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Caterpillar was always an unlikely winner in the AI craze. It makes the bulk of its money selling the equipment like yellow earth movers that has made it a stalwart of American industry.

Caterpillar — seen as a bellwether of the health of the global economy — saw total sales slip in both construction and resource industries.

Lowe’s has agreed to buy an interior services provider for around $1.3 billion, the retailer’s latest effort to expand its footprint with professional contractors amid a soft housing market.

Herc Rentals is set to merge with fellow construction equipment supplier H&E Equipment Services after outbidding the largest player in the field, United Rentals, the company said Feb. 18.

González will be replaced April 1 by Jaime Muguiro, who is the current head of Cemex’s U.S. operations, the company said in a statement.

The Stamford, Conn.-based company posted a 1.5% increase in Q4 net income to $689 million from $679 million. Revenue increased nearly 10%.

M&A specialists are eyeing a robust list of U.S. takeover candidates, with a buoyant economy, strong buyer appetite and a potentially looser regulatory regime seen driving more deals.

Beacon Roofing Supply Inc. has adopted a poison pill defense as the building products company pushes back against a hostile takeover approach from QXO Inc.

Beacon Roofing Supply has started soliciting interest from potential buyers as it looks to fend off an $11 billion takeover bid from rival QXO Inc., people familiar with the matter said.

The package is among the largest seen since 2022, when the Federal Reserve began lifting interest rates, ending the easy-money era.