The Peoria, Ill.-based company, known around the world for its black and yellow earth movers, reported a net loss of $112 million, or 19 cents a share, vs. a profit of $922 million, or $1.45 a share, a year earlier.

In its fourth-quarter report, Caterpillar said the worst has yet to pass, saying 2009 looks to be the weakest year for economic growth in the postwar period.