Caterpillar: Business prospects for 2015

According to Business Monitor International (BMI), Caterpillar continues to feel the brunt of lower commodity prices, and with BMI expecting all major commodities to experience low prices in 2015, the worst is likely to come over the following 12 month period. The company is conscious of this deteriorating climate, and has released guidance reflecting the somber outlook, with revenues expected to fall 9% in 2015 and profit per share down 22% to US$4.60. While the company’s 2014 performance was stabilized by its Energy & Transportation unit – the only segment to post an increase in revenue over the year – lower oil prices and the absence of one-off events, will make this unlikely to be the case in 2014. Despite few positives for revenues, the company is expecting a less pronounced impact on profits, with strong US dollar and lower restructuring and compensation costs likely to support profit margins.