Deere announces second-quarter earnings

Deere & Company announced May 20, 2016, that its attributable net income was $495.4 million, or $1.56 per share, for the second quarter ended April 30, 2016, compared with $690.5 million, or $2.03 per share, for the same period last year.

For the first six months of the year, net income attributable to Deere & Company was $749.8 million, or $2.36 per share, compared with $1.077 billion, or $3.14 per share, last year.

Worldwide net sales and revenues decreased 4 percent, to $7.875 billion, for the second quarter and declined 8 percent, to $13.400 billion, for six months. Net sales of the equipment operations were $7.107 billion for the quarter and $11.876 billion for the first six months, compared with $7.399 billion and $13.004 billion for the periods last year.

‘John Deere’s second-quarter performance reflected the continuing impact of the downturn in the global farm economy and further weakness in the construction equipment sector,’ said Samuel R. Allen, Deere & Company chairman and chief executive officer. “In the face of challenging market conditions, Deere’s businesses benefited from the sound execution of operating plans, the strength of a broad product portfolio and our success creating a more flexible cost structure.’

Summary of Operations

Net sales of the worldwide equipment operations declined 4 percent for the quarter and 9 percent for the first six months compared with the same periods a year ago. Sales included price realization of 1 percent for both periods and an unfavorable currency-translation effect of 2 percent for the quarter and 3 percent for six months. Equipment net sales in the United States and Canada decreased 6 percent for the quarter and 11 percent year to date. Outside the U.S. and Canada, net sales decreased 1 percent for the quarter and 4 percent for the first six months, with unfavorable currency-translation effects of 4 percent and 7 percent for the periods.

Deere’s equipment operations reported operating profit of $688 million for the quarter and $902 million for six months, compared with $828 million and $1.242 billion last year. The declines for both periods were primarily due to lower shipment volumes, the unfavorable effects of foreign-currency exchange and the impact of a less favorable product mix. These factors were partially offset by price realization, lower production costs and lower selling, administrative and general expenses.

Net income of the company’s equipment operations was $393 million for the second quarter and $520 million for the first six months, compared with $524 million and $764 million for the corresponding periods of 2015.

Financial services reported net income attributable to Deere & Company of $102.6 million for the quarter and $232.0 million for six months compared with $169.8 million and $326.6 million last year. Lower results for both periods were primarily due to higher losses on lease residual values, less-favorable financing spreads and a higher provision for credit losses. Results for the first six months were also affected by the unfavorable effects of foreign-currency exchange translation. Prior-year results benefited from a gain on the sale of the crop insurance business.

Company Outlook & Summary

Company equipment sales are projected to decrease about 9 percent for fiscal 2016 and to be about 12 percent lower for the third 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 1 percent in the third quarter. For fiscal 2016, net income attributable to Deere & Company is anticipated to be about $1.2 billion.

“Although our forecast calls for lower results this year in light of ongoing market pressures, Deere is continuing to perform at a much higher level than in previous downturns,’ Allen said. “Deere’s financial condition remains strong, and we believe the company is well positioned to capitalize on attractive growth opportunities that will deliver value to our customers and investors in the future. At the same time, we are continuing to focus on ways to streamline our operations and make them more efficient and profitable.’

For more information, visit www.deere.com.