Deere (DE) closed at $475.20 in the latest trading session, marking a -2.22% move from the prior day. This move lagged the S&P 500's daily loss of 0.34%. Elsewhere, the Dow lost 0.94%, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq added 0.16%. Shares of the agricultural equipment manufacturer witnessed a gain of 4.99% over the previous month, beating the performance of the Industrial Products sector with its gain of 3.18%, and the S&P 500's gain of 1.19%.The upcoming earnings release of Deere will be of great interest to inv ...

Group 1 - Alamo Group Inc. (ALG) designs and manufactures high-quality agricultural equipment and provides infrastructure maintenance, with a nearly 10% downward revision in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings over the last 60 days [1] - Azenta, Inc. (AZTA) offers life sciences solutions, including sample management and laboratory automation, experiencing an 11.8% downward revision in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings over the last 60 days [2] - Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (CMG) is a restaurant chain that has seen a 2.5% downward revision in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings over the last 60 days [2]

Group 1 - Alamo Group Inc. (ALG) designs and manufactures high-quality agricultural equipment and provides infrastructure maintenance, with a nearly 10% downward revision in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings over the last 60 days [1] - Alvotech (ALVO), a biosimilar medicines company, has seen its Zacks Consensus Estimate for current year earnings revised downward by 88.7% over the last 60 days [1] - Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. (CBRL) operates a restaurant and gift store chain, with a 17.3% downward revision in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings over the last 60 days [2]

Group 1 - Deep-pocketed investors are showing a bullish sentiment towards Deere, indicating potential significant developments ahead [1][2] - Recent options activity for Deere has been notable, with 53% of investors leaning bullish and 23% bearish, involving a total of $344,372 in puts and $276,278 in calls [2] - Major market movers are focusing on a price range between $430.0 and $570.0 for Deere over the past three months [3] Group 2 - Analyzing volume and open interest provides insights into the liquidity and interest for Deere's options, particularly within the $430.0 to $570.0 strike price range over the last 30 days [4] - Recent options activity highlights various trades, including bullish and bearish sentiments, with significant total trade prices and open interest [9] Group 3 - Deere is a leading manufacturer of agricultural equipment and construction machinery, with a strong market presence in North America, Europe, Latin America, and beyond [10] - The company operates through four segments: production & precision agriculture, small agriculture & turf, construction & forestry, and financial services [10] Group 4 - Analysts have set an average target price of $541.5 for Deere, with individual targets ranging from $480 to $609 from various firms [12][13] - Currently, Deere's stock is trading at $473.65, reflecting a 0.9% increase, with an anticipated earnings release in 27 days [15]

Core Insights - Investors are showing a bullish sentiment towards Deere (NYSE:DE), with significant options trading activity indicating potential upcoming developments [1][2] - The overall sentiment among large investors is 66% bullish and 16% bearish, with a notable focus on call options [2] - The predicted price range for Deere over the last three months is between $330.0 and $500.0 [3] Options Activity - In the last 30 days, there have been 12 uncommon options trades for Deere, with a total of $490,357 in call options and $90,887 in put options [2][4] - The volume and open interest data for these options provide insights into liquidity and investor interest, particularly within the $330.0 to $500.0 strike price range [4] Company Overview - Deere is a leading manufacturer of agricultural equipment and construction machinery, with four main segments: production & precision agriculture, small agriculture & turf, construction & forestry, and financial services [10] - Geographically, Deere's sales distribution is 60% in the US/Canada, 17% in Europe, 14% in Latin America, and 9% in the rest of the world [10] Market Position and Analyst Ratings - Recent expert opinions on Deere indicate an average target price of $534.0, with various analysts maintaining or upgrading their ratings [11][12] - Analysts from JP Morgan, Truist Securities, UBS, and Oppenheimer have provided target prices ranging from $480.0 to $609.0, reflecting a generally positive outlook [12] Current Trading Status - As of the latest data, Deere's trading volume stands at 470,802, with the stock price at $458.54, reflecting a slight increase of 0.3% [14] - The stock is currently positioned neutrally according to RSI indicators, with an earnings announcement expected in 34 days [14]

Group 1: Stock Performance - Deere's stock increased by 1.94% to $519.20, outperforming the S&P 500's daily gain of 0.28% [1] - Over the past month, Deere's shares declined by 2.21%, underperforming the Industrial Products sector's gain of 5.67% and the S&P 500's gain of 4.37% [1] Group 2: Earnings Projections - Deere is projected to report earnings of $4.6 per share, reflecting a year-over-year decline of 26.87% [2] - Revenue is expected to be $10.21 billion, indicating a 10.32% drop compared to the same quarter last year [2] Group 3: Fiscal Year Estimates - For the fiscal year, earnings are estimated at $18.82 per share and revenue at $38.05 billion, representing declines of 26.54% and 14.99% respectively from the previous year [3] - Recent changes in analyst estimates may indicate evolving short-term business trends, with positive revisions suggesting a favorable outlook on business health and profitability [3] Group 4: Zacks Rank and Valuation - Deere currently holds a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold), with the consensus EPS estimate remaining stagnant over the past month [5] - The Forward P/E ratio for Deere is 27.06, which is higher than the industry average of 21.81, indicating that Deere is trading at a premium [6] Group 5: PEG Ratio and Industry Ranking - Deere has a PEG ratio of 3.23, which is in line with the average PEG ratio of the Manufacturing - Farm Equipment industry [7] - The Manufacturing - Farm Equipment industry is ranked 174 in the Zacks Industry Rank, placing it in the bottom 30% of over 250 industries [7][8]

Group 1: Stock Performance - Deere's stock closed at $520.31, with a daily increase of +2.35%, outperforming the S&P 500's gain of 0.48% [1] - Over the last month, Deere's shares decreased by 0.93%, lagging behind the Industrial Products sector's gain of 6.87% and the S&P 500's gain of 5.13% [1] Group 2: Earnings Projections - The upcoming earnings release is projected to show earnings per share (EPS) of $4.6, reflecting a 26.87% decrease from the same quarter last year [2] - Revenue is anticipated to be $10.21 billion, indicating a 10.32% decline from the same quarter last year [2] - For the entire fiscal year, earnings are estimated at $18.82 per share and revenue at $38.05 billion, representing changes of -26.54% and -14.99% respectively from the previous year [3] Group 3: Analyst Estimates and Rankings - Recent adjustments to analyst estimates for Deere indicate changing near-term business trends, with positive revisions suggesting a favorable outlook on business health and profitability [4] - The Zacks Rank system, which ranges from 1 (Strong Buy) to 5 (Strong Sell), currently ranks Deere at 3 (Hold) [6] - The Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has increased by 0.02% in the past month [6] Group 4: Valuation Metrics - Deere is trading with a Forward P/E ratio of 27.01, which is a premium compared to the industry average Forward P/E of 21.62 [7] - The PEG ratio for Deere is 3.23, aligning with the average PEG ratio of the Manufacturing - Farm Equipment industry [7] Group 5: Industry Context - The Manufacturing - Farm Equipment industry is part of the Industrial Products sector and currently holds a Zacks Industry Rank of 171, placing it in the bottom 31% of over 250 industries [8] - Research indicates that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1 [8]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total revenue for the first quarter was $594.3 million, down from $628.7 million in the prior year, reflecting a 5.5% decrease in same-store sales [18] - Gross profit decreased to $90.9 million from $121.8 million, with a gross profit margin of 15.3% [18] - Net loss for the quarter was $13.2 million, or $0.58 per diluted share, compared to a net income of $9.4 million, or $0.41 per diluted share in the previous year [20] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Agriculture segment revenue decreased by 14.1% to $384.4 million, with a pretax loss of $12.8 million compared to pretax income of $13 million in the prior year [20] - Construction segment saw a slight increase in same-store sales by 0.9% to $72.1 million, but reported a pretax loss of $4.2 million compared to a pretax income of $0.3 million last year [21] - European segment revenue increased by 44.2% to $93.9 million, with a pretax income of $4.7 million compared to $1.4 million in the prior year [21] - Australia segment same-store sales decreased by 1% to $44 million, with a pretax loss of $0.6 million compared to a loss of $0.5 million last year [22] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Domestic agriculture market remains subdued, with farmers in a wait-and-see mode influenced by commodity prices and government aid [11][12] - European market, particularly Romania, benefited from EU stimulus funds, leading to increased buying activity [14] - Australian market conditions are similar to the domestic agriculture segment, with lower new order activity due to dry conditions and low commodity prices [15][16] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on optimizing inventory and managing through the current market cycle, with a target of reducing equipment inventory by $100 million [24][25] - The customer care initiative is emphasized, with parts and service expected to contribute significantly to revenue and gross profit [10] - The company anticipates a challenging back half of the year but remains committed to disciplined execution and improving inventory health [16][29] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted ongoing headwinds in the agricultural sector, with weak farmer profitability and uncertain government support impacting demand [9][10] - The construction segment shows more stability compared to agriculture, with contractors starting to fill their project backlogs [38][40] - Management expressed cautious optimism regarding the agricultural sector, citing recent government payments and favorable weather conditions as potential stabilizers [34][35] Other Important Information - The company closed on an acquisition of two stores to expand its presence in Eastern South Dakota [13] - The adjusted debt to tangible net worth ratio was 1.8, well below the bank covenant of 3.5 times [23] Q&A Session Summary Question: Is there any positive outlook on the agricultural sector? - Management indicated that some government payments have started to come through, providing stability, but overall conditions remain challenging [34] Question: How is the construction sector performing amid macro uncertainties? - Management noted that while the construction environment is cautious, there is more positivity compared to agriculture, with contractors seeing improved backlogs [38][40] Question: What programs is the USDA looking to implement for additional support? - Management explained that USDA programs are focused on natural disaster relief and specific allocations to support the agricultural industry [46][48] Question: Are inventories expected to remain flattish in Europe? - Management confirmed that inventory levels in Europe are expected to remain stable, with a focus on reducing aged inventory in North America [58][60] Question: What is the outlook for same-store sales in agriculture for Q2? - Management expects same-store sales in agriculture to be down approximately 30% year-over-year for Q2, with a challenging back half of the year anticipated [75][76]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total revenue for Q1 fiscal 2026 was $594.3 million, a decrease of 5.5% from $628.7 million in the prior year period [17] - Gross profit decreased to $90.9 million from $121.8 million, with a gross profit margin of 15.3% [17] - Net loss for Q1 was $13.2 million, or $0.58 per diluted share, compared to net income of $9.4 million, or $0.41 per diluted share in the previous year [19] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Agriculture segment revenue decreased by 14.1% to $384.4 million, with a pretax loss of $12.8 million compared to pretax income of $13 million in the prior year [19] - Construction segment saw a slight increase in same store sales by 0.9% to $72.1 million, but reported a pretax loss of $4.2 million compared to pretax income of $0.3 million last year [20] - European segment revenue increased by 44.2% to $93.9 million, with a pretax income of $4.7 million compared to $1.4 million in the prior year [20] - Australia segment revenue decreased by 1% to $44 million, with a pretax loss of $0.6 million compared to a loss of $0.5 million last year [21] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Domestic agriculture market remains subdued, with farmers in a wait-and-see mode due to commodity prices and government aid uncertainty [10][11] - European market, particularly Romania, benefited from EU stimulus funds, leading to increased buying activity [13] - Australian market conditions are similar to the domestic agriculture segment, with lower new order activity due to dry conditions and low commodity prices [15] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on optimizing inventory and managing through the current market cycle, with a target of reducing equipment inventory by $100 million [22][23] - The strategy includes leveraging parts and service revenue, which is expected to contribute significantly to gross profit despite equipment sales pressures [9][27] - The company aims to emerge from the current down market as a stronger entity, emphasizing customer service and operational efficiency [16] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management anticipates a subdued retail environment due to weak farmer profitability and undefined government support programs [6][7] - The company expects continued challenges in the agriculture segment, with revenue projected to decline by 20% to 25% for the full year [24] - For the construction segment, revenue is expected to decline by 5% to 10%, while the European segment is projected to grow by 23% to 28% [25][26] Other Important Information - The company has successfully reduced equipment inventory by approximately $13 million sequentially, with a cumulative reduction of $406 million from peak levels [22] - The adjusted debt to tangible net worth ratio was 1.8, well below the bank covenant of 3.5 times [22] Q&A Session Summary Question: Is there any positive outlook on the agricultural sector? - Management noted that some government payments have started to come through, providing stability, but the overall outlook remains challenging [32] Question: How is the construction sector performing? - Management indicated that while the construction sector is cautious, there is more optimism compared to agriculture, with contractors starting to fill their project backlogs [36][38] Question: What is the status of government support programs? - The USDA is looking to provide additional funding for natural disaster relief, which could help stabilize the agricultural sector [42][44] Question: Are there specific areas where inventory needs to be reduced? - Management highlighted that the focus is on reducing used inventory levels, particularly in the agriculture segment, while maintaining a healthy inventory mix [56][57] Question: What are the expectations for same store sales in agriculture? - Management expects same store sales in agriculture to be down about 30% year over year for Q2, with a challenging back half of the year anticipated [72]

Group 1 - Deere reported quarterly earnings of $6.64 per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $5.68 per share, but down from $8.53 per share a year ago, representing an earnings surprise of 16.90% [1] - The company posted revenues of $11.17 billion for the quarter ended April 2025, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 4.89%, compared to year-ago revenues of $13.61 billion [2] - Deere has surpassed consensus EPS estimates four times over the last four quarters and topped consensus revenue estimates three times during the same period [2] Group 2 - The stock has gained approximately 17.4% since the beginning of the year, significantly outperforming the S&P 500's gain of 0.2% [3] - The current consensus EPS estimate for the upcoming quarter is $5.35 on revenues of $10.44 billion, and for the current fiscal year, it is $18.89 on revenues of $38.23 billion [7] - The Zacks Industry Rank for Manufacturing - Farm Equipment is currently in the bottom 36% of over 250 Zacks industries, indicating potential challenges for stock performance [8]