Deere hits record on earnings beat, buybacks, but regulatory and tariff risks loom
Q3 earnings beat and raised guidance Deere beat Q3 earnings with EPS of $5.10, raised full-year guidance, and authorized new buybacks, sending shares to a record above $700 as management called 2026 the bottom of the farm downturn.
This is the primary new positive event that drove the stock to a record high.
Construction and forestry strength Construction and forestry sales rose 18%, offsetting a 6% farm-segment decline, while AI investments and a $10M Reservoir partnership support precision-ag growth.
This new segment performance and technology investment helped counterbalance weak farm demand.
Regulatory and trade headwinds However, risks persist: weak North American farm demand, $110M in tariff refunds flattering results, Canada's 15–50% retaliatory tariffs on equipment, an FTC/USDA antitrust probe (shares fell 5%), and a right-to-repair settlement reducing service revenue control.
These new negative factors are real counterweights that could pressure future results.
Analyst optimism with $800 target Baird's $800 target reflects optimism, but regulatory and trade headwinds remain real counterweights.
This new analyst target shows positive sentiment but is balanced by ongoing risks.
