-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, J++7Ni8VA4Ob75q8BXNzLwMJSby10wD83DE7i5bkPJt+DPc95UF8Zk2cWTZqKwaJ bd73QbBy4IMhMGNLoi21+g== 0000315189-94-000024.txt : 20030406 0000315189-94-000024.hdr.sgml : 20030406 19941206133746 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000315189-94-000024 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 8-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 1 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 19941206 ITEM INFORMATION: Financial statements and exhibits FILED AS OF DATE: 19941206 SROS: AMEX FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: DEERE & CO CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000315189 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: FARM MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT [3523] IRS NUMBER: 362382580 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1031 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 8-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-04121 FILM NUMBER: 94563521 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: JOHN DEERE RD CITY: MOLINE STATE: IL ZIP: 61265 BUSINESS PHONE: 3097658000 8-K 1 SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 _________ FORM 8-K CURRENT REPORT Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Date of Report: December 6, 1994 (Date of earliest event reported) D E E R E & C O M P A N Y (Exact name of registrant as specified in charter) DELAWARE (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) 1-4121 (Commission File Number) 36-2382580 (IRS Employer Identification No.) John Deere Road Moline, Illinois 61265 (Address of principal executive offices and zip code) (309)765-8000 (Registrant`s telephone number, including area code) _______________________________________ (Former name or former address, if changed since last report.) Page 1 of 14 pages. The Exhibit Index appears at Page 3 Item 7. Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information and Exhibits. (c) Exhibits (99) Press release and additional information. Signatures Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereto duly authorized. DEERE & COMPANY By /s/ Frank S. Cottrell Frank S. Cottrell, Secretary Dated: December 6, 1994 EXHIBIT INDEX Sequential Page Number and Description of Exhibit Number (99) Press release and additional information Page 4 information Exhibit 99 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (6 December 1994) MOLINE, ILLINOIS -- Deere & Company today reported record 1994 worldwide net income for both the fourth quarter and the fiscal year. Net income for the fourth quarter of 1994 was $169.6 million or $1.97 per share compared with income before special items of $93.1 million or $1.20 per share last year. This was the fifth consecutive quarter in which the company has reported record earnings for that quarter. The fourth quarter of Deere & Company's fiscal year ended October 31. Worldwide net income for the fiscal year totaled $603.6 million or $7.01 per share in 1994 compared with income before special items of $248.0 million or $3.21 per share last year.* Deere & Company Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Hans W. Becherer said, "The company's strongly improved results for both the quarter and the year reflect substantially higher North American production and sales volumes as well as improved operating efficiencies and significantly better overseas results. Additionally, the company's exports from the United States set a new record, totaling $1.1 billion. Company results also continued to benefit from the strong performance of our financial services subsidiaries during both the quarter and the fiscal year." Worldwide net sales and revenues increased 16 percent to $2.516 billion in the fourth quarter of 1994, up from $2.175 billion in last year's final quarter. Worldwide production tonnage for the fourth quarter was up 17 percent compared with 1993. Net sales to dealers of agricultural, industrial and lawn and grounds care equipment were $2.149 billion in the quarter, an increase of 16 percent over fourth quarter 1993 sales of $1.849 billion. Net revenues of the company's credit, insurance and health care operations increased 13 percent to $340 million in the fourth quarter compared with $302 million in the same quarter last year. Worldwide net sales and revenues were $9.030 billion for fiscal year 1994, a 16 percent increase over 1993 net sales and revenues of $7.754 billion. Net sales of equipment increased 18 percent in 1994 to $7.663 billion from $6.479 billion in fiscal year 1993. Worldwide production tonnage was about 18 percent higher this year. Additionally, the company's financial services revenues increased eight percent to $1.271 billion in 1994 compared with $1.175 billion for all of 1993. *The net loss in 1993 after special items was $920.9 million or $11.91 per share, including a $1.105 billion charge for the cumulative effect of accounting changes, $80.0 million of overseas restructuring charges, and $16.4 million of favorable income tax rate benefits. Although certain vehicle tires remained in tight supply during the quarter due to a work stoppage at one of our key suppliers, the availability of our products was not significantly affected. However, future product availability could be adversely affected by a prolonged continuation of this work stoppage. On September 30, 1994, the company's collective bargaining agreement with the United Auto Workers (UAW), the union representing most of the company's production employees in the United States, expired. Through the date of this release, the company and the UAW have been unable to reach an agreement as to the terms of a new contract. Employees are continuing to work under the terms in existence at the expiration of the former contract, and factory operations remain normal. "North American retail sales of John Deere agricultural, industrial, and lawn and grounds care equipment increased significantly during both the fourth quarter and full year compared with 1993," Becherer said. "Overseas retail sales were also higher for both the quarter and the full year compared with a year ago." The company's worldwide equipment operations, which exclude the financial services subsidiaries, had income of $123.6 million in the fourth quarter of 1994 compared with income before special items of $48.5 million in the last quarter of 1993, and income of $433.0 million for the year compared with income before special items of $76.8 million last year. All of the company's North American equipment businesses generated larger operating profits for both the fourth quarter and the 1994 fiscal year compared to the same 1993 periods. The improved results were due to higher production and sales volumes, and continued improvements in operating efficiency. The overseas operations had an operating profit in both the fourth quarter and the 1994 fiscal year compared with operating losses in the comparable 1993 periods. This improvement was primarily due to lower operating costs generated by the on-going restructuring of the company's European operations, coupled with higher sales and production volumes. Operating profit is defined as income before interest expense, income taxes and certain other expenses. Net income of the financial services subsidiaries in 1994 was $41.1 million for the fourth quarter and $160.6 million for the year compared with income of $42.3 million and $164.3 million, respectively, for the same periods last year, excluding the cumulative effect of 1993 accounting changes. Net income of the credit operations was $31.6 million in the fourth quarter of 1994 compared with $30.9 million in the same period last year. Net income for the fourth quarter of 1994 was favorably affected by a larger average portfolio financed and a larger gain from the sale of retail notes. These effects were partially offset by a higher provision for credit losses, due to the growth in the portfolio financed. Net income of the credit operations for fiscal 1994 was $113.7 million compared with income before the cumulative effect of accounting changes of $122.2 million in 1993. The decrease reflected the impact of higher dividend payouts during the year, lower gains from the sale of retail notes and higher operating expenses, partially offset by higher securitization and servicing fee income from notes previously sold but still administered. Net income of the insurance and health care operations was $9.5 million for the fourth quarter of 1994 compared with $11.4 million during the same period last year, primarily due to lower underwriting income from an increase in property and casualty claims. However, net income of these operations for the year increased to $46.9 million compared with 1993 income before accounting changes of $42.1 million, reflecting the continued long-term profitable growth of these businesses. "North American agricultural economic conditions improved in 1994 compared with 1993," Becherer said. "We believe that the resulting improvement in farmers' confidence was a primary contributor to higher agricultural equipment demand in nearly all market areas in North America during 1994. Although direct government payments to farmers declined in 1994, net farm cash income is forecasted to be near record levels. Additionally, farm real estate values increased by nearly four percent during the year, further improving overall farm balance sheets. "Overseas industry retail sales also showed improvement during 1994," Becherer said. "Although European industry retail sales of agricultural equipment are expected to continue their long-term downward trend, reduced uncertainty over the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) and a better understanding of these new regulations have increased European farmers' confidence. Consequently, many farmers who had delayed making purchases are now buying new equipment. Therefore, European industry retail sales for fiscal 1994 appear to be higher than 1993 levels. "The North American general economy has continued to improve during 1994," Becherer said. "Strong employment growth, coupled with related gains in income, stimulated consumer spending on durable goods in 1994. Housing starts and real nonresidential construction in the United States also increased by 11 percent and three percent, respectively, compared with a year ago. These improvements provided a solid base for increases in both the company's industrial and lawn and grounds care equipment sales during 1994. "Near record United States net farm cash income in 1994 should provide a solid base for 1995 farm expenditures," Becherer said. "Higher exports of farm commodities should continue to result from implementation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which further expands tariff-free quotas into Mexico during 1995. Higher incomes in developing countries such as China and India also should promote better export markets for United States grains and oil seeds. Ratification of the GATT treaty should further aid United States exports by lowering European Union export subsidies. "In 1995, a new United States farm bill should be enacted, which may create some uncertainty in the farm economy," Becherer said. "However, farmers have maintained tight control of farm expenses in recent years, resulting in significant improvements in their balance sheets, which should enable them to support more timely modernization of their equipment. The company's recently introduced innovative models of medium and large row-crop tractors have been well received by customers throughout the world. We believe that, on balance, these factors should support farmers' confidence, and as a result worldwide demand for agricultural equipment should remain at current levels. "The North American general economy is widely expected to show moderate growth in 1995," Becherer said. "Recent inflationary concerns coupled with increases in interest rates could adversely affect housing starts as well as general consumer confidence. However, current consumer spending and housing construction continue to remain strong. Additionally, demand for certain manufactured goods may generate the construction or modernization of factories in certain manufacturing sectors. Public construction is also expected to increase, led by highway, street, water and sewer projects. Based on these factors, the company expects retail sales of industrial and lawn and grounds care equipment in 1995 to continue at strong levels. The markets served by the company's financial services operations are also expected to continue to grow in conjunction with the strong demand for new equipment and the projected growth in the general economy. "In response to these market conditions, North American production tonnage schedules have been increased approximately four percent compared to 1994," Becherer said. "Overseas production tonnage schedules will be approximately six percent lower than last year, reflecting the re-sourcing of a portion of the 50-series tractor line in accordance with the on-going restructuring of our European tractor manufacturing operations. Despite this lower initial level of production, overseas operations are expected to show continued improvement. Additionally, worldwide first quarter production tonnage is forecasted to increase 10 percent compared with last year, reflecting continued strong retail demand and the initial production and shipment of the new high horsepower 8000-series tractors. "The current 1995 outlook for our businesses appears bright," Becherer said. "Our new tractors have been well accepted and our competitive position worldwide remains very strong. Operating margins have continued to improve, reflecting our ongoing effort to improve quality, reduce costs and enhance profitability. The steps we have been implementing to improve efficiencies should continue to yield increasing benefits to our company in 1995 and beyond." # # # The following information is disclosed on behalf of the company's United States credit subsidiary, John Deere Capital Corporation, in connection with the disclosure requirements of programs providing for the issuance of debt securities: John Deere Capital Corporation's net income was $30.2 million in the fourth quarter of 1994 compared with $28.2 million in the same period last year. Net income for the fourth quarter of 1994 was favorably affected by a larger average portfolio financed and a larger gain from the sale of retail notes. These effects were partially offset by a higher provision for credit losses, due to the growth in the portfolio financed. The average balance of credit receivables and leases financed was 14 percent higher in the fourth quarter of 1994 compared with the same period last year. Net income for fiscal 1994 totaled $104.9 million compared with income before the cumulative effect of accounting changes of $111.0 million in 1993 ($107.2 million after the accounting changes.) The decrease reflects the impact of higher dividend payouts during the year, lower gains from the sale of retail notes and higher operating expenses, partially offset by higher securitization and servicing fee income from retail notes previously sold but still administered. Credit receivable and lease acquisitions increased 29 percent during the fourth quarter and 18 percent for fiscal year 1994 compared with acquisitions in the same periods in 1993. Acquisitions of retail notes, revolving charge accounts and wholesale receivables all increased during 1994. Retail notes acquired during fiscal 1994 totaled $2.488 billion, a 16 percent increase compared with fiscal 1993 acquisitions of $2.136 billion. Acquisitions of recreational product notes accounted for 11 percent of total note acquisitions in 1994 compared with nine percent in 1993. Acquisitions of John Deere equipment notes were 15 percent higher in the current year, primarily due to increased retail sales of John Deere equipment. Net credit receivables and leases financed by John Deere Capital Corporation were $4.0 billion at October 31, 1994 compared with $3.4 billion one year ago. The increase resulted from credit receivable acquisitions exceeding collections during 1994. However, the company also securitized and sold retail notes, receiving net proceeds of $560 million during 1994, compared with net proceeds of $1.143 billion last year. Net credit receivables and leases administered, which include receivables previously securitized and sold totaled $5.2 billion at October 31, 1994 compared with $4.8 billion at October 31, 1993. # # # The attached data accompany this press release. Fourth Quarter 1994 Press Release Income (loss): (millions of dollars) Three Months Twelve Months Ended Ended October 31 October 31 1994 1993 1994 1993 Income before special items $169.6 $ 93.1 $603.6 $ 248.0 Restructuring charges (80.0) Effect of tax rate change 16.4 16.4 Cumulative effect of accounting changes (1,105.3) Net income (loss) $169.6 $109.5 $603.6 $ (920.9) Page 7 FOURTH QUARTER AND 1994 PRESS RELEASE Net sales and revenues: (millions of dollars) Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended October 31 October 31 % % 1994 1993 Change 1994 1993 Change Net sales: Agricultural equipment $1,305 $1,181 +10 $4,718 $4,078 +16 Industrial equipment 447 382 +17 1,640 1,348 +22 Lawn and grounds care equipment 397 286 +39 1,305 1,053 +24 Total net sales 2,149 1,849 +16 7,663 6,479 +18 Financial Services revenues 340 302 +13 1,271 1,175 + 8 Other revenues 27 24 +13 96 100 - 4 Total net sales and revenues $2,516 $2,175 +16 $9,030 $7,754 +16 United States and Canada: Equipment net sales $1,633 $1,474 +11 $5,860 $4,934 +19 Financial Services revenues 340 302 +13 1,271 1,175 + 8 Total 1,973 1,776 +11 7,131 6,109 +17 Overseas net sales 516 375 +38 1,803 1,545 +17 Other revenues 27 24 +13 96 100 - 4 Total net sales and revenues $2,516 $2,175 +16 $9,030 $7,754 +16 Selected balance sheet data: (millions of dollars) October 31 October 31 1994 1993 Equipment Operations: Dealer accounts and notes receivable - net $2,939 $2,794 Inventories $ 698 $ 464 Financial Services: Credit receivables and leases financed - net $4,511 $3,758 Credit receivables and leases administered - net $5,725 $5,195 Insurance and health care companies' assets $1,671 $1,452 Average shares outstanding 86,146,147 77,291,186 -----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----