Strong mining and construction demand leads to Cat Q1 sales jump

Demand from the mining and construction sectors saw Caterpillar’s sales and revenue jump 5% in the March quarter, the equipment manufacturer has reported.

Sales and revenue came in at $13.5 billion in the first three months of the year, compared with $12.9 billion a year earlier, with the company’s profit per share rising to $3.25/share – a quarterly record.

Cat said the sales and revenue increase was down to higher sales volume for both equipment and services and favourable price realisation, primarily in Construction Industries and Resource Industries.

Within the Resource Industries segment, Cat saw total sales grow 18% to $418 million as mining production levels and commodity market fundamentals remained positive. Quarterly profit came in at $192 million within the segment, 52% higher year-on-year thanks to the higher sales volume and favourable price realisation, the company noted.

Following these results, Caterpillar upgraded its profit per share estimate for 2019 to $12.06-13.06, from the $11.75-12.75 it previously stated.