Caterpillar Inc logo

Caterpillar Inc(CAT)

Top Performer Top performer
upturn advisory logo
EXPLORE ADVISORIES AND THEIR HISTORY
QUALITY SIGNAL
4-STAR RATING
PASS
LAST CLOSE
$600.2
11/13/2026
(24-hour delay)

Advisory History & Simulated Performance *

*as per simulation (see disclosures)
  • ALL
  • 1Y
  • 1M
  • 1W
  • BUY Advisory
  • SELL Advisory (Profit)
  • SELL Advisory (Loss)
  • Profit
  • Loss
  • PASS (Skip)
Upturn Stock price based on last close iconStock price based on last close
Simulated performance—not actual client returns. Excludes advisory subscription fees, trading commissions, and taxes, which would reduce returns. Results depend on calculation assumptions and do not guarantee future outcomes. See Disclosures for full methodology, assumptions, and limitations.

Advisory Performance History (Simulated)Advisory Performance History info

Simulated performance—not actual client returns. Excludes advisory subscription fees, trading commissions, and taxes, which would reduce returns. Results depend on calculation assumptions and do not guarantee future outcomes. See Disclosures for full methodology, assumptions, and limitations.

Upturn Advisory & Investor View for CAT

11/13/2026: CAT (4-star) is currently NOT-A-BUY. Pass it for now.

Caterpillar Inc is a global leader in the manufacturing of construction and mining equipment, diesel engines, and industrial turbines. The stock is a core industrial holding known for its durability, expansive dealer network, and long history of reliable dividend payments. While the company benefits from strong operating margins and market presence, its performance is highly sensitive to economic and commodity cycles. Key risks include intense competition and high exposure to global infrastructure and mining capital expenditures. Caterpillar is well-suited for value and dividend-oriented investors who can tolerate cyclicality and are monitoring infrastructure growth and energy transition progress as major long-term catalysts.

How to Read the Upturn Advisory

The Upturn Star Rating and the current BUY, SELL, or PASS advisory are generated by Upturn’s AI advisory engine based on proprietary signal analysis, price behavior, advisory history, and historical signal performance.

Company fundamentals, valuation, risks, and news provide supporting context about the business.

Investor Fit

Investor styleFitWhy
Growth investorMixed fitGrowth is largely cyclical rather than secular, limiting long-term high-growth appeal.
Momentum investorMixed fitMomentum follows broader industrial market cycles rather than consistent upward trends.
Value investorStrong fitThe company often trades at reasonable valuations relative to its long-term cash flow and brand strength.
Dividend investorStrong fitA long-standing history of increasing dividends makes it a reliable income play.
Low-risk investorMixed fitWhile established, the stock remains sensitive to economic cycles and commodity volatility.

Risk Profile

Risk factorLevelWhy it matters
Price volatilityMedium / highThe stock price is sensitive to macroeconomic cycles and commodity price swings.
Valuation riskMediumCyclical peaks can lead to premium valuations that may compress during downturns.
Competition risk (Heavy Equipment)MediumCompetition from Komatsu and Deere requires ongoing R&D and service investment.
Business qualityStrongCaterpillar is a dominant, high-quality franchise with significant competitive moats.
Dividend incomeStrongReliable payout history provides income safety for long-term holders.
Execution riskMediumManaging a vast global supply chain and dealer network involves constant operational complexity.

Key Highlights

Company Size Large-Cap Stock
Market Capitalization 276.97B USD
Price to earnings Ratio 23.76
1Y Target Price 823.41
Price to earnings Ratio 23.76
1Y Target Price 823.41
Volume (30-day avg) 3.5M shares
Beta 1.64
52 Weeks Range 532.55 - 1068.93
Updated Date 11/13/2026
52 Weeks Range 532.55 - 1068.93
Updated Date 11/13/2026
Dividends yield (FY) 1.04%
Basic EPS (TTM) 25.48

Sector & Industry Intelligence

Sector

Industrials

Constructive
Sentiment
Bullish
Momentum
BUY Breadth Improving
BUY participation
39.5%
Active BUY / eligible
30 / 76
30-Day BUY Count Change
+12
Market state
Bullish

More qualifying stocks are receiving or maintaining BUY advisories, indicating improving market participation.

Industry

Farm & Heavy Construction Machinery

BUY participation
50.0%
Active BUY / eligible
1 / 2
30-Day BUY Count Change
+1

Eligible universe: 2 stocks.

Sector signal summarizes BUY breadth conditions for the sector. It does not override this stock’s BUY, SELL, or PASS advisory.

Price Behavior

Downtrend
PRICE PATH

Downtrend

The stock has experienced a sustained decline in price over recent periods.

Moderately Choppy
PRICE STABILITY

Moderately Choppy

The stock has experienced noticeable price swings while retaining some directional structure.

Analysis of Past Performance

Type Stock
Historic Profit 147.16%
Avg. Invested days 65
Today’s Advisory PASS
Upturn Advisory Rating upturn star rating icon
Upturn Advisory Performance Upturn Advisory Performance icon 4.0
Stock Returns Performance Upturn Returns Performance icon 5.0
Upturn Profits based on simulation icon Profits based on simulation
Upturn last close icon Last Close 11/13/2026

Upturn Scorecard

Upturn Star Rating

★★★★★
CAT receives a 4-star rating, supported by solid company fundamentals, and strong analyst coverage. The rating is constrained by weak price momentum.

Company Fundamentals

★★★★★
CAT has solid overall fundamentals (4 stars), with solid financial health, moderate growth momentum, and solid ownership. In FY2025 versus FY2024, solid cash generation (FCF margin 11.0%) and solid profitability (net margin 13.1%) are partially offset by negative earnings growth (-17.8%), moderate revenue growth (+4.3%), very low insider ownership of 0.22%.

Financial Health Rating

★★★★★
CAT's financial health is supported by strong cash strength, including free-cash-flow generation of $7.5B (11.0% of revenue). Profitability is moderate (3 stars), which helps explain the 4-star overall score.

Growth Momentum Score

★★★★★
Revenue growth is CAT's strongest growth driver at +4.3% FY2025 versus FY2024 (moderate, 3 stars). By comparison, while earnings growth (-17.8%, negative) and free-cash-flow growth (-15.5%, negative) hold the profile back, so recent growth is not broad-based across the business.

Ownership

★★★★★
Institutional ownership is 74.2% and approximately 99.7% of outstanding shares are publicly tradable, supporting liquidity and institutional participation. Insider ownership is only 0.22%, which materially reduces the ownership score.

Top 5 Institutional Investors

BlackRock Inc 8.30%
State Street Corp 7.52%
Vanguard Capital Management, LLC 6.57%
State Farm Mutual Automobile Ins Co 3.17%
Vanguard Portfolio Management, LLC 2.63%

Unit Economics (Per $1K Revenue)

★★★★★
CAT generates approximately $323 of gross profit, $166 of operating income, and $110 of free cash flow for every $1,000 of revenue. Based on FY2025 results. Moderate margins and moderate cash conversion support a 3-star rating, while capital efficiency is solid.

Economic Dimensions

★★★★★
Effective Tax Rate: 23.94%

Quantitative Style Profile

★★★★★
CAT has a high-quality, large-cap, liquid profile. Weak momentum is the primary drawback, while valuation that is moderately attractive rather than deeply discounted.

Style Classification

Quality Focused

Quality TiltHigh VolatilityLarge / Mega Cap StabilityHighly Liquid / Institution-Friendly

How Company Makes Money

Business areaWhat it includesRetail investor read
Construction IndustriesMachinery for infrastructure and building; key revenue driver.The backbone of the company's revenue; tracks global construction trends.
Resource IndustriesMining equipment and heavy machinery.Highly profitable but volatile, tied to commodity demand.
Energy & TransportationEngines, turbines, and rail equipment.Provides stable revenue through long-term service contracts.
GeographyGlobal sales across North America, Latin America, EAME, and Asia Pacific.Well-diversified, though regional economic health impacts short-term performance.

Analyzing Revenue: Products, Geography and Growth

Revenue by Products

Product revenue - Year on Year

Revenue by Geography

Geography revenue - Year on Year

Earnings Date

Report Date 2026-10-29
When Before Market
Estimate 6.95
Actual 7.2

Profitability

Profit Margin 15.21%
Operating Margin (TTM) 18.76%

Management Effectiveness

Return on Assets (TTM) 9.09%
Return on Equity (TTM) 56.14%

Valuation

Trailing PE 23.76
Forward PE 18.8
Enterprise Value 312.57B
Price to Sales(TTM) 3.56
Enterprise Value 312.57B
Price to Sales(TTM) 3.56
Enterprise Value to Revenue 4.02
Enterprise Value to EBITDA 17.4
Shares Outstanding 457.59M
Shares Floating 456.13M
Shares Outstanding 457.59M
Shares Floating 456.13M
Percent Insiders 0.22
Percent Institutions 74.23

Financial Metrics

🧭 Investment Snapshot

Total Revenue (Scale)

Information icon Total money earned from selling products or services before any costs. It is needed to understand the scale of the business and its ability to generate income.

Net Income (Profit)

Information icon Final profit after all expenses, interest, and taxes are deducted. It is needed to determine the overall profitability available to shareholders.

Free Cash Flow (Cash Strength)

Information icon Cash remaining after operating activities and capital expenditures, showing cash available for growth. It is needed to evaluate the company’s ability to invest, pay dividends, or reduce debt.

📈 Growth & Strength

Operating Income (Core Profit)

Information icon Profit from core operations after deducting all operating expenses. It is needed to measure how efficiently the company runs its primary business activities.

EBITDA (Cash Earnings)

Information icon Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization, indicating operating cash potential. It is needed to compare operating performance across companies without accounting or financing differences.

Gross Profit (Unit Profitability)

Information icon Revenue minus cost of revenue, showing profit after direct production costs. It is needed to evaluate core business profitability before overhead expenses.

🛡️ Financial Safety

Cash (Liquidity Buffer)

Information icon Total cash and cash equivalents on hand. It is needed to evaluate immediate liquidity and financial flexibility.

Total Debt (Leverage Risk)

Information icon Total debt including both short-term and long-term components. It is needed to assess the company’s leverage and financial risk.

Net Working Capital (Short-Term Health)

Information icon Current assets minus current liabilities, indicating short-term liquidity strength. It is needed to assess whether the company can meet its short-term obligations.

🧱 Balance Sheet Strength

Stockholder Equity (Net Worth)

Information icon Total equity value held by shareholders. It is needed to understand the net worth of the company from the owners’ perspective.

Total Assets (Asset Base)

Information icon The full value of everything the company owns, including cash, inventory, equipment, and investments. It is needed to understand the resource base used to generate revenue.

Income Before Tax (Pre-Tax Earnings)

Information icon Income before provision for income taxes. It is needed to analyze profitability independent of tax structures.

⚙️ Cost & Drag Factors

Cost of Revenue (Production Cost)

Information icon Direct costs required to produce and deliver the products or services sold. It is needed to assess efficiency in production and service delivery.

Total Operating Expenses (Operating Cost)

Information icon Indirect costs of running the business such as salaries, marketing, and administration. It is needed to understand how much it costs to sustain ongoing business operations.

Income Tax Expense (Tax Drag)

Information icon Amount of taxes paid or payable to the government. It is needed to evaluate the impact of taxation on overall profitability.

Form CRS provides a relationship summary of our automated advisory services, flat subscription fees, and conflicts of interest. Form ADV Part 2A brochure contains complete details on services, billing, and disclosures. If any summary differs from our current regulatory filings, the filed Form ADV controls.