Deere Reports Record First-Quarter Earnings of $514 Million

MOLINE, Ill., Feb. 16, 2011 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Net income attributable to Deere & Company (NYSE: DE) was $513.7 million, or $1.20 per share, for the first quarter ended January 31, compared with $243.2 million, or $0.57 per share, for the same period last year.

Worldwide net sales and revenues for the first quarter increased 27 percent, to $6.119 billion, compared with $4.835 billion last year. Net sales of the equipment operations were $5.514 billion for the quarter compared with $4.237 billion a year ago.

"John Deere's first-quarter results reflect improving demand for our innovative lines of equipment coupled with the skillful execution of our business plans," said Samuel R. Allen, chairman and chief executive officer. "Our actions are helping attract customers through advanced new products and technologies." Sales of large farm machinery, particularly in the United States and Canada, are continuing to make a major impact, while construction equipment shipments are experiencing some degree of recovery, Allen noted. "Our record first-quarter performance is especially gratifying in light of market conditions that remain below normal levels in certain key sectors."

Summary of Operations

Net sales of the worldwide equipment operations rose 30 percent for the quarter. Sales included price increases of 2 percent. Equipment net sales in the United States and Canada increased 35 percent for the quarter. Outside the U.S. and Canada, net sales were up 22 percent for the quarter, with an unfavorable currency-translation effect of 1 percent.

Deere's equipment operations reported operating profit of $646 million for the quarter, compared with $315 million last year. Benefiting the quarter were higher shipment and production volumes as well as improved price realization, partially offset by increases in raw material costs and higher incentive-compensation expenses.  

Financial services reported net income attributable to Deere & Company of $118.2 million for the quarter compared with $85.1 million last year. Results increased for the quarter primarily due to portfolio growth and a lower provision for credit losses.

Company Outlook & Summary

Company equipment sales now are projected to be up 18 to 20 percent for fiscal 2011 and up about 25 percent for the second quarter compared with the same periods of the previous year. Included is a favorable currency-translation impact of about 2 percent for the year and the quarter. Net income attributable to Deere & Company is anticipated to be approximately $2.5 billion for the full year.

With Deere's strong first-quarter performance and positive outlook for 2011, the company remains well-positioned to capitalize on positive global economic trends while providing significant value to investors, Allen said. "Our balanced approach to cash flow management means we will continue setting the stage for future sales and earnings gains through the aggressive funding of organic growth while also remaining focused on returning cash directly to shareholders," noted Allen. "We're confident this approach will produce solid value for our customers, investors and other constituents over the long term."

Equipment Division Performance

Agriculture & Turf. Sales increased 21 percent for the quarter largely due to higher shipment volumes and improved price realization. Operating profit was $558 million compared with $352 million for the quarter last year. The improvement was primarily due to higher shipment and production volumes as well as improved price realization, partially offset by increased raw-material costs and higher incentive-compensation expenses.

Construction & Forestry. Construction and forestry sales climbed 81 percent, resulting in operating profit of $88 million. Last year the division had an operating loss of $37 million for the quarter. Contributing to the increase were significantly higher shipment and production volumes as well as improved price realization, partially offset by increased raw-material costs and higher incentive-compensation expenses.

Market Conditions & Outlook

Agriculture & Turf. Worldwide sales of agriculture and turf equipment are forecast to increase by about 16 percent for full-year 2011, benefiting from favorable global farm conditions. Farmers in many of the company's markets are experiencing solid levels of income due to strong global demand for agricultural commodities, low grain stocks in relation to use, and rising prices for crops such as corn, wheat, soybeans, sugar and cotton. Farm commodity prices have escalated sharply since the beginning of the year, lending further support to the outlook.

After staging a healthy advance in 2010, industry farm-machinery sales in the U.S. and Canada are forecast to be up about 5 percent for 2011. Overall conditions remain positive and demand for high-horsepower equipment continues to be strong. However, production limits and transitional issues associated with the broad launch of Interim Tier 4 emissions-compliant equipment are expected to have a moderating effect on near-term sales potential.

Industry sales in the EU 27 nations of Western and Central Europe are forecast to increase by about 10 percent, while sales in the Commonwealth of Independent States are expected to see moderate gains in relation to the prior year's depressed level. Farm conditions are strengthening in the European and CIS markets. Industry sales in Asia also are forecast to grow moderately after last year's robust improvement.

In South America, industry sales for the year are projected to be comparable with the strong levels of 2010. Deere's own sales in the region are expected to benefit from a broader lineup of recently introduced products.

Industry sales of turf and utility equipment in the U.S. and Canada are expected to be flat after experiencing modest recovery in 2010.

Construction & Forestry. Deere's worldwide sales of construction and forestry equipment are forecast to rise by about 35 percent for 2011. The increase reflects market conditions that are somewhat improved in relation to the prior year's low level.  In addition, construction equipment sales to independent rental companies are expected to see further growth. World forestry markets are expected to experience further improvement for the year as a result of strong wood and pulp prices.

Financial Services. Full-year 2011 net income attributable to Deere & Company for the financial services operations is forecast to be approximately $400 million, reflecting continued growth in the portfolio.  

John Deere Capital Corporation

The following is disclosed on behalf of the company's credit subsidiary, John Deere Capital Corporation (JDCC), in connection with the disclosure requirements applicable to its periodic issuance of debt securities in the public market.

Net income attributable to John Deere Capital Corporation was $83.8 million for the first quarter, compared with $63.9 million last year. Results were better for the quarter primarily due to growth in the portfolio and a lower provision for credit losses.

Net receivables and leases financed by JDCC were $20.749 billion at January 31, 2011, compared with $18.510 billion last year.

Safe Harbor Statement

Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995:  Statements under "Company Outlook & Summary," "Market Conditions & Outlook," and other forward-looking statements herein that relate to future events, expectations, trends and operating periods involve certain factors that are subject to change, and important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially.  Some of these risks and uncertainties could affect particular lines of business, while others could affect all of the company's businesses.

The company's agricultural equipment business is subject to a number of uncertainties including the many interrelated factors that affect farmers' confidence.  These factors include worldwide economic conditions, demand for agricultural products, world grain stocks, weather conditions (including its effects on timely planting and harvesting), soil conditions, harvest yields, prices for commodities and livestock, crop and livestock production expenses, availability of transport for crops, the growth of non-food uses for some crops (including ethanol and biodiesel production), real estate values, available acreage for farming, the land ownership policies of various governments, changes in government farm programs and policies (including those in the U.S., Russia, and Brazil), international reaction to such programs, global trade agreements, animal diseases and their effects on poultry, beef and pork consumption and prices, crop pests and diseases, and the level of farm product exports (including concerns about genetically modified organisms).  

Factors affecting the outlook for the company's turf and utility equipment include general economic conditions, consumer confidence, weather conditions, customer profitability, consumer borrowing patterns, consumer purchasing preferences, housing starts, infrastructure investment, spending by municipalities and golf courses, and consumable input costs.

General economic conditions, consumer spending patterns, real estate and housing prices, the number of housing starts and interest rates are especially important to sales of the company's construction and forestry equipment.  The levels of public and non-residential construction also impact the results of the company's construction and forestry segment.  Prices for pulp, paper, lumber and structural panels are important to sales of forestry equipment.

All of the company's businesses and its reported results are affected by general economic conditions in the global markets in which the company operates, especially material changes in economic activity in these markets; customer confidence in general economic conditions; foreign currency exchange rates and their volatility, especially fluctuations in the value of the U.S. dollar; interest rates; and inflation and deflation rates.  General economic conditions can affect demand for the company's equipment as well.  The current economic conditions and outlook in certain sectors have dampened demand for certain equipment.  

Customer and company operations and results could be affected by changes in weather patterns; the political and social stability of the global markets in which the company operates; the effects of, or response to, terrorism and security threats; wars and other conflicts and the threat thereof; and the spread of major epidemics.

Significant changes in market liquidity conditions and any failure to comply with financial covenants in credit agreements could impact access to funding and funding costs, which could reduce the company's earnings and cash flows.  Market conditions could also negatively impact customer access to capital for purchases of the company's products; borrowing and repayment practices; and the number and size of customer loan delinquencies and defaults.  A sovereign debt crisis, in Europe or elsewhere, could negatively impact currencies, global financial markets, social and political stability, funding sources and costs, customers, and company operations and results.  State debt crises also could negatively impact customers, suppliers, demand for equipment, and company operations and results.  The company's investment management activities could be impaired by changes in the equity and bond markets, which would negatively affect earnings.

Additional factors that could materially affect the company's operations, access to capital and results include changes in and the impact of governmental trade, banking, monetary and fiscal policies, including financial regulatory reform, and governmental programs in particular jurisdictions or for the benefit of certain industries or sectors (including protectionist policies and trade and licensing restrictions that could disrupt international commerce); actions by the U.S. Federal Reserve Board and other central banks; actions by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission and other financial regulators; actions by environmental, health and safety regulatory agencies, including those related to engine emissions (in particular Interim Tier 4 and Final Tier 4 emission requirements), noise and the risk of climate change; changes in labor regulations; changes to accounting standards; changes in tax rates and regulations; and actions by other regulatory bodies including changes in laws and regulations affecting the sectors in which the company operates.  

Other factors that could materially affect results include production, design and technological innovations and difficulties, including capacity and supply constraints and prices; the availability and prices of strategically sourced materials, components and whole goods; delays or disruptions in the company's supply chain due to weather, natural disasters or financial hardship or the loss of liquidity by suppliers; start-up of new plants and new products; the success of new product initiatives and customer acceptance of new products; changes in customer product preferences and sales mix whether as a result of changes in equipment design to meet government regulations or for other reasons; oil and energy prices and supplies; the availability and cost of freight; actions of competitors in the various industries in which the company competes, particularly price discounting; dealer practices especially as to levels of new and used field inventories; labor relations; acquisitions and divestitures of businesses, the integration of new businesses; the implementation of organizational changes; difficulties related to the conversion and implementation of enterprise resource planning systems that disrupt business, negatively impact supply or distribution relationships or create higher than expected costs; changes in company declared dividends and common stock issuances and repurchases.

Company results are also affected by changes in the level of employee retirement benefits, changes in market values of investment assets and the level of interest rates, which impact retirement benefit costs, and significant changes in health care costs including those which may result from governmental action.  

The liquidity and ongoing profitability of John Deere Capital Corporation and other credit subsidiaries depend largely on timely access to capital to meet future cash flow requirements and fund operations and the costs associated with engaging in diversified funding activities and to fund purchases of the company's products.  If market uncertainty increases and general economic conditions worsen, funding could be unavailable or insufficient.  Additionally, customer confidence levels may result in declines in credit applications and increases in delinquencies and default rates, which could materially impact write-offs and provisions for credit losses.  

The company's outlook is based upon assumptions relating to the factors described above, which are sometimes based upon estimates and data prepared by government agencies.  Such estimates and data are often revised.  The company, except as required by law, undertakes no obligation to update or revise its outlook, whether as a result of new developments or otherwise.  Further information concerning the company and its businesses, including factors that potentially could materially affect the company's financial results, is included in the company's other filings with the SEC (including, but not limited to, the factors discussed in Item 1A. Risk Factors of the company's most recent annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q).

SOURCE Deere & Company

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