Summary Box: Deere 1Q profit rises 4 percent

STEADY GROWTH: Deere & Co. reported a 4 percent increase in its first-quarter net income on Wednesday thanks to strong demand for the agricultural and construction equipment it makes. The company reported net income of $532.9 million, or $1.30 per share.

MIXED REVIEWS: The earnings exceeded Wall Street's expectations, but Deere's 11 percent revenue growth was less than predicted and the company reported several areas of higher costs.

OUTLOOK IMPROVES: Deere expects it will generate net income of $3.275 billion in 2012. That's up from last fall's forecast of $3.2 billion, but some saw that as a conservative prediction.