Investing.com - Caterpillar reported better than expected fourth quarter earnings Friday, but the result was based largely on successful cost-cutting as revenue fell short of expectations.
Caterpillar (NYSE:CAT) announced earnings per share of $2.63 on revenue of $13.14 billion. Analysts polled by Investing.com expected EPS of $2.38 on revenue of $13.49 billion.
“In the fourth quarter, strong cost control more than offset lower-than-expected end-user demand,” said Chairman and CEO Jim Umpleby. “Our margin performance reflected our diligent focus on maintaining a flexible and competitive cost structure.”
Investors often look to the heavy machinery company to gauge the health of U.S. manufacturing. At the height of the U.S.-China trade war last year, Caterpillar (NYSE:CAT) took a big hit from higher material costs including tariffs, while the reduced demand from China is likely to have hit sales.
The company also posted a gloomy outlook for 2020. It expects earnings of between $8.50 and $10 per share. Analysts had forecast $10.55 on average.
"It’s very tough for investors to see a bright spot in Caterpillar (NYSE:CAT) earnings when manufacturing downturn seems to be worsening and there is considerable uncertainty regarding the economic impact of coronavirus on Chinese and global industrial activity," said Investing.com analyst Haris Anwar. "The outbreak of virus could hurt the company’s largest customers, including miners and oil and gas producers, making it difficult for the company to deal with rising inventory levels and pass on planned price increases."
Caterpillar (NYSE:CAT) stock is down 8.3% from the beginning of the year, and is down 10% from its 52 week high of $150.55 set on January 2.
Caterpillar follows other major Capital Goods sector earnings this month
Caterpillar's report follows an earnings missed by Boeing on Wednesday, who reported a loss per share of $2.33 on revenue of $17.91 billion, compared with forecasts EPS of $0.6 on revenue of $21.65 billion.
United Technologies beat expectations on Tuesday with fourth quarter EPS of $1.94 on revenue of $19.55 billion, compared with a forecast for EPS of $1.84 on revenue of $19.4 billion.
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