Caterpillar CAT-N topped third-quarter profit and revenue estimates on Wednesday as a boom in AI technologies drove demand for its energy equipment, sending its shares up 5 per cent before the bell.

The industrial equipment maker’s energy and transportation unit has fueled much of the company’s growth in recent quarters as AI-driven investments on power-hungry data centers have boosted demand for its power generation systems.

President Donald Trump’s focus on energy projects has also aided the segment. The unit, which also makes mining equipment such as excavators and giant shovels, contributes 40 per cent to Caterpillar’s overall revenue.

The energy and transportation unit posted a 17 per cent rise in quarterly sales to about US$7.2-billion.

The company, seen as a bellwether for the

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