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Caterpillar (CAT) Q1 Earnings Beat By a Wide Margin

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Caterpillar Inc. (CAT - Free Report) is a world renowned name in the construction and mining machinery industry with a market capitalization of $56.78 billion.  It is a leading exporter in the U.S. with more than half of its sales being generated outside the country.

Ahead of its first quarter earnings release, Caterpillar came up with best sales news since late 2012. Caterpillar reported a 1% rise in global retail sales for the three months ended Mar 2017, putting an end to the company’s 51 month stretch of declining sales. This upbeat growth figure follows a 8% dip in Jan and 1% dip in Feb.

The improvement in March sales was driven by construction equipment sales in China and the Asia-Pacific region. Lately, the construction sector in Asia Pacific has shown promise while the leading indicators of U.S. non-residential construction signal robust conditions ahead. This is welcome news for the behemoth whose top-line has been battered lately by the weak mining industry, low oil prices, stronger U.S. dollar and China's economic woes. Amid this backdrop, the company has resorted to aggressive cost reduction to sustain margins in the wake of low demand.

Investors are thus awaiting Caterpillar’s results as it has long been considered a bellwether of national and global economic strength. Let’s have a quick look at the first quarter release of this Peoria, Illinois-based construction and mining equipment manufacturer.

Estimate Trend & Surprise History

Investors should note that over a 30 days timeframe, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the first quarter has moved up 17% for Caterpillar. Coming to the earnings surprise, Caterpillar has an impressive track record, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate in all of the last four quarters, with an average positive surprise of 13.64%.

Earnings Beat Estimates

Caterpillar surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by a wide margin of 106%. Analysts polled by Zacks were expecting earnings per share (EPS) of 62 cents while the company reported adjusted EPS of $1.28.

Caterpillar, Inc. Price and EPS Surprise

Caterpillar, Inc. Price and EPS Surprise | Caterpillar, Inc. Quote

Revenues Beat Estimates

Caterpillar reported revenues of $9.8 billion, also ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $9.5 billion.

Developments to Note

For 2017, Caterpillar now projects adjusted earnings of $3.75 per share on the back of revenues in the range of $38 to 41 billion. As a result of a stronger than expected first quarter performance, the company hiked its guidance for the year.

Zacks Rank

Currently, Caterpillar has a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). However, this could change following Caterpillar’s earnings report which was just released.

Market Reaction

Caterpillar shares gained 4.95% in pre-market trading.

Check back later for our full write up on this Caterpillar earnings report later!

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