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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

 

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended April 30, 2003

 

 

Commission file no: 1-4121

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DEERE  &  COMPANY

 

Delaware
(State of incorporation)

 

36-2382580
(IRS employer identification no.)

 

One John Deere Place

 

 

Moline, Illinois 61265

 

 

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

Telephone Number: (309) 765-8000

 

        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 is an accelerated filer (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 12b-2).

 

Yes

X

No

 

 

 

        At April 30, 2003, 239,382,305 shares of common stock, $1 par value, of the registrant were outstanding.

 

Index to Exhibits: Page 35

 


DEERE & COMPANY
STATEMENT OF CONSOLIDATED INCOME
For the Three Months Ended April 30, 2003 and 2002
(In millions of dollars except per share amounts) Unaudited

2003

2002

Net Sales and Revenues

Net sales

$

3,867.3

$

3,409.0

Finance and interest income

317.9

328.6

Health care premiums and fees

166.1

170.0

Other income

48.7

78.9

     Total

4,400.0

3,986.5

Costs and Expenses

Cost of sales

3,055.2

2,749.6

Research and development expenses

144.3

132.0

Selling, administrative and general expenses

425.4

450.5

Interest expense

160.6

156.7

Health care claims and costs

135.9

141.7

Other operating expenses

80.4

115.9

     Total

4,001.8

3,746.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income of Consolidated Group

  Before Income Taxes

398.2

240.1

Provision for income taxes

140.4

93.1

Income of Consolidated Group

257.8

147.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity in Income (Loss) of Unconsolidated Affiliates

  Credit

.1

(1.1

)

  Other

(1.0

)

(4.1

)

     Total

(.9

)

(5.2

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Income

$

256.9

$

141.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Per Share:

Net income - basic

$

1.08

$

.60

Net income - diluted

$

1.07

$

.59

 

 

 

 

 

See Notes to Interim Financial Statements.

Page 2


DEERE & COMPANY
STATEMENT OF CONSOLIDATED INCOME
For the Six Months Ended April 30, 2003 and 2002
(In millions of dollars except per share amounts) Unaudited

2003

2002

Net Sales and Revenues

Net sales

$

6,141.1

$

5,346.5

Finance and interest income

628.7

667.9

Health care premiums and fees

317.2

331.5

Other income

106.6

162.7

     Total

7,193.6

6,508.6

Costs and Expenses

Cost of sales

4,912.7

4,428.2

Research and development expenses

261.8

259.2

Selling, administrative and general expenses

782.8

816.0

Interest expense

312.5

318.6

Health care claims and costs

256.2

275.1

Other operating expenses

163.9

224.8

     Total

6,689.9

6,321.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income of Consolidated Group

  Before Income Taxes

503.7

186.7

Provision for income taxes

177.9

68.7

Income of Consolidated Group

325.8

118.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity in Income (Loss) of Unconsolidated Affiliates

  Credit

.2

(2.0

)

  Other

(1.1

)

(12.4

)

     Total

(.9

)

(14.4

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Income

$

324.9

$

103.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Per Share:

Net income - basic

$

1.36

$

.44

Net income - diluted

$

1.35

$

.43

 

 

 

 

 

See Notes to Interim Financial Statements.

Page 3


DEERE & COMPANY
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
(In millions of dollars) Unaudited

April 30

October 31

April 30

2003

2002

2002

Assets

Cash and cash equivalents

$

3,324.2

$

2,814.9

$

2,616.5

Marketable securities

211.9

189.2

214.0

Receivables from unconsolidated

   affiliates

326.2

265.8

277.1

Trade accounts and notes

   receivable - net

3,711.2

2,733.6

3,517.3

Financing receivables - net

9,455.9

9,067.5

7,670.2

Other receivables

264.5

426.4

382.8

Equipment on operating leases - net

1,425.5

1,609.2

1,713.9

Inventories

2,006.8

1,371.8

1,806.7

Property and equipment - net

2,010.5

1,998.3

2,010.1

Investments in unconsolidated affiliates

175.9

180.6

190.2

Goodwill

846.6

804.0

827.1

Other intangible assets - net

90.2

90.9

26.5

Prepaid pension costs

54.2

49.6

678.7

Other assets

628.8

582.1

423.1

Deferred income taxes

1,538.5

1,490.1

971.8

Deferred charges

113.6

94.0

113.4

          Total assets

$

26,184.5

$

23,768.0

$

23,439.4

Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity

Short-term borrowings

$

5,056.9

$

4,437.3

$

4,971.4

Payables to unconsolidated

   affiliates

97.3

64.0

42.0

Accounts payable and accrued

   expenses

3,181.7

3,142.2

2,900.4

Health care claims and reserves

103.2

92.8

109.3

Accrued taxes

246.2

87.4

136.5

Deferred income taxes

28.1

24.5

19.6

Long-term borrowings

10,412.5

8,950.4

8,471.5

Retirement benefit accruals

   and other liabilities

3,528.8

3,806.2

2,698.6

     Total liabilities

22,654.7

20,604.8

19,349.3

Common Stock, $1 par value (issued shares at

   April 30, 2003 - 268,215,602)

1,957.0

1,957.0

1,947.7

Common stock in treasury

(1,306.0

)

(1,322.2

)

(1,344.8

)

Unamortized restricted stock compensation

(8.1

)

(17.8

)

(17.7

)

Retained earnings

4,128.4

3,912.6

3,808.6

   Total

4,771.3

4,529.6

4,393.8

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

(1,241.5

)

(1,366.4

)

(303.7

)

Total stockholders' equity

3,529.8

3,163.2

4,090.1

          Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

$

26,184.5

$

23,768.0

$

23,439.4

See Notes to Interim Financial Statements.

Page 4


DEERE & COMPANY
CONDENSED STATEMENT OF CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOWS
For the Six Months Ended April 30, 2003 and 2002
(In millions of dollars) Unaudited

2003

2002

Cash Flows from Operating Activities

Net income

$

324.9

$

103.6

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash

  used for operating activities

(1,217.7

)

(328.8

)

     Net cash used for operating activities

(892.8

)

(225.2

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash Flows from Investing Activities

Collections of receivables

4,228.2

3,734.3

Proceeds from sales of financing receivables

606.2

2,613.0

Proceeds from maturities and sales of marketable securities

27.4

28.1

Proceeds from sales of equipment on operating leases

277.8

308.6

Proceeds from sales of businesses

22.5

50.1

Cost of receivables acquired

(5,038.8

)

(4,933.7

)

Purchases of marketable securities

(49.0

)

(67.1

)

Purchases of property and equipment

(117.1

)

(142.6

)

Cost of operating leases acquired

(195.8

)

(249.9

)

Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired

(8.0

)

(11.7

)

Decrease (increase) in receivables with unconsolidated affiliates

(8.4

)

10.2

Other

(27.0

)

(80.7

)

     Net cash provided by (used for) investing activities

(282.0

)

1,258.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash Flows from Financing Activities

Increase (decrease) in short-term borrowings

1,061.4

(1,145.9

)

Proceeds from long-term borrowings

2,002.5

3,179.7

Principal payments on long-term borrowings

(1,323.6

)

(1,406.5

)

Proceeds from issuance of common stock

20.4

33.4

Repurchases of common stock

(.4

)

(1.2

)

Dividends paid

(105.2

)

(104.0

)

Other

(1.4

)

(1.8

)

     Net cash provided by financing activities

1,653.7

553.7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash

30.4

(.6

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents

509.3

1,586.5

Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period

2,814.9

1,030.0

Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period

$

3,324.2

$

2,616.5

 

 

 

 

See Notes to Interim Financial Statements.

 

 

 

Page 5


 

Notes to Interim Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

 

(1)

The consolidated financial statements of Deere & Company and consolidated subsidiaries have been prepared by the Company, without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been condensed or omitted as permitted by such rules and regulations. All adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, have been included. Management believes that the disclosures are adequate to present fairly the financial position, results of operations and cash flows at the dates and for the periods presented. It is suggested that these interim financial statements be read in conjunction with the financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Company's latest annual report on Form 10-K. Results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of those to be expe cted for the fiscal year.

 

 

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and related disclosures. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

 

 

Certain amounts for prior years have been reclassified to conform with 2003 financial statement presentations.

 

 

(2)

Certain information in the notes and related commentary are presented in a format which includes data grouped as follows:

Equipment Operations  -  These data include the Company's agricultural equipment, commercial and consumer equipment, construction and forestry and special technologies operations with Financial Services reflected on the equity basis.

 

 

 

Financial Services  -  These data include the Company's credit and health care operations.

 

 

 

Consolidated  -  These data represent the consolidation of the Equipment Operations and Financial Services. References to "Deere & Company" or "the Company" refer to the entire enterprise.

 

 

(3)

An analysis of the Company's retained earnings follows in millions of dollars:

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
April 30

Six Months Ended
April 30

 

 

 

2003

 

 

 

2002

 

 

2003

 

 

2002

Balance, beginning of period

$

3,924.4

$

3,734.9

$

3,912.6

$

3,834.8

Net income

256.9

141.8

324.9

103.6

Dividends declared

(52.6

)

(52.3

)

(105.2

)

(104.5

)

Other

(.3

)

(15.8

)

(3.9

)

(25.3

)

Balance, end of period

$

4,128.4

$

3,808.6

$

4,128.4

$

3,808.6

Page 6


(4)

The Company uses the intrinsic value method to account for stock-based employee compensation in its financial statements. The pro forma net income and net income per share according to the fair value method in Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Statement No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, with dollars in millions except per share amounts were as follows:

 

 

Six Months Ended
April 30

 

2003

 

 

2002

 

 

Net income as reported

$

324.9

 

 

$

103.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Add:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stock-based employee compensation costs, net
   of tax, included in net income

 


1.3

 

 

 


1.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stock-based employee compensation costs, net
   of tax, as if fair value method had been applied

 


(16.1)


 

 


(18.1)


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pro forma net income

$

310.1

 

 

$

86.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   As reported - basic

$

1.36

 

 

$

.44

 

 

   Pro forma - basic

 

1.30

 

 

 

.36

 

 

   As reported - diluted

 

1.35

 

 

 

.43

 

 

   Pro forma - diluted

 

1.29

 

 

 

.36

 

 

(5)

Most inventories owned by Deere & Company and its United States equipment subsidiaries are valued at cost on the "last-in, first-out" (LIFO) method. If all of the Company's inventories had been valued on a "first-in, first-out" (FIFO) method, estimated inventories by major classification in millions of dollars would have been as follows:

 

 

 

 

April 30
2003

 

October 31
2002

 

April 30
2002

 

Raw materials and supplies

$

533

 

 

$

515

 

 

$

557

 

 

Work-in-process

 

399

 

 

 

361

 

 

 

410

 

 

Finished machines and parts

 

2,013

 

 

 

1,444

 

 

 

1,838

 

 

Total FIFO value

 

2,945

 

 

 

2,320

 

 

 

2,805

 

 

Adjustment to LIFO basis *

 

938

 

 

 

948

 

 

 

998

 

Inventories

$

2,007

$

1,372

$

1,807

 

*

The inventories at FIFO reflect current costs that are lower than in previous years due to the Company's cost reduction initiatives. However, the inventories at LIFO reflect historical costs that remain constant. These factors have decreased the amount of the adjustment required from FIFO to LIFO.

Page 7


(6)

Contingencies

 

 

 

The Company generally determines its total warranty liability by applying historical claims rate experience to the estimated amount of equipment that has been sold and still under warranty (based on dealer inventories and retail sales). The historical claims rate is primarily determined by a review of five-year claims costs and current quality developments.

A reconciliation of the changes in the warranty liability in millions of dollars follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beginning balance at October 31, 2002

 

$

332

 

 

 

 

 

Payments

 

 

(126

)

 

 

 

 

Accruals for warranties

 

 

158

 

 

 

 

 

Ending balance at April 30, 2003

 

$

364

 

The Company has guaranteed certain recourse obligations on financing receivables that it has sold. If the receivables sold are not collected, the Company would be required to cover those losses up to the amount of its recourse obligation. At April 30, 2003, the maximum amount of exposure to losses under these agreements was $178 million, which is net of accrued losses of $20 million related to these agreements. The Company may recover a portion of any required payments incurred under these agreements from the repossession of the equipment collateralizing the receivables. At April 30, 2003, the maximum remaining term of the receivables guaranteed was approximately six years.

The Company has certain minority ownership interests in unconsolidated affiliates in which the majority owners have put options to require the Company to purchase their interest. These puts could be exercised over a two-year period which begins December 2004 to March 2005 and total approximately $170 million to $250 million, depending on whether they are exercised on the first or last day of the period. If the Company's rating on its senior unsecured debt falls below Baa3 from Moody's Investors Service or BBB- from Standard & Poor's, these puts could be exercised immediately for approximately $150 million. A discussion of the Company's debt ratings is included in Management's Discussion and Analysis under the caption Capital Resources and Liquidity. The Company also has call options to acquire the majority owners' interest. These calls can be exercised over a two-year period beginning December 2003 to March 2004 and total approximately $165 million to $260 million, depending on whether they are exerci sed on the first or last day of the period. At April 30, 2003, the Company had accrued costs of $95 million under these option agreements.

At April 30, 2003, the Company had guaranteed approximately $80 million of residual value for five operating leases related to certain administrative and manufacturing buildings. The Company is obligated at the end of each lease term to pay to the lessor any reduction in market value of the leased property up to the guaranteed residual value. The Company recognizes the expense for these future estimated lease payments over the lives of the operating leases and had accrued expenses of $15 million related to these agreements at April 30, 2003. The leases have terms expiring from 2004 to 2007.

At April 30, 2003, the Company had approximately $80 million of guarantees issued primarily to overseas banks related to third-party receivables for the retail financing of John Deere equipment. The Company may recover a portion of any required payments incurred under these agreements from repossession of the equipment collateralizing the receivables. At April 30, 2003, the Company had accrued losses of approximately $1 million under these agreements. The maximum remaining term of the receivables guaranteed at April 30, 2003 was approximately 5 years.

Page 8


The Company also had other miscellaneous contingent liabilities totaling approximately $35 million at April 30, 2003, for which it believes the probability for payment is remote.

Commitments

At April 30, 2003, the Company had commitments of approximately $91 million for construction and acquisition of property and equipment. The Company had pledged assets of $12 million, primarily outside the United States, as collateral for borrowings, and $17 million of restricted investments related to conducting the health care business in various states at April 30, 2003.

John Deere B.V., located in the Netherlands, is a consolidated indirect wholly-owned finance subsidiary of the Company. The debt securities of John Deere B.V., including those that are registered with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by the Company.

(7)

Dividends declared and paid on a per share basis were as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
April 30

Six Months Ended
April 30

2003

2002

2003

2002

 

Dividends declared

$

.22

 

$

.22

 

$

.44

 

$

.44

Dividends paid

$

.22

$

.22

$

.44

$

.44

 

 

Page 9


(8)

Worldwide net sales and revenues, operating profit (loss) and identifiable assets by segment in millions of dollars follow:

 

Three Months Ended April 30

 

Six Months Ended April 30

 

2003

 

2002

 

%
Change

 

2003

 

2002

 

%
Change

Net sales and revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   Agricultural equipment **

$

2,166

 

 

$

1,908

 

 

+14

 

$

3,437

 

 

$

3,088

 

 

+11

   Commercial and consumer equipment

992

 

 

883

 

 

+12

 

1,475

 

 

1,241

 

 

+19

   Construction and forestry

697

 

 

602

 

 

+16

 

1,209

 

 

989

 

 

+22

   Other

12

 

 

16

 

 

-25

 

20

 

 

29

 

 

-31

          Total net sales ***

3,867

 

 

3,409

 

 

+13

 

6,141

 

 

5,347

 

 

+15

   Credit revenues **

329

 

 

373

 

 

-12

 

652

 

 

748

 

 

-13

   Other revenues

204

 

 

205

 

 

 

 

401

 

 

414

 

 

-3

     Total net sales and revenues ***

$

4,400

 

 

$

3,987

 

 

+10

 

$

7,194

 

 

$

6,509

 

 

+11

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating profit (loss): ****

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   Agricultural equipment

$

195

 

 

$

173

 

*

+13

 

$

202

 

 

$

157

 

*

+29

   Commercial and consumer equipment

110

 

 

80

 

*

+38

 

132

 

 

37

 

*

+257

   Construction and forestry

35

 

 

(22

)

*

 

 

52

 

 

(88

)

*

 

   Credit

111

 

 

79

 

 

+41

 

218

 

 

197

 

 

+11

   Other

5

 

 

(7

)

*

 

 

8

 

 

(11

)

*

 

     Total operating profit ***

456

 

 

303

 

*

+50

 

612

 

 

292

 

*

+110

Interest, corporate expenses - net

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   and income taxes

(199

)

 

(161

)

 

+24

 

(287

)

 

(188

)

 

+53

     Net income

$

257

 

 

$

142

 

*

+81

 

$

325

 

 

$

104

 

*

+213

Identifiable assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Agricultural equipment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

3,108

 

 

$

3,410

 

 

-9

 

Commercial and consumer equipment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,701

 

 

1,601

 

 

+6

 

Construction and forestry

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,457

 

 

1,443

 

 

+1

 

Credit

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

15,281

 

 

13,088

 

 

+17

 

Other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

381

 

 

386

 

 

-1

 

Corporate

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,257

 

 

3,511

 

 

+21

 

Total assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

26,185

 

 

$

23,439

 

 

+12

*

In the second quarter of 2002, the operating profit (loss) of the agricultural equipment, commercial and consumer equipment, construction and forestry and other segments included pretax goodwill amortization of $3, $4, $4 and $3, respectively, for a total of $14. In the first six months of 2002, these amounts were $7, $7, $8 and $6, respectively, for a total of $28. In the second quarter of 2002, the operating profit (loss) of the agricultural equipment, commercial and consumer equipment, construction and forestry and other segments also included pretax costs (income) for special items related to restructuring of $8, $(3), $6, and $6, respectively, for a total of $17. In the first six months of 2002, these amounts were $8, $(2), $22 and $6, respectively, for a total of $34. In the first six months of 2003, there was no goodwill amortization and the costs or income for special items were not material.

**

Additional intersegment sales and revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Agricultural equipment sales

$

17

 

 

$

17

 

 

 

 

$

28

 

 

$

28

 

 

 

 

  Credit revenues

57

 

 

41

 

 

+39

 

101

 

 

76

 

 

+33

***

Includes overseas equipment
  operations as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Net sales

$

1,172

 

 

$

959

 

 

+22

 

$

1,896

 

 

$

1,569

 

 

+21

 

  Operating profit

149

 

 

85

 

 

+75

 

196

 

 

101

 

 

+94

****

Operating profit (loss) is income before external interest expense, foreign exchange gains and losses, income taxes and certain corporate expenses. However, operating profit (loss) of the credit segment includes the effect of interest expense and foreign exchange gains or losses.

Page 10


(9)

A reconciliation of basic and diluted net income per share in millions, except per share amounts, follows:

Six Months Ended April 30

2003

2002

Net income

$

324.9

$

103.6

Average shares outstanding

239.3

237.8

Basic net income per share

$

1.36

$

.44

Average shares outstanding

239.3

237.8

Effect of dilutive stock options

2.2

2.6

Total potential shares outstanding

241.5

240.4

Diluted net income per share

$

1.35

$

.43

 

 

 

Stock options to purchase 2.3 million shares during the first six months of 2003 and 2.8 million during the first six months of 2002 were outstanding, but not included in the above diluted per share computation because the options' exercise prices were greater than the average market price of the Company's common stock during the period.

 

 

(10)

Comprehensive income, which includes all changes in the Company's equity during the period except transactions with stockholders, was as follows in millions of dollars:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
April 30

Six Months Ended
April 30

 

 

2003

2002

 

 

2003

2002

 

 

Net income

$

256.9

 

 

$

141.8

 

 

$

324.9

 

$

103.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income, net of tax:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change in cumulative translation adjustment

 

58.7

 

 

 

20.7

 

 

 

116.9

 

 

32.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized gain on investments

 

3.3

 

 

 

.3

 

 

 

6.6

 

 

.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized gain on derivatives

 

4.9

 

 

 

15.0

 

 

 

1.4

 

 

32.7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comprehensive income

$

323.8

 

 

$

177.8

 

 

$

449.8

 

$

168.8

 

 

 

(11)

The Company is subject to various unresolved legal actions which arise in the normal course of its business, the most prevalent of which relate to product liability (including asbestos related actions), retail credit, software licensing, patent and trademark matters. Although it is not possible to predict with certainty the outcome of these unresolved legal actions or the range of possible loss, the Company believes these unresolved legal actions will not have a material effect on its financial statements.

 

 

Page 11


(12)

In 2002 and the fourth quarter of 2001, the Company announced certain actions aimed at increasing efficiency and reducing costs. The Company established reserves and liabilities to recognize the accruable costs of these actions. The changes in these reserves and liabilities in millions of dollars and the number of employee reductions during the first six months of 2003 were as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reserves and
Liabilities
October 31, 2002

 

Accruals and
Adjustments
Expense (Income)

 

Liquidations
And Payments

 

Reserves and
Liabilities
April 30, 2003

Property and equipment
   reserves

$  34

 

 

 

 

 

 

$  (5

)

 

$  29

 

Inventory reserves

2

 

 

$   1

 

 

 

(1

)

 

2

 

Termination benefits

11

 

 

(1

)

 

 

(8

) *

 

2

 

Contract terminations

18

 

 

(3

)

 

 

(2

)

 

13

 

Warranties and
   product returns

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

Other costs

12

 

 

(1

)

 

 

(6

)

 

5

 

     Total

$  78

 

 

$  (4

)

 

 

$  (22

)

 

$  52

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

October 31, 2002

 

Additions

 

Reductions

 

April 30, 2003

Employee reductions

200

 

 

 

 

190

 *

 

10

 

 

 

*

The decrease in the termination benefits liability is not proportional to the reduction in employees since certain benefits related to past services are not paid immediately upon termination.

 

 

(13)

In the first quarter of 2003, the Company adopted FASB Statement No. 141, Business Combinations, and Statement No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets. Statement No. 141 requires the purchase method of accounting for all business combinations and eliminates the pooling of interests method effective June 30, 2001. Statement No. 141 also specifies the types of acquired intangible assets to be included in goodwill and those to be reported separately from goodwill upon adoption of Statement No. 142. No adjustments of goodwill and other intangible assets were required based on these requirements.

 

 

 

In accordance with Statement No. 142, the Company did not amortize goodwill related to acquisitions made after June 30, 2001 and discontinued amortizing goodwill for prior acquisitions upon adoption of the new standard as of November 1, 2002. Based on the new standard, goodwill will be written down only for impairments. The Company was also required to test existing goodwill for impairment on a transitional basis as of November 1, 2002. The Company has completed this test and has determined that its goodwill is not impaired and no write-downs are necessary. A fair value approach was applied to the Company's reporting units to determine if the carrying value of goodwill was impaired. The fair value of the reporting units was established based on discounted cash flows and market multiples. Goodwill will continue to be tested for impairment annually, or more often if events and circumstances change.

 

 

Page 12


 

A reconciliation of reported net income to adjusted net income, excluding goodwill amortization, is as follows with dollars in millions except per share amounts:

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
April 30

Six Months Ended
April 30

 

 

 

2003

 

 

 

2002

 

 

 

2003

 

 

 

2002

 

 

Reported net income

$

256.9

 

 

$

141.8

 

 

$

324.9

 

 

$

103.6

 

Goodwill amortization, net of tax

12.8

25.6

Adjusted net income

$

256.9

$

154.6

$

324.9

$

129.2

 

Basic net income per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reported net income

$

1.08

 

 

$

.60

 

 

$

1.36

 

 

$

.44

 

Goodwill amortization, net of tax

.05

.11

Adjusted net income

$

1.08

$

.65

$

1.36

$

.55

 

Diluted net income per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reported net income

$

1.07

 

 

$

.59

 

 

$

1.35

 

 

$

.43

 

Goodwill amortization, net of tax

.05

.11

Adjusted net income

$

1.07

$

.64

$

1.35

$

.54

 

 

 

In the first quarter of 2003, the Company also adopted the following accounting standards issued by the FASB. Interpretation No. 45, Guarantor's Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others, requires the guarantor to recognize, at inception of a guarantee, a liability for the fair value of the obligation undertaken in issuing a guarantee. The Interpretation also requires certain disclosures for guarantees, which are included in Note 6 under contingencies. Statement No. 143, Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations, requires legal obligations associated with the retirement of long-lived assets to be recorded as increases in costs of the related assets. Statement No. 144, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, retains the previous cash flow test for impairment and broadens the presentation of discontinued operations. Statement No. 146, Accounting for the Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities, requires c ompanies to recognize liabilities and costs associated with exit or disposal activities initiated after December 31, 2002 when they are incurred, rather than when management commits to a plan to exit an activity. Statement No. 148, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation - Transition and Disclosure, requires certain pro forma disclosures, which are included in Note 4. This Statement also amended the transition provisions of FASB Statement No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation. The adoption of these standards did not have a material effect on the Company's financial position or net income.

Page 13


 

In January 2003, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 46, Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, which addresses the consolidation and related disclosures of these entities by business enterprises. These are entities in which either the equity investment at risk is not sufficient to absorb the probable losses without additional subordinated financial support from other parties, or the equity investors lack certain essential characteristics of control. As disclosed in Note 10 to the Company's 2002 Annual Report filed on Form 10-K, the Company's credit operations hold retained interests in certain variable interest entities related to the securitization and sale of their retail notes. Upon adoption of this Interpretation, the Company will not be required to consolidate any of these entities because it qualifies for the following exceptions. Under the Interpretation, most of the Company's retained interests are not deemed variable interests because they are interests in a variable interest entity's speci fied assets with a fair value that is less than half the fair value of the entity's total assets. The Company's remaining retained interests are with qualified special purpose entities as defined by FASB Statement No. 140, Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities. At April 30, 2003, the assets of these entities related to the Company's securitization and sales of retail notes totaled approximately $2,250 million and the maximum exposure to losses from recourse obligations related to these entities was $177 million. This Interpretation is effective for variable interests created after January 31, 2003 and is effective for preexisting variable interests in the Company's fourth quarter of fiscal year 2003. The Company does not expect the adoption of this standard to have a material effect on the Company's financial position or net income.

 

 

 

In April 2003, the FASB issued Statement No. 149, Amendment of Statement No. 133 on Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities. The standard is primarily effective for transactions occurring after June 30, 2003. In May 2003, the FASB issued Statement No. 150, Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of both Liabilities and Equity. The Statement affects the accounting for certain obligations that a reporting entity can or must settle by issuing its own equity shares. It is effective for financial instruments entered into or modified after May 31, 2003 and is effective for the Company's previously existing financial instruments in the fourth quarter of 2003. The Company does not expect the adoption of these standards to have a material effect on the Company's financial position or net income.

Page 14


 

(14) SUPPLEMENTAL CONSOLIDATING DATA
STATEMENT OF INCOME
For the Three Months Ended April 30, 2003 and 2002

(In millions of dollars) Unaudited

EQUIPMENT OPERATIONS*

FINANCIAL SERVICES

2003  

2002  

2003

2002

Net Sales and Revenues

Net sales

$

3,867.3

$

3,409.0

Finance and interest income

17.3

14.5

$

360.4

$

357.0

Health care premiums and fees

170.8

174.6

Other income

32.3

28.3

29.1

61.7

     Total

3,916.9

3,451.8

560.3

593.3

Costs and Expenses

Cost of sales

3,059.0

2,753.3

Research and development expenses

144.3

132.0

Selling, administrative and general expenses

309.8

292.7

117.1

159.4

Interest expense

53.6

54.2

112.6

105.5

Interest compensation to Financial Services

54.2

39.8

Health care claims and costs

135.9

141.7

Other operating expenses

14.5

26.3

78.0

100.1

     Total

3,635.4

3,298.3

443.6

506.7

Income of Consolidated Group

  Before Income Taxes

281.5

153.5

116.7

86.6

Provision for income taxes

99.9

58.6

40.5

34.5

Income of Consolidated Group

181.6

94.9

76.2

52.1

Equity in Income (Loss) of Unconsolidated

  Subsidiaries and Affiliates

  Credit

72.9

47.3

.1

(1.1

)

  Other

2.4

(.4

)

     Total

75.3

46.9

.1

(1.1

)

Net Income

$

256.9

$

141.8

$

76.3

$

51.0

* Deere & Company with Financial Services on the equity basis.

The supplemental consolidating data is presented for informational purposes. Transactions between the "Equipment Operations" and "Financial Services" have been eliminated to arrive at the consolidated financial statements.

Page 15


SUPPLEMENTAL CONSOLIDATING DATA (Continued)
STATEMENT OF INCOME
For the Six Months Ended April 30, 2003 and 2002

(In millions of dollars) Unaudited

EQUIPMENT OPERATIONS*

FINANCIAL SERVICES

2003  

2002  

2003

2002

Net Sales and Revenues

Net sales

$

6,141.1

$

5,346.5

Finance and interest income

37.5

32.2

$

700.0

$

719.6

Health care premiums and fees

326.5

340.4

Other income

70.5

71.9

59.9

112.8

     Total

6,249.1

5,450.6

1,086.4

1,172.8

Costs and Expenses

Cost of sales

4,920.2

4,435.4

Research and development expenses

261.8

259.2

Selling, administrative and general expenses

564.3

551.4

221.6

268.4

Interest expense

108.1

108.0

218.2

220.7

Interest compensation to Financial Services

94.9

73.8

Health care claims and costs

256.2

275.1

Other operating expenses

26.3

48.1

160.2

196.6

     Total

5,975.6

5,475.9

856.2

960.8

Income (Loss) of Consolidated Group

  Before Income Taxes

273.5

(25.3

)

230.2

212.0

Provision (credit) for income taxes

97.1

(9.7

)

80.8

78.4

Income (Loss) of Consolidated Group

176.4

(15.6

)

149.4

133.6

Equity in Income (Loss) of Unconsolidated

  Subsidiaries and Affiliates

  Credit

141.9

123.3

.2

(2.0

)

  Other

6.6

(4.1

)

     Total

148.5

119.2

.2

(2.0

)

Net Income

$

324.9

$

103.6

$

149.6

$

131.6

* Deere & Company with Financial Services on the equity basis.

The supplemental consolidating data is presented for informational purposes. Transactions between the "Equipment Operations" and "Financial Services" have been eliminated to arrive at the consolidated financial statements.

Page 16


 

SUPPLEMENTAL CONSOLIDATING DATA (Continued)

CONDENSED BALANCE SHEET
(In millions of dollars) Unaudited

 

EQUIPMENT OPERATIONS *

 

FINANCIAL SERVICES

 

 

April 30
2003

 

October 31
2002

 

April 30
2002

 

 

April 30
2003

 

October 31
2002

 

April 30
2002

Assets

Cash and cash equivalents

$

2,879.5

$

2,638.5

$

2,122.8

$

444.7

$

176.3

$

493.7

Cash equivalents deposited with
   unconsolidated subsidiaries

231.4

790.8

601.9

      Total cash and cash equivalents

3,110.9

3,429.3

2,724.7

444.7

176.3

493.7

Marketable securities

211.9

189.2

214.0

Receivables from unconsolidated
   subsidiaries and affiliates

229.7

220.1

188.7

291.9

259.8

273.2

Trade accounts and notes
   receivable - net

940.7

909.4

1,301.6

3,183.0

2,137.7

2,571.9

Financing receivables - net

35.4

60.1

43.7

9,420.5

9,007.4

7,626.5

Other receivables

117.8

279.1

200.3

146.7

147.3

182.4

Equipment on operating leases - net

11.5

12.4

12.7

1,414.0

1,596.8

1,701.2

Inventories

2,006.8

1,371.8

1,806.7

Property and equipment - net

1,976.9

1,963.4

1,972.8

33.6

34.9

37.3

Investments in unconsolidated
   subsidiaries and affiliates

2,355.8

2,248.5

2,315.5

3.0

7.7

10.9

Goodwill

846.4

803.9

826.9

.2

.2

.2

Other intangible assets - net

89.9

90.4

25.9

.3

.4

.5

Prepaid pension costs

54.2

49.6

678.7

Other assets

212.4

208.1

169.5

416.4

374.0

253.7

Deferred income taxes

1,626.6

1,576.3

1,035.1

1.4

1.8

1.1

Deferred charges

90.7

73.4

93.4

25.5

20.6

20.0

      Total assets

$

13,705.7

$

13,295.8

$

13,396.2

$

15,593.1

$

13,954.1

$

13,386.6

Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity

Short-term borrowings

$

411.4

$

398.1

$

851.2

$

4,645.5

$

4,039.2

$

4,120.2

Payables to unconsolidated
   subsidiaries and affiliates

108.1

79.4

57.9

415.9

989.7

770.8

Accounts payable and accrued
   expenses

2,915.3

2,800.7

2,686.9

681.5

654.9

569.7

Health care claims and reserves

103.2

92.8

109.3

Accrued taxes

226.5

83.2

129.4

19.7

4.2

7.1

Deferred income taxes

11.4

9.5

3.1

106.3

102.9

80.9

Long-term borrowings

3,013.3

2,988.8

2,912.3

7,399.2

5,961.5

5,559.1

Retirement benefit accruals
   and other liabilities

3,489.9

3,772.9

2,665.3

38.8

33.3

33.3

      Total liabilities

10,175.9

10,132.6

9,306.1

13,410.1

11,878.5

11,250.4

Common Stock, $1 par value (issued shares at

   April 30, 2003 - 268,215,602)

1,957.0

1,957.0

1,947.7

968.6

968.6

968.6

Common stock in treasury

(1,306.0

)

(1,322.2

)

(1,344.8

)

Unamortized restricted stock compensation

(8.1

)

(17.8

)

(17.7

)

Retained earnings

4,128.4

3,912.6

3,808.6

1,272.7

1,195.9

1,241.8

   Total

4,771.3

4,529.6

4,393.8

2,241.3

2,164.5

2,210.4

Accumulated other comprehensive
   income (loss)

(1,241.5

)

(1,366.4

)

(303.7

)

(58.3

)

(88.9

)

(74.2

)

Total stockholders' equity

3,529.8

3,163.2

4,090.1

2,183.0

2,075.6

2,136.2

      Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

$

13,705.7

$

13,295.8

$

13,396.2

$

15,593.1

$

13,954.1

$

13,386.6

* Deere & Company with Financial Services on the equity basis.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The supplemental consolidating data is presented for informational purposes. Transactions between the "Equipment Operations" and "Financial Services" have been eliminated to arrive at the consolidated financial statements.

Page 17


 

SUPPLEMENTAL CONSOLIDATING DATA (Continued)
CONDENSED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
For the Six Months Ended April 30, 2003 and 2002
(In millions of dollars) Unaudited

EQUIPMENT OPERATIONS*

FINANCIAL SERVICES

2003

2002

2003

2002

Cash Flows from Operating Activities

Net income

$

324.9

$

103.6

$

149.6

$

131.6

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash

  provided by (used for) operating activities

(488.9

)

(133.8

)

221.0

215.6

     Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities

(164.0

)

(30.2

)

370.6

347.2

Cash Flows from Investing Activities

Collections of receivables

34.7

11.3

8,058.4

6,550.9

Proceeds from sales of financing receivables

606.2

2,613.0

Proceeds from maturities and sales of marketable securities

27.4

28.1

Proceeds from sales of equipment on operating leases

.1

.7

277.7

307.8

Proceeds from sales of businesses

22.5

50.1

Cost of receivables acquired

(6.9

)

(6.8

)

(9,901.7

)

(8,104.6

)

Purchases of marketable securities

(49.0

)

(67.1

)

Purchases of property and equipment

(115.0

)

(140.7

)

(2.2

)

(1.9

)

Cost of operating leases acquired

(1.2

)

(4.2

)

(194.5

)

(245.7

)

Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired

(8.0

)

(4.5

)

(7.3

)

Decrease (increase) in receivables with unconsolidated affiliates

(32.1

)

40.8

Other

.6

8.4

(25.5

)

(89.1

)

     Net cash provided by (used for) investing activities

(73.2

)

(85.7

)

(1,235.3

)

1,024.9

Cash Flows from Financing Activities

Increase (decrease) in short-term borrowings

(23.6

)

124.9

1,084.9

(1,270.9

)

Change in intercompany receivables/payables

14.6

62.7

(574.0

)

(1,104.0

)

Proceeds from long-term borrowings

5.0

699.9

1,997.4

2,479.8

Principal payments on long-term borrowings

(11.1

)

(75.0

)

(1,312.5

)

(1,331.5

)

Proceeds from issuance of common stock

20.4

33.4

Repurchases of common stock

(.4

)

(1.2

)

Dividends paid

(105.2

)

(104.0

)

(72.8

)

(222.9

)

Other

(1.2

)

(1.8

)

     Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities

(101.5

)

738.9

1,123.0

(1,449.5

)

Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash

20.3

3.1

10.1

(3.6

)

Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents

(318.4

)

626.1

268.4

(81.0

)

Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period

3,429.3

2,098.6

176.3

574.7

Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period

$

3,110.9

$

2,724.7

$

444.7

$

493.7

* Deere & Company with Financial Services on the equity basis.

The supplemental consolidating data is presented for informational purposes. Transactions between the "Equipment Operations" and "Financial Services" have been eliminated to arrive at the consolidated financial statements.

Page 18


Item 2

MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

Deere & Company's net income for the second quarter was $256.9 million, or $1.07 per share, an increase of more than 80 percent over last year's second quarter net income of $141.8 million, or $.59 per share. For the first six months, net income was $324.9 million, or $1.35 per share, more than triple last year's six-month net income of $103.6 million, or $.43 per share. Increased profitability of the Company's construction and forestry and commercial and consumer equipment operations contributed to the strong second quarter. Even though the domestic farm equipment sector remained weak, the Company's improvement initiatives, as well as increased sales outside of North America, helped produce higher agricultural equipment profits.

 

Worldwide net sales and revenues increased 10 percent to $4,400 million for the second quarter as compared to a year ago and increased 11 percent to $7,194 million for the first six months. Net sales were $3,867 million for the quarter and $6,141 million for six months, compared with $3,409 million and $5,347 million last year. Net sales increased due primarily to higher physical volumes in all three major equipment segments. Additionally, currency exchange rates and price realization had a favorable impact on this year's sales. Compared with last year, overseas sales increased 22 percent for the quarter and 21 percent for the first six months. Excluding the impact of changes in currency exchange rates, the increases in overseas sales were 10 percent and 11 percent, respectively, due primarily to higher agricultural equipment sales.

 

The Company's Equipment Operations reported operating profit of $339 million for the second quarter and $382 million for the first six months of 2003, compared with $217 million and $82 million for the same periods last year. (Operating profit is defined in Note 8). The increases for both periods were primarily due to improved price realization, higher sales and production volumes and related manufacturing efficiencies, and other cost reductions. The absence of goodwill amortization this year had a favorable pretax impact of $14 million for the quarter and $28 million for the first six months. Additionally, results for both the quarter and the year-to-date benefited from the impact of translating the foreign earnings at higher exchange rates. Partially offsetting these factors was a pretax increase in postretirement benefit costs of $69 million for the quarter and $143 million for the first six months.

 

These same factors mentioned above also led to the Equipment Operations achieving net income of $181.6 million for the second quarter and $176.4 million for the first six months, compared with net income of $94.9 million and a net loss of $15.6 million for the respective periods last year.

Page 19


Agricultural Equipment. Compared with last year, agricultural equipment sales increased 14 percent for the quarter and 11 percent for the six months. The sales increases for both periods were primarily due to the impact of stronger foreign exchange rates, higher sales overseas and improved price realization.

Operating profit rose to $195 million for the quarter and $202 million for the first six months, compared with $173 million and $157 million in the respective periods last year. The increases in operating profit for both periods were primarily due to price realization, the favorable impact of translating the foreign earnings at higher exchange rates and higher sales volumes in South America. The year-to-date results benefited from higher sales and production volumes in Europe reflecting continued strength from products introduced last year. Partially offsetting these factors were a less favorable sales mix and increases in postretirement benefit costs of $47 million for the quarter and $95 million for the first six months.

 

 

Commercial and Consumer Equipment. Compared with last year, the segment's sales for the quarter increased 12 percent. The increase was primarily due to strong retail demand for recently introduced products and the impact of expanded distribution channels partially offset by a lower seasonal field inventory build-up. Sales for the first six months increased 19 percent, compared with last year, when the segment implemented deep production and shipment cutbacks to reduce Company and field inventories.

Operating profit was $110 million for the quarter and $132 million for the first six months, compared with $80 million and $37 million, respectively, last year. The improved results were primarily due to the impact of the increased sales and production volumes and related manufacturing efficiencies as well as other improvements from previous restructuring actions. Partially offsetting these factors were higher promotional costs related to new products and increases in postretirement benefit costs of $7 million for the quarter and $17 million for the first six months.

 

 

Construction and Forestry. Segment sales increased 16 percent for the quarter and 22 percent for the year-to-date. Excluding sales from the Deere-Hitachi marketing relationship in the United States and Canada, sales increased 7 percent for the quarter and 13 percent year-to-date. In the quarter, sales increased due to the impact of stronger foreign exchange rates and improved price realization. For the six months, sales benefited from dealers rebuilding field inventories to the levels of a year ago, improved price realization and the impact of stronger foreign exchange rates.

The segment's operating profit reached $35 million for the quarter and $52 million for the first six months, compared with operating losses of $22 million and $88 million, respectively, last year. The improved results were primarily due to the higher sales and production volumes and the related manufacturing efficiencies. Improved price realization as well as cost reductions also had a positive impact on this year's results. Partially offsetting these factors were increases in postretirement benefit costs of $15 million for the quarter and $31 million for the first six months. Last year's results were negatively impacted by higher costs related to the Nortrax investment and by costs related to the closing of a factory and the relocation of these operations.

Page 20


Credit. The credit segment had an operating profit of $111 million for the second quarter and $218 million for the first six months, compared with $79 million and $197 million in the same periods last year. This year's results benefited from lower loan losses, the absence of losses in Argentina related to the peso devaluation and growth in the portfolio. Last year's results included provisions for credit losses recorded in the second quarter of $44 million pretax related to two international trade finance customers. Partially offsetting these factors were lower gains resulting from a reduced volume of retail note sales and narrower financing spreads. Total revenues of the credit operations, including intercompany revenues, decreased 7 percent from $414 million in the second quarter of 2002 to $386 million in the current quarter and 9 percent in the first six months from $824 million last year to $753 million this year primarily due to the lower gains on sales of retail notes. The average balance of receivables and leases financed was 24 percent higher in the second quarter and 26 percent higher in the first six months of 2003, compared with the same periods last year. Interest expense increased 7 percent in the second quarter, compared with the same period last year, due to increased borrowings. Interest expense decreased 1 percent in the first six months of 2003, compared with the same period last year, as a result of lower average borrowing rates. The credit operations' consolidated ratio of earnings to fixed charges was 2.01 to 1 for the second quarter this year, compared with 1.74 to 1 in 2002. The ratio was 1.99 to 1 for the first six months this year, compared to 1.88 to 1 last year.

 

 

Other. The other segment had an operating profit of $5 million for the second quarter and $8 million for the first six months, compared with operating losses of $7 million and $11 million in the same periods last year. The improvement was due to lower costs of the special technologies group and the absence of goodwill amortization from the adoption of FASB Statement No. 142. Last year's costs were also negatively affected by costs related to the closing of a factory. The operating profit for the health care operations for both periods was approximately the same as last year.

 

 

Additional information on business segments is presented in Note 8.

 

The cost of sales to net sales ratio for the second quarter and first six months of 2003 was 79.0 percent and 80.0 percent, respectively, compared to 80.7 percent and 82.8 percent in the same periods last year. The decreases were primarily due to improved price realization, higher sales and production volumes and related manufacturing efficiencies, other cost reductions and the discontinuance of the amortization of goodwill. The decreases were partially offset by higher postretirement benefit costs.

Health care premiums and fees and related health care claims and costs decreased in the current quarter and first six months, compared to last year, primarily due to a shift by a customer from insured to self-insured status. Finance and interest income decreased in both periods this year, due to lower interest rates. Other income decreased in the second quarter and first six months of this year, primarily due to a decreased volume of retail notes sold. The first six months of last year also included the receipt of a fire insurance settlement. Selling, administrative and general expenses were lower in the second quarter and first six months this year primarily due to lower provisions for credit losses in the credit operations, partially offset by higher expenses for employee postretirement benefits in the Equipment Operations. Other operating expenses decreased, primarily as a result of the absence this year of losses from the Argentine operations related to the peso devaluation in the second quarter and f irst six months last year. Equity income (loss) of unconsolidated affiliates improved in the first six months of this year primarily due to the results of the Deere-Hitachi Construction Machinery Corporation and Nortrax Inc. affiliates.

Page 21


Market Conditions and Outlook

 

Based on the conditions outlined below, net equipment sales for the third quarter of 2003 are currently forecast to be up approximately 5 percent based on current exchange rates, with Company-wide net income forecast to be in a range of $175 million to $225 million. For the full year, the Company expects equipment sales to be up by 6 to 8 percent, slightly below earlier estimates, with the net income forecast remaining in a range of $500 million to $600 million. Excluding the impact of currency and price, sales are forecast to be about flat for the third quarter and for the year. Production volumes are expected to be generally lower in the second half of the year and down about 5 percent in the fourth quarter from the low levels of last year.

 

Agricultural Equipment. Although retail sales of farm machinery in the U.S. and Canada are expected to experience improvement over the next several months, the increase is not likely to offset the year's sluggish start. As a result, industry retail sales for the full year are now expected to be down about 5 percent in the U.S. and Canada. Factors seen as supporting sales for the remainder of the year include improving farmer cash flow, a continuation of solid commodity price levels and prospects for more favorable soil moisture conditions. Of importance, signups for payments under the new U.S. farm bill have been largely completed and government payments for 2003 are expected to significantly exceed last year's total. In other areas, industry retail sales in Western Europe are expected to be down by 3 to 5 percent for the year mainly due to lower farm income. Due to improvement in Argentina, the outlook for industry retail sales in South America has improved and those sales are expected to be down about 5 percent from year ago levels. Based on these factors, worldwide sales of John Deere agricultural equipment are now forecast to be up 4 to 6 percent for the year but down slightly without the benefit of currency and price changes. Production volumes in the U.S. and Canada are currently expected to be down more than 10 percent in each of the third and fourth quarters relative to a year ago.

 

 

Commercial & Consumer Equipment. The Company's commercial and consumer equipment sales are expected to continue benefiting from the success of the 100-series lawn tractors and other recently introduced products. As a result, sales are expected to be up by 13 to 15 percent for the year. Production was particularly high early in the year in advance of the important spring selling season and is currently expected to decline in the fourth quarter compared with last year's levels.

 

 

Construction & Forestry. Construction equipment markets are expected to remain under pressure this year due to lagging business investment and continued weakness in the independent rental channel. Global forestry markets are expected to remain soft as well. Despite these market conditions, however, the Company has seen a small price improvement in the first six months. Company sales to dealers, which benefited from fleet replenishment in the first six months, are now expected to be up about 7 percent for the year with the full-year inclusion of Hitachi sales. Sales are expected to be up slightly without the benefit of the Hitachi sales. Production volumes for the second half of the year are expected to be in line with a year ago.

 

 

Credit. Credit results for 2003 are expected to benefit from lower write-offs and further growth in the loan portfolio. On this basis, the credit segment continues to expect net income for the year of about $300 million.

 

FASB Statement No. 142

 

In the first quarter of 2003, the Company adopted FASB Statement No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets. In accordance with this Statement, the Company did not amortize goodwill related to

Page 22


new acquisitions made after June 30, 2001 and discontinued amortizing goodwill for prior acquisitions as of November 1, 2002. Based on the new standard, goodwill will be written down only for impairments. The Company was also required to test existing goodwill for impairment on a transitional basis as of November 1, 2002. The Company has completed this test and has determined that its goodwill is not impaired and no write-downs are necessary. In the second quarter and first six months of 2002, the Company had goodwill amortization of $14 million pretax ($13 million after-tax) and $28 million pretax ($26 million after-tax), respectively.

 

Safe Harbor Statement

 

Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Statements herein that relate to future operating periods are subject to important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. Some of these risks and uncertainties could affect particular lines of business, while others could affect all of the Company's businesses.

 

Forward-looking statements involve certain factors that are subject to change, including for the Company's agricultural equipment segment the many interrelated factors that affect farmers' confidence, including worldwide demand for agricultural products, world grain stocks, prices realized for commodities and livestock, crop production expenses (most notably fuel and fertilizer costs), summer weather and soil conditions, real estate values, available acreage for farming, the level, complexity and distribution of government farm programs, animal diseases (including further outbreaks of "mad cow" and "foot-and-mouth" diseases), crop pests, harvest yields and the level of farm product exports (including concerns about genetically modified organisms).

 

Factors affecting the outlook for the Company's commercial and consumer equipment segment include general economic conditions in the United States, consumer confidence, consumer borrowing patterns and weather conditions. Another important assumption is continued consumer acceptance of the Company's new products, including the new 100-series lawn tractors.

 

The number of housing starts is especially important to sales of the Company's construction equipment. The levels of public and non-residential construction also impact the results of the Company's construction and forestry segment. Prices for pulp, lumber and structural panels are important to sales of forestry equipment.

 

All of the Company's businesses are affected by general economic conditions in and the political stability of the global markets in which the Company operates (including Brazil, Argentina and other South American countries), monetary and fiscal policies of various countries, wars and other international conflicts and the threat thereof, actions by the United States Federal Reserve Board and other central banks, actions by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and other regulatory bodies, actions by rating agencies, capital market disruptions, investor sentiment, inflation and deflation rates, interest rate levels and currency exchange rates; customer borrowing and repayment practices, and the number of customer loan delinquencies and defaults; actions of competitors in the various industries in which the Company competes, particularly price discounting; dealer practices, especially as to levels of new and used field inventories; production and technological difficulties, including capacity and supply constraints; oil and energy prices and supplies; labor relations; changes to accounting standards; the effects of terrorism and the response thereto; and legislation affecting the sectors in which the Company operates. Company results are also affected by significant changes in health care costs and in market values of investment assets, which impact postretirement benefit expenses. In addition, further outbreaks or the spread of severe diseases such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) could affect the Company's businesses and results.

Page 23


The Company's outlook is based upon assumptions relating to the factors described above, which are sometimes based upon estimates and data prepared by government agencies. Such estimates and data are often revised. The Company, however, undertakes no obligation to update or revise its outlook, whether as a result of new developments or otherwise. Further information concerning the Company and its businesses, including factors that potentially could materially affect the Company's financial results, is included in the Company's most recent annual report on Form 10-K and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

CAPITAL RESOURCES AND LIQUIDITY

 

The discussion of capital resources and liquidity has been organized to review separately, where appropriate, the Company's Equipment Operations, Financial Services operations and the consolidated totals.

 

Equipment Operations

 

The Company's equipment businesses are capital intensive and are subject to large seasonal variations in financing requirements for inventories and certain receivables from dealers. At 2001 fiscal year end, the Equipment Operations began selling most trade receivables to the Company's credit operations. As a result, the seasonal variations in financing requirements of the Equipment Operations have decreased. To the extent necessary, funds provided from operations are supplemented by external borrowing sources.

 

In the first six months of 2003, negative cash flows from operating activities of $164 million resulted primarily from an increase in inventories and a decrease in retirement benefit accruals due to contributions to the employee benefit plans of $475 million. Partially offsetting these operating cash outflows were positive cash flows from net income and a decrease in taxes receivable. The resulting net cash requirement for operating activities, purchases of property and equipment and payment of dividends were provided primarily from a decrease in cash and cash equivalents.

 

Negative cash flows from operating activities in the first six months of 2002 of $30 million resulted primarily from increases in inventories and trade receivables. Partially offsetting these operating cash outflows were positive cash flows from net income, dividends from Financial Services, a decrease in taxes receivable and an increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses. The cash requirement for operating activities, along with purchases of property and equipment and payment of dividends, were provided primarily from an increase in borrowings, a decrease in receivables from Financial Services and sales of businesses, mainly the hand-held consumer products business. Cash and cash equivalents increased during the period.

 

Trade receivables held by the Equipment Operations increased $31 million during the first six months and decreased $361 million from a year ago. During this time period, the Equipment Operations has been selling most of its trade receivables to the credit operations. See the following consolidated discussion of trade receivables.

 

Inventories at April 30, 2003 increased by $635 million during the first six months, primarily reflecting a seasonal increase and a $60 million increase from exchange rate fluctuations. Inventories increased $200 million, compared to a year ago, primarily due to the higher sales and production volumes and a $45 million increase from exchange rate fluctuations. The ratios of inventories at LIFO cost to the last 12 months' cost of sales were 20 percent at April 30, 2003, compared to 14 percent at October 31, 2002 and 19 percent at April 30, 2002.

Page 24


Total interest-bearing debt of the Equipment Operations was $3,425 million at April 30, 2003, compared with $3,387 million at the end of fiscal year 2002 and $3,763 million at April 30, 2002. The ratios of debt to total capital (total interest-bearing debt and stockholders' equity) were 49 percent, 52 percent and 48 percent at April 30, 2003, October 31, 2002 and April 30, 2002, respectively. However, due to the increases in cash and cash equivalents since April 30, 2002, the ratios of net debt (interest-bearing debt less cash and cash equivalents) to total net debt and stockholders' equity were 8 percent at April 30, 2003 and zero percent at October 31, 2002, compared to 20 percent at April 30, 2002.

 

Financial Services

 

The Financial Services' credit operations rely on their ability to raise substantial amounts of funds to finance their receivable and lease portfolios. Their primary sources of funds for this purpose are a combination of borrowings and equity capital. Additionally, the credit operations periodically sell substantial amounts of retail notes.

 

During the first six months of 2003, the aggregate cash provided from operating and financing activities was used primarily to increase receivables. Cash provided from Financial Services operating activities was $371 million in the first six months. Cash provided by financing activities totaled $1,123 million in the first six months, resulting primarily from an increase in total external borrowings, partially offset by a decrease in payables to the Equipment Operations and a dividend paid to the Equipment Operations. Cash used by investing activities totaled $1,235 million in the first six months of 2003, primarily due to the cost of receivables acquired exceeding collections, partially offset by the sales of retail notes. Cash and cash equivalents also increased $268 million.

 

In the first six months of 2002, the aggregate cash provided from operating and investing activities was used primarily to decrease borrowings. Cash provided from Financial Services operating activities was $347 million in the first six months of 2002. Cash provided by investing activities totaled $1,025 million in the first six months of 2002, primarily due to the collections of receivables, sales of retail notes and sales of equipment on operating leases exceeding the cost of receivables and leases acquired. Cash used by financing activities totaled $1,450 million in the first six months of 2002, resulting primarily from a decrease in total borrowings, including payables owed to the Equipment Operations, and a dividend paid to the Equipment Operations. Cash and cash equivalents decreased $81 million during the period.

 

Receivables and leases held by the credit operations consist of retail notes originating in connection with retail sales of new and used equipment by dealers of John Deere products, retail notes from non-Deere equipment customers, trade receivables, wholesale note receivables, revolving charge accounts, operating loans, insured international export financing generally involving John Deere products, and financing and operating leases. During the first six months of 2003 and the past 12 months, receivables and leases increased $1,276 million and $2,118 million, respectively, due to the cost of receivables and leases acquired exceeding collections and sales of retail notes. Total acquisitions of receivables and leases were 21 percent higher in the first six months of 2003, compared with the same period last year, primarily due to higher acquisition volumes of trade receivables. Acquisition volumes of revolving charge accounts and operating loans were also higher in the first six months of 2003, compared to t he same period last year. Total receivables and leases administered by the credit operations, which include receivables previously sold, amounted to $16,238 million at April 30, 2003, compared with $15,363 million at October 31, 2002 and $15,053 million at April 30, 2002. At April 30, 2003, the unpaid balance of all retail notes and leases previously sold was $2,220 million, compared with $2,621 million at October 31, 2002 and $3,153 million at April 30, 2002.

Page 25


Total external interest-bearing debt of the credit operations was $12,045 million at April 30, 2003, compared with $10,001 million at the end of fiscal year 2002 and $9,679 million at April 30, 2002. Total external borrowings increased during the first six months of 2003 and the past 12 months, generally corresponding with the level of the receivable and lease portfolio, the level of cash and cash equivalents and the change in payables owed to the Equipment Operations. The credit operations' ratio of interest-bearing debt to stockholder's equity was 6.0 to 1 at April 30, 2003, compared with 5.6 to 1 at October 31, 2002 and 4.7 to 1 at April 30, 2002.

 

In the first six months of 2003, the credit operations issued $850 million of 3.90% Global Notes due in January 2008 and entered into interest rate swaps related to $650 million of these notes, which swapped the fixed rate to a variable rate of approximately 1.8% at April 30, 2003. During the first six months of 2003, the credit operations also issued $650 million of 5.10% Global Debentures due in January 2013 and entered into interest rate swaps related to these notes, which swapped the fixed rate to a variable rate of approximately 2.0% at April 30, 2003. During the first six months of 2003, the credit operations issued $497 million and retired $1,313 million of other long-term borrowings, which were primarily medium-term notes.

 

In May 2003, the credit operations issued $200 million of floating rate medium-term notes due in 2005. Interest rate swaps related to these notes swap the floating rate to a fixed rate of 2.2% as of May 20, 2003.

 

Consolidated

 

Sources of liquidity for the Company include cash and short-term investments, funds from operations, the issuance of commercial paper and term debt, the securitization and sale of retail notes, and committed and uncommitted unsecured bank lines of credit.

 

Because of the multiple funding sources that have been and continue to be available to the Company, the Company expects to have sufficient sources of liquidity to meet its ongoing funding needs. The Company's commercial paper outstanding at April 30, 2003, October 31, 2002 and April 30, 2002 was approximately $2.9 billion, $1.8 billion and $2.1 billion, respectively, while the total cash and short-term investment position was approximately $3.3 billion, $2.8 billion and $2.6 billion, respectively. In addition, the Company has for many years accessed diverse funding sources, including short-term and long-term unsecured debt capital markets in the United States, Canada, Europe and Australia, as well as public and private securitization markets in the United States and Canada.

 

To access public debt capital markets, the Company relies on credit rating agencies to assign short-term and long-term credit ratings to the Company's securities as an indicator of credit quality for fixed income investors. A security rating is not a recommendation by the rating agency to buy, sell or hold Company securities. A credit rating agency may change or withdraw Company ratings based on its assessment of the Company's current and future ability to meet interest and principal repayment obligations. Lower credit ratings generally result in higher borrowing costs and reduced access to debt capital markets.

 

Page 26


The senior long-term and short-term debt ratings currently assigned to Company securities by the rating agencies listed below are investment grade ratings. Each rating should be evaluated independently of any other rating. The current Company ratings and ratings outlook from each of these agencies are as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

   Senior
Long-Term

Short-Term

Outlook

Moody's Investors Service, Inc.

A3

Prime-2

Stable

Standard & Poor's

A- *

A-2 *

CreditWatch Negative (long-term only)

Fitch Ratings

A

F1

Negative

Dominion Bond Rating Service

A

R-1 (low)

Negative (long-term only)

 

 

*

On April 14, 2003, Standard & Poor's placed the senior long-term ratings of the Company on CreditWatch with negative implications. The A-2 short-term ratings were affirmed and not placed on CreditWatch.

 

The Company maintains unsecured lines of credit with various banks in North America and overseas. Some of the lines are available to both the Equipment Operations and certain credit operations. Worldwide lines of credit totaled $3,878 million at April 30, 2003, $784 million of which were unused. For the purpose of computing unused credit lines, commercial paper and short-term bank borrowings, excluding the current portion of long-term borrowings, were considered to constitute utilization. Included in the total credit lines is a long-term credit agreement commitment totaling $2,150 million, expiring in February 2006.

 

Trade accounts and notes receivable result mainly from sales to dealers of equipment that is being carried in their inventories. Trade receivables increased $978 million during the first six months of 2003 primarily due to a seasonal increase and $110 million due to the fluctuation in exchange rates. These receivables increased $194 million, compared to a year ago, primarily due to a $160 million increase from the fluctuation in exchange rates and the previously mentioned higher sales and production volumes. The ratios of worldwide trade accounts and notes receivable to the last 12 months' net sales were 30 percent at April 30, 2003, compared to 23 percent at October 31, 2002 and 32 percent at April 30, 2002. Agricultural equipment trade receivables increased $188 million, commercial and consumer equipment receivables increased $25 million, construction and forestry receivables decreased $15 million and other equipment receivables decreased $4 million, compared to a year ago. The percentage of total world wide trade receivables outstanding for periods exceeding 12 months was 5 percent, 6 percent and 8 percent at April 30, 2003, October 31, 2002 and April 30, 2002, respectively.

 

Other assets increased $47 million during the first six months and $206 million from a year ago primarily as a result of increases in fair values of interest rate swaps associated with fair value hedges of long-term borrowings. The offsetting amounts were recorded as fair value increases in the carrying values of the related borrowings according to FASB Statement No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.

 

Stockholders' equity was $3,530 million at April 30, 2003, compared with $3,163 million at October 31, 2002 and $4,090 million at April 30, 2002. The increase of $367 million during the first six months of 2003 resulted primarily from net income of $325 million, a change in the cumulative translation adjustment of $117 million and a decrease in treasury stock of $16 million, which were partially offset by dividends declared of $105 million.

 

The Board of Directors at its meeting on May 28, 2003 declared a quarterly dividend of 22 cents per share payable August 1, 2003 to stockholders of record on June 30, 2003.

Page 27


 

Item 3.

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

 

See the Company's most recent annual report filed on Form 10-K (Item 7A). There has been no material change in this information.

Page 28


Item 4.

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

 

(a)

Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures. The Company's principal executive officer and its principal financial officer, after an evaluation on May 29, 2003, have concluded that, as of such date, the Company's disclosure controls and procedures were adequate and effective to ensure that material information relating to the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries would be made known to them by others within those entities. "Disclosure controls and procedures" are defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14© and 15d-14©.

 

 

(b)

Changes in internal controls. There were no significant changes in the Company's internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect the Company's disclosure controls and procedures subsequent to the date of their evaluation.

Page 29


 

PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

 

 

 

See Note 11 to the Interim Financial Statements.

 

 

Item 2.

Changes in Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

 

 

During the second quarter of 2003, the Company issued 18,064 shares of restricted stock as compensation to the Company's nonemployee directors, all of whom are accredited investors. These shares were not registered under the Securities Act of 1933 (the "Securities Act") pursuant to the exemption from registration provided by Section 4(2) of the Securities Act.

 

 

Item 3.

Defaults Upon Senior Securities

 

 

 

None

 

 

Item 4.

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

 

At the annual meeting of stockholders held February 26, 2003:

 

 

 

a.

the following director was elected for a term expiring at the annual meeting in 2005:

 

 

 

 

Votes For

Votes Withheld

 

Joachim Milberg

199,827,238

3,882,382

 

 

 

 

 

the following directors were elected for terms expiring at the annual meeting in 2006:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Votes For

Votes Withheld

 

Crandall C. Bowles
Leonard A. Hadley
Arthur L. Kelly
Thomas H. Patrick

194,203,301
200,537,612
200,511,721
190,206,545

9,506,319
3,172,008
3,197,899
13,503,075

 

 

 

 

 

John R. Block, T. Kevin Dunnigan and Dipak C. Jain continue to serve as directors of the Company for terms expiring at the annual meeting in 2005.

 

 

 

Robert W. Lane, Antonio Madero B., Aulana L. Peters and John R. Walter continue to serve as directors of the Company for terms expiring at the annual meeting in 2004.

 

 

 

 

b.

the Amendment to the John Deere Omnibus Equity and Incentive Plan was approved:

 

 

 

 

Shares Voted
For Proposal

Shares Voted
Against Proposal

Shares
Abstaining

Broker
Non-Votes

 

151,218,395

30,266,350

1,533,514

20,691,361

 

 

 

 

 

 

c.

the John Deere Mid-Term Incentive Bonus Plan was approved:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares Voted
For Proposal

Shares Voted
Against Proposal

Shares
Abstaining

Broker
Non-Votes

 

172,565,696

8,876,083

1,577,404

20,690,437

Page 30


 

 

 

 

d.

a stockholder proposal from the floor for stockholders to have the right to meet with the Board of Directors of Deere & Company upon request was not approved:

 

 

 

Shares Voted
For Proposal

Shares Voted
Against Proposal

Shares
Abstaining

 

 

2

203,709,620

0

 

 

 

Item 5.

Other Information

 

 

 

None

 

 

Item 6.

Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

 

(a)

Exhibits

 

 

 

 

 

See the index to exhibits immediately preceding the exhibits filed with this report.

 

 

 

 

 

Certain instruments relating to long-term debt constituting less than 10% of the registrant's total assets are not filed as exhibits herewith pursuant to Item 601 (b) (4) (iii) (A) of Regulation S-K. The registrant will file copies of such instruments upon request of the Commission.

 

 

 

 

(b)

Reports on Form 8-K

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date of Report

 

Item

 

Financial Statements

 

 

February 3, 2003

 

9

 

 

 

 

February 11, 2003

 

5&7

 

Earnings Release of the Company

 

 

February 26, 2003

 

5

 

 

 

 

March 4, 2003

 

9

 

 

 

 

March 26, 2003

 

9

 

 

 

 

April 3, 2003

 

9

 

 

 

 

April 14, 2003

 

9

 

 

Page 31


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.

DEERE & COMPANY

Date:

May 29, 2003

By:

/s/ Nathan J. Jones

Nathan J. Jones
Senior Vice President,
Principal Financial Officer
and Principal Accounting Officer

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CERTIFICATIONS

I, R. W. Lane, certify that:

1.

I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Deere & Company;

2.

Based on my knowledge, this quarterly report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this quarterly report;

3.

Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this quarterly report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this quarterly report;

4.

The registrant's other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant and we have:

a.

designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this quarterly report is being prepared;

b.

evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this quarterly report (the "Evaluation Date"); and

c.

presented in this quarterly report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on our evaluation as of the Evaluation Date;

5.

The registrant's other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function):

a.

all significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls which could adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data and have identified for the registrant's auditors any material weaknesses in internal controls; and

b.

any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal controls; and

6.

The registrant's other certifying officers and I have indicated in this quarterly report whether or not there were significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.

Date:

May 29, 2003

By:

/s/ R. W. Lane

R. W. Lane

Principal Executive Officer

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CERTIFICATIONS

I, Nathan J. Jones, certify that:

1.

I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Deere & Company;

2.

Based on my knowledge, this quarterly report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this quarterly report;

3.

Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this quarterly report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this quarterly report;

4.

The registrant's other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant and we have:

a.

designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this quarterly report is being prepared;

b.

evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this quarterly report (the "Evaluation Date"); and

c.

presented in this quarterly report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on our evaluation as of the Evaluation Date;

5.

The registrant's other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function):

a.

all significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls which could adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data and have identified for the registrant's auditors any material weaknesses in internal controls; and

b.

any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal controls; and

6.

The registrant's other certifying officers and I have indicated in this quarterly report whether or not there were significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.

Date:

May 29, 2003

By:

/s/ Nathan J. Jones

Nathan J. Jones

Principal Financial Officer

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INDEX TO EXHIBITS

Number

 

 

 

2

Not applicable

 

 

3.1

Certificate of incorporation, as amended (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Form
10-K of the Company for the year ended October 31, 1999).

 

 

3.2

Bylaws, as amended (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to Form 10-K of the Company for the year ended October 31, 1999).

 

 

4

Not applicable

 

 

10

Not applicable

 

 

11

Not applicable

 

 

12

Computation of ratio of earnings to fixed charges

 

 

15

Not applicable

 

 

18

Not applicable

 

 

19

Not applicable

 

 

22

Not applicable

 

 

23

Not applicable

 

 

24

Not applicable

 

 

99

Statement of Robert W. Lane, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Deere & Company and Nathan J. Jones, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Deere & Company, as required by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

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