Deutsche Bank analyst Nicole DeBlase said the Machinery group could be due for a breather following its 12% post-election rally, but she still views Caterpillar as her top pick on a relative basis given her "very high conviction" that EPS is bottoming. The analyst, who sees a combination of restructuring, a recovery in mining and infrastructure stimulus to drive EPS growth in 2017, keeps a $102 price target on Caterpillar shares.

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Still does not expect significant change in machine dealer inventory compared to 2023. Still expects 2024 full-year adjusted operating profit margin to be in the top half of the updated target range relative to the expected corresponding level of sales and revenues. Still expects 2024 full-year ME&T free cash flow to be in the top half of the updated target range. Still anticipates another year of services growth.

Sees Q2 dealer inventories of machines down year-over-year. Expects Q2 price realization to remain favorable vs, last year. Sees Q2 adjusted operating profit margin similar to 2Q23. Guidance taken from Q1 investor presentation slides.

Reports Q1 revenue $15.8B, consensus $16.04B. "I'm pleased with our team's performance that resulted in higher adjusted operating profit margin, record adjusted profit per share and strong ME&T free cash flow. Our strong balance sheet and ME&T free cash flow allowed us to deploy a record $5.1 billion of cash for share repurchases and dividends in the first quarter," said Chairman and CEO Jim Umpleby. "We continue to execute our strategy for long-term profitable growth."

Notable companies reporting before tomorrow's open, with earnings consensus, include Merck (MRK), consensus $1.87... Caterpillar (CAT), consensus $5.14... Comcast (CMSCA), consensus 99c... Honeywell (HON), consensus $2.17... Bristol-Myers (BMY), consensus ($4.44)... Altria (MO), consensus $1.15... Keurig Dr. Pepper (KDP), consensus 35c... GE Vernova (GEV), consensus (37c)... Royal Caribbean (RCL), consensus $1.33... Tractor Supply (TSCO), consensus $1.72... Mobileye (MBLY), consensus (6c)... Textron (TXT), consensus $1.23... LabCorp (LH), consensus $3.48... Southwest Airlines (LUV), consensus (34c)... American Airlines (AAL), consensus (29c)... Harley-Davidson (HOG), consensus $1.51.