Record results for Caterpillar

US: Caterpillar reported sales revenues of US$ 36.3 billion in 2005, a +20% increase on the previous year's total of US$ 30.3 billion. The company's net profit hit US$ 2.85 billion, a +40% rise on 2004's US$ 2.04 billion performance.

Sales of equipment rose +22% to US$ 22.9 billion last year, compared to US$ 18.8 billion in 2004. The growth in engine sales was less pronounced, with a +17% rise taking this division's revenues to US$ 11.1 billion, from US$ 9.49 billion in 2004. Sales of financial products totalled US$ 2.33 billion, a +18% rise on the US$ 1.97 billion sold in 2004.

In terms of regional performance, Caterpillar saw the steepest sales growth in Latin America. A +31% rise in machinery sales, backed with good increases for engines and financial products took its revenues from this territory up + 27% to US$ 3.17 billion.

Sales in North America, which represents 53% of Caterpillar's revenues, rose +22% to US$ 19.4 billion. Machinery sales again led the way, with a rise of +24% to US$ 12.8 billion, while engine sales were up +17% and financial product revenues increased +20%.

The Europe, Africa and Middle East region saw sales rise +17% to US$ 9.2 billion. Engine sales were up +22%, machinery sales grew +16% while the financial products business grew just +1%.

Revenues in Asia Pacific grew +13% to US$ 4.60 billion, with machinery sales rising +17% to US$ 2.05 billion. Engine sales were up +4%, while financial products grew +42% from a low base of just US$ 130 million last year.