Industrials

Caterpillar handily beat Wall Street estimates with a first-quarter profit that climbed 4.8%, as strong sales of construction equipment offset continued weakness in mining.

United Tech's profit declined 4.2% in the first quarter, as restructuring costs overshadowed sales growth for the company’s defense and construction businesses.

General Electric reported weaker earnings and revenue for the first quarter, but the conglomerate’s bottom line still topped estimates amid strong results from its energy businesses.

Johnson Controls agreed to a $1.6 billion deal to buy Air Distribution Technologies, adding to the diversified manufacturer’s ventilation business.

Boeing said it will inspect the wings of about 40 Dreamliner jets still in production after learning of a possible manufacturing defect at a supplier.

Honeywell expects to book double-digit earnings growth through 2018, as the company looks to boost annual sales to $51 billion.

Blue-chip beverage giant Coca-Cola announced a 9% bump to its quarterly dividend and the retirement of its CFO.

Shares of Deere advanced more than 1% after posting a stronger-than-expected 5% increase in fiscal first-quarter profits.

Illinois Tool Works announced a deal to sell its industrial packaging unit to Carlyle Group for $3.2 billion, as the company continues to revamp its portfolio.

Diversified manufacturer 3M Co posted an 11% rise in 4Q net income, helped by higher profit across most of its business lines.

Martin Marietta agreed to buy Texas Industries, a rival provider of construction materials, for $2.06 billion in stock.

DuPont doubled its profit in the fourth quarter, as the company benefited from significant revenue growth in its agriculture segment.

Honeywell International reported higher-than-expected fourth-quarter profit and revenue on Friday, as sales grew across its major segments.

Stanley Black & Decker's fourth-quarter profit tumbled 89% on higher restructuring charges that overshadowed revenue growth.

The blue-chip conglomerate suffered a drop in fourth-quarter profits but managed to exceed forecasts from analysts.

Alcoa completed a $300 million expansion at an Iowa facility dedicated to supplying aluminum used by the auto industry, as the company looks to capitalize on growing demand.

Monsanto, the world's largest seed maker, revealed stronger-than-anticipated earnings and revenue for the fiscal first quarter.

General Electric sold its century-old appliance business for $3.3 billion in cash to Electrolux of Sweden.

Some people inside the mega company think so, which is one reason they say CEO Jeffrey Immelt invited famed shareholder activist Nelson Peltz to speak with his senior management team, the FOX Business Network has learned.

Some people inside the mega company think so, which is one reason they say CEO Jeffrey Immelt invited famed shareholder activist Nelson Peltz to speak with his senior management team, the FOX Business Network has learned.