Caterpillar’s sales rose in the first quarter as market conditions for the machinery company begin to improve and dealers increase their inventory levels. Revenue for the Deerfield, Illinois-based company climbed to $11.89 billion from $10.64 billion, helped by increased sales volume that was driven by higher end-user demand and changes in dealer inventories. Dealers boosted inventories by $700 million during the first quarter compared with $100 million in the prior-year period.
