Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT – Get Free Report) has been given an average rating of “Moderate Buy” by the twenty-six brokerages that are covering the firm, MarketBeat.com reports. Nine investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation, sixteen have issued a buy recommendation and one has given a strong buy recommendation to the company. The average 12 month target price among analysts that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $939.8636.
CAT has been the topic of several research analyst reports. Argus boosted their price objective on Caterpillar from $820.00 to $990.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, May 5th. Jefferies Financial Group upped their price target on Caterpillar from $900.00 to $1,045.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, May 1st. Barclays upped their price target on Caterpillar from $700.00 to $800.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Friday, May 1st. Truist Financial set a $1,043.00 price target on Caterpillar in a research report on Friday, May 1st. Finally, Williams Trading set a $825.00 price target on Caterpillar in a research report on Tuesday, March 10th.
Get Our Latest Stock Report on CAT
Key Headlines Impacting Caterpillar
- Positive Sentiment: Caterpillar was highlighted as a beneficiary of the AI buildout after reports that it will supply engines and turbines for a major Chevron/Microsoft AI data center project, reinforcing demand for its power generation equipment. Caterpillar (CAT) Lands Key Role In Chevron Microsoft AI Data Center Build
- Positive Sentiment: Analysts remain constructive, with Wells Fargo reportedly raising its price recommendation, while other coverage pointed to Caterpillar as a blue-chip dividend name and a stock worth holding amid the industrial rally. Top 5 Blue Chip Stocks with Growing Dividends
- Positive Sentiment: Recent analysis emphasized Caterpillar’s record $63 billion backlog, up 79% year over year, which improves revenue visibility and supports expectations for continued sales growth. CAT’s Record Backlog: A Sign of Sustained Demand Strength?
- Neutral Sentiment: Several recent articles compared Caterpillar with other heavy machinery and industrial stocks, but these pieces were largely contextual rather than new catalysts. Unpacking Q1 Earnings: Caterpillar (NYSE:CAT) In The Context Of Other Heavy Machinery Stocks
- Neutral Sentiment: Coverage noting CAT’s strong one-year run and high valuation suggests investors are also weighing whether much of the good news is already priced in. Caterpillar (CAT) Stock Near $984 After Big Rally Is There Still Upside Potential
- Positive Sentiment: Reports that Caterpillar and partners are advancing battery-electric haul truck testing add to the long-term innovation story in mining and equipment electrification. BHP, Rio Tinto and Caterpillar advance battery-electric haul truck testing
Caterpillar Stock Up 0.9%
CAT stock opened at $992.95 on Thursday. The stock’s fifty day simple moving average is $887.68 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $750.22. The company has a current ratio of 1.35, a quick ratio of 0.81 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.64. Caterpillar has a 1-year low of $369.51 and a 1-year high of $1,023.29. The stock has a market cap of $457.34 billion, a P/E ratio of 49.42, a P/E/G ratio of 1.94 and a beta of 1.59.
Caterpillar (NYSE:CAT – Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 30th. The industrial products company reported $5.54 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $4.65 by $0.89. Caterpillar had a return on equity of 48.21% and a net margin of 13.33%.The business had revenue of $17.42 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $16.53 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $4.25 earnings per share. The business’s revenue was up 22.2% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts expect that Caterpillar will post 24.64 EPS for the current year.
Caterpillar Increases Dividend
The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, August 19th. Stockholders of record on Monday, July 20th will be given a dividend of $1.63 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, July 20th. This represents a $6.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.7%. This is a boost from Caterpillar’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.51. Caterpillar’s payout ratio is currently 30.06%.
Insider Activity
In related news, insider Jason Kaiser sold 5,642 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $883.03, for a total transaction of $4,982,055.26. Following the sale, the insider owned 9,594 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $8,471,789.82. This represents a 37.03% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, insider Lange Bob De sold 24,222 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, May 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $922.92, for a total value of $22,354,968.24. Following the sale, the insider directly owned 86,029 shares in the company, valued at $79,397,884.68. This trade represents a 21.97% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 95,773 shares of company stock worth $87,642,635. 0.33% of the stock is owned by company insiders.
Institutional Trading of Caterpillar
A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in CAT. Axxcess Wealth Management LLC increased its position in shares of Caterpillar by 2.8% during the 4th quarter. Axxcess Wealth Management LLC now owns 22,420 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $12,844,000 after purchasing an additional 604 shares during the last quarter. Juno Financial Group LLC bought a new position in shares of Caterpillar during the 4th quarter valued at about $877,000. ARK Investment Management LLC increased its position in shares of Caterpillar by 11.7% during the 3rd quarter. ARK Investment Management LLC now owns 31,144 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $14,860,000 after purchasing an additional 3,268 shares during the last quarter. Gotham Asset Management LLC increased its position in shares of Caterpillar by 19.1% during the 3rd quarter. Gotham Asset Management LLC now owns 116,589 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $55,630,000 after purchasing an additional 18,676 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Cornerstone Planning LLC bought a new position in shares of Caterpillar during the 4th quarter valued at about $4,517,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 70.98% of the company’s stock.
About Caterpillar
Caterpillar Inc is a global manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines and locomotives. The company’s product portfolio includes earthmoving machines such as excavators, bulldozers, wheel loaders and off‑highway trucks, as well as a range of power generation products including generator sets and power systems for industrial and commercial use. Caterpillar serves customers across heavy construction, mining, energy, transportation and related industries with both equipment and integrated technology solutions.
In addition to manufacturing, Caterpillar provides a broad range of aftermarket parts and support services, including maintenance, repair, remanufacturing and fleet management tools.
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