Caterpillar hikes 2012 profit forecast as blue chip shows solid first-quarter growth rates

NEW YORK (MarketWatch)
Caterpillar Inc. said on Wednesday that its first-quarter profit rose 29%, to a record $1.59 billion, or $2.37 a share, from $1.23 billion, or $1.84 a share a year ago
Total revenue at the firm climbed to $15.98 billion, from $12.95 billion
Analysts polled by FactSet Research had expected the company to earn $2.13 a share during the quarter on revenue of $16.23 billion
The company also raised its full-year 2012 earnings per share outlook to $9.50 from $9.25