Deere & Company Posts 80 Percent Gain in Second Quarter Profits
MOLINE, Ill., May 13, 2003 -- Deere & Company today reported worldwide net income of $256.9 million, or $1.07 per share, for the second quarter ended April 30, an increase of more than 80 percent over last year's second quarter net income of $141.8 million, or $0.59 per share. For the first six months, net income was $324.9 million, or $1.35 per share, more than triple last year's six-month net income of $103.6 million, or $0.43 per share.
"Increased profitability of our construction and forestry and our commercial and consumer equipment operations contributed to the strong second quarter. Even though the domestic farm-equipment sector remained weak, our improvement initiatives, as well as increased sales outside of North America, helped drive higher agricultural equipment profits," said Robert W. Lane, chairman and chief executive officer. "These results are further evidence that John Deere employees worldwide are executing the strategies necessary to build a better business."
Worldwide net sales and revenues grew 10 percent to $4.400 billion for the second quarter as compared to a year ago and increased 11 percent to $7.194 billion for the first six months. Net sales were $3.867 billion for the quarter and $6.141 billion for six months, compared with $3.409 billion and $5.347 billion last year.
Net sales increased due primarily to higher physical volumes in all three major equipment divisions. Additionally, currency exchange rates and price realization had a favorable impact on this year's sales. Compared with last year, overseas sales increased 22 percent for the quarter and 21 percent for the first six months. Excluding the impact of changes in currency exchange rates, the increases in overseas sales were 10 percent and 11 percent, respectively, due primarily to higher agricultural equipment sales.
Deere's equipment operations reported operating profit of $339 million for the quarter and $382 million for the first six months of 2003, compared with $217 million and $82 million last year. (Operating results exclude the impact of external interest expense, taxes and certain other corporate expenses.) The increases for both periods were primarily due to improved price realization as well as higher sales and production volumes and related manufacturing efficiencies.
The absence of goodwill amortization this year had a favorable pretax impact of $14 million for the quarter and $28 million for the first six months. Additionally, results for both the quarter and the year-to-date benefited from the impact of translating the foreign earnings at higher exchange rates. Partially offsetting these factors was a pretax increase in postretirement benefit costs of $69 million for the quarter and $143 million for the first six months.
These same factors mentioned above also led to Deere's equipment operations achieving net income of $181.6 million for the quarter and $176.4 million for the first six months, compared with net income of $94.9 million and a net loss of $15.6 million for the respective periods last year.
Summary of Equipment Operating Profit
-- Agricultural Equipment. Compared with last year, agricultural
equipment sales increased 14 percent for the quarter and 11 percent for
the six months. The sales increases for both periods were primarily due
to the impact of stronger foreign exchange rates, higher sales overseas
and improved price realization.
Division operating profit rose to $195 million for the quarter and
$202 million for the first six months, compared with $173 million and
$157 million in the respective periods last year. The increases in
operating profit for both periods were primarily due to price
realization, the favorable impact of translating the foreign earnings
at higher exchange rates and higher sales volume in South America. The
year-to-date results benefited from higher sales and production volumes
in Europe reflecting continued strength from products introduced last
year. Partially offsetting these factors were a less favorable sales
mix and increases in postretirement benefit costs of $47 million for
the quarter and $95 million for the first six months.
-- Commercial and Consumer Equipment. Compared with last year, the
division's sales for the quarter increased 12 percent. The increase was
primarily due to strong retail demand for recently introduced products
and the impact of expanded distribution channels partially offset by a
lower seasonal field inventory build-up. Sales for the first six months
increased 19 percent, compared with last year, when the division
implemented deep production and shipment cutbacks to reduce company and
field inventories.
Operating profit was $110 million for the quarter and $132 million
for the first six months, compared with $80 million and $37 million,
respectively, last year. The improved results were primarily due to the
impact of the increased sales and production volumes and related
manufacturing efficiencies as well as other improvements from previous
restructuring actions. Partially offsetting these factors were higher
promotional costs related to new products and increases in
postretirement benefit costs of $7 million for the quarter and
$17 million for the first six months.
-- Construction and Forestry. Division sales increased 16 percent for the
quarter and 22 percent for the year-to-date. Excluding sales from the
Deere-Hitachi marketing relationship in the U.S. and Canada, division
sales increased 7 percent for the quarter and 13 percent year-to-date.
In the quarter, sales increased due to the impact of stronger foreign
exchange rates and improved price realization. For the six months,
sales benefited from dealers rebuilding field inventories to the levels
of a year ago, improved price realization and the impact of stronger
foreign exchange rates.
The division's operating profit reached $35 million for the quarter
and $52 million for the first six months, compared with operating
losses of $22 million and $88 million, respectively, last year. The
improved results were primarily due to the higher sales and production
volumes and the related manufacturing efficiencies. Improved price
realization as well as cost reductions also had a positive impact on
this year's results. Partially offsetting these factors were increases
in postretirement benefit costs of $15 million for the quarter and
$31 million for the first six months.
Last year's results were negatively impacted by higher costs
related to the Nortrax investment and by costs related to the closing
of a factory and the relocation of these operations.
-- Special Technologies. Lower costs and expenses and the absence of
goodwill amortization led to improvements in these operations, which
reported operating losses of $1 million for the quarter and $4 million
for the first six months, compared with operating losses of $13 million
and $24 million, respectively, a year ago. Last year's results were
also negatively affected by costs related to a factory closure.
Trade receivables at April 30, 2003, were $3.711 billion, representing 30 percent of the previous 12-month sales, compared with $3.517 billion a year ago, or 32 percent of the previous 12-month sales. Approximately $160 million of the increase was due to the fluctuation of exchange rates. Inventories at April 30, 2003, were $2.007 billion, representing 20 percent of the previous 12-month cost of sales, compared with $1.807 billion a year ago, representing 19 percent of the previous 12-month cost of sales. Approximately $45 million of the inventory increase was due to exchange-rate fluctuation.
Summary of Financial Services Net Income
-- Credit. Deere's credit operations generated net income of $72.9
million for the quarter and $141.9 million for the first six months,
compared with net income of $47.3 million and $123.3 million,
respectively, last year. This year's results benefited primarily from
lower loan losses, the absence of losses in Argentina and growth in the
portfolio. Partially offsetting these factors were lower gains
resulting from a reduced volume of retail note sales and narrower
financing spreads.
-- Health Care. Deere's health care operations reported net income of
$3.5 million for the quarter and $7.7 million for the first six months,
compared with $3.7 million and $8.3 million, respectively, last year. A
decrease in investment returns more than offset a small increase in
income from operations.
Market Conditions & Outlook
Based on the conditions outlined below, Deere's net equipment sales for the third quarter of 2003 are currently forecast to be up approximately 5 percent based on current exchange rates, with company-wide net income forecast to be in a range of $175 million to $225 million. For the full year, Deere now expects equipment sales to be up by 6 to 8 percent, slightly below earlier estimates, with the net income forecast remaining in a range of $500 million to $600 million. Excluding the impact of currency and price, sales are forecast to be about flat for the quarter and for the year. Production volumes are expected to be generally lower in the second half of the year and down about 5 percent in the fourth quarter from the low levels of last year.
-- Agricultural Equipment. Although retail sales of farm machinery in the
U.S. and Canada are expected to experience improvement over the next
several months, the increase is not likely to offset the year's
sluggish start. As a result, industry retail sales for the full year
are now expected to be down about 5 percent in the U.S. and Canada.
Factors seen as supporting sales for the remainder of the year include
improving farmer cash flow, a continuation of solid commodity-price
levels and prospects for more favorable soil-moisture conditions. Of
importance, signups for payments under the new U.S. farm bill have been
largely completed and government payments for 2003 are expected to
significantly exceed last year's total. In other areas, industry
retail sales in Western Europe are expected to be down by 3 to 5
percent for the year mainly due to lower farm income. Due to
improvement in Argentina, the outlook for industry retail sales in
South America has improved to be down about 5 percent from year ago
levels. Based on these factors, worldwide sales of John Deere
agricultural equipment are now forecast to be up 4 to 6 percent for the
year, but down slightly without the benefit of currency and price
changes. Production volumes in the U.S. and Canada are currently
expected to be down more than 10 percent in each of the third and
fourth quarters relative to a year ago.
-- Commercial & Consumer Equipment. John Deere commercial and consumer
equipment sales are expected to continue benefiting from the success of
the 100-series lawn tractors and other recently introduced products.
As a result, sales are expected to be up by 13 to 15 percent for the
year. Production was particularly high early in the year in advance of
the important spring selling season and is currently expected to
decline in the fourth quarter compared with last year's levels.
-- Construction & Forestry. Construction-equipment markets are expected
to remain under pressure due to lagging business investment and
weakness in the independent-rental channel. Global forestry markets are
expected to remain soft as well. Despite these market conditions,
however, Deere has seen a small price improvement in the first six
months. Company sales to dealers, which benefited from fleet
replenishment in the first six months, are now expected to be up about
7 percent for the year with the full-year inclusion of Hitachi sales.
Sales are expected to be up slightly without the benefit of the Hitachi
sales. Production volumes for the second half of the year are expected
to be in line with a year ago.
-- Credit. Credit results for 2003 are expected to benefit from lower
write-offs and further growth in the loan portfolio. On this basis,
the division continues to expect net income for the year of about $300
million.
Efforts on Track Despite Challenging Markets
Deere's success in winning new customers worldwide and making major gains in operating efficiency is expected to help the company reach its earnings goals for the year, according to Lane. "Several key markets remain below normal, and in some cases below our earlier expectations," he said. "At the same time, we are facing substantially higher costs for benefit programs. While operating in this challenging environment, we remain on track with our goals of driving sustainable improvements and delivering higher value for investors."
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.
JDCC's net income was $67.5 million for the quarter and $129.8 million for the first six months, compared with net income of $42.6 million and $114.5 million, respectively, last year. This year's results benefited primarily from lower loan losses, improved results in Argentina and a larger average portfolio. Partially offsetting these factors were lower gains resulting from a reduced volume of retail notes sold and narrower financing spreads.
Net receivables and leases financed by JDCC were $12.359 billion at April 30, 2003, compared with $10.313 billion one year ago. The increase resulted from acquisitions exceeding collections during the last 12 months and the lower volume of sales of retail notes. Net receivables and leases administered, which include receivables previously sold, totaled $14.457 billion at April 30, 2003, compared with $13.340 billion one year ago.
Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995:
Statements herein that relate to future operating periods are subject to 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.
Forward-looking statements involve certain factors that are subject to change, including for the company's agricultural equipment segment the many interrelated factors that affect farmers' confidence, including worldwide demand for agricultural products, world grain stocks, prices realized for commodities and livestock, crop production expenses (most notably fuel and fertilizer costs), summer weather and soil conditions, real estate values, available acreage for farming, the level, complexity and distribution of government farm programs, animal diseases (including further outbreaks of "mad cow" and "foot-and-mouth" diseases), crop pests, harvest yields and the level of farm product exports (including concerns about genetically modified organisms).
Factors affecting the outlook for the company's commercial and consumer equipment segment include general economic conditions in the United States, consumer confidence, consumer borrowing patterns and weather conditions. Another important assumption is continued consumer acceptance of the company's new products, including the new 100-series lawn tractors.
The number of housing starts is especially important to sales of the company's construction equipment. The levels of public and non-residential construction also impact the results of the company's construction and forestry segment. Prices for pulp, lumber and structural panels are important to sales of forestry equipment.
All of the company's businesses are affected by general economic conditions in and the political stability of the global markets in which the company operates (including Brazil, Argentina and other South American countries); monetary and fiscal policies of various countries; wars and other international conflicts and the threat thereof; actions by the United States Federal Reserve Board and other central banks; actions by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and other regulatory bodies; actions by rating agencies; capital market disruptions; investor sentiment; inflation and deflation rates; interest rate levels and currency exchange rates; customer borrowing and repayment practices, and the number of customer loan delinquencies and defaults; 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; production and technological difficulties, including capacity and supply constraints; oil and energy prices and supplies; labor relations; changes to accounting standards; the effects of terrorism and the response thereto; and legislation affecting the sectors in which the company operates. Company results are also affected by significant changes in health care costs and in market values of investment assets, which impact postretirement benefit expenses. In addition, further outbreaks or the spread of severe diseases such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) could affect the Company's businesses and results.
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, however, 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 most recent quarterly report on Form 10-Q and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Second Quarter 2003 Press Release
(millions of dollars and shares except per share amounts)
Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
April 30 April 30
% %
2003 2002 Change 2003 2002 Change
Net sales and revenues:
Agricultural equipment
net sales $2,166 $1,908 +14 $3,437 $3,088 +11
Commercial and consumer
equipment net sales 992 883 +12 1,475 1,241 +19
Construction and forestry
net sales 697 602 +16 1,209 989 +22
Other net sales 12 16 -25 20 29 -31
Total net sales * 3,867 3,409 +13 6,141 5,347 +15
Credit revenues 329 373 -12 652 748 -13
Other revenues 204 205 401 414 -3
Total net sales and
revenues * $4,400 $3,987 +10 $7,194 $6,509 +11
Operating profit (loss): **
Agricultural equipment $195 $173 +13 $202 $157 +29
Commercial and consumer
equipment 110 80 +38 132 37 +257
Construction and forestry 35 (22) 52 (88)
Credit 111 79 +41 218 197 +11
Other 5 (7) 8 (11)
Total operating profit * 456 303 +50 612 292 +110
Interest, corporate expenses
and income taxes (199) (161) +24 (287) (188) +53
Net income $257 $142 +81 $325 $104 +213
Per Share:
Net income - basic $1.08 $.60 +80 $1.36 $.44 +209
Net income - diluted $1.07 $.59 +81 $1.35 $.43 +214
* Includes overseas equipment
operations:
Net sales $1,172 $959 +22 $1,896 $1,569 +21
Operating profit $149 $85 +75 $196 $101 +94
** In the second quarter of 2002, the operating profit (loss) of the
agricultural equipment, commercial and consumer equipment,
construction and forestry and other segments included pretax goodwill
amortization of $3, $4, $4 and $3, respectively, for a total of $14.In
the first six months of 2002, these amounts were $7, $7, $8 and $6,
respectively, for a total of $28.In the second quarter of 2002, the
operating profit (loss) of the agricultural equipment, commercial and
consumer equipment, construction and forestry and other segments also
included pretax costs (income) for special items related to
restructuring of $8, $(3), $6 and $6, respectively, for a total of
$17.In the first six months of 2002, these amounts were $8, $(2), $22
and $6, respectively, for a total of $34.In the first six months of
2003, there was no goodwill amortization and the costs or income for
special items were not material.
April 30, 2003 October 31, 2002 April 30, 2002
Consolidated:
Trade accounts and notes
receivable - net $3,711 $2,734 $3,517
Inventories $2,007 $1,372 $1,807
Financial Services:
Financing receivables and
leases financed - net $10,835 $10,604 $9,328
Financing receivables and
leases administered
- net $13,055 $13,225 $12,481
Average shares outstanding 239.3 238.2 237.8