China Crushes Caterpillar

While we have wondered on numerous occasions previously if the collapse in lumber prices is the far more accurate indicator of end demand for housing (as confirmed by the recent collapse in multi-family housing starts), perhaps an even better indicator of trends in housing (and by implication the broader economy) is private sector intermediate end demand, such as Caterpillar North Amer

By SA Editor Miriam Metzinger: Stocks discussed on the in-depth session of Jim Cramer's Mad Money TV Program, Monday November 12.

Reuters - "It hasn't been longsince Caterpillar Inc looked like the typical residentof the Rust Belt. Having misjudged how deep the U.S.

Caterpillar, Coca-Cola, Exxon Mobil, GE, Microsoft, and McDonald’s—these are all blue chip companies that Americans likely know, consume and own in their investment portfolio. What about the blue chips that call the world’s second largest economy home?

Caterpillar, Coca-Cola, Exxon Mobil, GE, Microsoft, and McDonald’s—these are all blue chip companies that Americans likely know, consume and own in their investment portfolio. What about the blue chips that call the world’s second largest economy home?

Caterpillar Inc. said Friday it had made an offer to buy Chinese company ERA Mining Machinery Ltd. for up to $894 million, as part of its push into the booming Asian economy."Our announcement today underscores Caterpillar's long-term commitment to continue to invest in China in order to support our growing base of Chinese customers," Caterpillar executive Steve Wunning said.

By Trefis: Caterpillar (CAT) will announce its fourth-quarter and full-year 2012 earnings on Monday, Jan. 28. A weak global economy and the accounting fraud uncovered last week at the recently acquired Chinese company, Siwei, will weigh down Caterpillar’s fourth-quarter profits.

By Ed Liston: The latest economic data out of China has once again confirmed the fact that the world's second largest economy is continuing to see a slowdown. This Chinese slowdown is going to hurt US mining and equipment makers like Caterpillar (NYSE: CAT) and Joy Global Inc. (NYSE: JOY) that depend on China for a lot of their business.