Deere reports Q2 earnings of $547 million

Net income attributable to Deere & Company was $547.5 million, or $1.28 per share, for the second quarter ended April 30, compared with $472.3 million, or $1.11 per share, for the same period last year.

Affecting second quarter results was a tax charge of $129.5 million, or $0.30 per share, due to the previously announced impact of the enactment of U.S. health-care legislation. Without this item, earnings for the quarter would have been $677.0 million, or $1.58 per share. (Information on non-GAAP financial measures is included in the appendix.)

For the first six months of the year, net income attributable to Deere & Company was $790.7 million, or $1.85 per share, compared with $676.2 million, or $1.60 per share, last year. Six-month results also were affected by the tax charge.

Worldwide net sales and revenues increased 6 percent, to $7.131 billion, for the second quarter and were up 1 percent to $11.966 billion for six months. Net sales of the equipment operations were $6.548 billion for the quarter and $10.785 billion for six months, compared with $6.187 billion and $10.747 billion for the corresponding periods last year.

"We're proud of John Deere's strong results, reflecting a disciplined approach to cost and asset management and the solid execution by employees of our business model," said Samuel R. Allen, chairman and chief executive officer. "These actions are helping us extend our competitive advantage and fully capitalize on improving business conditions." Sales of large farm machinery, particularly in the United States and Canada, are making a significant impact on the company's performance, Allen noted, while construction and forestry shipments are rebounding from historic lows.

Summary of Operations
Net sales of the worldwide equipment operations increased 6 percent for the quarter and were essentially unchanged for six months compared with a year ago. Sales included a favorable currency-translation effect of 4 percent for the quarter and 5 percent for six months and price increases of 2 percent for both periods. Equipment net sales in the United States and Canada increased 4 percent for the quarter and declined 1 percent year to date. Outside the U.S. and Canada, net sales were up 9 percent for the quarter and 2 percent for six months, with favorable currency-translation effects of 9 percent and 10 percent for these periods.

Deere's equipment operations reported operating profit of $988 million for the quarter and $1.303 billion for six months, compared with $628 million and $935 million last year.

Results were higher in the quarter primarily due to improved price realization, the impact of higher production volumes, the favorable effects of foreign exchange and lower raw-material costs, partially offset by higher postretirement benefit costs. Six-month results were higher due to lower raw-material costs, improved price realization and the favorable effects of foreign exchange, partially offset by higher postretirement benefit costs and the impact of lower shipment and production volumes.

Net income of the company's equipment operations was $454 million for the quarter and $623 million for six months, compared with $406 million and $560 million for the respective periods last year. The same operating factors mentioned above, along with a higher effective tax rate, affected both quarterly and six-month results. The higher tax rate was mainly due to the tax charge associated with the enactment of U.S. health-care legislation.

The company's focus on disciplined asset management continued to produce solid results. Trade receivables and inventories ended the quarter at $7.017 billion, representing a reduction of $907 million, or 11 percent, from a year ago. Trade receivables and inventories at the end of the quarter were equal to 34 percent of previous 12-month sales compared with $7.924 billion, or 32 percent of sales, last year.

Net income of the company's financial services operations was $86.9 million for the quarter and $172.0 million for six months compared with $68.9 million and $115.8 million last year. Results were higher for both periods primarily due to improved financing spreads, a lower provision for credit losses, growth in the credit portfolio and higher commissions from crop insurance. These factors were partially offset by lower tax credits related to wind energy projects and higher selling, administrative and general expenses.