Deere Posts Jump in Earnings

The company cites strong equipment sales.
By Meredith Derby ,

Deere

(DE) - Get Report

posted a jump in second-quarter earnings, due in part to strong equipment sales.

The company earned $256.9 million, or $1.07 a share, compared with last year's $141.8 million, or 59 cents a share. Analysts expected 93 cents a share.

"Increased profitability of our construction and forestry and our commercial and consumer equipment operations contributed to the strong second quarter," said Robert W. Lane, Deere's chief executive.

Worldwide revenue also grew, up 10% to $4.4 billion, the company said. Net sales for the quarter were $3.87 billion.

Looking to the third quarter, the company expects to earn $175 million to $225 million. For the full year, Deere expects equipment sales to be up 6% to 8%, below earlier estimates, but the company still expects to earn $500 million to $600 million. Excluding the impact of currency and price, sales are expected to be about flat for the quarter and for the year, the company said.

Shares of Moline, Ill.-based Deere were recently down 1.7% at $43.92 in midmorning trading.

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