Worldwide net sales and revenues increased five percent to $4.425 billion for the first quarter compared with $4.202 billion a year ago. Net sales of the equipment operations were $3.815 billion for the quarter compared with $3.691 billion last year.

“Exciting new equipment and services are helping John Deere attract customers and expand our market presence throughout the world,” Robert W. Lane, chairman and chief executive officer, said.

Net sales of the worldwide equipment operations increased three percent for the quarter. Included were positive effects for price changes and currency translation totaling five percent. Equipment sales in the U.S. and Canada were five percent lower for the quarter. Net sales outside the U.S. and Canada increased by 24 percent for the quarter, which included a positive currency-translation effect of approximately seven percent.

Deere?EUR??,,????'???s equipment divisions reported operating profit of $270 million for the quarter compared with $261 million last year. Higher operating profit for the quarter was primarily the result of improved price realization, partially offset by higher selling and administrative expenses. The impact of lower construction-equipment volumes in the U.S. and Canada was mostly offset by higher volumes outside the region from the company’s agricultural equipment and construction and forestry operations.