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Revenue Miss Parade Resumes With Caterpillar

Submitted by Tyler Durden on 10/22/2012 07:45 -0400

Last night, in a spontaneous moment of clarity, the ZH brain trust tweeted the following:

Tomorrow on deck are revenue misses from CAT, TXN, FCX, BTU and others

— zerohedge (@zerohedge) October 22, 2012

So far we had our first "others" when Hasbro missed the topline, printing revenues of $1.35 billion vs expectations of $1.38 billion, but more importantly here comes CAT, with a whopper of a topline miss, worse than even the recent preannouncements could predict.

CAT REVENUES $16.45 BILLION, EXP. $16.74 BILLION, EPS$ 2.54, EXP. $2.22
CAT SEES 2012 EPS $9.00-$9.25, PREVIOUSLY HAD SEEN $9.60
CAT SEES 2012 REVENUES OF $66 BILLION, PREVIOUSLY HAD SEEN $68-70 BILLION

The reasons for the collapse in near-term hope:

The decline in the sales and revenues outlook reflects global economic conditions that are weaker than we had previously expected. In addition, Cat dealers have lowered order rates well below end-user demand to reduce their inventories. Production across much of the company has been lowered, resulting in temporary shutdowns and layoffs. Lower production will continue until inventories and dealer order rates move back in line with dealer deliveries to end users. The reduction in the profit outlook is in line with the lower sales and revenues outlook, partially offset by the gain on the sale of a majority interest in our third party logistics business.

"As we've moved through the year, we've seen continued economic weakening and uncertainty. It's definitely impacting our business with dealers intending to lower inventories and mining customers delaying some projects and reducing orders," Oberhelman said. "We're focused on being very nimble and taking actions to respond to the current environment while at the same time keeping our 2015 goals and expectations in mind. It requires a pragmatic and steady approach as we balance our actions in the short term with what we need to do to be prepared for better growth when the world economy improves," Oberhelman added.

Then looking at 2013 the firm is full of hopium that sooner or later China will join the global ease fest and push up revenues. Which is why it is purposefully vague:

SEES FY 2013 SALES UP IN SAME RANGE AS 2012: UP 5% - DOWN 5%

Even so, the company is hardly stoked about the future:

From an economic standpoint, we are expecting slightly better world growth in 2013 with modest improvement in the United States, China and most of the developing world, but continuing difficulty in Europe. Based on our economic forecast, our preliminary outlook for 2013 is for sales and revenues to be about the same as 2012 in a range of up 5 percent to down 5 percent.

"We are taking a pragmatic view of 2013—we're not expecting rapid growth, and we're not predicting a global recession. At this point, we expect 2013 sales will be similar overall to 2012, but with a slightly weaker first half and a slightly better second half. While machine deliveries to end users have continued to hold up, our sales will probably remain relatively weak early in 2013 as dealers are likely to continue reducing inventories. When expected dealer inventory reductions level off, and easing actions by central banks and governments around the world begin to improve economic growth, we expect our business will begin to improve. While there's reason for optimism, and we're not expecting a global recession in 2013, we are prepared and stand ready to take action no matter what happens to the global economy," Oberhelman added.

Expect the up 5% to be quietly phased out in the coming months as the PBOC, already brimming with inflation and in a critical political year, does nothing to help western companies' toplines.

Full release link here.

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Mon, 10/22/2012 - 07:47 | 2909067 Aziz

You mean central planning hasn't succeeded at creating everlasting prosperity???

Mon, 10/22/2012 - 07:51 | 2909071 GetZeeGold

Central planning made the CAT go splat.......it was suppose to bounce!

The press release due out from Chicago later this morning will explain why that's actually a good thing.

Mon, 10/22/2012 - 07:53 | 2909083 HD

Futures are green so reality still doesn't matter...yet.

Mon, 10/22/2012 - 07:56 | 2909086 GetZeeGold

Reality doesn't hit for a while yet....be there.....aloha.

Mon, 10/22/2012 - 08:00 | 2909091 HD

You reminded me of this...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qh1GhPBAj8w

Now just replace NBC with QE3

Mon, 10/22/2012 - 09:57 | 2909303 jekyll island

Ahhh yes, Miami Vice. Now that was must see TV.

Mon, 10/22/2012 - 09:54 | 2909300 DCFusor

Well, looks like the MSM now - just ignore those predictions we made that were dead wrong.

Just look at BTU and TXN this am...

If we blather on enough about CAT, we can pretend a lousy batting average is good, right? Sound familiar?

Mon, 10/22/2012 - 07:51 | 2909077 Robslob

Ease up Tyler...I mean what is a couple Billion miss between friends?

I am sure Wall Street will be most forgiving and understanding.

Mon, 10/22/2012 - 07:52 | 2909078 UGrev

Next up, (C)h(AT)annel Stuffing..

Mon, 10/22/2012 - 10:48 | 2909420 otto skorzeny

CAT is a bailout queen thanks to The Bernank driving up metals and oil(tar sands) and the stimulus of a few years ago drove big spending on roads. that is drying up and here in IL the big road building babies are screaming that the road $ is drying up.

Mon, 10/22/2012 - 12:24 | 2909791 GMadScientist

You misspelled 'scat'.

Mon, 10/22/2012 - 07:52 | 2909079 HelluvaEngineer

Attention Children: Christmas is cancelled.

Mon, 10/22/2012 - 08:15 | 2909085 GetZeeGold

Bam Bam wins again.

On your way out take your little dog Toto and your little drummer buy too.

The Democratic platform approves this message.....if you can get them to shut up that is....

Mon, 10/22/2012 - 07:52 | 2909081 Cursive

These companies can't even hit top line estimates with inflated dollars? Pathetic. We've reached the point of marginal utility for QE. Everyone who said don't fight the Fed or buy with the Fed will be taught a valuable lesson.

Mon, 10/22/2012 - 07:55 | 2909084 jtmo3

Good enough for me. I'm buying stocks! This must be bullish? After all, it wasn't down more...right?

Mon, 10/22/2012 - 07:55 | 2909088 1fortheroad

Better than expected.

Green by the open.

Mon, 10/22/2012 - 07:59 | 2909090 francis_sawyer

Who needs CAT equipment when you can dig silver out of the ground for $5 using your bare hands?...

Mon, 10/22/2012 - 08:00 | 2909092 doomandbloom

Tyler you remind me of Tom Cruise in Minority Report....

Mon, 10/22/2012 - 08:09 | 2909104 Tyler Durden

Mon, 10/22/2012 - 08:13 | 2909112 francis_sawyer

I think he was referring to "pre-cogs", but that'll do... Now how about a sandwich & glass of milk?...

Mon, 10/22/2012 - 09:17 | 2909218 Spastica Rex

Didn't somebody write a book off that movie?

The basic tool for the manipulation of reality is the manipulation of words. If you can control the meaning of words, you can control the people who must use the words. - Philip K. Dick

Mon, 10/22/2012 - 08:00 | 2909093 Sudden Debt

THOSE BASTARDS MADE A PROFIT?!?! EVIL!!!!! EVIL!!!!

Obama will take care of that...

Mon, 10/22/2012 - 08:10 | 2909107 JPM Hater001

Well, they didnt make a profit by themselves. They had smurfs, pixies and hobbits who were actually responsible.

Obama's new slogan - "HOBBIT RIGHTS!"

Mon, 10/22/2012 - 08:02 | 2909095 swissaustrian

All the big base metal miners have been cutting their investment projects dramatically, mainly due to crashing iron ore prices. Of course CAT's business is affected by that.

Mon, 10/22/2012 - 08:38 | 2909143 Awakened Sheeple

Yep..and it's moving down the supply chain. I work for a supplier of the OEMs and the orders for next quarter look awful. Lots of cancellations. We're going off the cliff January 1st.

The Austrian's can claim a major victory on this one. Bernank can reduce rates all he wants but he can't create demand.

Mon, 10/22/2012 - 08:02 | 2909096 tuttisaluti

and so go's the tax revenue

Mon, 10/22/2012 - 08:11 | 2909108 GetZeeGold

Raise the tax on zero revenue.....that'll show the bastards.

Mon, 10/22/2012 - 08:06 | 2909097 reload

As of this damp and miserable English morning - I am short equities / long index puts for the first time in many months. Pretty much guarantees a masive squeeze so I have not exactly bet the ranch.

Mon, 10/22/2012 - 08:07 | 2909101 JPM Hater001

#Earningsfail

Mon, 10/22/2012 - 08:11 | 2909109 Seasmoke

Dead CAT

Mon, 10/22/2012 - 08:11 | 2909110 Long-John-Silver

Back to the Future 1987 edition.

Mon, 10/22/2012 - 08:17 | 2909114 knotjammin2

Did anyone see Fox Business spin on this:

Caterpillar Inc (CAT), the world's largest maker of tractors and excavators, said on Monday its quarterly profit rose nearly 50% due in part to higher sales in the United States and price increases.

For the third quarter, the company posted profit of $1.7 billion, or $2.54 per share, compared with $1.14 billion, or $1.71 per share, in the year-ago period.

Revenue rose 5% to $16.45 billion.

Mon, 10/22/2012 - 08:18 | 2909116 ltsgt1

(Reuters) - Caterpilar third-quarter profit jump 50% after strong sales.

I don't know rather to laugh or cry.

Mon, 10/22/2012 - 08:23 | 2909124 GetZeeGold

Just sarc with the rest of us.....it's fun!

Mon, 10/22/2012 - 08:28 | 2909128 youngman

Less revenue for Illinois....hmmmm...thats gotta hurt

Mon, 10/22/2012 - 08:29 | 2909130 spentCartridge

When in a hole, stop digging.

Mon, 10/22/2012 - 08:35 | 2909139 ptoemmes

Well, at least stop using a CAT backhoe...oh wait seems like people are.

Hand shovels next.

Mon, 10/22/2012 - 08:30 | 2909131 orangegeek

And in further news, Caterpillar calls all their dealers and clients and plays "let's make a deal". We like to refer to that as channel stuffing.

C'mon everybody, let's do the "channel stuffing shuffle".

Mon, 10/22/2012 - 08:42 | 2909154 sessinpo

That's what they get for believing there were shovel ready jobs.

Mon, 10/22/2012 - 08:49 | 2909165 overmedicatedun...

just in BLS finds error in UE reporting!! listed laid off/fired workers # were too high!! seems they are now classed as on extended vacation w/o pay..UE rate drops to 5.5%...CNBC goes wild with joy.

Mon, 10/22/2012 - 08:50 | 2909166 gdgenius