--  Net Sales increase 24% to $4.9 billion
    --  Agricultural equipment +22% to $3.9 billion
    --  Construction equipment +30% to $1 billion
--  Equipment Operations Operating Profit of $521 million, an increase of 58%
    --  Operating Margin increased to 10.7% compared to 8.4% in Q2 2010
--  EPS before exceptional items at $1.33 per share, compared to $0.59 per share in 2010

(MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) — CNH Global N.V. (NYSE: CNH) today announced financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2011. For the quarter, net sales increased 24% (18% on a constant currency basis) to $4.9 billion as a result of favorable trading conditions for agricultural equipment, as well as higher comparative construction equipment demand in every region. Equipment Operations posted an Operating Profit of $521 million as a result of higher revenues, increased industrial utilization and improved product pricing.

Net equipment sales for the quarter were 79% agricultural equipment and 21% construction equipment. The geographical distribution of revenue for the period was 42% North America, 35% EAME & CIS, 15% Latin America, and 8% APAC markets.

Year to date capital expenditures totaled $126 million, a 40% increase from the comparable prior period largely as a result of new product launches in both the agricultural and construction equipment segments; 71% of the capital spend was on new products and production capacity in the period. Equipment Operations generated $232 million of operating cash flow during the first six months of the year as net sales levels and operating performance more than offset the increased net working capital needed to support business activity. CNH's Equipment Operations ended the period with a net cash position of $2.4 billion. The 34% effective tax rate for the second quarter of 2011 (49% second quarter of 2010) is within the Group's full year expectations of 32% to 38%.

Net income before restructuring and exceptional items for the quarter was $320 million as a result of improved top line and industrial operating performance, improved results from the Group's unconsolidated subsidiaries, and a lower tax rate. This resulted in the Group generating a significant increase in diluted earnings per share to $1.33 (before restructuring and exceptional items) compared to $0.59 per share in the comparable period of 2010.

On April 26, CNH announced its plans to set up a local manufacturing site in Cordoba, Argentina for the production of combines and tractors for the Latin American market. The initial investment of over $100 million will include the launch of new, localized product lines and the expansion of the Fiat Industrial complex in Cordoba.

2011 Full Year Market Outlook Demand in the agricultural and construction equipment markets is expected to remain firm for the balance of 2011 on the back of a positive environment in agricultural commodity prices and the consequent increase in planting farming income estimates. Further, the environment for construction equipment continues to improve.

FY 2011 World Wide Unit Growth Forecast Agricultural equipment demand up 5% to 10% Construction equipment demand up 25% to 30%

2011 CNH Earnings Outlook: On the back of the year to date operating performance, and in view of the outlook for its markets for the balance of 2011, the CNH Group is upgrading its full year financial targets as follows: full year revenue growth of 15-20% and an operating margin at the upper end of its previously disclosed range of 7.1% to 7.9%.