Caterpillar Post Strong Second Quarter Profit as It Raises Prices

Caterpillar Post Strong Second Quarter Profit as It Raises Prices
A caterpillar is seen by a small hydro power plant on the Zeljeznica river near the town of Trnovo, on July 9, 2022. (Eldar Emric/AP Photo)
The Associated Press
8/2/2022
Updated:
8/2/2022

DEERFIELD, Ill.—Caterpillar had a strong second quarter and topped most profit expectations with higher prices for machinery offsetting rising costs.

The manufacturer on Tuesday posted a quarterly profit of $1.67 billion, or $3.13. Per share earnings were $3.18 without one-time costs or benefits, which is 18 cents better than Wall Street had expected, according to a survey of industry analysts by Zacks Investment Research.

The Deerfield, Illinois, company had revenue of $14.25 billion, about in line with the $14.3 billion analysts had projected.

Operating profit margin for the quarter was 13.6 percent, down slightly from last year’s 13.9 percent, and that took some steam out of shares before the opening bell.

“Volumes were well short of our expectations, as (Caterpillar) and its supply base continues to deal with inefficiencies,” wrote Citi analyst Timothy Thein.

Shares of Caterpillar Inc., down nearly 6 percent this year, slipped about 3 percent before the opening bell Tuesday.