Deere & Co Stock Price, News & Analysis

Deere & Company (NYSE: DE) announced a quarterly dividend increase to $.90 per share, effective May 10, 2021, for stockholders on record as of March 31, 2021. This new rate marks an increase of 14 cents per share, approximately 18 percent higher than the previous dividend. CEO John C. May highlighted that the increase reflects the company’s strong performance and confidence in future prospects.

Deere & Company (NYSE: DE) reported a significant increase in first-quarter net income, reaching $1.224 billion, or $3.87 per share, up 137% from $517 million, or $1.63 per share, year-over-year. Net sales surged 19% to $9.112 billion, with equipment operations net sales growing 23% to $8.051 billion. The company has raised its full-year earnings forecast to between $4.6 billion and $5.0 billion, driven by improved market conditions in agriculture and construction sectors. A new operational strategy is aimed at enhancing efficiency and profitability.

John Deere has welcomed four new companies into its 2021 Startup Collaborator program, aimed at enhancing collaboration with startups that bring innovative technologies. The selected startups, Nori, NVision Ag, Scanit, and Teleo, focus on diverse areas such as carbon markets, nitrogen management for farmers, airborne plant pathogen detection, and tele-operated construction equipment. This year-long program allows Deere and the startups to test technologies with customers and dealers without formal business ties, fostering innovation and potential market transformation.

Deere & Company (NYSE: DE) announced a quarterly dividend of $0.76 per share on common stock, which will be paid on February 8, 2021. Stockholders of record as of December 31, 2020 will be eligible to receive this dividend. This announcement underscores the company's commitment to providing returns to its shareholders, reflecting its stable financial position and ongoing profitability.

Deere reported a 5% increase in fourth-quarter net income to $757 million, or $2.39 per share, amid disciplined cost management. However, total net sales decreased 2% to $9.731 billion for Q4 and 9% to $35.540 billion for the full year. The company anticipates 2021 earnings between $3.6 billion and $4.0 billion, driven by improving agricultural demand and smart industrial strategies. Despite certain negative impacts, including employee-separation costs, Deere remains optimistic about market recovery in agriculture and construction sectors.

John Deere (NYSE: DE) has acquired 5G licenses in five counties in Iowa and Illinois, enhancing its manufacturing facilities' connectivity. This move is part of the FCC auction for the Citizens Broadband Radio Service spectrum and will accelerate the deployment of 5G technology across North America. With 5G, John Deere aims to upgrade its Smart Industrial strategy, facilitating smart manufacturing, IoT, and real-time data applications. The rollout is anticipated during fiscal year 2022, particularly in Rock Island, Scott County, Dubuque, Polk County, and Black Hawk County.

John Deere (NYSE: DE) is hosting a virtual benefit concert titled The Farm Must Go On on December 9, 2020, featuring country artists like Dustin Lynch and Maddie & Tae. The concert aims to raise funds for Farm Rescue, which assists farmers in crisis. Fans can enter a contest to win meet-and-greets with the artists by donating at least $10. All proceeds will support volunteer efforts to aid farmers affected by various adversities.