Before the opening bell on Friday, Deere & Company (DE) released its first quarter financial results. Here’s what the results mean for mutual fund investors.
Inside DE’s Results
Earnings
The company reported earnings of $387 million, or $1.12 per share, down from $681 million, or $1.81 per share, last year. Analysts expected to see EPS of 83 cents.
Revenue
Revenue dropped 19% to $5.6 billion from $6.95 billion. Analysts expected to see $5.54 billion in revenue.
Outlook
Looking ahead to FY2015, the company expects to see net income of $1.8 billion. Previously, the company expected to see $1.9 billion in profits.
Farm Equipment Demand Is Falling
Falling commodity prices have resulted in weak demand for farming and farming equipment. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, earnings for farmers is expected to fall 32% in 2015 to the lowest level since 2009.
Deere & Company has cut production to account for the weakening demand of its products. Despite the drop in demand, farm equipment still made up about two-thirds of its sales in the first quarter.
Mutual Funds to Watch
For investors seeking exposure to Deere & Company without purchasing the individual stock, a mutual fund from the list below may be a good choice. The following funds currently hold the largest stake in DE.
| Symbol | Mutual Fund | Stake |
|---|---|---|
| VTSMX | Vanguard Total Stock Market Index | 1.79% |
| VFINX | Vanguard 500 Index | 1.15% |
| FKINX | Franklin Income | 1.06% |
The Bottom Line
By investing in any of the funds above, investors can gain exposure to DE as well as diversified bundle of other securities and industries. Investors interested in DE may also be interested in Caterpillar (CAT) and Home Depot (HD).