Caterpillar reports record sales and profit [Mar 2012]

Driven by outstanding execution and stronger global demand, Caterpillar Inc. delivered record-breaking 2011 sales and revenues of $60.138 billion, an increase of 41 per cent from $42.588 billion in 2010. Profit in 2011 was $4.928 billion, an increase of 83 per cent from $2.700 billion in 2010. Profit per share of $7.40 was up 78 per cent from $4.15 in 2010. Excluding the impact of the acquisition of Bucyrus International, Inc. (Bucyrus), 2011 profit was $7.79 per share, up 88 percent from a year ago.
The fourth-quarter sales and revenues in 2011 were an all-time quarterly record at $17.243 billion, an increase of 35 per cent compared to $12.807 billion in the fourth quarter of 2010. Fourth-quarter profit was $1.547 billion compared with $968 million in the fourth quarter of 2010. Profit of $2.32 per share was 58 per cent higher than the $1.47 per share in the fourth quarter of 2010.
“The 2011 increase in sales and revenues was the largest percentage increase in any year since 1947, and much of it was driven by demand for Caterpillar products and services outside of the United States.,” Caterpillar Chairman and CEO Doug Oberhelman reveals.

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