and revenues flat with 2013 in a plus or minus 5 percent range.  We are expecting sales growth in Construction Industries, relatively flat sales in Power Systems and a decline in Resource Industries' sales.  As usual for this time of the year, we are in the process of developing our operational and resource planning for next year.  In January 2014, with our year-end financial release, we will provide a more complete outlook including sales and revenues and profit.

GLOSSARY OF TERMS

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

The following definition is provided for "non-GAAP financial measures" in connection with Regulation G issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission.  This non-GAAP financial measure has no standardized meaning prescribed by U.S. GAAP and therefore is unlikely to be comparable to the calculation of similar measures for other companies.  Management does not intend this item to be considered in isolation or substituted for the related GAAP measure.

Machinery and Power Systems

Caterpillar defines Machinery and Power Systems as it is presented in the supplemental data as Caterpillar Inc. and its subsidiaries with Financial Products accounted for on the equity basis.  Machinery and Power Systems information relates to the design, manufacture and marketing of our products.  Financial Products information relates to the financing to customers and dealers for the purchase and lease of Caterpillar and other equipment.  The nature of these businesses is different, especially with regard to the financial position and cash flow items.  Caterpillar management utilizes this presentation internally to highlight these differences.  We also believe this presentation will assist readers in understanding our business.  Pages 24-29 reconcile Machinery and Power Systems with Financial Products on the equity basis to Caterpillar Inc. consolidated financial information.

SOURCE Caterpillar Inc.