MOLINE, Illinois, Feb. 20 -- Deere and Co., a manufacturer of agricultural, construction, forestry machinery and diesel engines, issued the following news release:

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Deere Reports First Quarter Net Income of $656 Million

* First quarter shipments ahead of plan as order books strengthen

* Diverse customer segments and geographies enable resilience and growth

* Net income guidance range increased to $4.5 billion - $5.0 billion