Right to Repair Lawsuit Settlement
John Deere agreed to pay $99 million to settle a 'right to repair' lawsuit as announced on April 27, 2026. This settlement represents a significant development in the company's legal disputes.
New U.S. Facilities and Investment
John Deere announced new domestic expansion projects. The company plans to invest $125 million to construct a 1.2 million-square-foot warehouse and distribution center on 234 acres near Hebron, Indiana. In Kernersville, North Carolina, Deere is investing $70 million to expand its plant and take over excavator production previously based in Japan. Each site is estimated to generate approximately 150 jobs. Additionally, the company has pledged to invest $20 billion in U.S. manufacturing overall.
Workforce Rehiring and Historical Job Losses
While opening new facilities, John Deere is rehiring some previously laid-off employees: 146 in Waterloo, 24 in Dubuque, and 75 in Davenport. However, these rehiring efforts make only a modest dent in significant recent losses. The company conducted major layoffs beginning in October 2023, cut 2,167 jobs across key facilities in 2024 (including nearly 1,000 in Waterloo), and continued layoffs into 2025 with over 500 workers let go in Iowa alone.
Global Operations and Manufacturing Expansion
Despite U.S. facility expansion, John Deere continues significant international operations. The company manufactures equipment globally, including skid steer and track loaders in Mexico, with recent announcements of a $55 million plant in Nuevo León for mini track loaders and mini wheel loaders. International markets provide nearly half of consolidated net sales, and the company employs 75,000 people worldwide with more than half located abroad.
Financial Headwinds from Tariffs
John Deere incurred approximately $600 million in tariff-related costs during fiscal year 2025 and expects that figure to climb to about $1.2 billion in the current year. These costs reflect the impact of policy changes under the Trump-Vance administration on the company's operations.
Stock Performance and Investor Activity
As of April 28, 2026, Comerica Bank reduced its stake in Deere & Company by 7.9% in the fourth quarter. Meanwhile, M&T Bank significantly increased its position by 1,199.8%, and other institutional investors have made substantial changes. Deere has a consensus Wall Street rating of 'Moderate Buy' with a $655.45 price target. The company beat fourth quarter EPS and revenue estimates and declared a $1.62 quarterly dividend. 
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