Core Insights - Caterpillar Inc. (CAT) is expected to report lower year-over-year earnings despite modest revenue growth due to higher costs from tariff-related pressures [1][6] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for third-quarter revenues is $16.75 billion, reflecting a 3.98% year-over-year increase, while earnings are projected to decline by 12.6% to $4.52 per share [2][6] Revenue and Earnings Projections - Revenues are projected to rise 3.98% to $16.75 billion, supported by volume gains across segments [2][6] - The consensus estimate for earnings has decreased by 2.59% over the past 60 days, indicating a decline from the previous year [2] Earnings Surprise History - Caterpillar's earnings have outpaced the Zacks Consensus Estimates in one of the last four quarters, with an average surprise of -1.01% [3][4] Segment Performance Expectations - Resource Industries segment expected external sales of $2.95 billion, a 0.4% year-over-year increase, with a projected operating profit of $615.7 million [11] - Construction Industries segment projected external sales of $6.72 billion, indicating a 6.4% growth, with an operating profit of $1.55 billion [12][13] - Energy and Transportation segment expected external sales of $6.1 billion, suggesting a 1.7% rise, with an operating profit of $1.53 billion [14][15] Cost and Margin Analysis - Tariffs are estimated to have increased costs by $500-$600 million, leading to a projected operating margin of 15.8%, down from 20% in the same quarter last year [6][10] - Adjusted operating income is expected to decrease by 19% year-over-year to $2.62 billion [10] Market Context - The manufacturing sector remained in contraction through Q3 2025, with the Institute for Supply Management's manufacturing index below 50% for most months [7] - Caterpillar's backlog stood at $37.5 billion at the beginning of Q3 2025, which, along with higher aftermarket parts and service revenues, is expected to support top-line growth [8]

Chinese and U.S. trade negotiators lined up a number of deals over the weekend. Those talks come ahead of President Trump. And President Xi is planned meeting this week in Korea.Bloomberg reporting that the agreements, however, did not resolve key fundamental issues such as national security. Our Washington correspondent Taylor Kendall joins us now from Tokyo, where she's been traveling with President Trump. So, Taylor, what does it seem like was agreed upon in Malaysia over the weekend.Yeah. Hey, Danny. We ...

Aiman, perhaps it's just not ratcheting tensions up is getting the market excited. >> Yeah, absolutely. Maybe the absence of fear is a good thing.President Trump's weekend of dealmaking in Malaysia this weekend teed up agreements with four Asian nations and continued to fill out President Trump's vision for a global trade order in which high tariffs are a more or less permanent state of affairs. Now, the deals are variously described as agreements or frameworks, but they're not legally binding documents. An ...

So, is Donald Trump a role model for you for government. >> In terms of standing up for the national interest above all else, yes. In terms of keeping promises that he made to the electorate, yes, there are many other areas in which we might disagree or might do things. >> Which are the areas that you disagree.>> There are other areas you might disagree, social policy, etc. We we might see things differently, but the the the fundamentalism of Trump is you tell the electorate, I'm going to do X, and you actu ...

Welcome to Yahoo Finance's flagship show, The Morning Brief. I'm Julie Hyman. Let's get to the three things you need to know today.A possible trade truth with China. Treasury Secretary Scott Besson saying there is a quote very successful framework for a deal. That's ahead of President Trump's meeting with Chinese President Xiinping on Thursday.Some of the key issues in focus, soybeans, rare earth minerals, tariffs, and fentanyl. Futures have been rallying on the news, and all three major indices are set to ...

Trade Negotiations & Agreements - The US President opened up potential for further trade negotiations with Japan, following a 25% tariff on Japanese goods [4] - A framework deal was previously hammered out with Japan, including $550 billion to fund American projects, but the actual funding and its allocation remain uncertain [4] - The US Treasury Secretary suggested the threat of increasing tariffs on Chinese goods by 100% is off the table [7] - There is expectation that China would resume buying US soybeans, reversing the shift to other sources like Argentina [8] - A framework for President Trump and President Xi to decide on includes tariffs, trade, fentanyl, and substantial purchases of US agricultural products and rare earths [9] US-China Trade Dynamics - Financial markets and American businesses may view the trade negotiation tactics, involving tariff threats and subsequent easing, as creating uncertainty [11][12] - China refines 90% of rare earth materials, making them an essential trading partner for the US [13][19] - American farmers export about half of their soybeans to China, but this has fallen to near zero, creating an emergency for soybean farmers [13][14] - The US depends on China for rare earths, giving China leverage in trade negotiations [19] Political Implications - Soybean purchases would be a significant political win for President Trump, especially in states like Iowa where farmers have not seen improvements in their economic situations [15] - There are differing views on whether the US or China holds more leverage in the trade war [16][17][18] - Some argue that tariffs are a political tool used by the president for personal or political gain [20][21][22] - The Trump administration is pushing the boundaries of legal justifications and bureaucratic rules in trade decisions [24]

Core Viewpoint - Berkshire Hathaway has been downgraded to "underperform" by Keefe, Bruyette & Woods due to several factors including lower car insurance margins, tariffs, falling interest rates, reduced clean energy tax credits, and the impending departure of Warren Buffett as CEO [1][2]. Group 1: Downgrade and Target Price - Keefe, Bruyette & Woods analyst Meyer Shields has cut Berkshire's target price for Class A shares from $740,000 to $700,000 [1]. - The downgrade to "underperform" is notable as such ratings are rare on Wall Street [2]. Group 2: Impact of Management Change - Berkshire Class A shares have underperformed the S&P 500 by over 28 percentage points since Buffett announced the management transition on May 3 [2]. - Warren Buffett plans to hand over the CEO role to Vice Chairman Greg Abel in January, although he will remain as chairman [2]. Group 3: Insurance Business Challenges - Berkshire's Geico car insurance business is expected to see an increase in the percentage of premiums used for accident claims after two years of decline, as it lowers rates and enhances marketing efforts to regain market share from competitors like Progressive [3]. Group 4: Economic Factors Affecting Performance - The BNSF railroad's focus on the western U.S. makes it susceptible to higher tariffs and declining trade with Asian countries, particularly China [3]. - Falling interest rates are projected to decrease income from Berkshire's cash holdings, which amounted to $344.1 billion as of June 30 [4]. - The accelerated phase-out of renewable energy tax credits under the Trump administration could limit profitability for Berkshire Hathaway Energy [4]. Group 5: Investor Sentiment - Buffett's departure is seen as a negative factor, as his reputation and the perceived lack of adequate disclosure may deter investors who have relied on his presence [5].

Economic Challenges in 2025 - Many individuals faced difficulties in saving money and had to rely more on their savings in 2025, indicating a significant financial strain [1] - Experts suggest that the financial landscape will continue to be challenging in 2026, with various factors contributing to increased living costs [2] Factors Affecting Consumer Finances - **Tariffs**: The introduction of new tariffs is expected to raise prices on imported goods, including furniture and consumer products. Consumers should anticipate ongoing price increases and adjust their budgets accordingly [3] - **Credit Card APRs**: High APRs on credit cards, often exceeding 20%, are making it difficult for consumers to manage their debts. Experts recommend considering balance transfers to lower interest rates for relief [4][5] - **Subscriptions**: The proliferation of subscription services can lead to unnoticed expenses. Consumers are advised to track their subscriptions and cancel those that are not used, potentially saving between $300 and $600 annually [6] - **Auto Insurance**: Rising costs of car parts are contributing to increased auto insurance premiums, impacting overall consumer expenses [7]

Core Viewpoint - The upcoming Supreme Court hearing on the use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) for imposing tariffs is a significant focus for the Trump administration, with potential implications for the medical device industry and broader economic impacts [1][6]. Tariffs and Economic Impact - Trump imposed tariffs under IEEPA in February 2025, with tariffs on China imports currently at 55%, and a potential threat of an additional 100% tariff by November 1 [2]. - The US Treasury Secretary estimates that annual tariff revenue could reach $300 billion in 2025, although experts warn that tariffs negatively affect companies reliant on imports [4]. - The medical device industry is particularly concerned about the impact of tariffs on patient access to essential technologies [3]. Industry Response and Challenges - The Advanced Medical Technology Association (AdvaMed) has urged the Trump administration to consider lower tariffs to promote medtech manufacturing and job growth in the US [3]. - The medical device industry faces significant challenges in shifting manufacturing away from China due to regulatory complexities and the time required for such transitions [7][8]. - Executives in the industry are beginning to develop strategies to navigate the challenges posed by tariffs, including tariff classification and supply chain issues [10][11]. Customs Planning and Strategies - Companies are exploring customs planning strategies to mitigate the impact of tariffs, including utilizing the first sale rule for customs duties [13][15]. - New middleman structures are being created to separate intellectual property from manufacturing costs, allowing companies to potentially reduce customs duties [16][17]. Legislative Context - The ongoing US-China trade war complicates the situation, with China implementing additional export controls on rare earth metals critical for medical device production [17]. - Congress has not passed a miscellaneous tariff bill since Biden took office, which previously provided temporary duty suspensions for essential imports [19][20]. - There is a call for Congress to take action to alleviate tariff pressures on the medical device industry, as the current situation remains unresolved [20].

Core Insights - Proactive provides fast, accessible, and actionable business and finance news content to a global investment audience [2][3] - The company specializes in medium and small-cap markets while also covering blue-chip companies and broader investment stories [3] Company Expertise - Proactive's news team has extensive experience in various sectors including biotech, pharma, mining, natural resources, battery metals, oil and gas, crypto, and emerging technologies [3] - The company employs technology to enhance workflows and content production, ensuring high-quality output [4][5] Content Production - All content published by Proactive is edited and authored by humans, adhering to best practices in content production and search engine optimization [5]