Deere & Co. (DE) Tops Q3 EPS Views; Sees Lower Q4 Sales

Deere & Co. (NYSE: DE) reported Q3 EPS of $1.55, $0.61 better than the analyst estimate of $0.94. Revenue for the quarter came in at $6.72 billion versus the consensus estimate of $6.09 billion.

Market Conditions & Outlook

Agriculture & Turf. Deere's worldwide sales of agriculture and turf equipment are forecast to decrease by about 8 percent for fiscal-year 2016, including a negative currency-translation effect of about 2 percent.

Industry sales for agricultural equipment in the U.S. and Canada are forecast to be down 15 to 20 percent for 2016. The decline, reflecting the impact of low commodity prices and weak farm incomes, has been most pronounced in the sale of higher-horsepower models.

Full-year 2016 industry sales in the EU28 are forecast to be flat to down 5 percent, with the decline attributable to low commodity prices and farm incomes, including continued pressure on the dairy sector. In South America, industry sales of tractors and combines are projected to be down 15 to 20 percent largely as a result of economic and political concerns in Brazil. Asian sales are projected to be flat to down slightly, due in part to weakness in China.

Industry sales of turf and utility equipment in the U.S. and Canada are expected to be flat to up 5 percent for 2016. Deere sales are benefiting from new products and general economic growth.

Construction & Forestry. Deere's worldwide sales of construction and forestry equipment are forecast to be down about 18 percent for 2016, including a negative currency-translation effect of about 1 percent. The forecast decline in sales largely reflects the impact of weak conditions in North America. In forestry, global industry sales are expected to be down 5 to 10 percent from last year's strong levels.

Financial Services. Fiscal-year 2016 net income attributable to Deere & Company for the financial services operations is expected to be approximately $480 million. The outlook reflects less-favorable financing spreads, higher losses on lease residual values and an increased provision for credit losses. Additionally, 2015 results benefited from a gain on the sale of the crop insurance business.

Company Outlook & Summary

Company equipment sales are projected to decrease about 10 percent for fiscal 2016 and be down about 8 percent for the fourth quarter compared with year-ago periods. Included in the forecast is a negative foreign-currency translation effect of about 2 percent for the full year and a positive translation effect of about 1 percent in the fourth quarter. For fiscal 2016, net income attributable to Deere & Company is anticipated to be about $1.350 billion.

For earnings history and earnings-related data on Deere & Co. (DE) click here.

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