PEORIA, Ill.— Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE: CAT) today announced record sales and revenues of $51.324 billion for 2008, up 14 percent from 2007. Profit per share was $5.66, up 5 percent and profit after tax of $3.557 billion was about flat with 2007. The company also reported record fourth-quarter sales and revenues of $12.923 billion, 6 percent higher than the fourth quarter of 2007. Profit per share for the quarter was $1.08, down 28 percent from the fourth quarter of 2007…more at Cat.com