The American icon can thank overseas markets for much of its recent growth. In fiscal 2018, equipment sales grew 34% outside of the U.S. and Canada (as compared to 25% annual growth inside of North America). Its acquisition of German construction machinery maker Wirtgen Group also helped push these increases. The result: Total revenue for the year came in at $37.4 billion, up more than 25% from the year before. Profits also climbed, reaching $2.4 billion, an increase of nearly 10% year-over-year. But Deere is facing some headwinds, not just due to the contracting agriculture market in the U.S. The company has warned that it is facing cost pressures for raw materials such as steel, a side effect of current trade wars.
Company Info
| CEO | John C. May |
| CEO Title | Chief Executive Officer |
| Sector | Industrials |
| Industry | Construction and Farm Machinery |
| HQ Location | Moline, Ill. |
| Website | www.johndeere.com |
| Years on Fortune 500 List | 65 |
| Employees | 74,413 |
Key Financials (Last Fiscal Year)
| Revenues ($M) | $37,357.7 |
| Profits ($M) | $2,368.4 |
| Assets ($M) | $70,108 |
| Total Stockholder Equity ($M) | $11,287.8 |
Profit Ratios
| Profit as % of Revenues | 6.3% |
| Profits as % of Assets | 3.4% |
| Profits as % of Stockholder Equity | 21.0% |
Earnings Per Share (Last Fiscal Year)
| Earnings Per Share ($) | 7 |
| EPS % Change (from 2017) | 8.4% |
| EPS % Change (5 year annual rate) | -4.4% |
| EPS % Change (10 year annual rate) | 4.4% |
Total Return
| Total Return to Investors (2018) | -3.0% |
| Total Return to Investors (5 year, annualized) | 13.0% |
| Total Return to Investors (10 year, annualized) | 17.2% |
