Peoria-based Caterpillar is looking at a 29-percent first-quarter net income increase to nearly one-point-six-billion dollars.  However, it's stock dropped nearly five-percent yesterday after the heavy-equipment manufacturer posted results that indicate sales in China and Brazil dropped below expectations.  Chairman and chief executive Doug Oberhelman says Washington is key right now.

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Oberhelman says that, in the near term, the company plans to boost sales in other parts of the world.