Caterpillar Profit Tops Estimates as Sales Surge by 35%

** ADVANCE FOR USE SUNDAY OCT. 18, AND THEREAFTER ** FILE - In this Oct. 20, 2006 file photo, workers use Caterpillar machinery to excavate a trench for a new water line in Sandy, Utah. Caterpillar Inc., releases third-quarter financial results Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2009. (AP Photo/Douglas C. Pizac, file)

Caterpillar Inc beat estimates for fourth-quarter profit on Thursday as revenues surged 35 percent compared to a year earlier on the back of strong global demand for its construction and mining equipment.

The company also said it took a $2.4 billion charge related to recent U.S. tax changes, widening its net loss before adjustments to $1.30 billion, or $2.18 per share, from $1.17 billion, or $2.00 per share, a year earlier.