NewsSales and revenue for the fourth quarter of 2024 were $16.2 billion; Annual sales and revenue amounted to 64.8 billion US dollars
The earnings per share for the fourth quarter of 2024 were $5.78; Adjusted earnings per share of $5.14
Annual earnings per share of $22.05; Adjusted earnings per share of $21.90
The cash flow from operating activities of the enterprise is strong, reaching 12 billion US dollars; By the end of 2024, the company will have $6.9 billion in cash
Invest $10.3 billion in cash in 2024 for stock buybacks and dividends.
Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE: CAT) recently announced its Q4 and full year 2024 results.
The sales and revenue for the fourth quarter of 2024 were $16.2 billion, a decrease of 5% from $17.1 billion in the fourth quarter of 2023. The operating profit margin for the fourth quarter of 2024 was 18.0%, compared to 18.4% for the fourth quarter of 2023. The adjusted operating profit margin for the fourth quarter of 2024 was 18.3%, compared to 18.9% for the fourth quarter of 2023. The earnings per share for the fourth quarter of 2024 were $5.78, while the earnings per share for the fourth quarter of 2023 were $5.28. The adjusted earnings per share for the fourth quarter of 2024 were $5.14, while the adjusted earnings per share for the fourth quarter of 2023 were $5.23.
The sales and revenue for the full year of 2024 were 64.8 billion US dollars, a decrease of 3% from 67.1 billion US dollars in 2023. The decline reflects a $3.5 billion decrease in sales, partially offset by a $1.2 billion price increase. The main reason for the decline in sales is the decrease in sales of end-user devices. The operating profit margin for 2024 is 20.2%, while the operating profit margin for 2023 is 19.3%. The adjusted operating profit margin for 2024 is 20.7%, while the adjusted operating profit margin for 2023 is 20.5%. The full year earnings per share for 2024 are $22.05, while the earnings per share for 2023 are $20.12. The adjusted earnings per share for 2024 are $21.90, while the adjusted earnings per share for 2023 are $21.21.
I am proud of the outstanding performance achieved by Caterpillar's global team in 2024, as we achieved record breaking adjusted earnings per share and strong free cash flow in our machinery, energy, and transportation businesses. This year marks Caterpillar's 100th anniversary, and we remain committed to serving our customers, executing our company strategy, and continuing to invest in long-term profitable growth
In 2024, the adjusted operating profit margin and adjusted earnings per share do not include restructuring costs. The adjusted earnings per share for 2024 do not include non routine tax gains arising from tax law changes related to currency conversion, as well as revaluation gains based on market value arising from settlement of retirement obligations and other post employment benefit plans. In 2023, the adjusted operating profit margin and adjusted earnings per share do not include restructuring costs, which include the impact of the company's divestment of Longwall business and other restructuring costs. The adjusted earnings per share for 2023 do not include gains from certain deferred tax valuation adjustments, as well as revaluation gains based on market value arising from settlement of retirement obligations and other post employment benefit plans.
In 2024, the company's operating cash flow was $12 billion, and by the end of the fourth quarter, the company had $6.9 billion in cash. During 2024, the company invested $7.7 billion in cash to repurchase Caterpillar common stock and $2.6 billion in dividends.
