Caterpillar Inc. 1Q 2008 Earnings Release

　　Contact:

　　Jim Dugan

　　Corporate Public Affairs

　　(309) 494-4100

　　Dugan_Jim@cat.com

　　Caterpillar Reports Record First-Quarter Sales and Profit Led by Strong Demand Outside North America

　　Sales and revenues up 18 percent and profit per share up 18 percent; Financial Products reports record first-quarter revenues and profit

　　PEORIA, Ill.— Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE: CAT) today reported record first-quarter profit per share of $1.45, an 18 percent increase from $1.23 per share in the first quarter of 2007. Sales and revenues of $11.796 billion were also a first-quarter record and 18 percent higher than 2007 first-quarter sales and revenues of $10.016 billion.

　　"I am pleased to be able to report record results this quarter, particularly given the tough economic conditions we’re experiencing in the United States," said Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Jim Owens. "The sales increase was the result of a tremendous effort by our employees, dealers and suppliers to support customers. We continue to see robust demand for products used in the global mining and energy industries and for machines used by our customers to build infrastructure, particularly in emerging markets. These record results are a remarkable testament to our global strength, the diversity of the end-markets we serve and the strength of our integrated service businesses. Particularly notable, our Financial Products business had their best first-quarter ever for revenues and profit, despite credit market challenges—our long standing and consistent credit practices have served us well," Owens said.

　　Sales and revenues were up $1.780 billion from the first quarter of 2007. Sales volume improved $1.087 billion, the impact of currency added $310 million, price realization was up $261 million and Financial Products revenues were $122 million higher. The geographic mix of sales continued to shift with sales and revenues increasing 30 percent outside North America and 4 percent inside North America. Sales and revenues outside North America represented 58 percent of total sales and revenues in the first quarter—up from 53 percent of the total a year ago.

　　"Even though North America, our largest geographic market, is depressed, we are investing for growth. We are significantly increasing capital expenditures for improved productivity and higher capacity, and our research and development is focused on sustainability and innovative new products. Over the past year we’ve strengthened our balance sheet, and the business strength we’re enjoying has allowed us to reward our stockholders with higher dividends and stock repurchases while maintaining our strong credit rating," Owens said.

　　Profit of $922 million was up $106 million, or 13 percent, from $816 million in the first quarter 2007. The improvement was a result of better price realization and higher sales volume, partially offset by higher costs. Profit per share of $1.45 was up $0.22 from $1.23 per share in the first quarter of 2007.

　　Outlook

　　The company continues to expect another record year with sales and revenues increasing 5 to 10 percent and profit per share increasing 5 to 15 percent from 2007 despite further weakening in North America.

　　"We are pleased to be able to maintain an outlook for 2008 that reflects all-time records for sales and revenues and profit," Owens commented. "Even though we’re currently weathering a recessionary storm in the United States, we expect the rest of the world to continue to invest in infrastructure growth well into the next decade. With the best and broadest line of products and services and the best dealer network in our industry, we are ideally suited to serve our customers wherever they live and work. We will continue to invest in capacity, new products and our global deployment of the Caterpillar Production System (CPS) with 6 Sigma. First and foremost, our commitment to customers is to drive continuous improvement with a focus on quality. While 2008 will undoubtedly be a very challenging year, I’m confident Team Caterpillar with our diversified business model will continue to drive us toward our 2010 goals."

　　For more than 80 years, Caterpillar Inc. has been making progress possible and driving positive and sustainable change on every continent. With 2007 sales and revenues of $44.958 billion, Caterpillar is the world’s leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines and industrial gas turbines. The company also is a leading services provider through Caterpillar Financial Services, Caterpillar Remanufacturing Services, Caterpillar Logistics Services and Progress Rail Services. More information is available at: http://www.cat.com.

　　Caterpillar contact: Jim Dugan, Corporate Public Affairs, (309) 494-4100 (Office) or (309) 360-7311 (Mobile)

　　To download a full version of Caterpillar Inc. 1Q 2008 results, click here.

　　SAFE HARBOR

　　Certain statements in this release relate to future events and expectations and as such constitute forward-looking statements involving known and unknown factors that may cause actual results of Caterpillar Inc. to be different from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. In this context, words such as "will," "expect," "anticipate" or other similar words and phrases often identify forward-looking statements made on behalf of Caterpillar. It is important to note that actual results of the company may differ materially from those described or implied in such forward-looking statements based on a number of factors and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, changes in economic conditions; currency exchange or interest rates; political stability; market acceptance of the company’s products and services; significant changes in the competitive environment; epidemic diseases; changes in law, regulations and tax rates; and other general economic, business and financing conditions and factors described in more detail in the company’s Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 22, 2008. This filing is available on our website at www.cat.com/sec_filings. We do not undertake to update our forward-looking statements.