Deere & Co.’s net income soared 52 percent as strong worldwide agricultural sales offset a decline in construction sales, Reuters reported.

The Moline, Ill.-based company earned $422.1 million, or $1.88 per share, in its fiscal fourth quarter, which ended Oct. 31, compared with $277.3 million, or $1.20 per share, in the year-ago quarter. Net revenues rose 20 percent to $6.14 billion. Analysts predicted the company would report earnings of $1.54 per share on sales of $5.23 billion.

Sales of agricultural equipment and commercial and consumer products both rose 35 percent, which offset an 11 percent decline in sales of construction and forestry machinery.

For the full fiscal year, net income rose 8 percent to $1.82 billion, or $8.01 per share, from $1.69 billion, or $7.18 per share, in fiscal 2006.

The company expects its full-year 2008 profit to be about $2.1 billion, and $325 million for the first quarter.