Caterpillar Inc. (CAT)

Depreciation of plant and equipment is computed principally using accelerated methods. Depreciation on equipment leased to others, primarily for Financial Products, is computed using the straight-line method over the term of the lease. The depreciable basis is the original cost of the equipment less the estimated residual value of the equipment at the end of the lease term. In 2017, 2016 and 2015, Cat Financial depreciation on equipment leased to others was $810 million, $841 million and $836 million, respectively, and was included in Other operating (income) expenses. In 2017, 2016 and 2015, consolidated depreciation expense was $2,555 million, $2,707 million and $2,705 million, respectively.

Source: 10-K (filing date: 2018-02-15).

Caterpillar Inc., Statement of Financial Position, Property, Plant and Equipment

USD $ in millions

Based on: 10-K (filing date: 2018-02-15), 10-K (filing date: 2017-02-15), 10-K (filing date: 2016-02-16), 10-K (filing date: 2015-02-17), 10-K (filing date: 2014-02-18).

Item	Description	The company
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	Amount before accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization of physical assets used in the normal conduct of business and not intended for resale. Examples include, but are not limited to, land, buildings, machinery and equipment, office equipment, and furniture and fixtures.	Caterpillar Inc.'s property, plant and equipment, at cost declined from 2015 to 2016 and from 2016 to 2017.
Property, plant and equipment, net	Amount after accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization of physical assets used in the normal conduct of business to produce goods and services and not intended for resale. Examples include, but are not limited to, land, buildings, machinery and equipment, office equipment, and furniture and fixtures.	Caterpillar Inc.'s property, plant and equipment, net declined from 2015 to 2016 and from 2016 to 2017.

Caterpillar Inc., Property, Plant and Equipment Ratios

Based on: 10-K (filing date: 2018-02-15), 10-K (filing date: 2017-02-15), 10-K (filing date: 2016-02-16), 10-K (filing date: 2015-02-17), 10-K (filing date: 2014-02-18).

Ratio	Description	The company
Average age	As long as straight-line depreciation is used, this is an accurate estimate of asset age as a percentage of depreciable life. The relative age is a useful measure of whether the company's fixed asset base is old or new. Newer assets are likely to be more efficient.	Caterpillar Inc.'s average age of depreciable property, plant and equipment deteriorated from 2015 to 2016 and from 2016 to 2017.
Estimated total useful life	Over longer time periods, this ratio is a useful measure of company's depreciation policy and can be used for comparisons with competitors.	Caterpillar Inc.'s estimated total useful life of depreciable property, plant and equipment declined from 2015 to 2016 but then increased from 2016 to 2017 exceeding 2015 level.
Estimated time elapsed since purchase	The approximate age in years of a company's fixed assets. Useful for comparison purposes.	Caterpillar Inc.'s estimated time elapsed since purchase of depreciable property, plant and equipment deteriorated from 2015 to 2016 and from 2016 to 2017.
Estimated remaining life		Caterpillar Inc.'s estimated remaining life of depreciable property, plant and equipment declined from 2015 to 2016 and from 2016 to 2017.

Based on: 10-K (filing date: 2018-02-15), 10-K (filing date: 2017-02-15), 10-K (filing date: 2016-02-16), 10-K (filing date: 2015-02-17), 10-K (filing date: 2014-02-18).

2017 Calculations

Ratio	Description	The company
Average age	As long as straight-line depreciation is used, this is an accurate estimate of asset age as a percentage of depreciable life. The relative age is a useful measure of whether the company's fixed asset base is old or new. Newer assets are likely to be more efficient.	Caterpillar Inc.'s average age of depreciable property, plant and equipment deteriorated from 2015 to 2016 and from 2016 to 2017.

Based on: 10-K (filing date: 2018-02-15), 10-K (filing date: 2017-02-15), 10-K (filing date: 2016-02-16), 10-K (filing date: 2015-02-17), 10-K (filing date: 2014-02-18).

2017 Calculations

Ratio	Description	The company
Estimated total useful life	Over longer time periods, this ratio is a useful measure of company's depreciation policy and can be used for comparisons with competitors.	Caterpillar Inc.'s estimated total useful life of depreciable property, plant and equipment declined from 2015 to 2016 but then increased from 2016 to 2017 exceeding 2015 level.

Based on: 10-K (filing date: 2018-02-15), 10-K (filing date: 2017-02-15), 10-K (filing date: 2016-02-16), 10-K (filing date: 2015-02-17), 10-K (filing date: 2014-02-18).

2017 Calculations

Ratio	Description	The company
Estimated time elapsed since purchase	The approximate age in years of a company's fixed assets. Useful for comparison purposes.	Caterpillar Inc.'s estimated time elapsed since purchase of depreciable property, plant and equipment deteriorated from 2015 to 2016 and from 2016 to 2017.

Based on: 10-K (filing date: 2018-02-15), 10-K (filing date: 2017-02-15), 10-K (filing date: 2016-02-16), 10-K (filing date: 2015-02-17), 10-K (filing date: 2014-02-18).

2017 Calculations

Ratio	Description	The company
Estimated remaining life		Caterpillar Inc.'s estimated remaining life of depreciable property, plant and equipment declined from 2015 to 2016 and from 2016 to 2017.