CAT 10-Q Quarterly Report March 31, 2012 | Alphaminr

CAT 10-Q Quarter ended March 31, 2012

CATERPILLAR INC
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10-Q 1 cat_10qx3312012.htm 10-Q CAT_10Q_3.31.2012
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C.  20549
FORM 10-Q
[X] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2012
OR
[  ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from                    to
Commission File Number:  1-768
CATERPILLAR INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)
37-0602744
(IRS Employer I.D. No.)
100 NE Adams Street, Peoria, Illinois
(Address of principal executive offices)
61629
(Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:
(309) 675-1000

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes x No ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes x No ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.  See definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.  (Check one):
Large accelerated filer
x
Accelerated filer
o
Non-accelerated filer
o
Smaller reporting company
o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes o No x
At March 31, 2012 , 652,337,920 shares of common stock of the registrant were outstanding.



Table of Contents
* Item omitted because no answer is called for or item is not applicable.


2


Part I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.  Financial Statements

Caterpillar Inc.
Consolidated Statement of Results of Operations
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in millions except per share data)
Three Months Ended
March 31,
2012
2011
Sales and revenues:
Sales of Machinery and Power Systems
$
15,288

$
12,277

Revenues of Financial Products
693

672

Total sales and revenues
15,981

12,949

Operating costs:


Cost of goods sold
11,237

9,057

Selling, general and administrative expenses
1,340

1,099

Research and development expenses
587

525

Interest expense of Financial Products
204

203

Other operating (income) expenses
290

232

Total operating costs
13,658

11,116

Operating profit
2,323

1,833

Interest expense excluding Financial Products
113

87

Other income (expense)
88

17

Consolidated profit before taxes
2,298

1,763

Provision for income taxes
689

512

Profit of consolidated companies
1,609

1,251

Equity in profit (loss) of unconsolidated affiliated companies
2

(8
)
Profit of consolidated and affiliated companies
1,611

1,243

Less: Profit attributable to noncontrolling interests
25

18

Profit 1
$
1,586

$
1,225

Profit per common share
$
2.44

$
1.91

Profit per common share — diluted 2
$
2.37

$
1.84

Weighted-average common shares outstanding (millions)


– Basic
650.0

641.4

– Diluted 2
670.2

664.9

Cash dividends declared per common share
$

$

1 Profit attributable to common stockholders.
2 Diluted by assumed exercise of stock-based compensation awards using the treasury stock method.
See accompanying notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.


3



Caterpillar Inc .
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in millions)
Three Months Ended
March 31,
2012
2011
Profit of consolidated and affiliated companies
$
1,611

$
1,243

Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Foreign currency translation, net of tax (expense)/benefit of: 2012 - $17; 2011 - $63
181

225

Pension and other postretirement benefits:

Current year actuarial gain (loss), net of tax (expense)/benefit of: 2012 - $(6); 2011 - $0
10


Amortization of actuarial (gain) loss, net of tax (expense)/benefit of: 2012 - $(60); 2011 - $(53)
113

99

Current year prior service credit (cost), net of tax (expense)/benefit of: 2012 - $2; 2011 - $0
(3
)

Amortization of prior service (credit) cost, net of tax (expense)/benefit of: 2012 - $4; 2011 - $3
(8
)
(5
)
Amortization of transition (asset) obligation, net of tax (expense)/benefit of: 2012 - $0; 2011 - $0
1

1

Derivative financial instruments:
Gains (losses) deferred, net of tax (expense)/benefit of: 2012 - $16; 2011 - $(10)
(26
)
17

(Gains) losses reclassified to earnings, net of tax (expense)/benefit of: 2012 - $1; 2011 - $5
(2
)
(7
)
Available-for-sale securities:
Gains (losses) deferred, net of tax (expense)/benefit of: 2012 - $(9); 2011 - $(3)
21

5

(Gains) losses reclassifed to earnings, net of tax (expense)/benefit of: 2012 - $0; 2011 - $0
(2
)

Total other comprehensive income, net of tax
285

335

Comprehensive income
1,896

1,578

Less: comprehensive income attributable to the noncontrolling interests
(15
)
(26
)
Comprehensive income attributable to the company
$
1,881

$
1,552




See accompanying notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.



4



Caterpillar Inc .
Consolidated Statement of Financial Position
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in millions)
March 31,
2012
December 31,
2011
Assets
Current assets:


Cash and short-term investments
$
2,864

$
3,057

Receivables – trade and other
10,370

10,285

Receivables – finance
7,931

7,668

Deferred and refundable income taxes
1,501

1,580

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
1,032

994

Inventories
16,511

14,544

Total current assets
40,209

38,128

Property, plant and equipment – net
14,571

14,395

Long-term receivables – trade and other
902

1,130

Long-term receivables – finance
12,429

11,948

Investments in unconsolidated affiliated companies
139

133

Noncurrent deferred and refundable income taxes
2,082

2,157

Intangible assets
4,287

4,368

Goodwill
7,081

7,080

Other assets
2,208

2,107

Total assets
$
83,908

$
81,446

Liabilities


Current liabilities:


Short-term borrowings:


Machinery and Power Systems
$
696

$
93

Financial Products
4,078

3,895

Accounts payable
8,360

8,161

Accrued expenses
3,427

3,386

Accrued wages, salaries and employee benefits
1,373

2,410

Customer advances
2,921

2,691

Dividends payable

298

Other current liabilities
2,006

1,967

Long-term debt due within one year:


Machinery and Power Systems
555

558

Financial Products
5,433

5,102

Total current liabilities
28,849

28,561

Long-term debt due after one year:


Machinery and Power Systems
8,411

8,415

Financial Products
16,780

16,529

Liability for postemployment benefits
10,815

10,956

Other liabilities
3,582

3,583

Total liabilities
68,437

68,044

Commitments and contingencies (Notes 10 and 12)


Redeemable noncontrolling interest
455

473

Stockholders’ equity


Common stock of $1.00 par value:


Authorized shares: 2,000,000,000
Issued shares: (3/31/12 and 12/31/11 – 814,894,624) at paid-in amount
4,351

4,273

Treasury stock (3/31/12 – 162,556,704 shares; 12/31/11 – 167,361,280 shares) at cost
(10,164
)
(10,281
)
Profit employed in the business
26,815

25,219

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
(6,033
)
(6,328
)
Noncontrolling interests
47

46

Total stockholders’ equity
15,016

12,929

Total liabilities, redeemable noncontrolling interest and stockholders’ equity
$
83,908

$
81,446

See accompanying notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

5



Caterpillar Inc.
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in millions)
Common
stock
Treasury
stock
Profit
employed
in the
business
Accumulated
other
comprehensive
income (loss)
Noncontrolling
interests
Total
Three Months Ended March 31, 2011
Balance at December 31, 2010
$
3,888

$
(10,397
)
$
21,384

$
(4,051
)
$
40

$
10,864

Profit of consolidated and affiliated companies


1,225


18

1,243

Foreign currency translation, net of tax



217

8

225

Pension and other postretirement benefits, net of tax



95


95

Derivative financial instruments, net of tax



10


10

Available-for-sale securities, net of tax



5


5

Common shares issued from treasury stock for stock-based compensation:  5,629,306
(8
)
66




58

Stock-based compensation expense
44





44

Net excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation
120





120

Cat Japan share redemption 1


31


(23
)
8

Balance at March 31, 2011
$
4,044

$
(10,331
)
$
22,640

$
(3,724
)
$
43

$
12,672

Three Months Ended March 31, 2012






Balance at December 31, 2011
$
4,273

$
(10,281
)
$
25,219

$
(6,328
)
$
46

$
12,929

Profit of consolidated and affiliated companies


1,586


25

1,611

Foreign currency translation, net of tax



195

(14
)
181

Pension and other postretirement benefits, net of tax



110

3

113

Derivative financial instruments, net of tax



(28
)

(28
)
Available-for-sale securities, net of tax



18

1

19

Distribution to noncontrolling interests




(4
)
(4
)
Common shares issued from treasury stock for stock-based compensation: 4,804,576
(110
)
117




7

Stock-based compensation expense
47





47

Net excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation
141





141

Cat Japan share redemption 1


10


(10
)

Balance at March 31, 2012
$
4,351

$
(10,164
)
$
26,815

$
(6,033
)
$
47

$
15,016

1 See Note 16 regarding the Cat Japan share redemption.

See accompanying notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.



6



Caterpillar Inc.
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flow
(Unaudited)
(Millions of dollars)
Three Months Ended
March 31,
2012
2011
Cash flow from operating activities:
Profit of consolidated and affiliated companies
$
1,611

$
1,243

Adjustments for non-cash items:


Depreciation and amortization
661

575

Other
(18
)
95

Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions and divestitures:


Receivables – trade and other
150

(17
)
Inventories
(2,038
)
(1,185
)
Accounts payable
517

364

Accrued expenses
37

(57
)
Accrued wages, salaries and employee benefits
(1,053
)
(429
)
Customer advances
224

(120
)
Other assets – net
160

63

Other liabilities – net
79

233

Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities
330

765

Cash flow from investing activities:


Capital expenditures – excluding equipment leased to others
(844
)
(543
)
Expenditures for equipment leased to others
(285
)
(217
)
Proceeds from disposals of leased assets and property, plant and equipment
245

302

Additions to finance receivables
(2,727
)
(2,008
)
Collections of finance receivables
2,072

1,962

Proceeds from sale of finance receivables
39

33

Investments and acquisitions (net of cash acquired)
(63
)
(8
)
Proceeds from sale of businesses and investments (net of cash sold)

21

Proceeds from sale of available-for-sale securities
112

66

Investments in available-for-sale securities
(123
)
(72
)
Other – net
38

30

Net cash provided by (used for) investing activities
(1,536
)
(434
)
Cash flow from financing activities:


Dividends paid
(298
)
(281
)
Distribution to noncontrolling interests
(4
)

Common stock issued, including treasury shares reissued
7

58

Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation
141

123

Proceeds from debt issued (original maturities greater than three months):


Machinery and Power Systems
147

44

Financial Products
2,355

1,261

Payments on debt (original maturities greater than three months):


Machinery and Power Systems
(126
)
(151
)
Financial Products
(2,101
)
(1,624
)
Short-term borrowings – net (original maturities three months or less)
855

1,460

Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities
976

890

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
37

56

Increase (decrease) in cash and short-term investments
(193
)
1,277

Cash and short-term investments at beginning of period
3,057

3,592

Cash and short-term investments at end of period
$
2,864

$
4,869

All short-term investments, which consist primarily of highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, are considered to be cash equivalents .
See accompanying notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.


7


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
1. A.  Basis of Presentation
In the opinion of management, the accompanying financial statements include all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair statement of (a) the consolidated results of operations for the three month periods ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 , (b) the consolidated comprehensive income for the three month periods ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 , (c) the consolidated financial position at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 , (d) the consolidated changes in stockholders’ equity for the three month periods ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 , and (e) the consolidated cash flow for the three month periods ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 .  The financial statements have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP) and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).  Certain amounts for prior periods have been reclassified to conform to the current period financial statement presentation.
Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year. The information included in this Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and notes thereto included in our Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 (2011 Form 10-K).
The December 31, 2011 financial position data included herein is derived from the audited consolidated financial statements included in the 2011 Form 10-K but does not include all disclosures required by U.S. GAAP.
B.  Nature of Operations
Information in our financial statements and related commentary are presented in the following categories:
Machinery and Power Systems – Represents the aggregate total of Construction Industries, Resource Industries, Power Systems, and All Other segments and related corporate items and eliminations.
Financial Products – Primarily includes the company’s Financial Products Segment.  This category includes Caterpillar Financial Services Corporation (Cat Financial), Caterpillar Insurance Holdings Inc. (Cat Insurance) and their respective subsidiaries.
C.  Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Comprehensive income (loss) and its components are presented in the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income. Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, included in the Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity, consisted of the following:
(Millions of dollars)
March 31,
2012
March 31,
2011
Foreign currency translation
$
401

$
768

Pension and other postretirement benefits
(6,458
)
(4,600
)
Derivative financial instruments
(38
)
55

Available-for-sale securities
62

53

Total accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
$
(6,033
)
$
(3,724
)

2. New Accounting Guidance
Disclosures about the credit quality of financing receivables and the allowance for credit losses In July 2010, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued accounting guidance on disclosures about the credit quality of financing receivables and the allowance for credit losses.  The guidance expands disclosures for the allowance for credit losses and financing receivables by requiring entities to disclose information at disaggregated levels.  It also requires disclosure of credit quality indicators, past due information and modifications of financing receivables.  Also, in April 2011, the FASB issued guidance clarifying when a restructuring of a receivable should be considered a troubled debt restructuring by providing additional guidance for determining whether the creditor has granted a concession and whether the debtor is experiencing financial difficulties.  For end of period balances, the new disclosures were effective December

8


31, 2010 and did not have a material impact on our financial statements.  For activity during a reporting period, the disclosures were effective January 1, 2011 and did not have a material impact on our financial statements.  The disclosures related to modifications of financing receivables, as well as the guidance clarifying when a restructured receivable should be considered a troubled debt restructuring were effective July 1, 2011 and did not have a material impact on our financial statements.  See Note 15 for additional information.
Presentation of comprehensive income – In June 2011, the FASB issued accounting guidance on the presentation of comprehensive income.  The guidance provides two options for presenting net income and other comprehensive income.  The total of comprehensive income, the components of net income, and the components of other comprehensive income may be presented in either a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. We elected to present two separate statements. This guidance was effective January 1, 2012. See page 4 for additional information.

Goodwill impairment testing – In September 2011, the FASB issued accounting guidance on the testing of goodwill for impairment. The guidance allows entities testing goodwill for impairment the option of performing a qualitative assessment to determine the likelihood of goodwill impairment and whether it is necessary to perform the two-step impairment test currently required. This guidance was effective for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011. Early adoption is permitted. We elected to early adopt this guidance for the year ended December 31, 2011 and the guidance did not have a material impact on our financial statements. See Note 7 for additional information.

3. Stock-Based Compensation
Accounting for stock-based compensation requires that the cost resulting from all stock-based payments be recognized in the financial statements based on the grant date fair value of the award.  Stock-based compensation primarily consists of stock options, restricted stock units (RSUs) and stock-settled stock appreciation rights (SARs).  We recognized pretax stock-based compensation cost in the amount of $47 million and $44 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 , respectively.

The following table illustrates the type and fair value of the stock-based compensation awards granted during the three month periods ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 , respectively:
2012
2011
# Granted
Fair Value
Per Award
# Granted
Fair Value
Per Award
Stock options
3,224,203

$
39.20

237,906

$
36.73

RSUs
1,429,939

$
104.61

1,082,032

$
97.51

SARs

$

2,722,689

$
36.73

The stock price on the date of grant was $110.09 and $102.13 for 2012 and 2011, respectively.
The following table provides the assumptions used in determining the fair value of the stock-based awards for the three month periods ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 , respectively:
Grant Year
2012
2011
Weighted-average dividend yield
2.16%
2.22%
Weighted-average volatility
35.0%
32.7%
Range of volatilities
33.3-40.4%
20.9-45.4%
Range of risk-free interest rates
0.17-2.00%
0.25-3.51%
Weighted-average expected lives
7 years
8 years
As of March 31, 2012 , the total remaining unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested stock-based compensation awards was $381 million , which will be amortized over the weighted-average remaining requisite service periods of approximately 2.5 years .

9


4. Derivative Financial Instruments and Risk Management
Our earnings and cash flow are subject to fluctuations due to changes in foreign currency exchange rates, interest rates and commodity prices.  In addition, the amount of Caterpillar stock that can be repurchased under our stock repurchase program is impacted by movements in the price of the stock.  Our Risk Management Policy (policy) allows for the use of derivative financial instruments to prudently manage foreign currency exchange rate, interest rate, commodity price and Caterpillar stock price exposures.  Our policy specifies that derivatives are not to be used for speculative purposes.  Derivatives that we use are primarily foreign currency forward and option contracts, interest rate swaps, commodity forward and option contracts, and stock repurchase contracts.  Our derivative activities are subject to the management, direction and control of our senior financial officers.  Risk management practices, including the use of financial derivative instruments, are presented to the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors at least annually.
All derivatives are recognized on the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position at their fair value. On the date the derivative contract is entered into, we designate the derivative as (1) a hedge of the fair value of a recognized asset or liability (fair value hedge), (2) a hedge of a forecasted transaction or the variability of cash flow to be paid (cash flow hedge), or (3) an undesignated instrument. Changes in the fair value of a derivative that is qualified, designated and highly effective as a fair value hedge, along with the gain or loss on the hedged recognized asset or liability that is attributable to the hedged risk, are recorded in current earnings. Changes in the fair value of a derivative that is qualified, designated and highly effective as a cash flow hedge are recorded in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (AOCI) on the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position until they are reclassified to earnings in the same period or periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings.  Changes in the fair value of undesignated derivative instruments and the ineffective portion of designated derivative instruments are reported in current earnings. Cash flow from designated derivative financial instruments are classified within the same category as the item being hedged on the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flow.  Cash flow from undesignated derivative financial instruments are included in the investing category on the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flow.
We formally document all relationships between hedging instruments and hedged items, as well as the risk-management objective and strategy for undertaking various hedge transactions.  This process includes linking all derivatives that are designated as fair value hedges to specific assets and liabilities on the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position and linking cash flow hedges to specific forecasted transactions or variability of cash flow.

We also formally assess, both at the hedge’s inception and on an ongoing basis, whether the designated derivatives that are used in hedging transactions are highly effective in offsetting changes in fair values or cash flow of hedged items.  When a derivative is determined not to be highly effective as a hedge or the underlying hedged transaction is no longer probable, we discontinue hedge accounting prospectively, in accordance with the derecognition criteria for hedge accounting.
Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk
Foreign currency exchange rate movements create a degree of risk by affecting the U.S. dollar value of sales made and costs incurred in foreign currencies. Movements in foreign currency rates also affect our competitive position as these changes may affect business practices and/or pricing strategies of non-U.S.-based competitors. Additionally, we have balance sheet positions denominated in foreign currencies, thereby creating exposure to movements in exchange rates.
Our Machinery and Power Systems operations purchase, manufacture and sell products in many locations around the world. As we have a diversified revenue and cost base, we manage our future foreign currency cash flow exposure on a net basis. We use foreign currency forward and option contracts to manage unmatched foreign currency cash inflow and outflow. Our objective is to minimize the risk of exchange rate movements that would reduce the U.S. dollar value of our foreign currency cash flow. Our policy allows for managing anticipated foreign currency cash flow for up to five years.
We generally designate as cash flow hedges at inception of the contract any Australian dollar, Brazilian real, British pound, Canadian dollar, Chinese yuan, euro, Indian rupee, Japanese yen, Mexican peso, Singapore dollar or Swiss franc forward or option contracts that meet the requirements for hedge accounting and the maturity extends beyond the current quarter-end. Designation is performed on a specific exposure basis to support hedge accounting. The remainder of Machinery and Power Systems foreign currency contracts are undesignated, including any hedges designed to protect our competitive exposure.
As of March 31, 2012 , $14 million of deferred net losses, net of tax, included in equity (Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position), are expected to be reclassified to current earnings

10


(Other income (expense) in the Consolidated Statement of Results of Operations) over the next twelve months when earnings are affected by the hedged transactions.  The actual amount recorded in Other income (expense) will vary based on exchange rates at the time the hedged transactions impact earnings.
In managing foreign currency risk for our Financial Products operations, our objective is to minimize earnings volatility resulting from conversion and the remeasurement of net foreign currency balance sheet positions. Our policy allows the use of foreign currency forward and option contracts to offset the risk of currency mismatch between our receivables and debt. All such foreign currency forward and option contracts are undesignated.
Interest Rate Risk
Interest rate movements create a degree of risk by affecting the amount of our interest payments and the value of our fixed-rate debt. Our practice is to use interest rate derivatives to manage our exposure to interest rate changes and, in some cases, lower the cost of borrowed funds.
Our Machinery and Power Systems operations generally use fixed-rate debt as a source of funding.  Our objective is to minimize the cost of borrowed funds.  Our policy allows us to enter into fixed-to-floating interest rate swaps and forward rate agreements to meet that objective with the intent to designate as fair value hedges at inception of the contract all fixed-to-floating interest rate swaps.  Designation as a hedge of the fair value of our fixed-rate debt is performed to support hedge accounting.
Financial Products operations has a match-funding policy that addresses interest rate risk by aligning the interest rate profile (fixed or floating rate) of Cat Financial’s debt portfolio with the interest rate profile of their receivables portfolio within predetermined ranges on an ongoing basis. In connection with that policy, we use interest rate derivative instruments to modify the debt structure to match assets within the receivables portfolio. This matched funding reduces the volatility of margins between interest-bearing assets and interest-bearing liabilities, regardless of which direction interest rates move.
Our policy allows us to use fixed-to-floating, floating-to-fixed, and floating-to-floating interest rate swaps to meet the match-funding objective.  We designate fixed-to-floating interest rate swaps as fair value hedges to protect debt against changes in fair value due to changes in the benchmark interest rate.  We designate most floating-to-fixed interest rate swaps as cash flow hedges to protect against the variability of cash flows due to changes in the benchmark interest rate.

As of March 31, 2012 , $3 million of deferred net losses, net of tax, included in equity (Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position), related to Financial Products floating-to-fixed interest rate swaps, are expected to be reclassified to current earnings (Interest expense of Financial Products in the Consolidated Statement of Results of Operations) over the next twelve months.  The actual amount recorded in Interest expense of Financial Products will vary based on interest rates at the time the hedged transactions impact earnings.
We have, at certain times, liquidated fixed-to-floating and floating-to-fixed interest rate swaps at both Machinery and Power Systems and Financial Products.  The gains or losses associated with these swaps at the time of liquidation are amortized into earnings over the original term of the previously designated hedged item.

In anticipation of issuing debt for the planned acquisition of Bucyrus International, Inc., we entered into interest rate swaps to manage our exposure to interest rate changes. For the three months ended March 31, 2011, we recognized a net loss of $25 million, included in Other income (expense) in the Consolidated Statement of Results of Operations. These contracts were not designated as hedging instruments, and therefore, did not receive hedge accounting treatment. The contracts were liquidated in conjunction with the debt issuance in May 2011.
Commodity Price Risk
Commodity price movements create a degree of risk by affecting the price we must pay for certain raw material. Our policy is to use commodity forward and option contracts to manage the commodity risk and reduce the cost of purchased materials.
Our Machinery and Power Systems operations purchase base and precious metals embedded in the components we purchase from suppliers.  Our suppliers pass on a share of the price changes in the commodity portion of the component cost. In addition, we are subject to price changes on energy products such as natural gas and diesel fuel purchased for operational use.

11


Our objective is to minimize volatility in the price of these commodities. Our policy allows us to enter into commodity forward and option contracts to lock in the purchase price of a portion of these commodities within a five-year horizon. All such commodity forward and option contracts are undesignated.
The location and fair value of derivative instruments reported in the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position are as follows:
(Millions of dollars)
Consolidated Statement of Financial
Asset (Liability) Fair Value
Position Location
March 31, 2012
December 31, 2011
Designated derivatives
Foreign exchange contracts


Machinery and Power Systems
Receivables – trade and other
$
62

$
54

Machinery and Power Systems
Long-term receivables – trade and other
2

19

Machinery and Power Systems
Accrued expenses
(91
)
(73
)
Machinery and Power Systems
Other liabilities
(15
)
(10
)
Interest rate contracts

Financial Products
Receivables – trade and other
19

15

Financial Products
Long-term receivables – trade and other
220

233

Financial Products
Accrued expenses
(5
)
(6
)
$
192

$
232

Undesignated derivatives


Foreign exchange contracts


Machinery and Power Systems
Receivables – trade and other
$
18

$
27

Machinery and Power Systems
Accrued expenses
(12
)
(12
)
Machinery and Power Systems
Other liabilities
(20
)
(85
)
Financial Products
Receivables – trade and other
10

7

Financial Products
Accrued expenses
(5
)
(16
)
Interest rate contracts

Financial Products
Accrued expenses
(1
)
(1
)
Commodity contracts

Machinery and Power Systems
Receivables – trade and other
4

2

Machinery and Power Systems
Accrued expenses
(3
)
(9
)
$
(9
)
$
(87
)

The effect of derivatives designated as hedging instruments on the Consolidated Statement of Results of Operations is as follows:
Fair Value Hedges
(Millions of dollars)
Three Months Ended March 31, 2012
Classification
Gains (Losses)
on Derivatives
Gains (Losses)
on Borrowings
Interest rate contracts
Financial Products
Other income (expense)
$
(9
)
$
15

$
(9
)
$
15

Three Months Ended March 31, 2011
Classification
Gains (Losses)
on Derivatives
Gains (Losses)
on Borrowings
Interest rate contracts
Machinery and Power Systems
Other income (expense)
$
(1
)
$
1

Financial Products
Other income (expense)
(53
)
52

$
(54
)
$
53


12


Cash Flow Hedges
(Millions of dollars)
Three Months Ended March 31, 2012
Recognized in Earnings
Amount of Gains
(Losses) Recognized
in AOCI
(Effective Portion)
Classification of
Gains (Losses)
Amount of Gains
(Losses) Reclassified
from AOCI
(Effective Portion)
Recognized
in Earnings
(Ineffective
Portion)
Foreign exchange contracts



Machinery and Power Systems
$
42

Other income (expense)
$
5

$

Interest rate contracts

Machinery and Power Systems

Other income (expense)
(1
)

Financial Products

Interest expense of Financial Products
(1
)

1

$
42

$
3

$

Three Months Ended March 31, 2011
Recognized in Earnings
Amount of Gains
(Losses) Recognized
in AOCI
(Effective Portion)
Classification of
Gains (Losses)
Amount of Gains
(Losses) Reclassified
from AOCI
(Effective Portion)
Recognized
in Earnings
(Ineffective
Portion)
Foreign exchange contracts
Machinery and Power Systems
$
27

Other income (expense)
$
18

$

Interest rate contracts



Financial Products

Interest expense of Financial Products
(6
)
1

1

$
27

$
12

$
1

1 The ineffective portion recognized in earnings is included in Other income (expense)

The effect of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments on the Consolidated Statement of Results of Operations is as follows:
(Millions of dollars)

Classification of Gains (Losses)
Three Months Ended March 31, 2012
Three Months Ended March 31, 2011
Foreign exchange contracts
Machinery and Power Systems
Other income (expense)
$
65

$
32

Financial Products
Other income (expense)
7


Interest rate contracts

Machinery and Power Systems
Other income (expense)

(25
)
Commodity contracts

Machinery and Power Systems
Other income (expense)
6

4

$
78

$
11

Stock Repurchase Risk
Payments for stock repurchase derivatives are accounted for as a reduction in stockholders’ equity.  In February 2007, the Board of Directors authorized a $7.5 billion stock repurchase program, expiring on December 31, 2011.  In December 2011, the Board of Directors extended the $7.5 billion stock repurchase program through December 31, 2015. The amount of Caterpillar stock that can be repurchased under the authorization is impacted by movements in the price of the stock.  In August 2007, the Board of Directors authorized the use of derivative contracts to reduce stock repurchase price volatility.  There were no stock repurchase derivatives outstanding for the three months ended March 31, 2012 or 2011 .
5. Inventories
Inventories (principally using the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method) are comprised of the following:

13


(Millions of dollars)
March 31,
2012
December 31,
2011
Raw materials
$
4,094

$
3,766

Work-in-process
3,345

2,959

Finished goods
8,807

7,562

Supplies
265

257

Total inventories
$
16,511

$
14,544


6. Investments in Unconsolidated Affiliated Companies
Combined financial information of the unconsolidated affiliated companies accounted for by the equity method (generally on a lag of 3 months or less) was as follows:
Results of Operations of unconsolidated affiliated companies :
(Millions of dollars)
Three Months Ended March 31,
2012
2011
Sales
$
166

$
198

Cost of sales
126

161

Gross profit
$
40

$
37

Profit (loss)
$
10

$
(17
)
Financial Position of unconsolidated affiliated companies:
( Millions of dollars )
March 31,
2012
December 31, 2011
Assets:


Current assets
$
335

$
345

Property, plant and equipment — net
193

200

Other assets
14

9

542

554

Liabilities:


Current liabilities
210

220

Long-term debt due after one year
70

72

Other liabilities
15

17

295

309

Equity
$
247

$
245

Caterpillar’s investments in unconsolidated affiliated companies:
(Millions of dollars)
March 31,
2012
December 31, 2011
Investments in equity method companies
$
118

$
111

Plus: Investments in cost method companies
21

22

Total investments in unconsolidated affiliated companies
$
139

$
133


7. Intangible Assets and Goodwill
A.  Intangible assets
Intangible assets are comprised of the following:

14


March 31, 2012
(Millions of dollars)
Weighted
Amortizable
Life (Years)
Gross
Carrying
Amount
Accumulated
Amortization
Net
Customer relationships
15
$
2,811

$
(262
)
$
2,549

Intellectual property
11
1,805

(283
)
1,522

Other
10
305

(107
)
198

Total finite-lived intangible assets
13
4,921

(652
)
4,269

Indefinite-lived intangible assets - In-process research & development
18


18

Total intangible assets
$
4,939

$
(652
)
$
4,287

December 31, 2011
(Millions of dollars)
Weighted
Amortizable
Life (Years)
Gross
Carrying
Amount
Accumulated
Amortization
Net
Customer relationships
15
$
2,811

$
(213
)
$
2,598

Intellectual property
11
1,794

(244
)
1,550

Other
11
299

(97
)
202

Total finite-lived intangible assets
13
4,904

(554
)
4,350

Indefinite-lived intangible assets - In-process research & development
18


18

Total intangible assets
$
4,922

$
(554
)
$
4,368

During the first quarter of 2012, we acquired finite-lived intangible assets aggregating $8 million due to the purchase of Cat Tohoku.  See Note 18 for details on this business combination.
Amortization expense for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and March 31, 2011 was $94 million and $22 million , respectively.  Amortization expense related to intangible assets is expected to be:
(Millions of dollars)
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
Thereafter
$375
$372
$367
$362
$352
$2,553
B.  Goodwill
During the first quarter of 2012, we recorded goodwill of $16 million related to the acquisition of Cat Tohoku.  See Note 18 for details on this business combination.
We test goodwill for impairment annually and whenever events or circumstances make it more likely than not that an impairment may have occurred. We perform our annual goodwill impairment test as of October 1 and monitor for interim triggering events on an ongoing basis. Goodwill is reviewed for impairment utilizing a qualitative assessment or a two-step process. We have an option to make a qualitative assessment of a reporting unit's goodwill for impairment. If we choose to perform a qualitative assessment and determine the fair value more likely than not exceeds the carrying value, no further evaluation is necessary. For reporting units where we perform the two-step process, the first step requires us to compare the fair value of each reporting unit, which we primarily determine using an income approach based on the present value of discounted cash flows, to the respective carrying value, which includes goodwill. If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds its carrying value, the goodwill is not considered impaired. If the carrying value is higher than the fair value, there is an indication that an impairment may exist and the second step is required. In step two, the implied fair value of goodwill is calculated as the excess of the fair value of a reporting unit over the fair values assigned to its assets and liabilities. If the implied fair value of goodwill is less than the carrying value of the reporting unit's goodwill, the difference is recognized as an impairment loss. No goodwill was impaired during the first quarter of 2012 or 2011.
The changes in the carrying amount of the goodwill by reportable segment for the first quarter of 2012 were as follows:

15


(Millions of dollars)
Construction
Industries
Resource
Industries
Power
Systems
Other
Consolidated
Total
Balance at December 31, 2011
$
378

$
4,099

$
2,486

$
117

$
7,080

Business acquisitions 1
16




16

Held for Sale 2

(51
)


(51
)
Other adjustments 3
(11
)
52

(5
)

36

Balance at March 31, 2012
$
383

$
4,100

$
2,481

$
117

$
7,081

1 Purchase of Cat Tohoku.  See Note 18 for additional details.
2 See Note 19 for additional details.
3 Other adjustments are comprised primarily of foreign currency translation.
8. Available-For-Sale Securities
We have investments in certain debt and equity securities, primarily at Cat Insurance, that have been classified as available-for-sale and recorded at fair value based upon quoted market prices. These investments are primarily included in Other assets in the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position. Unrealized gains and losses arising from the revaluation of available-for-sale securities are included, net of applicable deferred income taxes, in equity (Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position).  Realized gains and losses on sales of investments are generally determined using the FIFO (first-in, first-out) method for debt instruments and the specific identification method for equity securities.  Realized gains and losses are included in Other income (expense) in the Consolidated Statement of Results of Operations.
March 31, 2012
December 31, 2011
(Millions of dollars)
Cost
Basis
Unrealized Pretax Net Gains
(Losses)
Fair
Value
Cost
Basis
Unrealized Pretax Net Gains
(Losses)
Fair
Value
Government debt
U.S. treasury bonds
$
12

$

$
12

$
10

$

$
10

Other U.S. and non-U.S. government bonds
121

2

123

90

2

92

Corporate bonds





Corporate bonds
569

35

604

542

30

572

Asset-backed securities
99

(1
)
98

112

(1
)
111

Mortgage-backed debt securities



U.S. governmental agency
266

13

279

297

13

310

Residential
32

(3
)
29

33

(3
)
30

Commercial
137

6

143

142

3

145

Equity securities



Large capitalization value
133

35

168

127

21

148

Smaller company growth
29

13

42

22

7

29

Total
$
1,398

$
100

$
1,498

$
1,375

$
72

$
1,447

During the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 , there were no charges for other-than-temporary declines in the market value of securities.





16



Investments in an unrealized loss position that are not other-than-temporarily impaired:
March 31, 2012
Less than 12 months 1
12 months or more 1
Total
(Millions of dollars)
Fair
Value
Unrealized
Losses
Fair
Value
Unrealized
Losses
Fair
Value
Unrealized
Losses
Corporate bonds
Asset-backed securities
$
3

$

$
19

$
4

$
22

$
4

Mortgage-backed debt securities
Residential
2


16

3

18

3

Commercial
4


8

1

12

1

Equity securities
Large capitalization value
20

2

7

1

27

3

Total
$
29

$
2

$
50

$
9

$
79

$
11

December 31, 2011
Less than 12 months 1
12 months or more 1
Total
(Millions of dollars)
Fair
Value
Unrealized
Losses
Fair
Value
Unrealized
Losses
Fair
Value
Unrealized
Losses
Corporate bonds
Corporate bonds
$
54

$
1

$
1

$

$
55

$
1

Asset-backed securities
1


20

5

21

5

Mortgage-backed debt securities






U.S. governmental agency
51

1



51

1

Residential
3


18

3

21

3

Commercial
15


8

1

23

1

Equity securities






Large capitalization value
36

5

6

1

42

6

Smaller company growth
4

1



4

1

Total
$
164

$
8

$
53

$
10

$
217

$
18

1 Indicates length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position.
Corporate Bonds. The unrealized losses on our investments in corporate bonds and asset-backed securities relate primarily to changes in interest rates and credit-related yield spreads since time of purchase.  We do not intend to sell the investments and it is not likely that we will be required to sell the investments before recovery of their amortized cost basis.  We do not consider these investments to be other-than-temporarily impaired as of March 31, 2012 .
Mortgage-Backed Debt Securities. The unrealized losses on our investments in mortgage-backed securities and mortgage-related asset-backed securities relate primarily to the continuation of elevated housing delinquencies and default rates, risk aversion and credit-related yield spreads since time of purchase.  We do not intend to sell the investments and it is not likely that we will be required to sell these investments before recovery of their amortized cost basis.  We do not consider these investments to be other-than-temporarily impaired as of March 31, 2012 .
Equity Securities. Cat Insurance maintains a well-diversified equity portfolio consisting of two specific mandates:  large capitalization value stocks and smaller company growth stocks.  U.S. equity valuations increased during the first quarter of 2012 on better-than-estimated earnings and positive economic data.  In each case where unrealized losses exist, the respective company's management is taking corrective action in order to increase shareholder value.   We do not consider these investments to be other-than-temporarily impaired as of March 31, 2012 .
The fair value of the available-for-sale debt securities at March 31, 2012 , by contractual maturity, is shown below. Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to prepay and creditors may have the right to call obligations.


17


(Millions of dollars)
Cost Basis
Fair Value
Due in one year or less
$
99

$
101

Due after one year through five years
511

526

Due after five years through ten years
145

166

Due after ten years
46

44

U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities
266

279

Residential mortgage-backed securities
32

29

Commercial mortgage-backed securities
137

143

Total debt securities – available-for-sale
$
1,236

$
1,288


Sales of Securities
Three Months Ended March 31,
(Millions of dollars)
2012
2011
Proceeds from the sale of available-for-sale securities
$
112

$
66

Gross gains from the sale of available-for-sale securities
$
2

$
1

Gross losses from the sale of available-for-sale securities
$

$
1


9. Postretirement Benefits
A.  Pension and postretirement benefit costs
In February 2012, we announced the closure of the Electro-Motive Diesel facility located in London, Ontario. As a result of the closure, a $37 million other postretirement benefits curtailment gain was recognized. This excludes a $21 million loss of a third party receivable for other postretirement benefits that was eliminated due to the closure. In addition, a $10 million special termination benefit expense was recognized related to statutory pension benefits required to be paid to certain affected employees.

18



(Millions of dollars)
U.S. Pension
Benefits
Non-U.S. Pension
Benefits
Other
Postretirement
Benefits
March 31,
March 31,
March 31,
2012
2011
2012
2011
2012
2011
For the three months ended:
Components of net periodic benefit cost:
Service cost
$
46

$
39

$
28

$
27

$
24

$
21

Interest cost
154

162

45

43

55

63

Expected return on plan assets
(203
)
(199
)
(54
)
(50
)
(16
)
(18
)
Amortization of:



Transition obligation (asset)




1

1

Prior service cost (credit) 1
5

5


1

(17
)
(14
)
Net actuarial loss (gain) 1
124

113

24

18

25

27

Net periodic benefit cost
126

120

43

39

72

80

Curtailments, settlements and special termination benefits 2


10


(40
)

Total cost included in operating profit
$
126

$
120

$
53

$
39

$
32

$
80

Weighted-average assumptions used to determine net cost:
Discount rate
4.3
%
5.1
%
4.3
%
4.6
%
4.3
%
5.0
%
Expected return on plan assets
8.0
%
8.5
%
7.1
%
7.1
%
8.0
%
8.5
%
Rate of compensation increase
4.5
%
4.5
%
3.9
%
4.2
%
4.4
%
4.4
%
1
Prior service costs and net actuarial losses for both pension and other postretirement benefits are generally amortized using the straight-line method over the average remaining service period to the full retirement eligibility date of employees expected to receive benefits from the plan. For other postretirement benefit plans in which all or almost all of the plan’s participants are fully eligible for benefits under the plan, prior service costs and net actuarial losses are amortized using the straight-line method over the remaining life expectancy of those participants.

2
Curtailments, settlements and special termination benefits were recognized in Other operating (income) expenses in the Consolidated Statement of Results of Operations.
We made $174 million of contributions to our U.S. and non-U.S. pension plans during the three months ended March 31, 2012 . We currently anticipate full-year 2012 contributions of approximately $1 billion , of which $570 million are required contributions. We made $131 million of contributions to our U.S. and non-U.S. pension plans during the three months ended March 31, 2011 .
B.  Defined contribution benefit costs
On January 1, 2011, matching contributions to our U.S. 401(k) plan changed for certain employees that are still accruing benefits under a defined benefit pension plan.  Matching contributions changed from 100% of employee contributions to the plan up to six percent of their compensation to 50% of employee contributions up to six percent of compensation.  For U.S. employees whose defined benefit pension accruals were frozen as of December 31, 2010, we began providing a new annual employer contribution in 2011, which ranges from three to five percent of compensation, depending on years of service and age.

Total company costs related to U.S. and non-U.S. defined contribution plans were as follows:
Three Months Ended March 31,
(Millions of dollars)
2012
2011
U.S. Plans
$
101

$
82

Non-U.S. Plans
14

12

$
115

$
94


19


10. Guarantees and Product Warranty
We have provided an indemnity to a third-party insurance company for potential losses related to performance bonds issued on behalf of Caterpillar dealers.  The bonds are issued to insure governmental agencies against nonperformance by certain dealers.  We also provided guarantees to a third party related to the performance of contractual obligations by certain Caterpillar dealers. The guarantees cover potential financial losses incurred by the third party resulting from the dealers’ nonperformance.
We provide loan guarantees to third-party lenders for financing associated with machinery purchased by customers. These guarantees have varying terms and are secured by the machinery. In addition, Cat Financial participates in standby letters of credit issued to third parties on behalf of their customers. These standby letters of credit have varying terms and beneficiaries and are secured by customer assets.
Cat Financial has provided a limited indemnity to a third-party bank resulting from the assignment of certain leases to that bank.  The indemnity is for the possibility that the insurers of these leases would become insolvent.  The indemnity expires December 15, 2012 and is unsecured.
No loss has been experienced or is anticipated under any of these guarantees.  At March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 the related liability was $7 million . The maximum potential amount of future payments (undiscounted and without reduction for any amounts that may possibly be recovered under recourse or collateralized provisions) we could be required to make under the guarantees are as follows:
(Millions of dollars)
March 31,
2012
December 31,
2011
Guarantees with Caterpillar dealers
$
121

$
140

Guarantees with customers
187

186

Limited indemnity
10

11

Guarantees – other
28

28

Total guarantees
$
346

$
365

Cat Financial provides guarantees to repurchase certain loans of Caterpillar dealers from a special-purpose corporation (SPC) that qualifies as a variable interest entity.  The purpose of the SPC is to provide short-term working capital loans to Caterpillar dealers.  This SPC issues commercial paper and uses the proceeds to fund its loan program.  Cat Financial has a loan purchase agreement with the SPC that obligates Cat Financial to purchase certain loans that are not paid at maturity.  Cat Financial receives a fee for providing this guarantee, which provides a source of liquidity for the SPC.  Cat Financial is the primary beneficiary of the SPC as our guarantees result in Cat Financial having both the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the SPC’s economic performance and the obligation to absorb losses, and therefore Cat Financial has consolidated the financial statements of the SPC.  As of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 , the SPC’s assets of $660 million and $586 million , respectively, are primarily comprised of loans to dealers and the SPC’s liabilities of $660 million and $586 million , respectively, are primarily comprised of commercial paper.  No loss has been experienced or is anticipated under this loan purchase agreement.  Cat Financial’s assets are not available to pay creditors of the SPC, except to the extent Cat Financial may be obligated to perform under the guarantee, and assets of the SPC are not available to pay Cat Financial’s creditors.

Our product warranty liability is determined by applying historical claim rate experience to the current field population and dealer inventory.  Generally, historical claim rates are based on actual warranty experience for each product by machine model/engine size.  Specific rates are developed for each product build month and are updated monthly based on actual warranty claim experience.

(Millions of dollars)
2012
Warranty liability, January 1
$
1,308

Reduction in liability (payments)
(187
)
Increase in liability (new warranties)
226

Warranty liability, March 31
$
1,347



20


(Millions of dollars)
2011
Warranty liability, January 1
$
1,035

Reduction in liability (payments)
(926
)
Increase in liability (new warranties)
1,199

Warranty liability, December 31
$
1,308



11. Computations of Profit Per Share
(Dollars in millions except per share data)
Three Months Ended March 31,
2012
2011
I.
Profit for the period (A) 1 :
$
1,586

$
1,225

II.
Determination of shares (in millions):


Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding (B)
650.0

641.4

Shares issuable on exercise of stock awards, net of shares assumed to be purchased out of proceeds at average market price
20.2

23.5

Average common shares outstanding for fully diluted computation (C) 2
670.2

664.9

III.
Profit per share of common stock:


Assuming no dilution (A/B)
$
2.44

$
1.91

Assuming full dilution (A/C) 2
$
2.37

$
1.84

1 Profit attributable to common stockholders.
2 Diluted by assumed exercise of stock-based compensation awards using the treasury stock method.
SARs and stock options to purchase 3,458,845 and 2,960,595 common shares were outstanding for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 , respectively, but were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because the effect would have been anti-dilutive.
12. Environmental and Legal Matters
The company is regulated by federal, state and international environmental laws governing our use, transport and disposal of substances and control of emissions. In addition to governing our manufacturing and other operations, these laws often impact the development of our products, including, but not limited to, required compliance with air emissions standards applicable to internal combustion engines. Compliance with these existing laws has not had a material impact on our capital expenditures, earnings or global competitive position.
We are engaged in remedial activities at a number of locations, often with other companies, pursuant to federal and state laws.  When it is probable we will pay remedial costs at a site and those costs can be reasonably estimated, the costs are charged against our earnings.  In formulating that estimate, we do not consider amounts expected to be recovered from insurance companies or others.  The amount recorded for environmental remediation is not material and is included in Accrued expenses in the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position.

We cannot reasonably estimate costs at sites in the very early stages of remediation.  Currently, we have a few sites in the very early stages of remediation, and there is no more than a remote chance that a material amount for remedial activities at any individual site, or at all sites in the aggregate, will be required.
We have disclosed certain individual legal proceedings in this filing.  Additionally, we are involved in other unresolved legal actions that arise in the normal course of business. The most prevalent of these unresolved actions involve disputes related to product design, manufacture and performance liability (including claimed asbestos and welding fumes exposure), contracts, employment issues, environmental matters or intellectual property rights.  The aggregate range of reasonably possible losses in excess of accrued liabilities, if any, associated with these unresolved legal actions is not material.  In some cases, we cannot reasonably estimate a range of loss because there is insufficient information regarding the matter.  However, there is no more than a remote chance that any liability arising from these matters would be material.  Although it is not possible to predict with certainty the outcome of these unresolved legal actions, we believe that these actions will

21


not individually or in the aggregate have a material adverse effect on our consolidated results of operations, financial position or liquidity.
On May 14, 2007, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a Notice of Violation to Caterpillar Inc., alleging various violations of Clean Air Act Sections 203, 206 and 207. EPA claims that Caterpillar violated such sections by shipping engines and catalytic converter after-treatment devices separately, introducing into commerce a number of uncertified and/or misbuilt engines, and failing to timely report emissions-related defects.  On July 9, 2010, the Department of Justice issued a penalty demand to Caterpillar seeking a civil penalty of $3.2 million and implementation of injunctive relief involving expanded use of certain technologies. On July 28, 2011, EPA and the U.S. Department of Justice filed and lodged a civil complaint and consent decree with the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia (Court) regarding the matter.   Caterpillar has agreed to the terms of the consent decree, which require payment of a civil penalty of $2.55 million, retirement of a small number of emissions credits and expanded defect-related reporting.  On September 7, 2011, the Court entered the consent decree, making it effective on that date, and Caterpillar has paid the penalty due to the United States in accordance with the decree terms.  Under the terms of the consent decree, and subject to a settlement agreement, $510,000 of the stipulated $2.55 million penalty will be paid to the California Air Resources Board relating to engines covered by the consent decree that were placed into service in California.

13. Income Taxes
The provision for income taxes in the first quarter reflects an estimated annual effective tax rate of 30 percent compared to 29 percent for the first quarter of 2011 and 26.5 percent for the full-year 2011 excluding discrete items. The increase from full-year 2011 is primarily due to expected changes in our geographic mix of profits from a tax perspective and the expiration of the U.S. research and development tax credit.

14. Segment Information
A. Basis for segment information
Group Presidents are accountable for a related set of end-to-end businesses that they manage.  The CEO allocates resources and manages performance at the Group President level.  As such, the CEO serves as our Chief Operating Decision Maker and operating segments are primarily based on the Group President reporting structure.
Three of our operating segments, Construction Industries, Resource Industries and Power Systems, are led by Group Presidents.  One operating segment, Financial Products, is led by a Group President who has responsibility for Corporate Services.  Corporate Services is a cost center primarily responsible for the performance of certain support functions globally and to provide centralized services; it does not meet the definition of an operating segment.  One Group President leads a smaller operating segment that is included in the All Other operating segment.

The segment information for 2011 has been retrospectively adjusted to conform to the 2012 presentation. A portion of goodwill assets, related to recent acquisitions, that was allocated to Machinery and Power Systems operating segments is now a methodology difference between segment and external reporting.

B. Description of segments
We have five operating segments, of which four are reportable segments.  Following is a brief description of our reportable segments and the business activities included in the All Other operating segment:
Construction Industries :  A segment primarily responsible for supporting customers using machinery in infrastructure and building construction applications. Responsibilities include business strategy, product design, product management and development, manufacturing, marketing, and sales and product support. The product portfolio includes backhoe loaders, small wheel loaders, small track-type tractors, skid steer loaders, multi-terrain loaders, mini excavators, compact wheel loaders, select work tools, small, medium and large track excavators, wheel excavators, medium wheel loaders, medium track-type tractors, track-type loaders, motor graders, pipelayers and related parts. In addition, Construction Industries has responsibility for Power Systems and components in Japan and an integrated manufacturing cost center that supports Machinery and Power Systems businesses. Inter-segment sales are a source of revenue for this segment.

Resource Industries : A segment primarily responsible for supporting customers using machinery in mining and quarrying applications. Responsibilities include business strategy, product design, product management and development,

22


manufacturing, marketing and sales and product support. The product portfolio includes large track-type tractors, large mining trucks, underground mining equipment, tunnel boring equipment, large wheel loaders, off-highway trucks, articulated trucks, wheel tractor scrapers, wheel dozers, compactors, select work tools, forestry products, paving products, machinery components and electronics and control systems. In addition, Resource Industries manages areas that provide services to other parts of the company, including integrated manufacturing, research and development and coordination of the Caterpillar Production System. On July 8, 2011, the acquisition of Bucyrus was completed. This added the responsibility for business strategy, product design, product management and development, manufacturing, marketing and sales and product support for electric rope shovels, draglines, hydraulic shovels, drills, highwall miners and electric drive off-highway trucks to Resource Industries. In addition, segment profit includes Bucyrus acquisition-related costs and the impact from divestiture of a portion of the Bucyrus distribution business. Inter-segment sales are a source of revenue for this segment.

Power Systems :  A segment primarily responsible for supporting customers using reciprocating engines, turbines and related parts across industries serving electric power, industrial, petroleum and marine applications as well as rail-related businesses. Responsibilities include business strategy, product design, product management, development, manufacturing, marketing, sales and product support of reciprocating engine powered generator sets, integrated systems used in the electric power generation industry, reciprocating engines and integrated systems and solutions for the marine and petroleum industries; reciprocating engines supplied to the industrial industry as well as Caterpillar machinery; the business strategy, product design, product management, development, manufacturing, marketing, sales and product support of turbines and turbine-related services; the development, manufacturing, remanufacturing, maintenance, leasing and service of diesel-electric locomotives and components and other rail-related products and services. Inter-segment sales are a source of revenue for this segment.
Financial Products Segment :  Provides financing to customers and dealers for the purchase and lease of Caterpillar and other equipment, as well as some financing for Caterpillar sales to dealers.  Financing plans include operating and finance leases, installment sale contracts, working capital loans and wholesale financing plans. The division also provides various forms of insurance to customers and dealers to help support the purchase and lease of our equipment.
All Other : Primarily includes activities such as: the remanufacturing of Cat engines and components and remanufacturing services for other companies as well as the business strategy, product management, development, manufacturing, marketing and product support of undercarriage, specialty products, hardened bar stock components and ground engaging tools primarily for Caterpillar products; logistics services for Caterpillar and other companies; the product management, development, marketing, sales and product support of on-highway vocational trucks for North America (U.S. and Canada only); distribution services responsible for dealer development and administration, dealer portfolio management and ensuring the most efficient and effective distribution of machines, engines and parts; and the 50/50 joint venture with Navistar (NC 2 ) until it became a wholly owned subsidiary of Navistar effective September 29, 2011. Inter-segment sales are a source of revenue for this segment. Results for the All Other operating segment is included as a reconciling item between reportable segments and consolidated external reporting.
C. Segment measurement and reconciliations
There are several methodology differences between our segment reporting and our external reporting.  The following is a list of the more significant methodology differences:
Machinery and Power Systems segment net assets generally include inventories, receivables, property, plant and equipment, goodwill, intangibles and accounts payable.  Liabilities other than accounts payable are generally managed at the corporate level and are not included in segment operations.  Financial Products Segment assets generally include all categories of assets.
Segment inventories and cost of sales are valued using a current cost methodology.

Goodwill allocated to segments is amortized using a fixed amount based on a twenty year useful life.  This methodology difference only impacts segment assets; no goodwill amortization expense is included in segment profit.

The present value of future lease payments for certain Machinery and Power Systems operating leases is included in segment assets.  The estimated financing component of the lease payments is excluded.

Currency exposures for Machinery and Power Systems are generally managed at the corporate level and the

23


effects of changes in exchange rates on results of operations within the year are not included in segment profit.  The net difference created in the translation of revenues and costs between exchange rates used for U.S. GAAP reporting and exchange rates used for segment reporting are recorded as a methodology difference.

Postretirement benefit expenses are split; segments are generally responsible for service and prior service costs, with the remaining elements of net periodic benefit cost included as a methodology difference.

Machinery and Power Systems segment profit is determined on a pretax basis and excludes interest expense, gains and losses on interest rate swaps and other income/expense items.  Financial Products Segment profit is determined on a pretax basis and includes other income/expense items.

Reconciling items are created based on accounting differences between segment reporting and our consolidated external reporting. Please refer to pages 25 to 28 for financial information regarding significant reconciling items.  Most of our reconciling items are self-explanatory given the above explanations.  For the reconciliation of profit, we have grouped the reconciling items as follows:
Corporate costs: These costs are related to corporate requirements and strategies that are considered to be for the benefit of the entire organization.

Methodology differences: See previous discussion of significant accounting differences between segment reporting and consolidated external reporting.

Timing: Timing differences in the recognition of costs between segment reporting and consolidated external reporting.


24



Reportable Segments
Three Months Ended March 31,
(Millions of dollars)
2012
External
sales and
revenues
Inter-
segment
sales &
revenues
Total sales
and
revenues
Depreciation
and
amortization
Segment
profit
Segment
assets at
March 31
Capital
expenditures
Construction Industries
$
5,062

$
130

$
5,192

$
131

$
616

$
8,899

$
131

Resource Industries
4,778

328

5,106

163

1,168

13,050

132

Power Systems
4,987

675

5,662

138

812

9,293

129

Machinery and Power Systems
$
14,827

$
1,133

$
15,960

$
432

$
2,596

$
31,242

$
392

Financial Products Segment
761


761

174

205

32,458

343

Total
$
15,588

$
1,133

$
16,721

$
606

$
2,801

$
63,700

$
735

2011
External
sales and
revenues
Inter-
segment
sales &
revenues
Total sales
and
revenues
Depreciation
and
amortization
Segment
profit
Segment
assets at
December 31
Capital
expenditures
Construction Industries
$
4,471

$
147

$
4,618

$
120

$
544

$
7,942

$
79

Resource Industries
2,768

274

3,042

71

796

12,292

56

Power Systems
4,449

554

5,003

136

700

8,748

85

Machinery and Power Systems
$
11,688

$
975

$
12,663

$
327

$
2,040

$
28,982

$
220

Financial Products Segment
730


730

176

136

31,747

180

Total
$
12,418

$
975

$
13,393

$
503

$
2,176

$
60,729

$
400


Reconciliation of Sales and revenues:
(Millions of dollars)
Machinery
and Power
Systems
Financial
Products
Consolidating
Adjustments
Consolidated
Total
Three Months Ended March 31, 2012
Total external sales and revenues from reportable segments
$
14,827

$
761

$

$
15,588

All Other operating segment
474



474

Other
(13
)
16

(84
)
1

(81
)
Total sales and revenues
$
15,288

$
777

$
(84
)
$
15,981

Three Months Ended March 31, 2011




Total external sales and revenues from reportable segments
$
11,688

$
730

$

$
12,418

All Other operating segment
589



589

Other

10

(68
)
1

(58
)
Total sales and revenues
$
12,277

$
740

$
(68
)
$
12,949

1 Elimination of Financial Products revenues from Machinery and Power Systems.


25


Reconciliation of Consolidated profit before taxes:
(Millions of dollars)
Machinery
and Power
Systems
Financial
Products
Consolidated
Total
Three Months Ended March 31, 2012
Total profit from reportable segments
$
2,596

$
205

$
2,801

All Other operating segment
218


218

Cost centers
34


34

Corporate costs
(360
)

(360
)
Timing
(151
)

(151
)
Methodology differences:

0

Inventory/cost of sales
(14
)

(14
)
Postretirement benefit expense
(186
)

(186
)
Financing costs
(115
)

(115
)
Equity in profit of unconsolidated affiliated companies
(2
)

(2
)
Currency
131


131

Other income/expense methodology differences
(61
)

(61
)
Other methodology differences
2

1

3

Total profit before taxes
$
2,092

$
206

$
2,298

Three Months Ended March 31, 2011



Total profit from reportable segments
$
2,040

$
136

$
2,176

All Other operating segment
245


245

Cost centers
21


21

Corporate costs
(271
)

(271
)
Timing
(76
)

(76
)
Methodology differences:


Inventory/cost of sales
6


6

Postretirement benefit expense
(192
)

(192
)
Financing costs
(89
)

(89
)
Equity in profit of unconsolidated affiliated companies
8


8

Currency
18


18

Interest rate swaps
(25
)

(25
)
Other income/expense methodology differences
(59
)

(59
)
Other methodology differences
(1
)
2

1

Total profit before taxes
$
1,625

$
138

$
1,763



26


Reconciliation of Assets:
(Millions of dollars)
Machinery
and Power
Systems
Financial
Products
Consolidating
Adjustments
Consolidated
Total
March 31, 2012
Total assets from reportable segments
$
31,242

$
32,458

$

$
63,700

All Other operating segment
2,007



2,007

Items not included in segment assets:




Cash and short-term investments
1,635



1,635

Intercompany receivables
102


(102
)

Investment in Financial Products
4,055


(4,055
)

Deferred income taxes
3,929


(487
)
3,442

Goodwill, intangible assets and other assets
4,030



4,030

Operating lease methodology difference
(544
)


(544
)
Liabilities included in segment assets
12,688



12,688

Inventory methodology differences
(3,078
)


(3,078
)
Other
347

(158
)
(161
)
28

Total assets
$
56,413

$
32,300

$
(4,805
)
$
83,908

December 31, 2011




Total assets from reportable segments
$
28,982

$
31,747

$

$
60,729

All Other operating segment
2,035



2,035

Items not included in segment assets:




Cash and short-term investments
1,829



1,829

Intercompany receivables
75


(75
)

Investment in Financial Products
4,035


(4,035
)

Deferred income taxes
4,109


(533
)
3,576

Goodwill, intangible assets and other assets
4,461



4,461

Operating lease methodology difference
(511
)


(511
)
Liabilities included in segment assets
12,088



12,088

Inventory methodology differences
(2,786
)


(2,786
)
Other
362

(194
)
(143
)
25

Total assets
$
54,679

$
31,553

$
(4,786
)
$
81,446


27


Reconciliations of Depreciation and amortization:
(Millions of dollars)
Machinery
and Power
Systems
Financial
Products
Consolidating
Adjustments
Consolidated
Total
Three Months Ended March 31, 2012
Total depreciation and amortization from reportable segments
$
432

$
174

$

$
606

Items not included in segment depreciation and amortization:




All Other operating segment
43



43

Cost centers
19



19

Other
(12
)
5


(7
)
Total depreciation and amortization
$
482

$
179

$

$
661

Three Months Ended March 31, 2011




Total depreciation and amortization from reportable segments
$
327

$
176

$

$
503

Items not included in segment depreciation and amortization:




All Other operating segment
45



45

Cost centers
18



18

Other
5

4


9

Total depreciation and amortization
$
395

$
180

$

$
575

Reconciliations of Capital expenditures:
(Millions of dollars)
Machinery
and Power
Systems
Financial
Products
Consolidating
Adjustments
Consolidated
Total
Three Months Ended March 31, 2012




Total capital expenditures from reportable segments
$
392

$
343

$

$
735

Items not included in segment capital expenditures:




All Other operating segment
64



64

Cost centers
38



38

Timing
402



402

Other
(32
)
17

(95
)
(110
)
Total capital expenditures
$
864

$
360

$
(95
)
$
1,129

Three Months Ended March 31, 2011




Total capital expenditures from reportable segments
$
220

$
180

$

$
400

Items not included in segment capital expenditures:




All Other operating segment
38



38

Cost centers
15



15

Timing
314



314

Other
(19
)
33

(21
)
(7
)
Total capital expenditures
$
568

$
213

$
(21
)
$
760

15. Cat Financial Financing Activities
A. Credit quality of financing receivables and allowance for credit losses
Cat Financial applies a systematic methodology to determine the allowance for credit losses for finance receivables.  Based upon Cat Financial’s analysis of credit losses and risk factors, portfolio segments are as follows:

Customer - Finance receivables with retail customers.
Dealer - Finance receivables with Caterpillar dealers.
Cat Financial further evaluates portfolio segments by the class of finance receivables, which is defined as a level of information (below a portfolio segment) in which the finance receivables have the same initial measurement attribute

28


and a similar method for assessing and monitoring credit risk.  Typically, Cat Financial’s finance receivables within a geographic area have similar credit risk profiles and methods for assessing and monitoring credit risk.  Cat Financial’s classes, which align with management reporting, are as follows:
North America - Finance receivables originated in the United States or Canada.
Europe - Finance receivables originated in Europe, Africa, Middle East and the Commonwealth of Independent States.
Asia Pacific - Finance receivables originated in Australia, New Zealand, China, Japan, South Korea and Southeast Asia.
Mining - Finance receivables related to large mining customers worldwide.
Latin America - Finance receivables originated in Central and South American countries and Mexico.
Caterpillar Power Finance - Finance receivables related to marine vessels with Caterpillar engines worldwide and Caterpillar electrical power generation, gas compression and co-generation systems and non-Caterpillar equipment that is powered by these systems worldwide.
Impaired loans and finance leases
For all classes, a loan or finance lease is considered impaired, based on current information and events, if it is probable that Cat Financial will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan or finance lease.  Loans and finance leases reviewed for impairment include loans and finance leases that are past due, non-performing or in bankruptcy. Recognition of income is suspended and the loan or finance lease is placed on non-accrual status when management determines that collection of future income is not probable (generally after 120 days past due).  Accrual is resumed, and previously suspended income is recognized, when the loan or finance lease becomes contractually current and/or collection doubts are removed.  Cash receipts on impaired loans or finance leases are recorded against the receivable and then to any unrecognized income.
There were no impaired loans or finance leases as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, for the Dealer portfolio segment.  The average recorded investment for impaired loans and finance leases for the Dealer portfolio segment was zero for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011.
Individually impaired loans and finance leases for customers were as follows:

29


March 31, 2012
December 31, 2011
(Millions of dollars)
Recorded
Investment
Unpaid
Principal
Balance
Related
Allowance
Recorded
Investment
Unpaid
Principal
Balance
Related
Allowance
Impaired Loans and Finance Leases With No Allowance Recorded 1






Customer






North America
$
56

$
55

$

$
83

$
80

$

Europe
45

44


47

46


Asia Pacific
4

4


4

4


Mining
8

8


8

8


Latin America
4

4


9

9


Caterpillar Power Finance
214

210


175

170


Total
$
331

$
325

$

$
326

$
317

$

Impaired Loans and Finance Leases With An Allowance Recorded






Customer






North America
$
72

$
67

$
15

$
69

$
64

$
15

Europe
44

42

12

36

33

12

Asia Pacific
24

24

5

13

13

3

Mining
13

13

4

13

13

4

Latin America
26

26

6

25

25

6

Caterpillar Power Finance
79

78

12

93

92

16

Total
$
258

$
250

$
54

$
249

$
240

$
56

Total Impaired Loans and Finance Leases






Customer






North America
$
128

$
122

$
15

$
152

$
144


$
15

Europe
89

86

12

83

79


12

Asia Pacific
28

28

5

17

17


3

Mining
21

21

4

21

21

4

Latin America
30

30

6

34

34


6

Caterpillar Power Finance
293

288

12

268

262


16

Total
$
589

$
575

$
54

$
575

$
557

$
56

1 No related allowance for credit losses due to sufficient collateral value.

30


Three Months Ended March 31, 2012
Three Months Ended March 31, 2011
(Millions of dollars)
Average Recorded
Investment
Interest Income
Recognized
Average Recorded
Investment
Interest Income
Recognized
Impaired Loans and Finance Leases With No Allowance Recorded 1




Customer




North America
$
67

$
1

$
84

$
1

Europe
46


7


Asia Pacific
3


5


Mining
8


8


Latin America
6


4


Caterpillar Power Finance
185

1

211

1

Total
$
315

$
2

$
319

$
2

Impaired Loans and Finance Leases With An Allowance Recorded




Customer




North America
$
72

$

$
191

$
2

Europe
40


64

1

Asia Pacific
20

1

27


Mining
13




Latin America
26


47

1

Caterpillar Power Finance
87


48


Total
$
258

$
1

$
377

$
4

Total Impaired Loans and Finance Leases




Customer




North America
$
139

$
1

$
275

$
3

Europe
86


71

1

Asia Pacific
23

1

32


Mining
21


8


Latin America
32


51

1

Caterpillar Power Finance
272

1

259

1

Total
$
573

$
3

$
696

$
6

1 No related allowance for credit losses due to sufficient collateral value.
Non-accrual and past due loans and finance leases
For all classes, Cat Financial considers a loan or finance lease past due if any portion of a contractual payment is due and unpaid for more than 30 days.  Recognition of income is suspended and the loan or finance lease is placed on non-accrual status when management determines that collection of future income is not probable (generally after 120 days past due).  Accrual is resumed, and previously suspended income is recognized, when the loan or finance lease becomes contractually current and/or collection doubts are removed.
As of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 , there were no loans or finance leases on non-accrual status for the Dealer portfolio segment.
The investment in customer loans and finance leases on non-accrual status was as follows:

31


(Millions of dollars)
March 31, 2012
December 31, 2011
Customer


North America
$
103

$
112

Europe
56

58

Asia Pacific
33

24

Mining
12

12

Latin America
162

108

Caterpillar Power Finance
157

158

Total
$
523

$
472


Past due loans and finance leases were as follows:

(Millions of dollars)
March 31, 2012
31-60
61-90
91+
Total Past
Due
Current
Total
Finance
Receivables
91+ Still
Accruing
Customer







North America
$
49

$
19

$
106

$
174

$
5,374

$
5,548

$
12

Europe
36

25

61

122

2,185

2,307

13

Asia Pacific
55

33

57

145

2,751

2,896

24

Mining


12

12

1,660

1,672


Latin America
43

24

147

214

2,441

2,655


Caterpillar Power Finance
43

55

105

203

2,927

3,130

13

Dealer



0


0


North America




1,709

1,709


Europe




56

56


Asia Pacific




180

180


Mining




1

1


Latin America




581

581


Total
$
226

$
156

$
488

$
870

$
19,865

$
20,735

$
62



32


(Millions of dollars)
December 31, 2011
31-60
61-90
91+
Total Past
Due
Current
Total
Finance
Receivables
91+ Still
Accruing
Customer







North America
$
74

$
39

$
111

$
224

$
5,378

$
5,602

$
9

Europe
27

11

57

95

2,129

2,224

10

Asia Pacific
47

23

38

108

2,769

2,877

14

Mining


12

12

1,473

1,485


Latin America
32

15

99

146

2,339

2,485


Caterpillar Power Finance
14

16

125

155

2,765

2,920

25

Dealer







North America




1,689

1,689


Europe




57

57


Asia Pacific




161

161


Mining







Latin America




480

480


Caterpillar Power Finance







Total
$
194

$
104

$
442

$
740

$
19,240

$
19,980

$
58


Allowance for credit loss activity
In estimating the allowance for credit losses, Cat Financial reviews loans and finance leases that are past due, non-performing or in bankruptcy. The allowance for credit losses as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 was as follows:
(Millions of dollars)
March 31, 2012
Allowance for Credit Losses:
Customer
Dealer
Total
Balance at beginning of year
$
360

$
6

$
366

Receivables written off
(24
)

(24
)
Recoveries on receivables previously written off
13


13

Provision for credit losses
18

1

19

Other
2


2

Balance at end of period
$
369

$
7

$
376

Allowance for Credit Losses:



Individually evaluated for impairment
$
54

$

$
54

Collectively evaluated for impairment
315

7

322

Ending Balance
$
369

$
7

$
376

Recorded Investment in Finance Receivables:



Individually evaluated for impairment
$
589

$

$
589

Collectively evaluated for impairment
17,619

2,527

20,146

Ending Balance
$
18,208

$
2,527

$
20,735


33


(Millions of dollars)
December 31, 2011
Allowance for Credit Losses:
Customer
Dealer
Total
Balance at beginning of year
$
357

$
5

$
362

Receivables written off
(210
)

(210
)
Recoveries on receivables previously written off
52


52

Provision for credit losses
167

1

168

Other
(6
)

(6
)
Balance at end of year
$
360

$
6

$
366

Allowance for Credit Losses:
Individually evaluated for impairment
$
56

$

$
56

Collectively evaluated for impairment
304

6

310

Ending Balance
$
360

$
6

$
366

Recorded Investment in Finance Receivables:



Individually evaluated for impairment
$
575

$

$
575

Collectively evaluated for impairment
17,018

2,387

19,405

Ending Balance
$
17,593

$
2,387

$
19,980

Credit quality of finance receivables
The credit quality of finance receivables is reviewed on a monthly basis.  Credit quality indicators include performing and non-performing.  Non-performing is defined as finance receivables currently over 120 days past due and/or on non-accrual status or in bankruptcy.  Finance receivables not meeting the criteria listed above are considered performing.  Non-performing receivables have the highest probability for credit loss.  The allowance for credit losses attributable to non-performing receivables is based on the most probable source of repayment, which is normally the liquidation of collateral.  In determining collateral value, Cat Financial estimates the current fair market value of the collateral. In addition, Cat Financial considers credit enhancements such as additional collateral and contractual third-party guarantees in determining the allowance for credit losses attributable to non-performing receivables.

The recorded investment in performing and non-performing finance receivables was as follows:


34


(Millions of dollars)
March 31, 2012
December 31, 2011
Customer
Dealer
Total
Customer
Dealer
Total
Performing






North America
$
5,445

$
1,709

$
7,154

$
5,490

$
1,689

$
7,179

Europe
2,251

56

2,307

2,166

57

2,223

Asia Pacific
2,863

180

3,043

2,853

161

3,014

Mining
1,660

1

1,661

1,473


1,473

Latin America
2,493

581

3,074

2,377

480

2,857

Caterpillar Power Finance
2,973


2,973

2,762


2,762

Total Performing
$
17,685

$
2,527

$
20,212

$
17,121

$
2,387

$
19,508

Non-Performing






North America
$
103

$

$
103

$
112

$

$
112

Europe
56


56

58


58

Asia Pacific
33


33

24


24

Mining
12


12

12


12

Latin America
162


162

108


108

Caterpillar Power Finance
157


157

158


158

Total Non-Performing
$
523

$

$
523

$
472

$

$
472

Performing & Non-Performing






North America
$
5,548

$
1,709

$
7,257

$
5,602

$
1,689

$
7,291

Europe
2,307

56

2,363

2,224

57

2,281

Asia Pacific
2,896

180

3,076

2,877

161

3,038

Mining
1,672

1

1,673

1,485


1,485

Latin America
2,655

581

3,236

2,485

480

2,965

Caterpillar Power Finance
3,130


3,130

2,920


2,920

Total
$
18,208

$
2,527

$
20,735

$
17,593

$
2,387

$
19,980

Troubled Debt Restructurings
A restructuring of a loan or finance lease receivable constitutes a troubled debt restructuring (TDR) when the lender grants a concession it would not otherwise consider to a borrower experiencing financial difficulties.  Concessions granted may include extended contract maturities, inclusion of interest only periods, below market interest rates, and extended skip payment periods.
TDRs are reviewed along with other receivables as part of management’s ongoing evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses.  The allowance for credit losses attributable to TDRs is based on the most probable source of repayment, which is normally the liquidation of collateral.  In determining collateral value, Cat Financial estimates the current fair market value of the collateral. In addition, Cat Financial factors in credit enhancements such as additional collateral and contractual third-party guarantees in determining the allowance for credit losses attributable to TDRs.
There were no loans or finance lease receivables modified as TDRs during the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 for the Dealer portfolio segment.
Customer loan and finance lease receivables modified as TDRs during the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, were as follows:

35


(Dollars in millions)
Three Months Ended March 31, 2012
Three Months Ended March 31, 2011
Number
of
Contracts
Pre-TDR
Outstanding
Recorded
Investment
Post-TDR
Outstanding
Recorded
Investment
Number
of
Contracts
Pre-TDR
Outstanding
Recorded
Investment
Post-TDR
Outstanding
Recorded
Investment
Customer





North America
23

$
2

$
2

24

$
5

$
5

Europe
7

7

7

1

1

1

Latin America



8

5

5

Caterpillar Power Finance 1,2
5

32

32

6

53

53

Total 3
35

$
41

$
41

39

$
64

$
64

1 During the three months ended March 31, 2012, $9 million of additional funds were subsequently loaned to a borrower whose terms had been modified in a TDR.  The $9 million of additional funds is not reflected in the table above.   At March 31, 2012, remaining commitments to lend additional funds to a borrower whose terms have been modified in a TDR were $14 million.
2 Three customers comprise $32 million of the pre-TDR and post-TDR outstanding recorded investment for the three months ended March 31, 2012. Four customers comprise the $53 million pre-TDR and post-TDR outstanding recorded investment for the three months ended March 31, 2011.
3 Modifications include extended contract maturities, inclusion of interest only periods, below market interest rates, and extended skip payment periods.
Customer TDRs with a payment default during the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, which had been modified within twelve months prior to the default date, were as follows:
(Dollars in millions)
Three Months Ended March 31, 2012
Three Months Ended March 31, 2011
Number of
Contracts
Post-TDR
Recorded
Investment
Number of
Contracts
Post-TDR
Recorded
Investment
Customer


North America
11

$
1

34

$
6

Caterpillar Power Finance 1
14

19

6

5

Total
25

$
20

40

$
11

1 Two customers comprise the $19 million post-TDR recorded investment for the three months ended March 31, 2012.
B. Securitized Retail Installment Sale Contracts and Finance Leases
Cat Financial has periodically transferred certain finance receivables relating to retail installment sale contracts and finance leases to SPEs as part of their asset-backed securitization program.
On April 25, 2011, Cat Financial exercised a clean-up call on their only outstanding asset-backed securitization transaction.  As a result, Cat Financial had no assets or liabilities related to their securitization program as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011.

16. Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest — Caterpillar Japan Ltd.
On August 1, 2008, Shin Caterpillar Mitsubishi Ltd. (SCM) completed the first phase of a share redemption plan whereby SCM redeemed half of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI’s) shares in SCM.  This resulted in Caterpillar owning 67 percent of the outstanding shares of SCM and MHI owning the remaining 33 percent.  As part of the share redemption, SCM was renamed Caterpillar Japan Ltd. (Cat Japan).  Both Cat Japan and MHI had options, exercisable beginning August 1, 2013, to require the redemption of the remaining shares owned by MHI, which if exercised, would make Caterpillar the sole owner of Cat Japan. In October 2011, Caterpillar and MHI reached an agreement to accelerate the redemption of the 33 percent shares owned by MHI in Cat Japan, making the options exercisable beginning in the second

36


quarter of 2012 at an agreed upon redemption value. On April 2, 2012, the redemption of the remaining 33 percent interest was completed, resulting in Caterpillar becoming the sole owner of Cat Japan. Caterpillar paid $444 million (36.5 billion Japanese yen) to acquire the remaining equity interest held by MHI. This transaction was financed with available cash.
As of March 31, 2012, the remaining 33 percent of Cat Japan owned by MHI has been reported as redeemable noncontrolling interest and classified as mezzanine equity (temporary equity) in the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position. The redeemable noncontrolling interest is reported at its estimated redemption value.  Any adjustment to the redemption value impacts Profit employed in the business, but does not impact Profit.  If the fair value of the redeemable noncontrolling interest falls below the redemption value, profit available to common stockholders would be reduced by the difference between the redemption value and the fair value.  This would result in lower profit in the profit per common share computation in that period.  Reductions impacting the profit per common share computation may be partially or fully reversed in subsequent periods if the fair value of the redeemable noncontrolling interest increases relative to the redemption value.  Such increases in profit per common share would be limited to cumulative prior reductions.  As Cat Japan’s functional currency is the Japanese yen, changes in exchange rates affect the reported amount of the redeemable noncontrolling interest.  During the first quarter of 2012, there was no change in the estimated redemption value other than the decrease of $18 million due to depreciation of the Japanese yen against the U.S. dollar. During the first quarter of 2011, the estimated redemption value decreased, resulting in an adjustment to the carrying value of the redeemable noncontrolling interest. Profit employed in the business increased by $8 million due to this adjustment. As of March 31, 2012, the fair value of the redeemable noncontrolling interest remained greater than the estimated redemption value.
We estimate the fair value of the redeemable noncontrolling interest using a discounted five year forecasted cash flow with a year-five residual value.  Based on our current expectations for Cat Japan, we expect the fair value of the redeemable noncontrolling interest to remain greater than the redemption value. However, if economic conditions deteriorate and Cat Japan’s business forecast is negatively impacted, it is possible that the fair value of the redeemable noncontrolling interest may fall below the estimated redemption value. Should this occur, profit would be reduced in the profit per common share computation by the difference between the redemption value and the fair value.  Lower long-term growth rates, reduced long-term profitability as well as changes in interest rates, costs, pricing, capital expenditures and general market conditions may reduce the fair value of the redeemable noncontrolling interest.
With the consolidation of Cat Japan’s results of operations, 33 percent of Cat Japan’s comprehensive income or loss is attributed to the redeemable noncontrolling interest, impacting its carrying value.  Because the redeemable noncontrolling interest must be reported at its estimated future redemption value, the impact from attributing the comprehensive income or loss is offset by adjusting the carrying value to the redemption value.  This adjustment impacts Profit employed in the business, but not Profit.  For the three months ended March 31, 2012, the carrying value had increased by $10 million due to Cat Japan’s comprehensive income.  This resulted in an offsetting adjustment of $10 million to decrease the carrying value to the redemption value and a corresponding increase to Profit employed in the business. For the three months ended March 31, 2011, the carrying value had increased by $23 million due to Cat Japan’s comprehensive income. This resulted in an offsetting adjustment of $23 million to decrease the carrying value to the redemption value and a corresponding increase to Profit employed in the business.  At March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the redeemable noncontrolling interest was $455 million and $473 million, respectively.

17. Fair Value Measurements
A. Fair value measurements
The guidance on fair value measurements defines fair value as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants.  This guidance also specifies a fair value hierarchy based upon the observability of inputs used in valuation techniques.  Observable inputs (highest level) reflect market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs (lowest level) reflect internally developed market assumptions.  In accordance with this guidance, fair value measurements are classified under the following hierarchy:
Level 1 Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets.

Level 2 — Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs or significant value-drivers are observable in active markets.


37


Level 3 — Model-derived valuations in which one or more significant inputs or significant value-drivers are unobservable.

When available, we use quoted market prices to determine fair value, and we classify such measurements within Level 1.  In some cases where market prices are not available, we make use of observable market based inputs to calculate fair value, in which case the measurements are classified within Level 2.  If quoted or observable market prices are not available, fair value is based upon internally developed models that use, where possible, current market-based parameters such as interest rates, yield curves and currency rates.  These measurements are classified within Level 3.
Fair value measurements are classified according to the lowest level input or value-driver that is significant to the valuation.  A measurement may therefore be classified within Level 3 even though there may be significant inputs that are readily observable.
Fair value includes the consideration of nonperformance risk.  Nonperformance risk refers to the risk that an obligation (either by a counterparty or Caterpillar) will not be fulfilled.  For our financial assets traded in an active market (Level 1 and certain Level 2), the nonperformance risk is included in the market price.  For certain other financial assets and liabilities (Level 2 and 3), our fair value calculations have been adjusted accordingly.
Available-for-sale securities
Our available-for-sale securities, primarily at Cat Insurance, include a mix of equity and debt instruments (see Note 8 for additional information).  Fair values for our U.S. treasury bonds and equity securities are based upon valuations for identical instruments in active markets.  Fair values for other government bonds, corporate bonds and mortgage-backed debt securities are based upon models that take into consideration such market-based factors as recent sales, risk-free yield curves and prices of similarly rated bonds.
Derivative financial instruments
The fair value of interest rate swap derivatives is primarily based on models that utilize the appropriate market-based forward swap curves and zero-coupon interest rates to determine discounted cash flows.  The fair value of foreign currency and commodity forward and option contracts is based on a valuation model that discounts cash flows resulting from the differential between the contract price and the market-based forward rate.
Guarantees
The fair value of guarantees is based upon our estimate of the premium a market participant would require to issue the same guarantee in a stand-alone arms-length transaction with an unrelated party. If quoted or observable market prices are not available, fair value is based upon internally developed models that utilize current market-based assumptions.

Assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis at fair value, primarily related to Financial Products, included in our Consolidated Statement of Financial Position as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 are summarized below:

38


(Millions of dollars)
March 31, 2012
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Total
Assets / Liabilities,
at Fair Value
Assets




Available-for-sale securities




Government debt




U.S. treasury bonds
$
12

$

$

$
12

Other U.S. and non-U.S. government bonds

123


123

Corporate bonds




Corporate bonds

604


604

Asset-backed securities

98


98

Mortgage-backed debt securities




U.S. governmental agency

279


279

Residential

29


29

Commercial

143


143

Equity securities




Large capitalization value
168



168

Smaller company growth
42



42

Total available-for-sale securities
222

1,276


1,498

Derivative financial instruments, net

183


183

Total Assets
$
222

$
1,459

$

$
1,681

Liabilities




Guarantees
$

$

$
7

$
7

Total Liabilities
$

$

$
7

$
7

(Millions of dollars)
December 31, 2011
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Total
Assets / Liabilities,
at Fair Value
Assets




Available-for-sale securities




Government debt




U.S. treasury bonds
$
10

$

$

$
10

Other U.S. and non-U.S. government bonds

92


92

Corporate bonds




Corporate bonds

572


572

Asset-backed securities

111


111

Mortgage-backed debt securities




U.S. governmental agency

310


310

Residential

30


30

Commercial

145


145

Equity securities




Large capitalization value
148



148

Smaller company growth
29



29

Total available-for-sale securities
187

1,260


1,447

Derivative financial instruments, net

145


145

Total Assets
$
187

$
1,405

$

$
1,592

Liabilities




Guarantees
$

$

$
7

$
7

Total Liabilities
$

$

$
7

$
7


Below are roll-forwards of assets and liabilities measured at fair value using Level 3 inputs for the three months ended

39


March 31, 2012 and 2011 .  These instruments were valued using pricing models that, in management’s judgment, reflect the assumptions of a marketplace participant.
(Millions of dollars)
Guarantees
Balance at December 31, 2011
$
7

Issuance of guarantees

Expiration of guarantees

Balance at March 31, 2012
$
7

Balance at December 31, 2010
$
10

Issuance of guarantees
1

Expiration of guarantees
(1
)
Balance at March 31, 2011
$
10

In addition to the amounts above, Cat Financial had impaired loans with a fair value of $133 million and $141 million as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 , respectively.  A loan is considered impaired when management determines that collection of contractual amounts due is not probable.  In these cases, an allowance for credit losses is established based primarily on the fair value of associated collateral.  As the collateral’s fair value is based on observable market prices and/or current appraised values, the impaired loans are classified as Level 2 measurements.
B. Fair values of financial instruments
In addition to the methods and assumptions we use to record the fair value of financial instruments as discussed in the Fair value measurements section above, we used the following methods and assumptions to estimate the fair value of our financial instruments.
Cash and short-term investments
Carrying amount approximated fair value.
Restricted cash and short-term investments
Carrying amount approximated fair value.  Restricted cash and short-term investments are included in Prepaid expenses and other current assets in the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position.
Finance receivables
Fair value was estimated by discounting the future cash flows using current rates, representative of receivables with similar remaining maturities.
Wholesale inventory receivables
Fair value was estimated by discounting the future cash flows using current rates, representative of receivables with similar remaining maturities.
Short-term borrowings
Carrying amount approximated fair value.
Long-term debt
Fair value for Machinery and Power Systems and Financial Products fixed and floating rate debt was estimated based on quoted market prices.

Please refer to the table below for the fair values of our financial instruments.

40


Fair Value of Financial Instruments
March 31, 2012
December 31, 2011
(Millions of dollars)
Carrying
Amount
Fair
Value
Carrying
Amount
Fair
Value
Fair Value Levels
Reference
Assets




Cash and short-term investments
$
2,864

$
2,864

$
3,057

$
3,057

1
Restricted cash and short-term investments
51

51

87

87

1
Available-for-sale securities
1,498

1,498

1,447

1,447

1 & 2
Note 8
Finance receivables—net (excluding finance leases 1 )
13,276

13,099

12,689

12,516

2
Note 15
Wholesale inventory receivables—net (excluding finance leases 1 )
1,519

1,448

1,591

1,505

2
Note 15
Interest rate swaps—net
233

233

241

241

2
Note 4
Commodity contracts—net
1

1



2
Note 4

Liabilities




Short-term borrowings
4,774

4,774

3,988

3,988

1
Long-term debt (including amounts due within one year)




Machinery and Power Systems
8,966

10,566

8,973

10,737

2
Financial Products
22,213

23,265

21,631

22,674

1 & 2
Foreign currency contracts—net
51

51

89

89

2
Note 4
Commodity contracts—net


7

7

2
Note 4
Guarantees
7

7

7

7

3
Note 10
1 Total excluded items have a net carrying value at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 of $7,452 million and $7,324 million, respectively.

18. Business Combinations
Caterpillar Tohoku Ltd

In March 2012, we acquired 100 percent of the stock of Caterpillar Tohoku Ltd (Cat Tohoku). Cat Tohoku was an independently owned and operated dealership providing sales, rental, service and after market support for Caterpillar machines and engines in the northeastern part of Japan. The purchase price, net of $18 million of acquired cash, was approximately $202 million. The purchase price included the assumption of $77 million in third party debt as well as $64 million net trade payables due to Caterpillar. We paid approximately $59 million at closing and recognized a payable of $21 million for estimated consideration due in March 2013. The acquisition of Cat Tohoku supports Caterpillar's efforts to restructure its distribution network in Japan.

The transaction was financed with available cash. Tangible assets acquired of $251 million primarily include cash of $18 million, receivables of $33 million, inventory of $26 million, and property, plant and equipment of $157 million. Finite-lived intangible assets acquired were $8 million. Liabilities assumed of $132 million, recorded at their fair values, primarily included debt of $77 million and accounts payable of $39 million. Goodwill of $16 million, which is deductible for income tax purposes, represents the excess of cost over the fair value of net tangible assets acquired. These values represent a preliminary allocation of the purchase price subject to finalization of post-closing procedures. The results of the acquired business for the period from the acquisition date are included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements and are reported in the Construction Industries segment in Note 14. Assuming this transaction had been made at the beginning of any period presented, the consolidated pro forma results would not be materially different from reported results.
19. Divestitures and Assets held for sale
Bucyrus Distribution Business Divestiture
In conjunction with our acquisition of Bucyrus in July 2011, we announced our intention to sell the Bucyrus distribution business to Caterpillar dealers that support mining customers around the world in a series of individual transactions. Bucyrus predominantly employed a direct to end customer model to sell and support products. The intention is for all

41


Bucyrus products to be sold and serviced by Caterpillar dealers, consistent with our long-held distribution strategy. We expect these transitions will occur in phases, based on the mining business opportunity within each dealer territory.

As portions of the Bucyrus distribution business are sold or classified as held for sale, they will not qualify as discontinued operations because Caterpillar expects significant continuing direct cash flows from the Caterpillar dealers after the divestitures. The gain or loss on disposal, along with the continuing operations of these disposal groups, will be reported in the Resource Industries segment. Goodwill will be allocated to each disposal group using the relative fair value method. The value of the customer relationship intangibles related to each portion of the Bucyrus distribution business to be sold will be included in the disposal groups. The disposal groups will be recorded at the lower of their carrying value or fair value less cost to sell. There have been no impairments related to the Bucyrus distribution business as of March 31, 2012.

In December 2011, we sold a portion of the Bucyrus distribution business to the Industrial Division of Sime Darby Berhad operated by Hastings Deering. Five of the remaining divestiture transactions were classified as held for sale at March 31, 2012 and are expected to close throughout the remainder of 2012. During the three months ended March 31, 2012, $31 million of costs were incurred related to the Bucyrus distribution business divestiture activities ($26 million included in Selling, general and administrative expenses and $5 million included in Other operating (income) expenses). Current assets held for sale were included in Prepaid expenses and other current assets and non-current assets held for sale were included in Other assets in the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position. The major classes of assets held for sale were as follows:
(Millions of dollars)
March 31,
2012
December 31, 2011
Receivables
$

$
25

Inventory
185

109

Current assets held for sale
$
185

$
134

Property plant and equipment - net
$
30

$
28

Intangible Assets
220

186

Goodwill
347

296

Non-current assets held for sale
$
597

$
510

In April 2012, we committed to sell additional portions of the Bucyrus distribution business to two more Caterpillar dealers. These disposal groups qualified as held for sale in April 2012. The related assets were considered held and used at March 31, 2012. The major classes of assets that were held and used at March 31, 2012 but subsequently classified as assets held for sale were as follows:
(Millions of dollars)
March 31,
2012
Inventory
$
65

Property plant and equipment - net
23

Intangible Assets
51

Goodwill
87

Total Assets
$
226


20. Employee separation charges

In 2011, we reported employee separation charges of $ 112 million in Other operating (income) expenses in the Consolidated Statement of Results of Operations primarily related to the acquisition of Bucyrus. The majority of the charges were assigned to the Resource Industries segment.


42


For the three months ended March 31, 2012, we recognized employee separation charges of $ 32 million in Other operating (income) expenses in the Consolidated Statement of Results of Operations primarily related to the closure of the Electro-Motive Diesel facility located in London, Ontario. The majority of the charges were assigned to the Power Systems segment.

Our accounting for separations was dependent upon how the particular program was designed. For voluntary programs, eligible separation costs were recognized at the time of employee acceptance. For involuntary programs, eligible costs were recognized when management had approved the program, the affected employees had been properly notified and the costs were estimable.

In addition to the separation charges noted above, in first quarter of 2012 we reported $6 million of net gains associated with certain pension and other postretirement benefit plans, which were also recognized in Other operating (income) expenses in the Consolidated Statement of Results of Operations. See Note 9 for additional information.

The following table summarizes the 2011 and 2012 separation activity:
(Millions of dollars)
Total
Liability balance at December 31, 2010
$
22

Increase in liability (separation charges)
$
112

Reduction in liability (payments and other adjustments)
(44
)
Liability balance at December 31, 2011
$
90

Increase in liability (separation charges)
$
32

Reduction in liability (payments and other adjustments)
(103
)
Liability balance at March 31, 2012
$
19


The remaining liability balances as of March 31, 2012 represent costs for employees that have either not yet separated from the Company or their full severance has not yet been paid. The majority of these remaining costs are expected to be paid in 2012.


43


Item 2.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Overview
We reported a record quarterly profit per share of $2.37 in the first quarter of 2012. This represents an increase of 29 percent from first-quarter 2011 profit per share of $1.84. First-quarter 2012 sales and revenues of $15.981 billion were up 23 percent from $12.949 billion in the first quarter of 2011. Profit was a record $1.586 billion in the quarter, an increase of 29 percent from $1.225 billion in the first quarter of 2011.

These results reflect our continued focus on execution and controlling costs as we increase production and expand capacity to meet increasing demand from our customers. We are experiencing strong global demand for most mining products and significant growth in demand for replacement products in the United States, which more than offset slowing in China and Brazil.

Highlights for the first quarter of 2012 include:
First-quarter sales and revenues of $15.981 billion were 23 percent higher than the first quarter of 2011.

Profit per share was $2.37 in the first quarter of 2012, our highest quarterly profit per share on record. First-quarter 2012 profit per share increased $0.53 from the first quarter of 2011.

Machinery & Power Systems (M&PS) operating cash flow was $234 million in the first quarter of 2012, compared with $1.644 billion in the first quarter of 2011. The decrease was due to unfavorable changes in working capital and the payment of short-term incentive compensation based on record results in 2011.

M&PS debt-to-capital ratio was 40.5 percent at the end of the first quarter of 2012, compared with 42.7 percent at year-end 2011.








Notes:
Glossary of terms is included on pages 51-52; first occurrence of terms shown in bold italics.
Information on non-GAAP financial measures is included on pages 60-61.


44


Consolidated Results of Operations
THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2012 COMPARED WITH THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2011
CONSOLIDATED SALES AND REVENUES
The chart above graphically illustrates reasons for the change in Consolidated Sales and Revenues between the first quarter of 2011 (at left) and the first quarter of 2012 (at right). Items favorably impacting sales and revenues appear as upward stair steps with the corresponding dollar amounts above each bar, while items negatively impacting sales and revenues appear as downward stair steps with dollar amounts reflected in parentheses above each bar. Caterpillar management utilizes these charts internally to visually communicate with the company's Board of Directors and employees.

Total sales and revenues were $15.981 billion in the first quarter of 2012, an increase of $3.032 billion, or 23 percent, from the first quarter of 2011. The improvement was a result of sales volume , acquisitions and price realization . Sales volume improved $1.565 billion, as sales for both new equipment and aftermarket parts increased. Sales volume increased in nearly all segments and in all geographic regions except Latin America . In EAME, sales volume was about flat in Europe but was higher in Africa, the Middle East and the CIS. The acquisition of Bucyrus added $1.001 billion in sales, and the Motoren-Werke Mannheim Holding GmbH (MWM) acquisition added $143 million in sales. Price realization improved $306 million.
The volume increase in machinery was primarily the result of higher end user demand. Dealer-reported new machine inventory levels were up about $875 million during the quarter, while they were up about $825 million during the first quarter of 2011. Dealer-reported new machine inventory in months of supply was higher than the end of the first quarter of 2011, but was similar to the historical average. About two-thirds of the increase during the quarter was in North America, which is the region showing the strongest year-over-year improvement in dealer deliveries. While dealer inventory declined in China, it is still relatively high in terms of months of supply.
Growth in the global economy improved demand for most commodities, and while the prices for metals and coal were down, commodity prices remained attractive for investment. This was positive for mining in most regions of the world.
While sales of construction equipment were down in China and Brazil, we more than offset those declines with other increases, particularly in the developed world, as a result of our broad geographic reach. In developed countries, despite a weak but improving level of construction activity, sales increased as a result of customers upgrading machine fleets by replacing older equipment and dealers refreshing equipment in their rental fleets.
Sales of our rail products and services, including locomotives, increased due to higher demand. Worldwide demand for energy, at prices that encourage continued investment, resulted in higher sales of engines for petroleum applications.


45


CONSOLIDATED OPERATING PROFIT
The chart above graphically illustrates reasons for the change in Consolidated Operating Profit between the first quarter of 2011 (at left) and the first quarter of 2012 (at right). Items favorably impacting operating profit appear as upward stair steps with the corresponding dollar amounts above each bar, while items negatively impacting operating profit appear as downward stair steps with dollar amounts reflected in parentheses above each bar. Caterpillar management utilizes these charts internally to visually communicate with the company's Board of Directors and employees. The bar entitled Other includes consolidating adjustments and Machinery and Power Systems other operating (income) expenses .

Operating profit for the first quarter of 2012 was $2.323 billion compared with $1.833 billion for the first quarter of 2011. The increase was primarily the result of higher sales volume and improved price realization. The improvements were partially offset by higher manufacturing costs and increased SG&A and R&D expenses.
Manufacturing costs were up $268 million primarily due to higher period costs related to production volume and capacity expansion programs. Material and freight costs were up from the first quarter of 2011. The increase in material was due to higher steel costs. SG&A and R&D expenses increased $119 million primarily due to higher volume, increased costs to support product programs and wage and benefit inflation.
While manufacturing period costs, SG&A and R&D increased, as a percent of sales, each declined compared with the first quarter of 2011. This focus on cost control contributed to the increase in operating profit as a percent of sales.
Financial Products' operating profit improved by $68 million.
Acquisitions favorably impacted operating profit by $53 million, primarily related to Bucyrus.
Other items negatively impacted operating profit by $76 million, primarily from expenses resulting from the closure of the Electro-Motive Diesel (EMD) facility located in London, Ontario, and the absence of a gain related to the sale of Carter Machinery Company Inc. in the first quarter of 2011.
Short-term incentive compensation expense related to 2012 was about $230 million in the first quarter of 2012. This is compared to about $220 million in the first quarter of 2011.
The amount of incremental operating profit we earn on incremental sales and revenues is an important performance metric. Sales and revenues increased $3.032 billion from the first quarter of 2011 to the first quarter of 2012, and operating profit increased $490 million. The resulting incremental operating profit rate is 16 percent. Excluding the acquisition of Bucyrus and MWM, incremental margin was about 23 percent.
The following table summarizes the impact of Bucyrus on first-quarter 2012 financial results.

46


Impact of Bucyrus on Operating Profit
(Millions of dollars)
Impact Excluding Divestiture-Related Expenses
First Quarter 2012
Sales
$
1,001

Cost of goods sold
(723
)
SG&A
(156
)
R&D
(36
)
Other operating expenses
(4
)
Operating profit (loss)
$
82

Divestiture-Related Expenses
SG&A
$
(26
)
Other operating expenses
(5
)
Operating profit (loss)
$
(31
)
Total Impact of Buycrus on Operating Profit
$
51


Other Profit/Loss Items
Interest expense excluding Financial Products increased $26 million from the first quarter of 2011 due to debt issued relating to the acquisition of Bucyrus.

Other income/expense was income of $88 million compared with income of $17 million in the first quarter of 2011. The increase was primarily due to the absence of first-quarter 2011 mark-to-market losses on interest rate swaps and credit facility fees associated with the debt issuance for the Bucyrus acquisition and the favorable impact of currency gains and losses.

The provision for income taxes in the first quarter of 2012 reflects an estimated annual effective tax rate of 30 percent compared with 29 percent for the first quarter of 2011 and 26.5 percent for the full-year 2011 excluding discrete items. The increase from full-year 2011 is primarily due to expected changes in our geographic mix of profits from a tax perspective and the expiration of the U.S. research and development tax credit.


















47


Segment Information
Sales and Revenues by Geographic Region
(Millions of dollars)
Total
%
Change
North
America
%
Change
Latin
America
%
Change
EAME
%
Change
Asia/
Pacific
%
Change
First Quarter 2012










Construction Industries 1
$
5,062

13
%
$
1,780

36
%
$
690

(2
)%
$
1,233

11
%
$
1,359

%
Resource Industries 2
4,778

73
%
1,560

69
%
690

17
%
1,030

77
%
1,498

123
%
Power Systems 3
4,987

12
%
2,178

10
%
491

7
%
1,377

15
%
941

15
%
All Other Segment 4
474

(20
)%
225

(34
)%
21

(34
)%
144

11
%
84

(2
)%
Corporate Items and Eliminations
(13
)
(11
)

(1
)
(1
)
Machinery & Power Systems Sales
15,288

25
%
5,732

26
%
1,892

6
%
3,783

25
%
3,881

33
%
Financial Products Segment
761

4
%
416

(3
)%
97

23
%
103

(4
)%
145

26
%
Corporate Items and Eliminations
(68
)
(46
)
(7
)
(7
)
(8
)

Financial Products Revenues
693

3
%
370

(3
)%
90

20
%
96

(9
)%
137

25
%
Consolidated Sales and Revenues
$
15,981

23
%
$
6,102

24
%
$
1,982

7
%
$
3,879

24
%
$
4,018

32
%
First Quarter 2011










Construction Industries 1
$
4,471

$
1,308

$
701

$
1,108

$
1,354


Resource Industries 2
2,768

925

589

583

671


Power Systems 3
4,449

1,979

460

1,194

816


All Other Segment 4
589

341

32

130

86


Machinery & Power Systems Sales
12,277


4,553


1,782


3,015


2,927


Financial Products Segment
730

429

79

107

115


Corporate Items and Eliminations
(58
)
(47
)
(4
)
(2
)
(5
)

Financial Products Revenues
672


382


75


105


110


Consolidated Sales and Revenues
$
12,949


$
4,935


$
1,857


$
3,120


$
3,037


1 Does not include inter-segment sales of $130 million and $147 million in the first quarter 2012 and 2011, respectively.
2 Does not include inter-segment sales of $328 million and $274 million in the first quarter 2012 and 2011, respectively.
3 Does not include inter-segment sales of $675 million and $554 million in the first quarter 2012 and 2011, respectively.
4 Does not include inter-segment sales of $907 million and $796 million in the first quarter 2012 and 2011, respectively.



48


Sales and Revenues by Segment
(Millions of dollars)
First Quarter 2011
Sales
Volume
Price
Realization
Currency
Acquisitions
Other
First Quarter 2012
$
Change
%
Change
Construction Industries
$
4,471

$
521

$
60

$
10

$

$

$
5,062

$
591

13
%
Resource Industries
2,768

834

177

(2
)
1,001


4,778

2,010

73
%
Power Systems
4,449

335

71

(11
)
143


4,987

538

12
%
All Other Segment
589

(114
)

(1
)


474

(115
)
(20
)%
Corporate Items and Eliminations

(11
)
(2
)



(13
)
(13
)

Machinery & Power Systems Sales
12,277

1,565

306

(4
)
1,144


15,288

3,011

25
%
Financial Products Segment
730





31

761

31

4
%
Corporate Items and Eliminations
(58
)




(10
)
(68
)
(10
)

Financial Products Revenues
672





21

693

21

3
%
Consolidated Sales and Revenues
$
12,949

$
1,565

$
306

$
(4
)
$
1,144

$
21

$
15,981

$
3,032

23
%
Operating Profit by Segment
(Millions of dollars)
First Quarter 2012
First Quarter 2011
$ Change
%
Change
Construction Industries
$
616

$
544

$
72

13
%
Resource Industries
1,168

796

372

47
%
Power Systems
812

700

112

16
%
All Other Segment
218

245

(27
)
(11
)%
Corporate Items and Eliminations
(617
)
(524
)
(93
)

Machinery & Power Systems
2,197

1,761

436

25
%
Financial Products Segment
205

136

69

51
%
Corporate Items and Eliminations
(11
)
(10
)
(1
)

Financial Products
194

126

68

54
%
Consolidating Adjustments
(68
)
(54
)
(14
)

Consolidated Operating Profit
$
2,323

$
1,833

$
490

27
%

Construction Industries
Construction Industries' sales were $5.062 billion in the first quarter of 2012, an increase of $591 million, or 13 percent, from the first quarter of 2011. The improvement in sales was a result of significantly higher sales volume in North America across all major products.
In North America and other developed countries, sales increased significantly despite relatively weak but improving construction activity. The improvement in sales was largely driven by the need for customers to upgrade machine fleets to replace older equipment and dealers refreshing equipment in their rental fleets. Despite the increase from a year ago, sales of new machines to customers in developed countries remain significantly below previous peak levels. The size of rental fleets increased slightly from post-recession lows, but the average age remained near the historical high.
The governments of China and Brazil tightened their economic policies in 2011. While both have begun to ease their policies, sales were down in both countries in the first quarter.
Construction Industries' profit was $616 million in the first quarter of 2012 compared with $544 million in the first quarter of 2011. The increase in profit was primarily due to higher sales volume and improved price realization.  The benefits from increased sales were partially offset by higher manufacturing costs associated with increased production volume and global capacity expansion, and the negative impact of currency, primarily due to a stronger Japanese yen.
Resource Industries
Resource Industries' sales were $4.778 billion in the first quarter of 2012, an increase of $2.010 billion, or 73 percent, from the first quarter of 2011. The sales increase was primarily due to the acquisition of Bucyrus in the third quarter of 2011 and higher

49


sales volume. While sales volume for both new equipment and aftermarket parts improved, the more significant increase was for new equipment.
Growth in the global economy improved demand for most commodities, and while the prices for metals and coal were down, commodity prices remained attractive for investment. That is driving significant demand for most of our large mining products and aftermarket parts. While demand for product was strong, the supply of many of our mining products was limited by our capacity, which is why we are continuing to invest.
While sales increased globally compared with the first quarter of 2011, sales in Latin America (excluding Bucyrus product) declined, primarily a result of the timing of shipments.
Bucyrus sales were $1.001 billion in the first quarter of 2012, with $273 million in North America, $174 million in Latin America, $181 million in EAME and $373 million in Asia/Pacific.
Resource Industries' profit was $1.168 billion in the first quarter of 2012 compared with $796 million in the first quarter of 2011. The acquisition of Bucyrus increased segment profit by $62 million.
Excluding Bucyrus, Resource Industries' profit increased $310 million, primarily due to higher sales volume and improved price realization. The improvement was partially offset by higher manufacturing, SG&A and R&D costs. The manufacturing cost increase was primarily due to higher period costs related to increased production volume and increased material costs.
Power Systems
Power Systems' sales were $4.987 billion in the first quarter of 2012, an increase of $538 million, or 12 percent, from the first quarter of 2011. The improvement was the result of higher sales volume and improved price realization. Sales were up in all geographic regions.
Sales of our rail products and services, including locomotives, increased due to higher demand. Worldwide demand for energy, at prices that encourage continued investment, resulted in higher sales of engines for petroleum applications. These increases were partially offset by reductions in sales of engines for electric power applications. Sales were relatively high in the first quarter of 2011 ahead of the introduction of new products to meet tier 4 emission requirements in the U.S. Industrial and marine engine sales were about flat compared with the first quarter of 2011.
Power Systems' profit was $812 million in the first quarter of 2012 compared with $700 million in the first quarter of 2011. The increase was primarily due to higher sales volume and improved price realization. The improvements were partially offset by increased manufacturing costs, SG&A expense and expenses resulting from the closure of the EMD facility located in London, Ontario.
MWM, acquired during the fourth quarter of 2011, added sales of $143 million and was about neutral to profit.
Financial Products Segment
The Financial Products business continues to improve with a growing asset portfolio and declining write-offs at Cat Financial.
Financial Products' revenues were $761 million, an increase of $31 million, or 4 percent, from the first quarter of 2011. The increase was primarily due to the impact from higher average earning assets, partially offset by an unfavorable impact from lower interest rates on new and existing finance receivables.
Financial Products' profit was $205 million in the first quarter of 2012, compared with $136 million in the first quarter of 2011. The increase, primarily related to Cat Financial, was due to a $36 million decrease in provision expense, an $18 million favorable impact from higher average earning assets and a $13 million favorable impact from higher net yield on average earning assets.
At the end of the first quarter of 2012, past dues at Cat Financial were 3.19 percent compared with 2.89 percent at the end of 2011. The increase in past dues from year-end 2011 is primarily due to seasonality impacts. At the end of the first quarter of 2011, past dues were 3.94 percent. Write-offs, net of recoveries, were $11 million for the first quarter of 2012, down from $41 million for the first quarter of 2011.
As of March 31, 2012, Cat Financial's allowance for credit losses totaled $379 million or 1.47 percent of net finance receivables, compared with $369 million or 1.47 percent of net finance receivables at year-end 2011. The allowance for credit losses as of March 31, 2011, was $380 million or 1.55 percent of net finance receivables.
Corporate Items and Eliminations
Expense for corporate items and eliminations was $628 million in the first quarter of 2012, an increase of $94 million from the first quarter of 2011. Corporate items and eliminations include: corporate-level expenses; timing differences, as some expenses are reported in segment profit on a cash basis; retirement benefit costs other than service cost; and currency differences, as segment profit is reported using annual fixed exchange rates and inter-segment eliminations.

50


Corporate items and expense from timing differences increased from the first quarter of 2011 and were partially offset by favorable currency differences. Segment profit for 2012 is based on fixed exchange rates set at the beginning of 2012, while segment profit for 2011 is based on fixed exchange rates set at the beginning of 2011. The difference in actual exchange rates compared with fixed exchange rates is included in corporate items and eliminations and is not reflected in segment profit. The favorable impact included in corporate items and eliminations related to currency was due to first-quarter 2012 actual exchange rates being favorable compared with 2012 fixed exchange rates.

GLOSSARY OF TERMS
1.
All Other Segment - Primarily includes activities such as: the remanufacturing of Cat engines and components and remanufacturing services for other companies as well as the business strategy, product management, development, manufacturing, marketing and product support of undercarriage, specialty products, hardened bar stock components and ground engaging tools primarily for Caterpillar products; logistics services for Caterpillar and other companies; the product management, development, marketing, sales and product support of on-highway vocational trucks for North America (U.S. and Canada only); distribution services responsible for dealer development and administration, dealer portfolio management and ensuring the most efficient and effective distribution of machines, engines and parts; and the 50/50 joint venture with Navistar (NC2) until it became a wholly owned subsidiary of Navistar effective September 29, 2011.

2.
Caterpillar Production System - The Caterpillar Production System is the common Order-to-Delivery process being implemented enterprise-wide to achieve our safety, quality, velocity, earnings and growth goals.

3.
Consolidating Adjustments - Eliminations of transactions between Machinery and Power Systems and Financial Products.

4.
Construction Industries - A segment responsible for small and core construction machines. Responsibility includes business strategy, product design, product management and development, manufacturing, marketing, and sales and product support. The product portfolio includes backhoe loaders, small wheel loaders, small track-type tractors, skid steer loaders, multi-terrain loaders, mini excavators, compact wheel loaders, select work tools, small, medium and large track excavators, wheel excavators, medium wheel loaders, medium track-type tractors, track-type loaders, motor graders and pipe layers. In addition, Construction Industries has responsibility for Power Systems and components in Japan and an integrated manufacturing cost center that supports Machinery and Power Systems businesses.

5.
Currency - With respect to sales and revenues, currency represents the translation impact on sales resulting from changes in foreign currency exchange rates versus the U.S. dollar. With respect to operating profit, currency represents the net translation impact on sales and operating costs resulting from changes in foreign currency exchange rates versus the U.S. dollar. Currency includes the impact on sales and operating profit for the Machinery and Power Systems lines of business only; currency impacts on Financial Products revenues and operating profit are included in the Financial Products portions of the respective analyses. With respect to other income/expense, currency represents the effects of forward and option contracts entered into by the company to reduce the risk of fluctuations in exchange rates and the net effect of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on our foreign currency assets and liabilities for consolidated results.

6.
Debt-to-Capital Ratio - A key measure of financial strength used by both management and our credit rating agencies. The metric is a ratio of Machinery and Power Systems debt (short-term borrowings plus long-term debt) and redeemable noncontrolling interest to the sum of Machinery and Power Systems debt, redeemable noncontrolling interest and stockholders' equity.

7.
EAME - A geographic region including Europe, Africa, the Middle East and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).

8.
Earning Assets - Assets consisting primarily of total finance receivables net of unearned income, plus equipment on operating leases, less accumulated depreciation at Cat Financial.

9.
Financial Products Segment - Provides financing to customers and dealers for the purchase and lease of Caterpillar and other equipment, as well as some financing for Caterpillar sales to dealers. Financing plans include operating and finance leases, installment sale contracts, working capital loans and wholesale financing plans. The division also provides various forms of insurance to customers and dealers to help support the purchase and lease of our equipment.

10.
Latin America - Geographic region including Central and South American countries and Mexico.


51


11.
Machinery and Power Systems (M&PS) - Represents the aggregate total of Construction Industries, Resource Industries, Power Systems, and All Other segments and related corporate items and eliminations.

12.
Machinery and Power Systems Other Operating (Income) Expenses - Comprised primarily of gains/losses on disposal of long-lived assets, long-lived asset impairment charges, pension curtailment charges and employee redundancy costs.

13.
Manufacturing Costs - Manufacturing costs exclude the impacts of currency and represent the volume-adjusted change for variable costs and the absolute dollar change for period manufacturing costs. Variable manufacturing costs are defined as having a direct relationship with the volume of production. This includes material costs, direct labor and other costs that vary directly with production volume such as freight, power to operate machines and supplies that are consumed in the manufacturing process. Period manufacturing costs support production but are defined as generally not having a direct relationship to short-term changes in volume. Examples include machinery and equipment repair, depreciation on manufacturing assets, facility support, procurement, factory scheduling, manufacturing planning and operations management.

14.
Power Systems - A segment responsible for the business strategy, product design, product management, development, manufacturing, marketing, sales and product support of reciprocating engine powered generator sets, integrated systems used in the electric power generation industry, reciprocating engines and integrated systems and solutions for the marine and petroleum industries; reciprocating engines supplied to the industrial industry as well as Caterpillar machinery; the business strategy, product design, product management, development, manufacturing, marketing, sales and product support of turbines and turbine-related services; the development, manufacturing, remanufacturing, maintenance, leasing and service of diesel-electric locomotives and components and other rail-related products and services.

15.
Price Realization - The impact of net price changes excluding currency and new product introductions. Consolidated price realization includes the impact of changes in the relative weighting of sales between geographic regions.

16.
Resource Industries - A segment responsible for business strategy, product design, product management and development, manufacturing, marketing and sales and product support for large track-type tractors, large mining trucks, underground mining equipment, tunnel boring equipment, large wheel loaders, off-highway trucks, articulated trucks, wheel tractor scrapers, wheel dozers, compactors, select work tools, forestry products, paving products, machinery components and electronics and control systems. In addition, Resource Industries manages areas that provide services to other parts of the company, including integrated manufacturing, research and development and coordination of the Caterpillar Production System. On July 8, 2011, the acquisition of Bucyrus International was completed. This added the responsibility for business strategy, product design, product management and development, manufacturing, marketing and sales and product support for electric rope shovels, draglines, hydraulic shovels, drills, highwall miners and electric drive off-highway trucks to Resource Industries. In addition, Resource Industries segment profit includes Bucyrus acquisition-related costs and the impact from divestiture of the former Bucyrus distribution businesses.

17.
Sales Volume - With respect to sales and revenues, sales volume represents the impact of changes in the quantities sold for Machinery and Power Systems as well as the incremental revenue impact of new product introductions, including emissions-related product updates. With respect to operating profit, sales volume represents the impact of changes in the quantities sold for Machinery and Power Systems combined with product mix as well as the net operating profit impact of new product introductions, including emissions-related product updates. Product mix represents the net operating profit impact of changes in the relative weighting of Machinery and Power Systems sales with respect to total sales.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Sources of funds
We generate significant capital resources from operating activities, which are the primary source of funding for our Machinery and Power Systems operations. Funding for these businesses is also provided by commercial paper and long-term debt issuances. Financial Products operations are funded primarily from commercial paper, term debt issuances and collections from the existing portfolio. Throughout the first quarter of 2012, we experienced favorable liquidity conditions globally in both our Machinery and Power Systems and Financial Products operations. On a consolidated basis, we ended first quarter 2012 with $2.9 billion of cash, a decrease of $193 million from year-end 2011. Our cash balances are held in numerous locations throughout the world. We expect to meet our United States funding needs without repatriating undistributed profits that are indefinitely reinvested outside the United States.

Consolidated operating cash flow for the first quarter of 2012 was $330 million, down from $765 million for the same period a

52


year ago. The decrease was primarily due to changes in inventory and short-term incentive compensation. Inventory increased more in the first quarter of 2012 than in the first quarter of 2011. Much of the increase in the first quarter of 2012 was in finished goods to support 2012 sales. In addition, we built inventory in China to support higher sales following the Chinese New Year; however, sales were not at the level we expected, and inventory increased. Also contributing to the decline in operating cash flow was the payment of additional short-term incentive compensation during the first quarter of 2012 compared with the first quarter of 2011. Partially offsetting these items were higher profit and an increase in customer advances. See further discussion of operating cash flow under Machinery and Power Systems and Financial Products.
Total debt as of March 31, 2012 was $35.95 billion, an increase of $1.36 billion from year-end 2011. Debt related to Machinery and Power Systems increased $596 million in the first quarter of 2012, primarily due to the issuance of commercial paper and higher short-term bank borrowings used for general liquidity purposes. Debt related to Financial Products increased $765 million reflecting increasing portfolio balances at Cat Financial.

We have three global credit facilities with a syndicate of banks totaling $8.5 billion (Credit Facility) available in the aggregate to both Caterpillar and Cat Financial to support the commercial paper programs in the event those programs become unavailable and for general liquidity purposes.  Based on management's allocation decision, which can be revised from time to time, the portion of the Credit Facility available to Cat Financial as of March 31, 2012 was $6.5 billion.

·
The 364-day facility of $2.55 billion expires in September 2012.
·
The four-year facility of $2.09 billion expires in September 2014.
·
The five-year facility of $3.86 billion expires in September 2016.

At March 31, 2012, Caterpillar's consolidated net worth was $21.47 billion, which was above the $9.00 billion required under the Credit Facility.  The consolidated net worth is defined as the consolidated stockholder's equity including preferred stock but excluding the pension and other postretirement benefits balance within Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).

At March 31, 2012, Cat Financial's covenant interest coverage ratio was 1.66 to 1.  This is above the 1.15 to 1 minimum ratio calculated as (1) profit excluding income taxes, interest expense and net gain/(loss) from interest rate derivatives to (2) interest expense calculated at the end of each calendar quarter for the rolling four quarter period then most recently ended, required by the Credit Facility.

In addition, at March 31, 2012, Cat Financial's covenant leverage ratio was 7.89 to 1. This is below the maximum ratio of debt to net worth of 10 to 1, calculated (1) on a monthly basis as the average of the leverage ratios determined on the last day of each of the six preceding calendar months and (2) at each December 31, required by the Credit Facility.

In the event Caterpillar or Cat Financial does not meet one or more of their respective financial covenants under the Credit Facility in the future (and are unable to obtain a consent or waiver), the bank group may terminate the commitments allocated to the party that does not meet its covenants.  Additionally, in such event, certain of Cat Financial's other lenders under other loan agreements where similar financial covenants or cross default provisions are applicable, may, at their election, choose to pursue remedies under those loan agreements, including accelerating the repayment of outstanding borrowings.  At March 31, 2012, there were no borrowings under the Credit Facility.

Our total credit commitments as of March 31, 2012 were:
March 31, 2012
(Millions of dollars)
Consolidated
Machinery
and Power
Systems
Financial
Products
Credit lines available:



Global credit facilities
$
8,500

$
2,000

$
6,500

Other external
4,358

474

3,884

Total credit lines available
12,858

2,474

10,384

Less: Global credit facilities supporting commercial paper
(3,464
)
(500
)
(2,964
)
Less: Utilized credit
(2,299
)
(141
)
(2,158
)
Available credit
$
7,095

$
1,833

$
5,262

Other consolidated credit lines with banks as of March 31, 2012 totaled $4.36 billion. These committed and uncommitted credit

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lines, which may be eligible for renewal at various future dates or have no specified expiration date, are used primarily by our subsidiaries for local funding requirements. Caterpillar or Cat Financial may guarantee subsidiary borrowings under these lines.

In the event that Caterpillar or Cat Financial, or any of their debt securities, experiences a credit rating downgrade, it would likely result in an increase in our borrowing costs and make access to certain credit markets more difficult. In the event economic conditions deteriorate such that access to debt markets becomes unavailable, our Machinery and Power Systems operations would rely on cash flow from operations, use of existing cash balances, borrowings from Cat Financial and access to our Credit Facility. Our Financial Products operations would rely on cash flow from its existing portfolio, utilization of existing cash balances, access to our Credit Facility and other credit line facilities of Cat Financial and potential borrowings from Caterpillar. In addition, we maintain a support agreement with Cat Financial, which requires Caterpillar to remain the sole owner of Cat Financial and may, under certain circumstances, require Caterpillar to make payments to Cat Financial should Cat Financial fail to maintain certain financial ratios.

Machinery and Power Systems
Net cash provided by operating activities was $234 million in the first quarter of 2012, compared with $1.64 billion for the same period in 2011. The decrease was primarily due to changes in inventory, receivables and short-term incentive compensation. Inventory increased more in the first quarter of 2012 than in the first quarter of 2011. Much of the increase in the first quarter of 2012 was in finished goods to support 2012 sales. In addition, we built inventory in China to support higher sales following the Chinese New Year; however, sales were not at the level we expected, and inventory increased. We continued to benefit from improved receivables performance in the first quarter of 2012, but the change in receivables was not significant. During the first quarter of 2011, we experienced decreases in receivables, resulting from increased sales of receivables to Cat Financial to support expected acquisitions. Also contributing to the decline in operating cash flow was the payment of additional short-term incentive compensation during the first quarter of 2012 compared with the first quarter of 2011. Partially offsetting these items were higher profit and an increase in customer advances.

Net cash used for investing activities in the first quarter of 2012 was $819 million compared with net cash provided by investing activities of $485 million in the first quarter of 2011. The change was primarily due to the absence of loan repayments from Cat Financial and divestiture proceeds from 2011, along with higher capital expenditures in 2012. Net cash provided by financing activities in the first quarter of 2012 was $367 million compared with net cash used for financing activities of $329 million in the first quarter of 2011. The change was primarily due to the issuance of commercial paper and higher short-term bank borrowings used for general liquidity purposes.

Our priorities for the use of cash are maintaining a strong financial position that helps maintain our credit rating, providing capital to support growth, appropriately funding employee benefit plans, paying dividends and repurchasing common stock with excess cash.

Strong financial position - A key measure of Machinery and Power Systems' financial strength used by both management and our credit rating agencies is Machinery and Power Systems' debt-to-capital ratio. Debt-to-capital is defined as short-term borrowings, long-term debt due within one year, redeemable noncontrolling interest and long-term debt due after one year (debt) divided by the sum of debt (including redeemable noncontrolling interest) and stockholders' equity. Debt also includes borrowings from Financial Products. The debt-to-capital ratio for Machinery and Power Systems was 40.5 percent at March 31, 2012, within our target range of 30 to 45 percent, compared with 42.7 percent at December 31, 2011. Profit during the first quarter of 2012 was the primary contributor to the reduction in the debt-to-capital ratio.

Capital to support growth - Capital expenditures during first quarter 2012 were $864 million, an increase of $296 million compared with 2011. We expect capital expenditures for 2012 to be about $4 billion. In November 2011, we announced a pre-conditional voluntary offer to acquire all of the issued shares of ERA Mining Machinery Limited (ERA). On April 30, 2012, a voluntary conditional offer to acquire all of the issued shares was filed with The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited, with the acquisition expected to close during 2012. The offer values the total shares of ERA at between HK$4,490 million and HK$6,885 million (approximately $575 million and $900 million, respectively) on a fully diluted basis. The acquisition of ERA is planned to be funded with available non-U.S. cash, with a portion of the acquisition price to be paid in 2012 and further payments to be made in 2013 and 2014.

Appropriately funded employee benefit plans - We contributed $174 million to our pension plans during the first quarter of 2012. Total pension contributions are anticipated to be approximately $1 billion in 2012.

Paying dividends - Dividends paid totaled $298 million in the first quarter of 2012, representing 46 cents per share. Each

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quarter, our Board of Directors reviews the company's dividend for the applicable quarter. The Board evaluates the financial condition of the company and considers the economic outlook, corporate cash flow, the company's liquidity needs, and the health and stability of global credit markets to determine whether to maintain or change the quarterly dividend.

Common stock repurchases - Pursuant to the February 2007 Board-authorized stock repurchase program, $3.8 billion of the $7.5 billion authorized was spent through 2008.  In December 2011, the Board of Directors extended the authorization for the $7.5 billion stock repurchase program through December 31, 2015. We have not repurchased stock under the program since 2008.  Basic shares outstanding as of March 31, 2012 were 652 million.

Financial Products
Financial Products operating cash flow was $252 million in the first quarter of 2012, compared with $282 million for the same period a year ago.  Net cash used for investing activities was $623 million for the first quarter of 2012, compared with $1.12 billion for the same period in 2011. The change was primarily due to less net cash used for finance receivables due to slower growth in Cat Financial's wholesale notes portfolio. Net cash provided by financing activities was $359 million for the first quarter of 2012, compared with $263 million for the same period in 2011. The change was primarily due to the impact of net intercompany borrowings, partially offset by lower funding requirements by Cat Financial.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts. The more significant estimates include: residual values for leased assets, fair values for goodwill impairment tests, impairment of available-for-sale securities, warranty liability, stock-based compensation, reserves for product liability and insurance losses, postretirement benefits, post-sale discounts, credit losses and income taxes. We have incorporated many years of data into the determination of each of these estimates and we have not historically experienced significant adjustments. These assumptions are reviewed at least annually with the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors.  Following are the methods and assumptions used in determining our estimates and an indication of the risks inherent in each.
Residual values for leased assets — The residual values for Cat Financial’s leased assets, which are based upon the estimated wholesale market value of leased equipment at the time of the expiration of the lease, are based on a careful analysis of historical wholesale market sales prices, projected forward on a level trend line without consideration for inflation or possible future pricing action.  At the inception of the lease, residual values are derived from consideration of the following critical factors: market size and demand, any known significant market/product trends, total expected hours of usage, machine configuration, application, location, model changes, quantities and past re-marketing experience, third-party residual guarantees and contractual customer purchase options.  During the term of the leases, residual amounts are monitored.  If estimated market values reflect a non-temporary impairment due to economic factors, obsolescence or other adverse circumstances, the residuals are adjusted to the lower estimated values by a charge to earnings.  For equipment on operating leases, the charge is recognized through depreciation expense.  For finance leases, it is recognized through a reduction of finance revenue.
Fair values for goodwill impairment tests — We test goodwill for impairment annually, at the reporting unit level, and whenever events or circumstances make it likely that an impairment may have occurred, such as a significant adverse change in the business climate or a decision to sell all or a portion of a reporting unit.  We perform our annual goodwill impairment test as of October 1 and monitor for interim triggering events on an ongoing basis.
Goodwill is reviewed for impairment utilizing a qualitative assessment or a two-step process. We have an option to make a qualitative assessment of a reporting unit's goodwill for impairment. If we choose to perform a qualitative assessment and determine the fair value more likely than not exceeds the carrying value, no further evaluation is necessary. For reporting units where we perform the two-step process, the first step requires us to compare the fair value of each reporting unit, which we primarily determine using an income approach based on the present value of discounted cash flows, to the respective carrying value, which includes goodwill. If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds its carrying value, the goodwill is not considered impaired. If the carrying value is higher than the fair value, there is an indication that an impairment may exist and the second step is required. In step two, the implied fair value of goodwill is calculated as the excess of the fair value of a reporting unit over the fair values assigned to its assets and liabilities. If the implied fair value of goodwill is less than the carrying value of the reporting unit's goodwill, the difference is recognized as an impairment loss.
The impairment test process requires valuation of the respective reporting unit, which we primarily determine using an income

55


approach based on a discounted five year forecasted cash flow with a year-five residual value. The residual value is computed using the constant growth method, which values the forecasted cash flows in perpetuity. The income approach is supported by a reconciliation of our calculated fair value for Caterpillar to the company’s market capitalization. The assumptions about future cash flows and growth rates are based on each reporting unit’s long-term forecast and are subject to review and approval by senior management. The discount rate is based on our weighted average cost of capital, which we believe approximates the rate from a market participant’s perspective. The estimated fair value could be impacted by changes in market conditions, interest rates, growth rates, tax rates, costs, pricing and capital expenditures.
A prolonged economic downturn resulting in lower long-term growth rates and reduced long-term profitability may reduce the fair value of our reporting units. Industry specific events or circumstances that have a negative impact to the valuation assumptions may also reduce the fair value of our reporting units.  Should such events occur and it becomes more likely than not that a reporting unit’s fair value has fallen below its carrying value, we will perform an interim goodwill impairment test(s), in addition to the annual impairment test.  Future impairment tests may result in a goodwill impairment, depending on the outcome of both step one and step two of the impairment review process.  A goodwill impairment would be reported as a non-cash charge to earnings.
Impairment of available-for-sale securities Available-for-sale securities, primarily at Cat Insurance, are reviewed at least quarterly to identify fair values below cost which may indicate that a security is impaired and should be written down to fair value.
For debt securities, once a security’s fair value is below cost we utilize data gathered by investment managers, external sources and internal research to monitor the performance of the security to determine whether an other-than-temporary impairment has occurred.  These reviews, which include an analysis of whether it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell the security before its anticipated recovery, consist of both quantitative and qualitative analysis and require a degree of management judgment.  Securities in a loss position are monitored and assessed at least quarterly based on severity of loss and may be deemed other-than-temporarily impaired at any time.  Once a security’s fair value has been twenty percent or more below its original cost for six consecutive months, the security will be other-than-temporarily impaired unless there are sufficient facts and circumstances supporting otherwise.
For equity securities in a loss position, determining whether the security is other-than-temporarily impaired requires an analysis of the securities’ historical sector returns and volatility. This information is utilized to estimate the security’s future fair value to assess whether the security has the ability to recover to its original cost over a reasonable period of time as follows:
Historical annualized sector returns over a two-year period are analyzed to estimate the security’s fair value over the next two years.

The volatility factor for the security is applied to the sector historical returns to further estimate the fair value of the security over the next two years.
In the event the estimated future fair value is less than the original cost, qualitative factors are then considered in determining whether a security is other-than-temporarily impaired, which includes reviews of the following:  significant changes in the regulatory, economic or technological environment of the investee, significant changes in the general market condition of either the geographic area or the industry in which the investee operates, and length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than cost.  These qualitative factors are subjective and require a degree of management judgment.
Warranty liability — At the time a sale is recognized, we record estimated future warranty costs.  The warranty liability is determined by applying historical claim rate experience to the current field population and dealer inventory.  Generally, historical claim rates are based on actual warranty experience for each product by machine model/engine size.  Specific rates are developed for each product build month and are updated monthly based on actual warranty claim experience.  Warranty costs may differ from those estimated if actual claim rates are higher or lower than our historical rates.
Stock-based compensation — We use a lattice-based option-pricing model to calculate the fair value of our stock options and SARs.  The calculation of the fair value of the awards using the lattice-based option-pricing model is affected by our stock price on the date of grant as well as assumptions regarding the following:
Volatility is a measure of the amount by which the stock price is expected to fluctuate each year during the expected term of the award and is based on historical and current implied volatilities from traded options on Caterpillar stock. The implied volatilities from traded options are impacted by changes in market conditions.  An increase in the volatility would result in an increase in our expense.


56


The expected term represents the period of time that awards granted are expected to be outstanding and is an output of the lattice-based option-pricing model. In determining the expected term of the award, future exercise and forfeiture patterns are estimated from Caterpillar employee historical exercise behavior.  These patterns are also affected by the vesting conditions of the award.  Changes in the future exercise behavior of employees or in the vesting period of the award could result in a change in the expected term.  An increase in the expected term would result in an increase in our expense.

The weighted-average dividend yield is based on Caterpillar’s historical dividend yields.  As holders of stock-based awards do not receive dividend payments, this could result in employees retaining the award for a longer period of time if dividend yields decrease or exercising the award sooner if dividend yields increase.  A decrease in the dividend yield would result in an increase in our expense.

The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at time of grant.  As the risk-free interest rate increases, the expected term increases, resulting in an increase in our expense.
The fair value of our RSUs is determined by reducing the stock price on the date of grant by the present value of the estimated dividends to be paid during the vesting period. The estimated dividends are based on Caterpillar’s weighted-average dividend yields.  A decrease in the dividend yield would result in an increase in our expense.
Stock-based compensation expense recognized during the period is based on the value of the number of awards that are expected to vest.  In determining the stock-based compensation expense to be recognized, a forfeiture rate is applied to the fair value of the award.  This rate represents the number of awards that are expected to be forfeited prior to vesting and is based on Caterpillar employee historical behavior.  Changes in the future behavior of employees could impact this rate.  A decrease in this rate would result in an increase in our expense.
Product liability and insurance loss reserve — We determine these reserves based upon reported claims in process of settlement and actuarial estimates for losses incurred but not reported. Loss reserves, including incurred but not reported reserves, are based on estimates and ultimate settlements may vary significantly from such estimates due to increased claims frequency or severity over historical levels.
Postretirement benefits — Primary actuarial assumptions were determined as follows:
The U.S. expected long-term rate of return on plan assets is based on our estimate of long-term passive returns for equities and fixed income securities weighted by the allocation of our plan assets.  Based on historical performance, we increase the passive returns due to our active management of the plan assets.  A similar process is used to determine the rate for our non-U.S. pension plans.  This rate is impacted by changes in general market conditions, but because it represents a long-term rate, it is not significantly impacted by short-term market swings.  Changes in our allocation of plan assets would also impact this rate.  For example, a shift to more fixed income securities would lower the rate. A decrease in the rate would increase our expense.

The assumed discount rate is used to discount future benefit obligations back to today’s dollars.  The U.S. discount rate is based on a benefit cash flow-matching approach and represents the rate at which our benefit obligations could effectively be settled as of our measurement date, December 31.  The benefit cash flow-matching approach involves analyzing Caterpillar’s projected cash flows against a high quality bond yield curve, calculated using a wide population of corporate Aa bonds available on the measurement date.  The very highest and lowest yielding bonds (top and bottom 10 percent) are excluded from the analysis.  A similar approach is used to determine the assumed discount rate for our most significant non-U.S. plans. This rate is sensitive to changes in interest rates.  A decrease in the discount rate would increase our obligation and future expense.

The expected rate of compensation increase is used to develop benefit obligations using projected pay at retirement. It represents average long-term salary increases. This rate is influenced by our long-term compensation policies.  An increase in the rate would increase our obligation and expense.

The assumed health care trend rate represents the rate at which health care costs are assumed to increase and is based on historical and expected experience.  Changes in our projections of future health care costs due to general economic conditions and those specific to health care (e.g., technology driven cost changes) will impact this trend rate.  An increase in the trend rate would increase our obligation and expense.

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Post-sale discount reserve — We provide discounts to dealers through merchandising programs.  We have numerous programs that are designed to promote the sale of our products.  The most common dealer programs provide a discount when the dealer sells a product to a targeted end user.  The amount of accrued post-sale discounts was $1,014 million and $937 million as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 respectively.  The reserve represents discounts that we expect to pay on previously sold units and is reviewed at least quarterly.  The reserve is adjusted if discounts paid differ from those estimated.  Historically, those adjustments have not been material.
Credit loss reserve — Management’s ongoing evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses considers both impaired and unimpaired finance receivables and takes into consideration past loss experience, known and inherent risks in the portfolio, adverse situations that may affect the borrower’s ability to repay, estimated value of underlying collateral and current economic conditions. In estimating probable losses we review accounts that are past due, non-performing, in bankruptcy or otherwise identified as at risk for potential credit loss including accounts which have been modified.  Accounts are identified as at risk for potential credit loss using information available about the customer, such as financial statements, news reports and published credit ratings as well as general information regarding industry trends and the economic environment in which the customer operates.
The allowance for credit losses attributable to specific accounts is based on the most probable source of repayment, which is normally the liquidation of collateral. In determining collateral value we estimate current fair value of collateral and consider credit enhancements such as additional collateral and third-party guarantees. The allowance for credit losses attributable to the remaining accounts is a general allowance based upon the risk in the portfolio, primarily using probabilities of default and an estimate of associated losses.  In addition, qualitative factors not able to be fully captured in previous analysis including industry trends, macroeconomic factors and model imprecision are considered in the evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses. These qualitative factors are subjective and require a degree of management judgment.
While management believes it has exercised prudent judgment and applied reasonable assumptions, there can be no assurance that in the future, changes in economic conditions or other factors would not cause changes in the financial health of our customers. If the financial health of our customer deteriorates, the timing and level of payments received could be impacted and therefore, could result in a change to our estimated losses.
Income tax reserve — We are subject to the income tax laws of the many jurisdictions in which we operate.  These tax laws are complex, and the manner in which they apply to our facts is sometimes open to interpretation.  In establishing the provision for income taxes, we must make judgments about the application of these inherently complex tax laws.
Despite our belief that our tax return positions are consistent with applicable tax laws, we believe that taxing authorities could challenge certain positions. Settlement of any challenge can result in no change, a complete disallowance, or some partial adjustment reached through negotiations or litigation. We record tax benefits for uncertain tax positions based upon management’s evaluation of the information available at the reporting date.  To be recognized in the financial statements, a tax benefit must be at least more likely than not of being sustained based on technical merits.  The benefit for positions meeting the recognition threshold is measured as the largest benefit more likely than not of being realized upon ultimate settlement with a taxing authority that has full knowledge of all relevant information.  Significant judgment is required in making these determinations and adjustments to unrecognized tax benefits may be necessary to reflect actual taxes payable upon settlement.  Adjustments related to positions impacting the effective tax rate affect the provision for income taxes.  Adjustments related to positions impacting the timing of deductions impact deferred tax assets and liabilities.
Our income tax positions and analysis are based on currently enacted tax law.  Future changes in tax law could significantly impact the provision for income taxes, the amount of taxes payable, and the deferred tax asset and liability balances.  Deferred tax assets generally represent tax benefits for tax deductions or credits available in future tax returns.  Certain estimates and assumptions are required to determine whether it is more likely than not that all or some portion of the benefit of a deferred tax asset will not be realized.  In making this assessment, management analyzes and estimates the impact of future taxable income, reversing temporary differences and available prudent and feasible tax planning strategies.  Should a change in facts or circumstances lead to a change in judgment about the ultimate realizability of a deferred tax asset, we record or adjust the related valuation allowance in the period that the change in facts and circumstances occurs, along with a corresponding increase or decrease in the provision for income taxes.

A provision for U.S. income taxes has not been recorded on undistributed profits of our non-U.S. subsidiaries that we have determined to be indefinitely reinvested outside the U.S.  If management intentions or U.S. tax law changes in the future, there may be a significant negative impact on the provision for income taxes to record an incremental tax liability in the period the change occurs. A deferred tax asset is recognized only if we have definite plans to generate a U.S. tax benefit by repatriating earnings in the foreseeable future.

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GLOBAL WORKFORCE

Caterpillar worldwide full-time employment was 127,238 at the end of the first quarter of 2012 compared with 105,394 at the end of the first quarter of 2011, an increase of 21,844 full-time employees. In addition, the flexible workforce increased by 5,643 for a total increase in the global workforce of 27,487.

The increase was primarily a result of higher sales volume. Acquisitions, primarily Bucyrus and MWM, added 13,687 people to the global workforce.

OTHER MATTERS
Environmental and Legal Matters
The company is regulated by federal, state and international environmental laws governing our use, transport and disposal of substances and control of emissions. In addition to governing our manufacturing and other operations, these laws often impact the development of our products, including, but not limited to, required compliance with air emissions standards applicable to internal combustion engines. Compliance with these existing laws has not had a material impact on our capital expenditures, earnings or global competitive position.
We are engaged in remedial activities at a number of locations, often with other companies, pursuant to federal and state laws.  When it is probable we will pay remedial costs at a site and those costs can be reasonably estimated, the costs are charged against our earnings.  In formulating that estimate, we do not consider amounts expected to be recovered from insurance companies or others.  The amount recorded for environmental remediation is not material and is included in Accrued expenses in the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position.

We cannot reasonably estimate costs at sites in the very early stages of remediation.  Currently, we have a few sites in the very early stages of remediation, and there is no more than a remote chance that a material amount for remedial activities at any individual site, or at all sites in the aggregate, will be required.
We have disclosed certain individual legal proceedings in this filing.  Additionally, we are involved in other unresolved legal actions that arise in the normal course of business. The most prevalent of these unresolved actions involve disputes related to product design, manufacture and performance liability (including claimed asbestos and welding fumes exposure), contracts, employment issues, environmental matters or intellectual property rights.  The aggregate range of reasonably possible losses in excess of accrued liabilities, if any, associated with these unresolved legal actions is not material.  In some cases, we cannot reasonably estimate a range of loss because there is insufficient information regarding the matter.  However, there is no more than a remote chance that any liability arising from these matters would be material.  Although it is not possible to predict with certainty the outcome of these unresolved legal actions, we believe that these actions will not individually or in the aggregate have a material adverse effect on our consolidated results of operations, financial position or liquidity.
On May 14, 2007, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a Notice of Violation to Caterpillar Inc., alleging various violations of Clean Air Act Sections 203, 206 and 207. EPA claims that Caterpillar violated such sections by shipping engines and catalytic converter after-treatment devices separately, introducing into commerce a number of uncertified and/or misbuilt engines, and failing to timely report emissions-related defects.  On July 9, 2010, the Department of Justice issued a penalty demand to Caterpillar seeking a civil penalty of $3.2 million and implementation of injunctive relief involving expanded use of certain technologies. On July 28, 2011, EPA and the U.S. Department of Justice filed and lodged a civil complaint and consent decree with the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia (Court) regarding the matter.   Caterpillar has agreed to the terms of the consent decree, which require payment of a civil penalty of $2.55 million, retirement of a small number of emissions credits and expanded defect-related reporting.  On September 7, 2011, the Court entered the consent decree, making it effective on that date, and Caterpillar has paid the penalty due to the United States in accordance with the decree terms.  Under the terms of the consent decree, and subject to a settlement agreement, $510,000 of the stipulated $2.55 million penalty will be paid to the California Air Resources Board relating to engines covered by the consent decree that were placed into service in California.

Retirement Benefits
We recognized pension expense of $179 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012, as compared to $159 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011. The increase in expense is due to higher amortization of net actuarial losses due to lower discount rates at the end of 2011 and asset losses in 2011. In addition, 2012 expense included $10 million of special termination benefits related to the closure of the Electro-Motive Diesel facility discussed below. This is partially offset by higher amortization

59


of asset gains from 2009 and 2010. Accounting guidance on retirement benefits requires companies to discount future benefit obligations back to today’s dollars using a discount rate that is based on high-quality fixed-income investments. A decrease in the discount rate increases the pension benefit obligation, while an increase in the discount rate decreases the pension benefit obligation.  This increase or decrease in the pension benefit obligation is recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and subsequently amortized into earnings as an actuarial gain or loss.  The guidance also requires companies to use an expected long-term rate of asset return for computing current year pension expense. Differences between the actual and expected returns are also recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and subsequently amortized into earnings as actuarial gains and losses.  As of March 31, 2012, total actuarial losses, recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), related to pensions were $8.60 billion.  The majority of the actuarial losses are due to lower discount rates, plan asset losses and losses from other demographic and economic assumptions over the past several years.
Other postretirement benefit expense was $32 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012, as compared to $80 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011.  The decrease in expense was primarily the result of curtailment gains of $40 million of which $37 million is related to the closure of the Electro-Motive Diesel facility discussed below.  Actuarial losses, recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), for other postretirement benefit plans were $1.46 billion at March 31, 2012. These losses mainly reflect several years of declining discount rates, changes in our health care trend assumption and plan asset losses, partially offset by gains from lower than expected health care costs.
Actuarial losses for both pensions and other postretirement benefits will be impacted in future periods by actual asset returns, actual health care inflation, discount rate changes, actual demographic experience and other factors that impact these expenses. These losses, reported in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), will generally be amortized as a component of net periodic benefit cost on a straight-line basis over the average remaining service period of active employees expected to receive benefits under the plans. For other postretirement benefit plans in which all or almost all of the plan's participants are fully eligible for benefits under the plan, the losses are amortized using the straight-line method over the remaining life expectancy of those participants. At the end of 2011, the average remaining service period of active employees or life expectancy for fully eligible employees was 11 years for our U.S. pension plans, 13 years for our non-U.S. pension plans and 10 years for other postretirement benefit plans. We expect our amortization of net actuarial losses to increase approximately $60 million in 2012 as compared to 2011, primarily due to a decrease in discount rates and plan asset losses during 2011, partially offset by higher amortization of plan asset gains from 2009 and 2010.

In February 2012, we announced the closure of the Electro-Motive Diesel facility located in London, Ontario. As a result of the closure, a $37 million other postretirement benefits curtailment gain was recognized. This excludes a $21 million loss of a third party receivable for other postretirement benefits that was eliminated due to the closure. In addition, a $10 million special termination benefit expense was recognized related to statutory pension benefits required to be paid to certain affected employees.

We expect our total defined benefit expense to decrease approximately $40 million in 2012 as compared to 2011.  This decrease in expense is primarily due to the other postretirement benefits curtailment gain related to the closure of the Electro-Motive Diesel facility.
We made $174 million of contributions to our U.S. and non-U.S. pension plans during the three months ended March 31, 2012. We currently anticipate full-year 2012 contributions of approximately $1 billion, of which $570 million are required contributions. We made $131 million of contributions to our U.S. and non-U.S. pension plans during the three months ended March 31, 2011.

Order Backlog
The dollar amount of backlog believed to be firm was approximately $30.7 billion at March 31, 2012 and $29.8 billion at December 31, 2011.  Of the total backlog, approximately $5.4 billion at March 31, 2012 and $4.0 billion at December 31, 2011 was not expected to be filled in the following twelve months.

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
The following definitions are provided for “non-GAAP financial measures” in connection with Item 10(e) of Regulation S-K issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission.   These non-GAAP financial measures have no standardized meaning prescribed by U.S. GAAP and therefore are unlikely to be comparable to the calculation of similar measures for other companies.  Management does not intend these items to be considered in isolation or substitutes for the related GAAP measures.
Supplemental Consolidating Data

60


We are providing supplemental consolidating data for the purpose of additional analysis.  The data has been grouped as follows:
Consolidated – Caterpillar Inc. and its subsidiaries.
Machinery and Power Systems – The Machinery and Power Systems data contained in the schedules on pages 62 to 67 are “non-GAAP financial measures” as defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission in Item 10(e) of Regulation S-K.  This non-GAAP financial measure has no standardized meaning prescribed by U.S. GAAP, and therefore, is unlikely to be comparable with the calculation of similar measures for other companies.  Management does not intend this item to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the related GAAP measure.  Caterpillar defines Machinery and Power Systems as it is presented in the supplemental data as Caterpillar Inc. and its subsidiaries with Financial Products accounted for on the equity basis.  Machinery and Power Systems information relates to the design, manufacture and marketing of our products.  Financial Products information relates to the financing to customers and dealers for the purchase and lease of Caterpillar and other equipment.  The nature of these businesses is different especially with regard to the financial position and cash flow items.  Caterpillar management utilizes this presentation internally to highlight these differences.  We also believe this presentation will assist readers in understanding our business.
Financial Products – Our finance and insurance subsidiaries, primarily Cat Financial and Cat Insurance.
Consolidating Adjustments – Eliminations of transactions between Machinery and Power Systems and Financial Products.
Pages 62 to 67 reconcile Machinery and Power Systems with Financial Products on the equity basis to Caterpillar Inc. consolidated financial information.

61




Caterpillar Inc.
Supplemental Data for Results of Operations
For The Three Months Ended March 31, 2012
(Unaudited)
(Millions of dollars)
Supplemental Consolidating Data
Consolidated
Machinery
and Power
Systems 1
Financial
Products
Consolidating
Adjustments
Sales and revenues:




Sales of Machinery and Power Systems
$
15,288

$
15,288

$

$

Revenues of Financial Products
693


777

(84
)
2

Total sales and revenues
15,981

15,288

777

(84
)
Operating costs:




Cost of goods sold
11,237

11,237



Selling, general and administrative expenses
1,340

1,224

127

(11
)
3

Research and development expenses
587

587



Interest expense of Financial Products
204


204


4

Other operating (income) expenses
290

43

252

(5
)
3

Total operating costs
13,658

13,091

583

(16
)
Operating profit
2,323

2,197

194

(68
)
Interest expense excluding Financial Products
113

125


(12
)
4

Other income (expense)
88

20

12

56

5

Consolidated profit before taxes
2,298

2,092

206


Provision for income taxes
689

630

59


Profit of consolidated companies
1,609

1,462

147


Equity in profit (loss) of unconsolidated affiliated companies
2

2



Equity in profit of Financial Products’ subsidiaries

143


(143
)
6

Profit of consolidated and affiliated companies
1,611

1,607

147

(143
)
Less: Profit attributable to noncontrolling interests
25

21

4


Profit 7
$
1,586

$
1,586

$
143

$
(143
)
1
Represents Caterpillar Inc. and its subsidiaries with Financial Products accounted for on the equity basis.
2
Elimination of Financial Products’ revenues earned from Machinery and Power Systems.
3
Elimination of net expenses recorded by Machinery and Power Systems paid to Financial Products.
4
Elimination of interest expense recorded between Financial Products and Machinery and Power Systems.
5
Elimination of discount recorded by Machinery and Power Systems on receivables sold to Financial Products and of interest earned between Machinery and Power Systems and Financial Products.
6
Elimination of Financial Products’ profit due to equity method of accounting.
7
Profit attributable to common stockholders.

62



Caterpillar Inc.
Supplemental Data for Results of Operations
For The Three Months Ended March 31, 2011
(Unaudited)
(Millions of dollars)
Supplemental Consolidating Data
Consolidated
Machinery
and Power
Systems 1
Financial
Products
Consolidating
Adjustments
Sales and revenues:




Sales of Machinery and Power Systems
$
12,277

$
12,277

$

$

Revenues of Financial Products
672


740

(68
)
2

Total sales and revenues
12,949

12,277

740

(68
)
Operating costs:




Cost of goods sold
9,057

9,057



Selling, general and administrative expenses
1,099

949

152

(2
)
3

Research and development expenses
525

525



Interest expense of Financial Products
203


204

(1
)
4

Other operating (income) expenses
232

(15
)
258

(11
)
3

Total operating costs
11,116

10,516

614

(14
)
Operating profit
1,833

1,761

126

(54
)
Interest expense excluding Financial Products
87

97


(10
)
4

Other income (expense)
17

(39
)
12

44

5

Consolidated profit before taxes
1,763

1,625

138


Provision for income taxes
512

474

38


Profit of consolidated companies
1,251

1,151

100


Equity in profit (loss) of unconsolidated affiliated companies
(8
)
(8
)


Equity in profit of Financial Products’ subsidiaries

97


(97
)
6

Profit of consolidated and affiliated companies
1,243

1,240

100

(97
)
Less: Profit attributable to noncontrolling interests
18

15

3


Profit 7
$
1,225

$
1,225

$
97

$
(97
)
1
Represents Caterpillar Inc. and its subsidiaries with Financial Products accounted for on the equity basis.
2
Elimination of Financial Products’ revenues earned from Machinery and Power Systems.
3
Elimination of net expenses recorded by Machinery and Power Systems paid to Financial Products.
4
Elimination of interest expense recorded between Financial Products and Machinery and Power Systems.
5
Elimination of discount recorded by Machinery and Power Systems on receivables sold to Financial Products and of interest earned between Machinery and Power Systems and Financial Products.
6
Elimination of Financial Products’ profit due to equity method of accounting.
7
Profit attributable to common stockholders.

63



Caterpillar Inc.
Supplemental Data for Financial Position
At March 31, 2012
(Unaudited)
(Millions of dollars)
Supplemental Consolidating Data
Consolidated
Machinery
and Power
Systems 1
Financial
Products
Consolidating
Adjustments
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and short-term investments
$
2,864

$
1,635

$
1,229

$

Receivables – trade and other
10,370

5,491

471

4,408

2,3
Receivables – finance
7,931


12,551

(4,620
)
3
Deferred and refundable income taxes
1,501

1,443

58


Prepaid expenses and other current assets
1,032

566

479

(13
)
4
Inventories
16,511

16,511



Total current assets
40,209

25,646

14,788

(225
)
Property, plant and equipment – net
14,571

11,617

2,954


Long-term receivables – trade and other
902

226

262

414

2,3
Long-term receivables – finance
12,429


12,881

(452
)
3
Investments in unconsolidated affiliated companies
139

139



Investments in Financial Products subsidiaries

4,055


(4,055
)
5
Noncurrent deferred and refundable income taxes
2,082

2,484

85

(487
)
6
Intangible assets
4,287

4,278

9


Goodwill
7,081

7,064

17


Other assets
2,208

904

1,304


Total assets
$
83,908

$
56,413

$
32,300

$
(4,805
)
Liabilities




Current liabilities:




Short-term borrowings
$
4,774

$
763

$
4,078

$
(67
)
7
Accounts payable
8,360

8,317

196

(153
)
8
Accrued expenses
3,427

3,035

405

(13
)
9
Accrued wages, salaries and employee benefits
1,373

1,355

18


Customer advances
2,921

2,921



Dividends payable




Other current liabilities
2,006

1,590

422

(6
)
6
Long-term debt due within one year
5,988

555

5,433


Total current liabilities
28,849

18,536

10,552

(239
)
Long-term debt due after one year
25,191

8,442

16,780

(31
)
7
Liability for postemployment benefits
10,815

10,815



Other liabilities
3,582

3,149

913

(480
)
6
Total liabilities
68,437

40,942

28,245

(750
)
Commitments and contingencies




Redeemable noncontrolling interest
455

455



Stockholders’ equity




Common stock
4,351

4,351

906

(906
)
5
Treasury stock
(10,164
)
(10,164
)


Profit employed in the business
26,815

26,815

2,773

(2,773
)
5
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
(6,033
)
(6,033
)
278

(278
)
5
Noncontrolling interests
47

47

98

(98
)
5
Total stockholders’ equity
15,016

15,016

4,055

(4,055
)
Total liabilities, redeemable noncontrolling interest and stockholders’ equity
$
83,908

$
56,413

$
32,300

$
(4,805
)
1 Represents Caterpillar Inc. and its subsidiaries with Financial Products accounted for on the equity basis.
2 Elimination of receivables between Machinery and Power Systems and Financial Products.
3 Reclassification of Machinery and Power Systems’ trade receivables purchased by Financial Products and Financial Products’ wholesale inventory receivables.
4 Elimination of Machinery and Power Systems’ insurance premiums that are prepaid to Financial Products.
5 Elimination of Financial Products’ equity which is accounted for by Machinery and Power Systems on the equity basis.
6 Reclassification reflecting required netting of deferred tax assets / liabilities by taxing jurisdiction.
7 Elimination of debt between Machinery and Power Systems and Financial Products.
8 Elimination of payables between Machinery and Power Systems and Financial Products.
9 Elimination of prepaid insurance in Financial Products’ accrued expenses.

64



Caterpillar Inc.
Supplemental Data for Financial Position
At December 31, 2011
(Unaudited)
(Millions of dollars)
Supplemental Consolidating Data
Consolidated
Machinery
and Power
Systems 1
Financial
Products
Consolidating
Adjustments
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and short-term investments
$
3,057

$
1,829

$
1,228

$

Receivables – trade and other
10,285

5,497

430

4,358

2,3
Receivables – finance
7,668


12,202

(4,534
)
3
Deferred and refundable income taxes
1,580

1,515

65


Prepaid expenses and other current assets
994

525

481

(12
)
4
Inventories
14,544

14,544



Total current assets
38,128

23,910

14,406

(188
)
Property, plant and equipment – net
14,395

11,492

2,903


Long-term receivables – trade and other
1,130

281

271

578

2,3
Long-term receivables – finance
11,948


12,556

(608
)
3
Investments in unconsolidated affiliated companies
133

133



Investments in Financial Products subsidiaries

4,035


(4,035
)
5
Noncurrent deferred and refundable income taxes
2,157

2,593

97

(533
)
6
Intangible assets
4,368

4,359

9


Goodwill
7,080

7,063

17


Other assets
2,107

813

1,294


Total assets
$
81,446

$
54,679

$
31,553

$
(4,786
)
Liabilities




Current liabilities:




Short-term borrowings
$
3,988

$
157

$
3,895

$
(64
)
7
Accounts payable
8,161

8,106

165

(110
)
8
Accrued expenses
3,386

2,957

443

(14
)
9
Accrued wages, salaries and employee benefits
2,410

2,373

37


Customer advances
2,691

2,691



Dividends payable
298

298



Other current liabilities
1,967

1,590

382

(5
)
6
Long-term debt due within one year
5,660

558

5,102


Total current liabilities
28,561

18,730

10,024

(193
)
Long-term debt due after one year
24,944

8,446

16,529

(31
)
7
Liability for postemployment benefits
10,956

10,956



Other liabilities
3,583

3,145

965

(527
)
6
Total liabilities
68,044

41,277

27,518

(751
)
Commitments and contingencies




Redeemable noncontrolling interest
473

473



Stockholders’ equity




Common stock
4,273

4,273

906

(906
)
5
Treasury stock
(10,281
)
(10,281
)


Profit employed in the business
25,219

25,219

2,880

(2,880
)
5
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
(6,328
)
(6,328
)
154

(154
)
5
Noncontrolling interests
46

46

95

(95
)
5
Total stockholders’ equity
12,929

12,929

4,035

(4,035
)
Total liabilities, redeemable noncontrolling interest and stockholders’ equity
$
81,446

$
54,679

$
31,553

$
(4,786
)
1 Represents Caterpillar Inc. and its subsidiaries with Financial Products accounted for on the equity basis.
2 Elimination of receivables between Machinery and Power Systems and Financial Products.
3 Reclassification of Machinery and Power Systems’ trade receivables purchased by Financial Products and Financial Products’ wholesale inventory receivables.
4 Elimination of Machinery and Power Systems’ insurance premiums that are prepaid to Financial Products.
5 Elimination of Financial Products’ equity which is accounted for by Machinery and Power Systems on the equity basis.
6 Reclassification reflecting required netting of deferred tax assets / liabilities by taxing jurisdiction.
7 Elimination of debt between Machinery and Power Systems and Financial Products.
8 Elimination of payables between Machinery and Power Systems and Financial Products.
9 Elimination of prepaid insurance in Financial Products’ accrued expenses.

65



Caterpillar Inc.
Supplemental Data for Cash Flow
For The Three Months Ended March 31, 2012
(Unaudited)
(Millions of dollars)
Supplemental Consolidating Data
Consolidated
Machinery
and Power
Systems 1
Financial
Products
Consolidating
Adjustments
Cash flow from operating activities:
Profit of consolidated and affiliated companies
$
1,611

$
1,607

$
147

$
(143
)
2
Adjustments for non-cash items:




Depreciation and amortization
661

482

179


Other
(18
)
14

(62
)
30

4
Financial Products’ dividend in excess of profit

107


(107
)
3
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions and divestitures:

Receivables - trade and other
150

39

(14
)
125

4,5
Inventories
(2,038
)
(2,006
)

(32
)
4
Accounts payable
517

533

15

(31
)
4
Accrued expenses
37

54

(18
)
1

4
Accrued wages, salaries and employee benefits
(1,053
)
(1,034
)
(19
)

Customer advances
224

224



Other assets – net
160

194

11

(45
)
4
Other liabilities – net
79

20

13

46

4
Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities
330

234

252

(156
)
Cash flow from investing activities:




Capital expenditures - excluding equipment leased to others
(844
)
(842
)
(2
)

Expenditures for equipment leased to others
(285
)
(22
)
(358
)
95

4,7
Proceeds from disposals of leased assets and property, plant and equipment
245

37

214

(6
)
4
Additions to finance receivables
(2,727
)

(13,916
)
11,189

5,7
Collections of finance receivables
2,072


13,388

(11,316
)
5,7
Proceeds from sale of finance receivables
39


39


Investments and acquisitions (net of cash acquired)
(63
)
(7
)

(56
)
7
Proceeds from sale of available-for-sale securities
112

7

105


Investments in available-for-sale securities
(123
)
(2
)
(121
)

Other – net
38

10

28


Net cash provided by (used for) investing activities
(1,536
)
(819
)
(623
)
(94
)
Cash flow from financing activities:




Dividends paid
(298
)
(298
)
(250
)
250

6
Distribution to noncontrolling interests
(4
)
(4
)


Common stock issued, including treasury shares reissued
7

7



Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation
141

141



Proceeds from debt issued (original maturities greater than three months)
2,502

147

2,355


Payments on debt (original maturities greater than three months)
(2,227
)
(126
)
(2,101
)

Short-term borrowings – net  (original maturities three months or less)
855

500

355


Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities
976

367

359

250

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
37

24

13


Increase (decrease) in cash and short-term investments
(193
)
(194
)
1


Cash and short-term investments at beginning of period
3,057

1,829

1,228


Cash and short-term investments at end of period
$
2,864

$
1,635

$
1,229

$

1 Represents Caterpillar Inc. and its subsidiaries with Financial Products accounted for on the equity basis.
2 Elimination of Financial Products’ profit after tax due to equity method of accounting.
3 Elimination of Financial Products’ dividend to Machinery and Power Systems in excess of Financial Products’ profit.
4 Elimination of non-cash adjustments and changes in assets and liabilities related to consolidated reporting.
5 Reclassification of Financial Products' cash flow activity from investing to operating for receivables that arose from the sale of inventory.
6 Elimination of dividend from Financial Products to Machinery and Power Systems.
7 Reclassification of Financial Products' payments related to Machinery and Power Systems' acquisition of Caterpillar Tohoku Limited.

66



Caterpillar Inc.
Supplemental Data for Cash Flow
For The Three Months Ended March 31, 2011
(Unaudited)
(Millions of dollars)
Supplemental Consolidating Data
Consolidated
Machinery
and Power
Systems 1
Financial
Products
Consolidating
Adjustments
Cash flow from operating activities:
Profit of consolidated and affiliated companies
$
1,243

$
1,240

$
100

$
(97
)
2
Adjustments for non-cash items:




Depreciation and amortization
575

395

180


Other
95

48

14

33

4
Financial Products’ dividend in excess of profit

203


(203
)
3
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions and divestitures:





Receivables - trade and other
(17
)
834

(32
)
(819
)
4,5
Inventories
(1,185
)
(1,185
)


Accounts payable
364

432

8

(76
)
4
Accrued expenses
(57
)
(49
)
(7
)
(1
)
4
Accrued wages, salaries and employee benefits
(429
)
(418
)
(11
)

Customer advances
(120
)
(120
)


Other assets – net
63

72

76

(85
)
4
Other liabilities – net
233

192

(46
)
87

4
Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities
765

1,644

282

(1,161
)
Cash flow from investing activities:




Capital expenditures - excluding equipment leased to others
(543
)
(541
)
(2
)

Expenditures for equipment leased to others
(217
)
(27
)
(211
)
21

4
Proceeds from disposals of leased assets and property, plant and equipment
302

43

293

(34
)
4
Additions to finance receivables
(2,008
)

(10,297
)
8,289

5,8
Collections of finance receivables
1,962


8,995

(7,033
)
5
Proceeds from sale of finance receivables
33


33


Net intercompany borrowings

600

56

(656
)
6
Investments and acquisitions (net of cash acquired)
(8
)
(8
)


Proceeds from sale of business and investments (net of cash sold)
21

392

11

(382
)
8
Proceeds from sale of available-for-sale securities
66

3

63


Investments in available-for-sale securities
(72
)
(2
)
(70
)

Other – net
30

25

5


Net cash provided by (used for) investing activities
(434
)
485

(1,124
)
205

Cash flow from financing activities:




Dividends paid
(281
)
(281
)
(300
)
300

7
Common stock issued, including treasury shares reissued
58

58



Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation
123

123



Net intercompany borrowings

(56
)
(600
)
656

6
Proceeds from debt issued (original maturities greater than three months)
1,305

44

1,261


Payments on debt (original maturities greater than three months)
(1,775
)
(151
)
(1,624
)

Short-term borrowings – net  (original maturities three months or less)
1,460

(66
)
1,526


Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities
890

(329
)
263

956

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
56

24

32


Increase (decrease) in cash and short-term investments
1,277

1,824

(547
)

Cash and short-term investments at beginning of period
3,592

1,825

1,767


Cash and short-term investments at end of period
$
4,869

$
3,649

$
1,220

$

1 Represents Caterpillar Inc. and its subsidiaries with Financial Products accounted for on the equity basis.
2 Elimination of Financial Products’ profit after tax due to equity method of accounting.
3 Elimination of Financial Products’ dividend to Machinery and Power Systems in excess of Financial Products’ profit.
4 Elimination of non-cash adjustments and changes in assets and liabilities related to consolidated reporting.
5 Reclassification of Financial Products' cash flow activity from investing to operating for receivables that arose from the sale of inventory.
6 Elimination of net proceeds and payments to/from Machinery and Power Systems and Financial Products.
7 Elimination of dividend from Financial Products to Machinery and Power Systems.
8 Elimination of proceeds received from Financial Products related to machinery and Power Systems' sale of Carter Machinery.

67


Forward-looking Statements
Certain statements in this Form 10-Q relate to future events and expectations and are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as “believe,” “estimate,” “will be,” “will,” “would,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “project,” “intend,” “could,” “should” or other similar words or expressions often identify forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements regarding our outlook, projections, forecasts or trend descriptions. These statements do not guarantee future performance, and we do not undertake to update our forward-looking statements.
Caterpillar's actual results may differ materially from those described or implied in our forward-looking statements based on a number of factors, including, but not limited to: (i) global economic conditions and economic conditions in the industries and markets we serve; (ii) government monetary or fiscal policies and infrastructure spending; (iii) commodity or component price increases and/or limited availability of raw materials and component products, including steel; (iv) our and our customers', dealers' and suppliers' ability to access and manage liquidity; (v) political and economic risks and instability, including national or international conflicts and civil unrest; (vi) our and Cat Financial's ability to: maintain credit ratings, avoid material increases in borrowing costs, and access capital markets; (vii) the financial condition and credit worthiness of Cat Financial's customers; (viii) inability to realize expected benefits from acquisitions and divestitures, including the acquisition of Bucyrus International, Inc.; (ix) international trade and investment policies; (x) challenges related to Tier 4 emissions compliance; (xi) market acceptance of our products and services; (xii) changes in the competitive environment, including market share, pricing and geographic and product mix of sales; (xiii) successful implementation of capacity expansion projects, cost reduction initiatives and efficiency or productivity initiatives, including the Caterpillar Production System; (xiv) sourcing practices of our dealers or original equipment manufacturers; (xv) compliance with environmental laws and regulations; (xvi) alleged or actual violations of trade or anti-corruption laws and regulations; (xvii) additional tax expense or exposure; (xviii) currency fluctuations; (xix) our or Cat Financial's compliance with financial covenants; (xx) increased pension plan funding obligations; (xxi) union disputes or other employee relations issues; (xxii) significant legal proceedings, claims, lawsuits or investigations; (xxiii) compliance requirements imposed if carbon emissions legislation and/or regulations are adopted; (xxiv) changes in accounting standards; (xxv) failure or breach of IT security; (xxvi) adverse effects of natural disasters; and (xxvii) other factors described in more detail under “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 21, 2012 for the year ended December 31, 2011. This filing is available on our website at www.caterpillar.com/secfilings .

Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
The information required by this Item is incorporated by reference from Note 4 — “Derivative Financial Instruments and Risk Management” included in Part I, Item 1 and Management’s Discussion and Analysis included in Part I, Item 2 of this Form 10-Q.
Item 4.  Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures
An evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of the company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chief Financial Officer (CFO), of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report.  Based on that evaluation, the company’s management, including the CEO and CFO, concluded that the company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report.

Changes in internal control over financial reporting
During the first quarter of 2012, there has been no change in the company's internal control over financial reporting that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the company’s internal control over financial reporting.
PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1.  Legal Proceedings
The information required by this Item is incorporated by reference from Note 12 included in Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q.

68


Item 2.  Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
No shares were repurchased during the first quarter 2012.
Other Purchases of Equity Securities
Period
Total Number
of Shares
Purchased 1
Average Price
Paid per Share
Total Number
of Shares Purchased
Under the Program
Approximate Dollar
Value of Shares that
may yet be Purchased
under the Program
January 1-31, 2012
7,111

$
94.22

NA
NA
February 1-29, 2012
8,710

$
104.55

NA
NA
March 1-31, 2012
585,005

$
112.86

NA
NA
Total
600,826

$
112.52

1 Represents shares delivered back to issuer for the payment of taxes resulting from the vesting of restricted stock units and the exercise of stock options by employees and Directors.

Non-U.S. Employee Stock Purchase Plans
We have 30 employee stock purchase plans administered outside the United States for our non-U.S. employees.  As of March 31, 2012, those plans had approximately 13,927 active participants in the aggregate.  During the first quarter of 2012, approximately 391,130 shares of Caterpillar common stock or foreign denominated equivalents were distributed under the plans.  Participants in some foreign plans have the option of receiving non-U.S. share certificates (foreign-denominated equivalents) in lieu of U.S. shares of Caterpillar common stock upon withdrawal from the plan.  These equivalent certificates are tradable only on the local stock market and are included in our determination of shares outstanding.
Distributions of Caterpillar stock under the plans are exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933 (Act) pursuant to 17 CFR 230.903.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

Information concerning mine safety violations or other regulatory matters required by Section 1503(a) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and Item 104 of Regulation S-K (17 CFR 229.104) is included in Exhibit 95 to this quarterly report.


69


Item 6. Exhibits
11
Computations of Earnings per Share (included in Note 11 of this Form 10-Q filed for the quarter ended March 31, 2012).
31.1
Certification of Douglas R. Oberhelman, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Caterpillar Inc., as required pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2
Certification of Edward J. Rapp, Group President and Chief Financial Officer of Caterpillar Inc., as required pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32
Certification of Douglas R. Oberhelman, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Caterpillar Inc. and Edward J. Rapp, Group President and Chief Financial Officer of Caterpillar Inc., as required pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
95
Mine Safety Disclosures
101.INS
XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document


70


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 thereunto duly authorized.
CATERPILLAR INC.
May 7, 2012
/s/Douglas R. Oberhelman
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
(Douglas R. Oberhelman)
May 7, 2012
/s/Edward J. Rapp
Group President and Chief Financial Officer
(Edward J. Rapp)
May 7, 2012
/s/James B. Buda
Senior Vice President and Chief Legal Officer
(James B. Buda)
May 7, 2012
/s/Jananne A. Copeland
Corporate Controller and Chief Accounting Officer
(Jananne A. Copeland)


71


EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No.
Description
11
Computations of Earnings per Share (included in Note 11 of this Form 10-Q filed for the quarter ended March 31, 2012).
31.1
Certification of Douglas R. Oberhelman, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Caterpillar Inc., as required pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2
Certification of Edward J. Rapp, Group President and Chief Financial Officer of Caterpillar Inc., as required pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32
Certification of Douglas R. Oberhelman, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Caterpillar Inc. and Edward J. Rapp, Group President and Chief Financial Officer of Caterpillar Inc., as required pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
95
Mine Safety Disclosures
101.INS
XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document


72
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