CNH REPORTS RECORD SECOND QUARTER NET INCOME OF $347 MILLION, UP 52%, HIGHEST QUARTERLY RESULTS IN CNH HISTORY

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  • Robust agricultural industry sales and market share gains drove net sales of equipment to $5.3 billion, up 29%
  • Pricing actions offset higher input costs, primarily steel
  • Agricultural Equipment Gross Margin improved
  • Construction Equipment revenues up almost 50% in Latin America and Rest-of-World, more than offsetting soft markets in North America and Western Europe
  • Revenue growth and cost discipline contributed to record Equipment Operations Operating Margin of 11.1%
  • Financial Services net income up 21%
  • Full year 2008 financial outlook tightened, with expected range of diluted EPS before restructuring, after tax, forecasted to be $3.40 to $3.60

BURR RIDGE, IL. - (MARKET WIRE) - CNH Global NV (NYSE: CNH - News):
Robust sales growth in the agricultural equipment business combined with favorable product sales mix were the primary drivers of CNH's diluted earnings per share growth of 52% for the second quarter of 2008 compared to the second quarter of 2007. Continued strong agriculture equipment industry growth and new product introductions, coupled with an emphasis on quality and disciplined supply chain management, lay the groundwork for solid future top line and earnings growth.
Second Quarter & First Half Highlights
(Unaudited, in millions, except per share data)
 
Quarter Ended
Percent
Six Months Ended
Percent
 
6/30/08
6/30/07
Change
6/30/08
6/30/07
Change
Net Sales of Equipment
$ 5,279
$ 4,096
28.9%
$ 9,378
$ 7,337
27.8%
Equipment Operations Operating Profit
$ 585
$ 441
32.7%
$ 849
$ 660
28.6%
Financial Services Net Income
$ 70
$ 58
20.7%
$ 122
$ 123
(0.8)%
Consolidated Net Income
$ 347
$ 228
52.2%
$ 459
$ 323
42.1%
Restructuring (After Tax)
$ 4
$ 19
(78.9)%
$ 18
$ 29
(37.9)%
Net Income Before Restructuring, After Tax
$ 351
$ 247
42.1%
$ 477
$ 352
35.5%
Diluted Earnings Per Share (EPS)
$ 1.46
$ 0.96
52.1%
$ 1.93
$ 1.36
41.9%
Diluted EPS Before Restructuring, After Tax
$ 1.48
$ 1.04
42.3%
$ 2.01
$ 1.48
35.8%

"We are pleased to report strong double digit growth in sales, operating profit and net income for the second quarter, making this our tenth consecutive quarter of year over year improvement," said Harold Boyanovsky, CNH President and Chief Executive Officer. "Our Agricultural Equipment business continues to strengthen in all regions while our Construction Equipment business grew sales, driven by growth in Latin America and Rest-of-World which more than offset declining market conditions in North America and Western Europe. Given the continued robust market growth in Latin America, we announced the reopening of our Sorocaba, Brazil production facility that will increase our capacity in combine harvesters and construction equipment. Pricing and operational actions implemented in earlier quarters, part of a continuous program to improve margins and maximize profits on our growing volumes, are showing positive results in offsetting rising material cost pressures and production capacity constraints. Based on our first half performance, we are tightening our full year 2008 guidance to $3.40 to $3.60 diluted EPS, before restructuring, after tax."
Mr. Boyanovsky continued: "Our Gross Margin improved as a result of actions taken by the company which reduced the cost of industrial supply bottlenecks by approximately $18 million in the quarter. We anticipate further substantial reductions during the balance of the year."
Second Quarter and Six Months 2008 Operating Review - Equipment Operations

Strong worldwide agricultural equipment industry retail unit sales growth in the second quarter and first half of this year combined with improved market share drove net sales of Agricultural Equipment up 38% for the quarter and first half of 2008. Industry sales of high horsepower tractors and combines, particularly in North America, increased more than the overall market, contributing to a more robust product mix of agricultural equipment sales.
Worldwide construction equipment industry retail unit sales remained at near-record levels with continuing increases in Latin American and Rest-of-World markets despite Western Europe's decline from its record level and a continued weak market in North America. Industry sales of heavy construction equipment were robust in most markets, leading to a more favorable product sales mix.
Net Sales of Equipment
Quarter Ended
Percent
Six Months Ended
Percent
(Unaudited, US$ in millions, except percents)
6/30/08
6/30/07
Change
6/30/08
6/30/07
Change
 
Agricultural Equipment
$ 3,838
$ 2,789
37.6%
$ 6,764
$ 4,906
37.9%
Construction Equipment
$ 1,441
$ 1,307
10.3%
$ 2,614
$ 2,431
7.5%
Total Net Sales of Equipment
$ 5,279
$ 4,096
28.9%
$ 9,378
$ 7,337
27.8%

In addition to CNH's agricultural equipment unit sales growth and improvements in product mix, price actions taken earlier in the year, continued introduction of new products and the positive effects of variations in exchange rate changes (7%) helped drive the robust sales growth.
Sales grew 10% for CNH's worldwide Construction Equipment business in the second quarter as positive variations in currency (10%), strength in Latin American and Rest-of-World markets and pricing offset soft markets in North America and Western Europe.
Equipment Operations Gross Profit and Margin

Agricultural Equipment sales growth, mix improvements and pricing actions drove a 28% increase in CNH's Gross Profit in the second quarter compared with 2007 and offset weakness in Construction Equipment due to unfavorable absorption as production rates in Europe were reduced in response to a softer market, thus enabling the company to maintain a Gross Margin consistent with 2007.
Equipment Operations
Quarter Ended
 
Six Months Ended
 
(Unaudited, US$ in millions, except percents)
6/30/08
6/30/07
Change
6/30/08
6/30/07
Change
 
Gross Profit
$ 1,064
$ 831
28.0%
$ 1,764
$ 1,432
23.2%
 
Gross Margin
20.2%
20.3%
(0.1) pts
18.8%
19.5%
(0.7) pts

Equipment Operations Operating Profit and Margin

Equipment Operations Operating Profit grew 33% in the second quarter compared with 2007, driven by the significant improvements in Agricultural Equipment Gross Profit.
Equipment Operations
Operating Profit and Margin
Quarter Ended
 
Six Months Ended
 
(Unaudited, US$ in millions, except percents)
6/30/08
6/30/07
Change
6/30/08
6/30/07
Change
 
Agricultural Equipment
$ 491
$ 327
50.2%
$ 726
$ 460
57.8%
Construction Equipment
$ 94
$ 114
(17.5)%
$ 123
$ 200
(38.5)%
Total Operating Profit
$ 585
$ 441
32.7%
$ 849
$ 660
28.6%
 
Agricultural Equipment
12.8%
11.7%
1.1 pts
10.7%
9.4%
1.3 pts
Construction Equipment
6.5%
8.7%
(2.2) pts
4.7%
8.2%
(3.5) pts
Total Operating Margin
11.1%
10.8%
0.3 pts
9.1%
9.0%
0.1 pts

Agricultural Equipment Operating Margin reached a record 12.8% in the second quarter, as a result of Gross Margin improvements and selling, general and administrative (SG&A) and research and development (R&D) costs declining as a percent of net sales.
Construction Equipment Operating Margin declined to 6.5% primarily as positive price recovery was not sufficient to offset volume declines and unfavorable manufacturing costs associated with an imbalance in the distribution of demand combined with higher SG&A as a percent of sales.
Second Quarter 2008 Brand Activities

Case Construction Equipment launched 16 Tier 3 engine re-powered models in North America, 15 in Europe, 10 in the Rest-of-World and 7 in Latin America during the second quarter. The equipment ranged from crawler excavators to wheel loaders and tractor loader backhoes.
Customer Assistance call centers were inaugurated for France, Germany and Spain, and a training center opened in Shanghai, China, to provide certified training programs for up to 400 mechanics in 2008.
New Holland Construction Equipment launched products upgraded with new functionality including 10 in Europe, 7 in the Americas and 6 in the Rest-of-World.
Among the new products were the E385B and E485B demolition series excavators with Tier 3 engines and new hydraulics. The demolition segment continues to expand in response to customer requirements for efficient machines that can excel in this specific segment but are flexible enough to be used for standard excavator applications.
Case IH launched, in North America, the Farmall 65C & 75C, 64 and 76-horsepower Tier 3 compliant compact utility tractors for a wide variety of applications from livestock operations to municipalities. Its Puma 165-210 models, in the 135 to 180 horsepower range, can now be ordered autoguidance-ready with Case IH Advanced Farming Systems (AFS) for precision-farming applications.
In Europe, Case IH launched the Quantum 65C & 75C utility tractors suitable for grassland, dairy, livestock arable, poultry and vegetable farms. The Magnum 335 was launched in Australia, representing the highest powered drawbar machine, ideal for Australia's cotton, cereal and broad-acre farms where maximum power is needed.
New Holland Agricultural Equipment launched the 523-horsepower CR9080 Twin Rotor Combine®, in North America, a product which has industry-leading horsepower and maximizes productivity with the largest threshing capacity, cleaning area and cab on the market. It also launched the TV6070 Bidirectional(TM) tractor, which offers high visibility and features a new 6.7L engine with an efficient eight-range transmission.
In Europe, the brand launched three T4000F specialty tractors developed to work in orchards. Equipped with four-cylinder engines, they are designed to work in confined spaces. Meanwhile, T5000, TT50 and TL5000 tractors were shipped to Turkey, Angola and Australia.
Second Quarter and Six Months 2008 Operating Review - Financial Services

Financial Services Highlights
Quarter Ended
Percent
Six Months Ended
Percent
(Unaudited, US$ in millions, except percents)
6/30/08
6/30/07
Change
6/30/08
6/30/07
Change
 
Net Income
$ 70
$ 58
20.7%
$ 122
$ 123
(0.8)%
On-Book Asset Portfolio
$ 12,378
$ 7,160
72.9%
$ 12,378
$ 7,160
72.9%
Managed Asset Portfolio
$ 20,647
$ 17,727
16.5%
$ 20,647
$ 17,727
16.5%

CNH Financial Services' Second Quarter Net Income grew by 21% in the quarter as income from higher levels of on-book receivables more than offset a $14.7 million reduction in Retail ABS transaction gains from the year-ago quarter. Ongoing improvement in Agricultural Equipment portfolios offset an unfavorable delinquency trend in Construction Equipment. First half Net Income declined by 1% from the prior year, as increased income from higher levels of on-book receivables did not offset a $40.3 million reduction in Retail ABS gains.
Equipment Operations Cash Flow and Net (Cash) / Debt

Cash Flow and Net Debt
Quarter Ended
 
Six Months Ended
(Unaudited, US$ in millions)
6/30/08
6/30/07
 
6/30/08
6/30/07
 
Net Income
$ 347
$ 228
 
$ 459
$ 323
Depreciation & Amortization
72
72
 
133
143
Changes in Working Capital*
68
12
 
(369)
76
Other***
332
271
 
422
371
Cash Generated by Operating Activities
819
583
 
645
913
Net Cash from Investing Activities**
(108)
(49)
 
(187)
(122)
All Other, Including FX Impact for the Period
(88)
3
 
(115)
3
(Increase) / Decrease in Net Debt (Cash)
$ 623
$ 537
 
$ 343
$ 794
Net Debt (Cash)
$ (829)
$ (531)
 
$ (829)
$ (531)
 
* Net change in receivables, inventories and payables including inter-segment receivables and payables, net of FX impact for the period.
** Excluding Net (Deposits In) Withdrawals from Fiat Cash Pools, as they are a part of Net Debt (Cash).
*** Changes in Other items such as marketing programs and tax accruals

CNH's net cash position improved in the quarter by $623 million. Cash generated by operating activities, primarily from earnings and changes in working capital, were significantly higher than growth in capital investments and the increased annual dividend paid to shareholders in April, resulting in an $829 million net cash position at June 30, 2008. During the first half of 2008, CNH's net cash position improved by $343 million, as cash generated by operating activities was utilized to fund higher levels of inventory to support growing demand for agricultural products, increased capital investments to meet demand growth and improve operating efficiency, and higher dividends to shareholders.
During the second quarter, CNH securitized $1.2 billion of U.S. retail notes at a net loss of $5.3 million, reflecting the current pricing of ABS transactions in general. During the first half of 2008, CNH Capital renewed approximately $2.3 billion of credit lines and conduit facilities providing the liquidity for ongoing growth of financing in support of higher demand for agricultural and construction equipment.
Market Outlook

We believe the global agricultural industry outlook remains excellent. High cash grain commodity prices and low levels of commodity stocks provide strong support for continued growth for higher horsepower agricultural tractors and combines throughout the world. U.S. Net Farm Cash Income is expected to be at record levels, notwithstanding weakness in milk and meat prices. CNH expects the Western European tractor market to remain strong while the combine market will grow significantly. In Eastern Europe and the CIS, we expect the markets to grow, spurred by high cash grain commodity prices and the need to update equipment. We expect Latin American markets to show continued strong growth, supported by increase in sugar cane for use in ethanol production and cash grain commodity prices.
Our outlook for the global construction industry is for growth in heavy equipment industry sales to offset a decline in light equipment industry sales. We expect continuing strength in Latin American and Rest-of-World markets driven by growing economies and infrastructure spending. We expect construction demand in Western Europe to decline from recent record levels as GDP growth and construction activity levels weaken, but that demand will remain at high levels compared with recent history. Driven largely by weakness in the housing market, the North American construction outlook remains soft and we expect North American construction demand to continue its decline for the remainder of the year from already low levels.
In view of these growth expectations, especially in the agriculture sector, CNH is embarking on an intensive program to strengthen its manufacturing footprint on a global scale. The primary objective of these activities is to provide additional capacity for larger horsepower tractors and combines and to remove bottlenecks.
CNH Outlook

Taking advantage of strong global agricultural demand and construction strength in Latin American and Rest-of-World markets, CNH expects revenues for the full year 2008 to be up approximately 25% compared to 2007. CNH expects to fully offset recent increases in input costs with previously announced pricing actions and will continue to closely monitor future developments in raw material costs. CNH expects full year Operating Margins to approximate 9% as CNH continues the improvement trend started in the second quarter. CNH is tightening its expected full year Diluted EPS, before restructuring, after taxes of $3.40 to $3.60.
CNH believes it is well positioned in the rapidly growing agricultural market by its continued investment in new products, further capacity and enhanced processes while leveraging our global footprint. During the second quarter CNH announced the introduction of many new products and the planned reopening of its Sorocaba, Brazil manufacturing facility to increase capacity for both agricultural and construction equipment in the robust Latin American market. The company is also investing to enhance its processes with a significant investment in information systems worldwide to accelerate its efforts in world class manufacturing in addition to driving customer service and cost efficiency throughout CNH to position itself to capitalize on the market opportunities in 2009.
###

CNH Global N.V. is a world leader in the agricultural and construction equipment businesses. Supported by more than 11,000 dealers in 160 countries, CNH brings together the knowledge and heritage of its Case and New Holland brand families with the strength and resources of its worldwide commercial, industrial, product support and finance organizations. CNH Global N.V., whose stock is listed at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE:CNH), is a majority-owned subsidiary of Fiat S.p.A. (FIA.MI). More information about CNH and its Case and New Holland products can be found online at www.cnh.com.
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CNH management will hold a conference call later today to review its second quarter 2008 results. The conference call Webcast will begin at approximately 6:30 a.m. U.S. Central Time; 7:30 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time. This call can be accessed through the investor information section of the company's Web site at www.cnh.com and is being carried by CCBN.
Forward-looking statements. This press release includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical fact contained in this press release, including statements regarding our competitive strengths, business strategy, future financial position, operating results, budgets, projected costs and plans and objectives of management, are forward-looking statements. These statements may include terminology such as "may," "will," "expect," "could," "should," "intend," "estimate," "anticipate," "believe," "outlook," "continue," "remain," "on track," "goal," or similar terminology.
Our outlook is predominantly based on our interpretation of what we consider key economic assumptions and involves risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ. Crop production and commodity prices are strongly affected by weather and can fluctuate significantly. Housing starts and other construction activity are sensitive to the availability of credit and to interest rates and government spending. Some of the other significant factors for us include general economic and capital market conditions, the cyclical nature of our business, customer buying patterns and preferences, foreign currency exchange rate movements, our hedging practices, our customers' access to credit, actions by rating agencies concerning the ratings of our debt securities and asset backed securities, risks related to our relationship with Fiat S.p.A., political uncertainty and civil unrest or war in various areas of the world, pricing, product initiatives and other actions taken by competitors, disruptions in production capacity, excess inventory levels, the effect of changes in laws and regulations (including government subsidies and international trade regulations), the results of legal proceedings (including the ultimate outcome of the consolidated arbitration proceeding pending in London before the ICC International Court of Arbitration), technological difficulties, results of our research and development activities, changes in environmental laws, employee and labor relations, pension and health care costs, relations with and the financial strength of dealers, the cost and availability of supplies from our suppliers, raw material costs and availability, energy prices, real estate values, animal diseases, crop pests, harvest yields, government farm programs and consumer confidence, housing starts and construction activity, concerns related to modified organisms and fuel and fertilizer costs. Additionally, our achievement of the anticipated benefits of our margin improvement initiatives depends upon, among other things, industry volumes as well as our ability to effectively rationalize our operations and to execute our brand strategy. Further information concerning factors that could significantly affect expected results is included in our annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2007.
We can give no assurance that the expectations reflected in our forward-looking statements will prove to be correct. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements. All written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us are expressly qualified in their entirety by the factors we disclose that could cause our actual results to differ materially from our expectations. We undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements.