NEW YORK (AP) — Caterpillar, Inc.'s third-quarter profit surged on demand for construction equipment, topping Wall Street expectations.
The Peoria, Illinois-based company cited strong oil and gas markets in North America along with construction in China. Profit nearly quadrupled to $1.06 billion, or $1.77 per share. Revenue surged 25 percent to $11.41 billion while six analysts surveyed by Zacks expected $10.61 billion.
Construction equipment revenue rose 37 percent to $4.85 billion, followed by energy and transportation equipment rising 12 percent to $3.96 billion. Those segments were the key revenue drivers during the quarter. Caterpillar now expects full-year adjusted earnings to be $6.25 per share, up from a previous estimate of $5 per share. It expects revenue of $44 billion.
Caterpillar shares have risen 42 percent since the beginning of the year, while the Standard & Poor's 500 index has risen 15 percent. The stock has climbed 53 percent in the last 12 months.
