Caterpillar (CAT)


Market Price (8/10/2026): $843.37 | Market Cap: $388.3 BilInvestor Relations Sector: Industrials | Industry: Construction Machinery & Heavy Transportation Equipment

Caterpillar (CAT)


Market Price (8/10/2026): $843.37
Market Cap: $388.3 Bil
Sector: Industrials
Industry: Construction Machinery & Heavy Transportation Equipment

Investment Highlights Why It Matters Detailed financial logic regarding cash flow yields vs trend-riding momentum.

0

Strong revenue growth
Rev Chg LTMRevenue Change % Last Twelve Months (LTM) is 18%

Attractive cash flow generation
CFO/Rev LTMCash Flow from Operations / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is 18%, FCF/Rev LTMFree Cash Flow / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is 12%, CFO LTM is 14 Bil, FCF LTM is 9.0 Bil

Stock buyback support
Stock Buyback 3Y Total is 23 Bil

Low stock price volatility
Vol 12M is 39%

Megatrend and thematic drivers
Megatrends include Automation & Robotics, Future of Freight, Sustainable Infrastructure, Hydrogen Economy, Show more.

Stock price has recently run up significantly
12M Rtn12 month market price return is 104%

Key risks
CAT key risks include [1] a high vulnerability to cyclical downturns and shifts in U.S. Show more.

0 Strong revenue growth
Rev Chg LTMRevenue Change % Last Twelve Months (LTM) is 18%
1 Attractive cash flow generation
CFO/Rev LTMCash Flow from Operations / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is 18%, FCF/Rev LTMFree Cash Flow / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is 12%, CFO LTM is 14 Bil, FCF LTM is 9.0 Bil
2 Stock buyback support
Stock Buyback 3Y Total is 23 Bil
3 Low stock price volatility
Vol 12M is 39%
4 Megatrend and thematic drivers
Megatrends include Automation & Robotics, Future of Freight, Sustainable Infrastructure, Hydrogen Economy, Show more.
5 Stock price has recently run up significantly
12M Rtn12 month market price return is 104%
6 Key risks
CAT key risks include [1] a high vulnerability to cyclical downturns and shifts in U.S. Show more.

CAT in ETFs

Weight = CAT's share of each fund

SPY0.59%
VOO0.76%
IVV0.59%
VTI0.70%
ITOT0.55%
DIA9.4%
IWB0.55%
RSP0.18%
+34 more covered ETFs

Valuation & Metrics

Price Chart

Why The Stock Moved

Qualitative Assessment

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Updated on 8/4/2026

Caterpillar (CAT) stock has lost about 5% since 4/30/2026 because of the following key factors:

1. Strong Fiscal Q2 2026 Performance and Raised Full-Year Outlook. Caterpillar reported record fiscal Q2 2026 sales and revenues of $20.5 billion, marking a 24% increase year-over-year, significantly surpassing analyst expectations of $19.68 billion. Adjusted profit per share soared 73% to $8.17, also well above the FactSet EPS consensus of $6.22. This robust performance was primarily driven by higher sales volume of $3.1 billion and favorable price realization of $595 million. The company further bolstered investor confidence by raising its full-year 2026 revenue growth guidance to "mid-to-high teens" from "low double-digit" growth. This strong financial report on August 4, 2026, caused the stock to rally, effectively offsetting earlier declines during the period.

2. Robust Demand from Data Center Construction Underpinned Performance. A significant catalyst for Caterpillar's strong results, contributing to both the initial upward momentum and the subsequent rebound, was the booming demand for data center construction. This specialized demand notably boosted sales in the Construction Industries segment by 35% to $8.35 billion, exceeding expectations of $7.49 billion, due to investments in data centers. Similarly, the Power & Energy segment saw sales grow 17% to $8.24 billion, also above expectations, fueled by increased sales of large engines and turbines primarily for data center applications.

Show more
Updated on 8/4/2026

Caterpillar (CAT) stock has lost about 5% since 4/30/2026 because of the following key factors:

1. Strong Fiscal Q2 2026 Performance and Raised Full-Year Outlook. Caterpillar reported record fiscal Q2 2026 sales and revenues of $20.5 billion, marking a 24% increase year-over-year, significantly surpassing analyst expectations of $19.68 billion. Adjusted profit per share soared 73% to $8.17, also well above the FactSet EPS consensus of $6.22. This robust performance was primarily driven by higher sales volume of $3.1 billion and favorable price realization of $595 million. The company further bolstered investor confidence by raising its full-year 2026 revenue growth guidance to "mid-to-high teens" from "low double-digit" growth. This strong financial report on August 4, 2026, caused the stock to rally, effectively offsetting earlier declines during the period.

2. Robust Demand from Data Center Construction Underpinned Performance. A significant catalyst for Caterpillar's strong results, contributing to both the initial upward momentum and the subsequent rebound, was the booming demand for data center construction. This specialized demand notably boosted sales in the Construction Industries segment by 35% to $8.35 billion, exceeding expectations of $7.49 billion, due to investments in data centers. Similarly, the Power & Energy segment saw sales grow 17% to $8.24 billion, also above expectations, fueled by increased sales of large engines and turbines primarily for data center applications.

3. Profit-Taking and Macroeconomic Headwinds Limited Sustained Gains. Despite the underlying strength, Caterpillar's stock experienced a significant rally leading up to its fiscal Q2 2026 earnings, including a record close of $1,064.90 on June 30, 2026. This substantial run-up (up 60.9% in 2026 by early August) led to a period of profit-taking, causing the stock to fall 13.4% from its June 30 peak by late July/early August. Concurrent macroeconomic headwinds also tempered sustained upward movement, including persistent and accelerating inflation, labor availability issues, and rising direct labor costs faced by contractors. Additionally, US tariffs on imported construction materials, averaging 12.5% to 15%, continued to exert cost pressure on the sector.

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Stock Movement Drivers

Fundamental Drivers

The -5.2% change in CAT stock from 4/30/2026 to 8/9/2026 was primarily driven by a -23.3% change in the company's P/E Multiple.
(LTM values as of)43020268092026Change
Stock Price ($)888.46842.19-5.2%
Change Contribution By: 
Total Revenues ($ Mil)67,58974,72910.6%
Net Income Margin (%)13.1%14.5%10.4%
P/E Multiple46.635.8-23.3%
Shares Outstanding (Mil)4664601.2%
Cumulative Contribution-5.2%

LTM = Last Twelve Months as of date shown

Market Drivers

4/30/2026 to 8/9/2026
ReturnCorrelation
CAT-5.2% 
Market (SPY)7.6%61.1%
Sector (XLI)6.1%80.8%

Fundamental Drivers

The 28.6% change in CAT stock from 1/31/2026 to 8/9/2026 was primarily driven by a 15.6% change in the company's Total Revenues ($ Mil).
(LTM values as of)13120268092026Change
Stock Price ($)654.90842.1928.6%
Change Contribution By: 
Total Revenues ($ Mil)64,67174,72915.6%
Net Income Margin (%)14.3%14.5%1.2%
P/E Multiple33.135.88.0%
Shares Outstanding (Mil)4694601.8%
Cumulative Contribution28.6%

LTM = Last Twelve Months as of date shown

Market Drivers

1/31/2026 to 8/9/2026
ReturnCorrelation
CAT28.6% 
Market (SPY)12.1%61.8%
Sector (XLI)12.2%81.4%

Fundamental Drivers

The 94.0% change in CAT stock from 7/31/2025 to 8/9/2026 was primarily driven by a 72.4% change in the company's P/E Multiple.
(LTM values as of)73120258092026Change
Stock Price ($)434.11842.1994.0%
Change Contribution By: 
Total Revenues ($ Mil)63,25974,72918.1%
Net Income Margin (%)15.7%14.5%-7.6%
P/E Multiple20.735.872.4%
Shares Outstanding (Mil)4754603.1%
Cumulative Contribution94.0%

LTM = Last Twelve Months as of date shown

Market Drivers

7/31/2025 to 8/9/2026
ReturnCorrelation
CAT94.0% 
Market (SPY)23.4%57.0%
Sector (XLI)23.1%76.0%

Fundamental Drivers

The 231.3% change in CAT stock from 7/31/2023 to 8/9/2026 was primarily driven by a 93.8% change in the company's P/E Multiple.
(LTM values as of)73120238092026Change
Stock Price ($)254.23842.19231.3%
Change Contribution By: 
Total Revenues ($ Mil)61,70074,72921.1%
Net Income Margin (%)11.5%14.5%25.9%
P/E Multiple18.535.893.8%
Shares Outstanding (Mil)51646012.1%
Cumulative Contribution231.3%

LTM = Last Twelve Months as of date shown

Market Drivers

7/31/2023 to 8/9/2026
ReturnCorrelation
CAT231.3% 
Market (SPY)74.9%60.5%
Sector (XLI)74.7%75.4%

Return vs. Risk

Price Returns Compared

 202120222023202420252026Total [1]
Returns
CAT Return16%19%26%25%60%51%421%
Peers Return19%7%22%8%24%25%160%
S&P 500 Return27%-19%24%23%16%13%105%

Monthly Win Rates [3]
CAT Win Rate58%50%50%67%50%62% 
Peers Win Rate62%43%48%53%65%62% 
S&P 500 Win Rate75%42%67%75%67%50% 

Max Drawdowns [4]
CAT Max Drawdown-22%-30%-22%-16%-33%-26% 
Peers Max Drawdown-23%-31%-23%-22%-28%-21% 
S&P 500 Max Drawdown-5%-25%-10%-8%-19%-9% 


[1] Cumulative total returns since the beginning of 2021
[2] Peers: DE, PCAR, CMI, TEX, OSK. See CAT Returns vs. Peers.
[3] Win Rate = % of calendar months in which monthly returns were positive
[4] Max drawdown represents maximum peak-to-trough decline within a year
[5] 2026 data is for the year up to 8/7/2026 (YTD)

How Low Can It Go

EventCATS&P 500
2025 US Tariff Shock
  % Loss-22.4%-18.8%
  % Gain to Breakeven28.9%23.1%
  Time to Breakeven35 days79 days
Summer-Fall 2023 Five Percent Yield Shock
  % Loss-13.3%-9.5%
  % Gain to Breakeven15.3%10.5%
  Time to Breakeven41 days24 days
2023 SVB Regional Banking Crisis
  % Loss-16.6%-6.7%
  % Gain to Breakeven20.0%7.1%
  Time to Breakeven15 days31 days
2022 Inflation Shock & Fed Tightening
  % Loss-20.2%-24.5%
  % Gain to Breakeven25.3%32.4%
  Time to Breakeven30 days427 days
2020 COVID-19 Crash
  % Loss-32.9%-33.7%
  % Gain to Breakeven49.0%50.9%
  Time to Breakeven77 days140 days
Q4 2018 Fed Policy Error / Growth Scare
  % Loss-28.5%-19.2%
  % Gain to Breakeven39.9%23.8%
  Time to Breakeven686 days105 days

Compare to DE, PCAR, CMI, TEX, OSK

In The Past

Caterpillar's stock fell -22.4% during the 2025 US Tariff Shock. Such a loss loss requires a 28.9% gain to breakeven.

Preserve Wealth

Limiting losses and compounding gains is essential to preserving wealth.

Asset Allocation

Actively managed asset allocation strategies protect wealth. Learn more.

EventCATS&P 500
2025 US Tariff Shock
  % Loss-22.4%-18.8%
  % Gain to Breakeven28.9%23.1%
  Time to Breakeven35 days79 days
2022 Inflation Shock & Fed Tightening
  % Loss-20.2%-24.5%
  % Gain to Breakeven25.3%32.4%
  Time to Breakeven30 days427 days
2020 COVID-19 Crash
  % Loss-32.9%-33.7%
  % Gain to Breakeven49.0%50.9%
  Time to Breakeven77 days140 days
Q4 2018 Fed Policy Error / Growth Scare
  % Loss-28.5%-19.2%
  % Gain to Breakeven39.9%23.8%
  Time to Breakeven686 days105 days
2015-2016 China Devaluation / Global Growth Scare
  % Loss-24.5%-12.2%
  % Gain to Breakeven32.5%13.9%
  Time to Breakeven67 days62 days
2014-2016 Oil Price Collapse
  % Loss-43.8%-6.8%
  % Gain to Breakeven78.0%7.3%
  Time to Breakeven456 days15 days
2011 US Debt Ceiling Crisis & European Contagion
  % Loss-32.9%-17.9%
  % Gain to Breakeven49.0%21.8%
  Time to Breakeven107 days123 days
2010 Eurozone Sovereign Debt Crisis / Flash Crash
  % Loss-22.1%-15.4%
  % Gain to Breakeven28.3%18.2%
  Time to Breakeven59 days125 days
2008-2009 Global Financial Crisis
  % Loss-68.8%-53.4%
  % Gain to Breakeven220.3%114.4%
  Time to Breakeven417 days1085 days

Compare to DE, PCAR, CMI, TEX, OSK

In The Past

Caterpillar's stock fell -22.4% during the 2025 US Tariff Shock. Such a loss loss requires a 28.9% gain to breakeven.

Preserve Wealth

Limiting losses and compounding gains is essential to preserving wealth.

Asset Allocation

Actively managed asset allocation strategies protect wealth. Learn more.

About Caterpillar (CAT)

Caterpillar Inc. (CAT) is a global leader in manufacturing and selling heavy machinery, engines, and industrial gas turbines. The company primarily operates across vital sectors such as construction, mining, and energy, providing the foundational equipment and power solutions necessary for large-scale infrastructure development, resource extraction, and power generation worldwide.

The company's core product offerings are diverse, spanning multiple segments. Its Construction Industries division provides a wide range of equipment including excavators, loaders, motor graders, and track-type tractors used in building roads, infrastructure, and general construction. The Resource Industries segment focuses on machinery for mining and quarrying, such as electric rope shovels, large mining trucks, and rotary drills, alongside advanced fleet management and autonomous solutions. Furthermore, the Energy & Transportation segment supplies critical power generation solutions, including reciprocating engines, generator sets, industrial gas turbines, and diesel-electric locomotives for marine, oil and gas, and electric power sectors.

Caterpillar serves a broad international customer base, including construction companies, mining operators, and enterprises in the oil and gas, marine, and power generation industries. Beyond equipment sales, the company also provides essential financial products, such as operating and finance leases, installment sale contracts, and wholesale financing, to support its customers in acquiring and utilizing its machinery and services. Additionally, it offers aftermarket parts like filters and undercarriage components, ensuring ongoing support and operational efficiency for its global clientele.

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1. John Deere for industrial construction and mining equipment.

2. The General Motors of bulldozers and excavators.

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  • Construction Equipment: Manufactures and sells a wide range of machinery for construction, including excavators, loaders, and dozers.
  • Mining Equipment: Provides specialized heavy machinery for mining operations, such as shovels, drills, and large mining trucks, along with support solutions.
  • Engines, Turbines, and Power Systems: Offers reciprocating engines, industrial gas turbines, generator sets, and integrated systems for various industrial and power generation applications.
  • Locomotives and Rail Services: Provides diesel-electric locomotives, rail components, and related services for the global railway industry.
  • Financial Services: Offers operating and finance leases, installment sale contracts, working capital loans, and insurance products to customers.
  • Aftermarket Parts and Components: Manufactures and sells essential parts and consumables like filters, fluids, undercarriage, and ground engaging tools for its machinery.

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Caterpillar Inc. (CAT) primarily sells to other companies rather than individuals. Its major customers fall into the following categories:

  • Construction Companies: These include companies involved in large-scale infrastructure projects, residential and commercial construction, road building, and site preparation, which utilize Caterpillar's wide range of construction equipment like excavators, loaders, dozers, and pavers.
  • Mining Companies: Enterprises engaged in surface and underground mining operations for various minerals and resources are major customers, relying on Caterpillar's extensive line of mining trucks, shovels, drills, and other heavy equipment designed for resource extraction.
  • Energy and Transportation Companies: This category encompasses businesses in sectors such as electric power generation, oil and gas exploration and production, marine transportation, and rail industries, which purchase Caterpillar's engines, generator sets, industrial gas turbines, and locomotives.

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Here is the management team for Caterpillar Inc.:

Joseph E. Creed, Chief Executive Officer

Joseph E. Creed became Chief Executive Officer of Caterpillar Inc. on May 1, 2025, and will assume the role of Chairman of the Board of Directors effective April 1, 2026. He joined Caterpillar in 1997 and has held various positions of increasing responsibility, including Chief Financial Officer for Caterpillar's Energy & Transportation segment in 2013, Senior Vice President of Caterpillar Finance Services in 2017, and interim Chief Financial Officer in 2018. He was promoted to Group President of Energy & Transportation in 2021 and named Chief Operating Officer in 2023. Mr. Creed graduated from Western Illinois University with a bachelor's degree in accounting.

Andrew Bonfield, Chief Financial Officer

Andrew Bonfield was appointed Chief Financial Officer of Caterpillar Inc. in September 2018. He brings more than three decades of financial expertise to the role. Prior to joining Caterpillar, Mr. Bonfield served as Group CFO and board member of National Grid plc, CFO at Cadbury plc, and Executive Vice President and CFO at Bristol Myers Squibb. He also held roles as finance director of BG Group plc and CFO of Smithkline Beecham plc. Mr. Bonfield is a chartered accountant and holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Natal in Durban, South Africa. He also serves as a non-executive director and chairman of the audit committee at Reckitt Benckiser Group plc. Mr. Bonfield was the first CFO appointed from outside Caterpillar.

George A. Moubayed, Chief Sustainability and Strategy Officer and Senior Vice President

George Moubayed is the Chief Sustainability and Strategy Officer and a Senior Vice President of Caterpillar Inc., responsible for the Enterprise Strategy Division. He oversees the execution of Caterpillar's strategy for long-term profitable growth. Mr. Moubayed joined Caterpillar in 1997 and has held several leadership positions, including Vice President and General Manager for load and haul products in Resource Industries, and Vice President of Aftermarket Solutions in Resource Industries. He has a bachelor's degree in engineering from McGill University in Montreal, Canada.

David (Dave) T. Walton, President and Chief Executive Officer of Caterpillar Financial Services Corporation and Senior Vice President

David T. Walton is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Caterpillar Financial Services Corporation (Cat Financial) and a Senior Vice President of Caterpillar Inc. He is responsible for the Financial Products Division, which includes Cat Financial and Cat Financial Insurance Services. Mr. Walton joined Cat Financial in 1989 and has held various credit, portfolio management, and sales positions in the United States. His international experience includes serving as managing director of Northern Europe and vice president for Asia-Pacific operations. He also formed and led Cat Financial's global mining finance organization. Mr. Walton holds a bachelor's degree in accounting from Indiana University and a master's degree in business administration from Keller Graduate School.

Ogi Redzic, Chief Digital Officer and Senior Vice President

Ogi Redzic is the Chief Digital Officer and a Senior Vice President of Caterpillar Inc., responsible for Cat Digital. He manages key components of the company's digital and marketing portfolios, including global marketing & brand, connectivity, enterprise data, analytics and AI, and eCommerce. Before joining Caterpillar in 2018, Mr. Redzic was the Alliance Senior Vice President of Connected Vehicles and Mobility Services at Renault-Nissan Alliance. He has more than 20 years of experience in leadership positions in corporate and start-up environments, including roles at Mitsubishi, Nokia HERE, NAVTEQ, PCTEL, Inc., cyberPIXIE, and Motorola. Mr. Redzic holds a bachelor's degree in computer science from Northeastern Illinois University, a master's degree in computer science from the Illinois Institute of Technology, and an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.

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Here are the key risks to Caterpillar Inc.'s business:

  1. Trade Policy and Tariffs: Caterpillar faces significant financial headwinds due to persistent trade policies and tariffs, leading to substantial costs and compressing operating margins. For instance, the company adjusted its tariff guidance to an estimated impact of between $1.60 billion and $1.75 billion for the full 2025 fiscal year. These costs are projected to remain substantial, with an estimated incremental cost of $2.6 billion in 2026, directly impacting operating margins and segment profits.
  2. Cyclical Demand and Macroeconomic Vulnerability: Caterpillar's core business, heavily reliant on the construction and mining sectors, is exposed to the cyclical nature of these industries. Revenue and profitability are susceptible to economic downturns, fluctuations in commodity prices, project funding, and overall macroeconomic conditions. This vulnerability can lead to rapid declines in equipment purchases and sales volumes, exacerbated by risks of dealer inventory destocking.
  3. Intensifying Competitive Pressure: The company faces aggressive competition, particularly in the North American construction market. Competitors, especially from China, have the advantage of lower labor costs and better access to raw materials and components, which can lead to market share loss and negatively impact Caterpillar's pricing power and profitability. Deere & Company and Komatsu are actively strengthening their presence in key markets, indicating escalating competitive challenges.

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There are two clear emerging threats for Caterpillar:

  • Rapid Electrification of Heavy Equipment: A significant industry shift towards battery-electric and hydrogen-powered machinery, particularly in construction and mining. While Caterpillar is investing in these technologies, the swift pace of adoption, driven by environmental regulations, sustainability goals, and operating cost benefits, could disrupt its dominant position in diesel-powered equipment. Agile new entrants or existing competitors fully committing to electric fleets could gain market share rapidly, challenging Caterpillar's traditional product lines and potentially cannibalizing its legacy engine and equipment sales faster than its new electric offerings can compensate.
  • Decarbonization and Shift Away from Fossil Fuels in Energy & Transportation: The global push for cleaner energy solutions, including renewable power generation (solar, wind) and advanced energy storage, poses a direct threat to Caterpillar's Energy & Transportation segment. This segment heavily relies on manufacturing and selling diesel and natural gas engines and generator sets. As industries, marine, and power generation sectors increasingly transition to alternative fuels (e.g., hydrogen) or completely bypass internal combustion engines in favor of electric grids powered by renewables, the demand for Caterpillar's traditional fossil fuel-based power solutions could decline significantly.

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Caterpillar (CAT) operates in several significant global markets for its main products and services.

Construction Equipment

The global construction equipment market size was valued at approximately USD 242.17 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 471.25 billion by 2033, demonstrating a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 8.7% from 2026 to 2033. Asia Pacific is noted as the dominant region in this market, holding a substantial share of the global revenue in 2025.

Mining Equipment

The global mining equipment market size was estimated at USD 95.97 billion in 2024 and is anticipated to grow to USD 150.11 billion by 2032, at a CAGR of 5.75% over the forecast period. Asia-Pacific leads the global mining equipment market, driven by significant mining activities, rapid industrialization, and large-scale infrastructure development projects in countries like China, India, and Australia.

Diesel and Natural Gas Engines

The global diesel engine market size reached USD 243.8 billion in 2025 and is expected to grow to USD 318.7 billion by 2034, with a CAGR of 3.02% during the period of 2026-2034. For diesel engines specifically used for power generation, the global market size was valued at USD 49.9 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 93.1 billion by 2033, expanding at a CAGR of 8.2% from 2026 to 2033. Asia Pacific held the largest share of the diesel engine for power generation market in 2025.

Industrial Gas Turbines

The global industrial gas turbine market size was USD 9.55 billion in 2025 and is expected to increase from USD 9.85 billion in 2026 to USD 12.16 billion by 2034, at a CAGR of 2.67%. Another estimate places the global industrial gas turbine market at USD 7.3 billion in 2024, projected to grow to USD 12.2 billion in 2034 with a CAGR of 5.1% from 2025 to 2034. Asia-Pacific accounted for 45.60% of the global revenue in 2025.

Locomotives and Rail-related Products

The global locomotive market size was valued at USD 14.42 billion in 2025 and is projected to grow to USD 31.25 billion by 2034, exhibiting a CAGR of 9.43% from 2026 to 2034. Asia Pacific dominated the global locomotive market with a share of 52.63% in 2025.

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Caterpillar Inc. (CAT) is expected to drive future revenue growth over the next 2-3 years through several key factors:

  1. Strong Backlog and Volume Growth: Caterpillar holds a record backlog of $51 billion, a significant portion of which is anticipated to be delivered within the next 12 months, providing substantial momentum and expected volume growth across all primary business segments.
  2. Increased Demand for Power Generation: The Energy & Transportation segment is poised for robust growth, particularly from rising energy demands for data centers and hyperscalers supporting cloud computing and generative AI. The company has secured large orders for generator sets for data center prime power, with deliveries scheduled through 2027.
  3. Growth in Services Revenue: Caterpillar is strategically accelerating its services revenue, targeting an annual figure of $28 billion by 2026. This growth is driven by repower programs, equipment upgrades, and long-term maintenance contracts, capitalizing on the company's extensive global dealer network and connected assets.
  4. Positive Price Realization: Caterpillar projects positive price realization, with approximately 2% favorable price adjustments contributing to sales growth across all three primary segments in 2026.
  5. Infrastructure Investment and Reshoring: The Construction Industries segment is expected to benefit from infrastructure tailwinds, including government funding (such as IIGJA funding), accelerated investment in data center construction, and reshoring initiatives in U.S. manufacturing, all of which are driving demand for construction equipment.

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Share Repurchases

  • In June 2024, Caterpillar's Board of Directors increased its share repurchase authorization by $20 billion, bringing the total current authorization to approximately $21.8 billion. This authorization was initially launched in 2022 and has no expiration date.
  • Caterpillar returned over $10 billion to shareholders through share repurchases and dividends in 2024.
  • In 2025, the company deployed $7.9 billion of cash for share repurchases and dividends.

Share Issuance

  • The number of outstanding shares has consistently declined over the past few years, indicating net share repurchases rather than issuances.
  • Caterpillar's shares outstanding were 467.98 million at the end of 2025, a 3.49% decline from 2024.
  • Shares outstanding were 477.932 million in 2024, a 4.71% decrease from 2023.

Outbound Investments

  • In October 2025, Caterpillar acquired RPMGlobal Holdings Limited, a provider of mine design, planning, and scheduling software, for $728 million.
  • The company acquired Tangent Energy Solutions, Inc. in May 2022, focusing on energy usage monitoring solutions for commercial and industrial sectors.
  • Caterpillar also acquired CarbonPoint Solutions in September 2021, a company specializing in carbon capture technology.

Capital Expenditures

  • Capital expenditures increased consistently from 2021 to 2025, peaking at $4.286 billion in 2025.
  • For 2026, projected capital expenditures are expected to be around $3.5 billion, primarily for capacity expansion.
  • Caterpillar is making significant investments in advanced technologies such as autonomy, alternative fuels, connectivity, digital, and electrification to meet customer demands. Notably, in October 2025, a $725 million capital expansion was announced for its Lafayette, Indiana engine facility to boost engine production, particularly for data centers.

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Peer Comparisons

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Financials

CATDEPCARCMITEXOSKMedian
NameCaterpil.Deere PACCAR Cummins Terex Oshkosh  
Mkt Price842.19620.83133.11644.2667.73155.26388.05
Mkt Cap387.7167.770.188.87.79.779.5
Rev LTM74,72946,31327,81634,7086,67710,61031,262
Op Inc LTM13,0928,0702,7923,8683827983,330
FCF LTM8,9943,7682,9633,3673391,1243,165
FCF 3Y Avg8,9274,3462,9062,0752634762,490
CFO LTM13,5697,9334,3454,6474561,3024,496
CFO 3Y Avg12,6938,8234,4203,3013977313,860

Growth & Margins

CATDEPCARCMITEXOSKMedian
NameCaterpil.Deere PACCAR Cummins Terex Oshkosh  
Rev Chg LTM18.4%4.2%-10.6%2.9%29.2%2.2%3.5%
Rev Chg 3Y Avg5.3%-6.8%-4.7%2.6%11.0%6.1%4.0%
Rev Chg Q24.0%4.5%0.5%9.4%50.5%6.7%8.1%
QoQ Delta Rev Chg LTM5.6%1.2%0.1%2.4%12.7%1.8%2.1%
Op Inc Chg LTM13.7%-14.1%-27.5%3.8%2.4%-17.2%-5.8%
Op Inc Chg 3Y Avg5.8%-11.8%-15.0%46.0%-11.1%12.1%-2.6%
Op Mgn LTM17.5%17.4%10.0%11.1%5.7%7.5%10.6%
Op Mgn 3Y Avg18.7%21.0%12.9%8.6%8.4%9.0%10.9%
QoQ Delta Op Mgn LTM1.0%-0.6%0.1%-0.2%0.3%-0.7%-0.0%
CFO/Rev LTM18.2%17.1%15.6%13.4%6.8%12.3%14.5%
CFO/Rev 3Y Avg18.7%18.0%14.2%9.6%7.0%7.0%11.9%
FCF/Rev LTM12.0%8.1%10.7%9.7%5.1%10.6%10.1%
FCF/Rev 3Y Avg13.1%8.8%9.4%6.0%4.6%4.5%7.4%

Valuation

CATDEPCARCMITEXOSKMedian
NameCaterpil.Deere PACCAR Cummins Terex Oshkosh  
Mkt Cap387.7167.770.188.87.79.779.5
P/S5.23.62.52.61.20.92.5
P/Op Inc29.620.825.123.020.112.221.9
P/EBIT26.818.325.121.320.411.920.9
P/E35.835.128.032.751.617.433.9
P/CFO28.621.116.119.116.97.418.0
Total Yield3.5%3.9%5.6%4.3%2.7%7.1%4.1%
Dividend Yield0.7%1.0%2.1%1.2%0.8%1.4%1.1%
FCF Yield 3Y Avg4.1%3.4%5.3%3.4%5.9%5.2%4.7%
D/E0.10.40.20.10.30.10.2
Net D/E0.10.30.10.00.30.10.1

Returns

CATDEPCARCMITEXOSKMedian
NameCaterpil.Deere PACCAR Cummins Terex Oshkosh  
1M Rtn-11.4%5.8%6.9%-4.7%0.4%6.1%3.1%
3M Rtn-6.0%8.3%16.8%-4.9%6.8%13.0%7.5%
6M Rtn16.4%7.1%5.1%12.2%8.5%-8.9%7.8%
12M Rtn104.0%23.2%40.2%69.1%41.2%17.4%40.7%
3Y Rtn209.5%48.9%73.9%189.6%15.7%58.1%66.0%
1M Excs Rtn-12.9%1.9%5.1%-7.2%2.0%5.9%1.9%
3M Excs Rtn-11.5%1.5%11.3%-11.1%2.4%-3.8%-1.2%
6M Excs Rtn10.5%-3.8%-9.0%5.8%-2.9%-18.4%-3.4%
12M Excs Rtn76.4%1.1%17.9%49.2%18.9%-7.1%18.4%
3Y Excs Rtn133.6%-21.6%0.8%90.1%-61.4%-12.3%-5.8%

Comparison Analyses

Financials

Segment Financials

Revenue by Segment
$ Mil20252024202320222021
Power & Energy32,20128,85428,00123,75220,287
Construction Industries25,06025,45527,41825,26922,106
Resource Industries12,47412,38913,58312,3149,810
Financial Products Segment4,2204,0533,7853,2533,073
All Other Segment327425449450511
Corporate Items and Eliminations-6,693-6,367-6,176-5,611-4,816
Total67,58964,80967,06059,42750,971


Operating Income by Segment
$ Mil20042003200220012000
Construction & Mining Products1,150538431526639
All Other655350323248233
Financing & Insurance Services460339268334253
North America Marketing434177645479
Power Products408-8734195487
EAME Marketing380177135164195
Latin America Marketing18062725943
Asia/ Pacific Marketing1331151131839
Total3,8001,6711,4401,5981,968


Assets by Segment
$ Mil20252024202320222021
Financial Products Segment41,47636,92535,68534,26934,860
Liabilities included in segment assets15,33011,97311,78112,51910,777
Power & Energy11,38711,77210,5559,4559,253
Cash and cash equivalents9,3336,1656,1066,0428,428
Resource Industries6,0875,5485,7425,7755,962
Construction Industries5,4425,5465,3845,1684,547
Property, plant and equipment - net and other assets4,6894,8086,5484,2344,056
Goodwill and intangible assets4,6694,4784,4524,2484,859
Deferred income taxes2,7493,1942,6682,0981,735
All Other Segment1,5161,9371,8901,8281,678
Other-471-1,022-166-630-706
Inventory methodology differences-3,622-3,560-3,169-3,063-2,656
Total98,58587,76487,47681,94382,793


Price Behavior

Price Behavior
Market Price$842.19 
Market Cap ($ Bil)390.3 
First Trading Date01/02/1962 
Distance from 52W High-20.8% 
   50 Days200 Days
DMA Price$915.65$743.77
DMA Trendupup
Distance from DMA-8.0%13.2%
 3M1YR
Volatility47.3%39.5%
Downside Capture260.58158.13
Upside Capture182.72204.12
Correlation (SPY)60.5%57.9%
CAT Betas & Captures as of 7/31/2026

 1M2M3M6M1Y3Y
Beta1.942.022.031.911.711.27
Up Beta3.231.861.932.311.741.18
Down Beta0.481.581.421.441.531.19
Up Capture0%228%209%256%331%378%
Bmk +ve Days11223567138427
Stock +ve Days9243367142409
Down Capture375%214%234%158%132%106%
Bmk -ve Days11212859114326
Stock -ve Days13193059110344

[1] Upside and downside betas calculated using positive and negative benchmark daily returns respectively
Based On 1-Year Data
Annualized
Return
Annualized
Volatility
Sharpe
Ratio
Correlation
with CAT
CAT99.2%39.5%1.83-
Sector ETF (XLI)24.1%17.0%1.1075.9%
Equity (SPY)23.3%12.8%1.3657.3%
Gold (GLD)28.5%28.4%0.8726.3%
Commodities (DBC)32.9%19.8%1.32-10.6%
Real Estate (VNQ)14.2%13.8%0.7210.0%
Bitcoin (BTCUSD)-43.7%43.0%-1.2125.2%

Smart multi-asset allocation framework can stack odds in your favor. Learn How
Based On 5-Year Data
Annualized
Return
Annualized
Volatility
Sharpe
Ratio
Correlation
with CAT
CAT34.8%31.7%0.98-
Sector ETF (XLI)14.0%17.6%0.6274.2%
Equity (SPY)13.5%17.2%0.6157.4%
Gold (GLD)18.6%18.6%0.8115.3%
Commodities (DBC)8.2%19.6%0.3123.4%
Real Estate (VNQ)2.3%18.9%0.0236.9%
Bitcoin (BTCUSD)9.0%53.0%0.3623.8%

Smart multi-asset allocation framework can stack odds in your favor. Learn How
Based On 10-Year Data
Annualized
Return
Annualized
Volatility
Sharpe
Ratio
Correlation
with CAT
CAT28.9%31.3%0.88-
Sector ETF (XLI)14.2%20.0%0.6276.3%
Equity (SPY)15.4%17.9%0.7363.1%
Gold (GLD)12.1%16.2%0.617.0%
Commodities (DBC)7.4%18.0%0.3331.1%
Real Estate (VNQ)4.8%20.7%0.2042.1%
Bitcoin (BTCUSD)58.4%66.2%0.9815.8%

Smart multi-asset allocation framework can stack odds in your favor. Learn How

Short Interest

Short Interest: As Of Date7152026
Short Interest: Shares Quantity8.1 Mil
Short Interest: % Change Since 6302026-11.0%
Average Daily Volume2.9 Mil
Days-to-Cover Short Interest2.8 days
Basic Shares Quantity460.4 Mil
Short % of Basic Shares1.7%

Earnings Returns History

Updated 8/7/2026
Expand for More
 Forward Returns
Earnings Date1D Returns5D Returns21D Returns
8/4/20265.6%  
4/30/20269.9%14.4%8.1%
1/29/20263.4%7.5%15.5%
10/29/202511.6%4.4%9.4%
8/5/20250.1%-5.8%-4.3%
4/30/20250.6%4.4%14.4%
1/30/2025-4.6%-8.7%-12.5%
10/30/2024-2.1%-1.1%4.2%
...
SUMMARY STATS   
# Positive111316
# Negative14118
Median Positive4.1%4.4%6.1%
Median Negative-3.0%-3.9%-4.2%
Max Positive11.6%14.4%19.7%
Max Negative-7.0%-8.9%-12.5%
Collapse to Preview
 Forward Returns
Earnings Date1D Returns5D Returns21D Returns
8/4/20265.6%  
4/30/20269.9%14.4%8.1%
1/29/20263.4%7.5%15.5%
10/29/202511.6%4.4%9.4%
8/5/20250.1%-5.8%-4.3%
4/30/20250.6%4.4%14.4%
1/30/2025-4.6%-8.7%-12.5%
10/30/2024-2.1%-1.1%4.2%
8/6/20243.0%6.1%6.3%
4/25/2024-7.0%-8.9%-3.5%
2/5/20242.0%0.7%5.9%
10/31/2023-6.7%-1.6%3.0%
8/1/20238.9%6.2%5.6%
4/27/2023-0.9%-0.3%-2.9%
1/31/2023-3.5%-3.9%-4.9%
10/27/20227.7%8.9%19.7%
8/2/2022-5.8%-4.6%-4.1%
4/28/2022-0.7%4.0%-0.5%
1/28/2022-5.2%-5.5%-11.6%
10/28/20214.1%3.8%1.3%
7/30/2021-2.7%-2.5%0.1%
4/29/2021-2.1%2.4%3.9%
1/29/2021-0.8%4.0%19.2%
10/27/2020-3.2%0.0%8.4%
7/31/2020-2.8%-1.7%5.0%
SUMMARY STATS   
# Positive111316
# Negative14118
Median Positive4.1%4.4%6.1%
Median Negative-3.0%-3.9%-4.2%
Max Positive11.6%14.4%19.7%
Max Negative-7.0%-8.9%-12.5%

SEC Filings

Expand for More
Report DateFiling DateFiling
06/30/202608/05/202610-Q
03/31/202605/06/202610-Q
12/31/202502/13/202610-K
09/30/202511/03/202510-Q
06/30/202508/06/202510-Q
03/31/202505/07/202510-Q
12/31/202402/14/202510-K
09/30/202411/06/202410-Q
06/30/202408/07/202410-Q
03/31/202405/01/202410-Q
12/31/202302/16/202410-K
09/30/202311/01/202310-Q
06/30/202308/02/202310-Q
03/31/202305/03/202310-Q
12/31/202202/15/202310-K
09/30/202211/02/202210-Q
Collapse to Preview
Report DateFiling DateFiling
06/30/202608/05/202610-Q
03/31/202605/06/202610-Q
12/31/202502/13/202610-K
09/30/202511/03/202510-Q
06/30/202508/06/202510-Q
03/31/202505/07/202510-Q
12/31/202402/14/202510-K
09/30/202411/06/202410-Q
06/30/202408/07/202410-Q
03/31/202405/01/202410-Q
12/31/202302/16/202410-K
09/30/202311/01/202310-Q
06/30/202308/02/202310-Q
03/31/202305/03/202310-Q
12/31/202202/15/202310-K
09/30/202211/02/202210-Q
06/30/202208/03/202210-Q
03/31/202205/04/202210-Q
12/31/202102/16/202210-K
09/30/202111/03/202110-Q
06/30/202108/04/202110-Q
03/31/202105/05/202110-Q
12/31/202002/17/202110-K
09/30/202011/04/202010-Q
06/30/202008/05/202010-Q
03/31/202005/06/202010-Q
12/31/201902/19/202010-K
09/30/201910/31/201910-Q

Insider Activity

Updated 7/27/2026
Expand for More
#OwnerTitleHoldingActionFiling DatePriceSharesTransacted
Value
Value of
Held Shares
Form
1Johnson, Denise CGroup PresidentDirectSell5152026907.9112,60511,444,17045,236,474Form
2Johnson, Denise CGroup PresidentDirectSell5142026909.796,1965,637,08145,330,466Form
3Schaupp, William EChief Accounting OfficerDirectSell5142026906.00360326,160480,180Form
4Fassino, Anthony DGroup PresidentDirectSell5122026916.8016,28314,928,26642,210,423Form
5De, Lange BobGroup PresidentDirectSell5072026922.9224,22222,354,97879,397,919Form
Collapse to Preview
#OwnerTitleHoldingActionFiling DatePriceSharesTransacted
Value
Value of
Held Shares
Form
1Johnson, Denise CGroup PresidentDirectSell5152026907.9112,60511,444,17045,236,474Form
2Johnson, Denise CGroup PresidentDirectSell5142026909.796,1965,637,08145,330,466Form
3Schaupp, William EChief Accounting OfficerDirectSell5142026906.00360326,160480,180Form
4Fassino, Anthony DGroup PresidentDirectSell5122026916.8016,28314,928,26642,210,423Form
5De, Lange BobGroup PresidentDirectSell5072026922.9224,22222,354,97879,397,919Form
6Fassino, Anthony DGroup PresidentDirectSell5072026926.259,1528,477,06742,645,612Form
7Bonfield, Andrew R JCFO EmeritusDirectSell5072026918.7115,67414,399,86148,631,914Form
8Kaiser, JasonGroup PresidentDirectSell5052026883.035,6424,982,0558,471,790Form
9MacLennan, DavidDirectBuy5052026876.84250219,2107,195,349Form
10Creed, Joseph EChief Executive OfficerDirectSell3062026718.932,5001,797,31725,222,107Form
11Shurman, Rodney MichaelGroup PresidentDirectSell2242026759.612,2781,730,3921,096,117Form
12Shurman, Rodney MichaelGroup PresidentDirectSell2182026763.391,7641,346,6201,099,282Form
13Schaupp, William EChief Accounting OfficerDirectSell2182026764.20972742,802629,701Form
14Fassino, Anthony DGroup PresidentDirectSell2172026776.907,8916,130,51836,236,947Form
15Kaiser, JasonGroup PresidentDirectSell2132026776.701,6901,312,6236,726,999Form
16De, Lange BobGroup PresidentDirectSell2132026767.0812,5079,593,87065,199,499Form
17De, Lange BobGroup PresidentDirectSell2092026720.1122,65616,314,81257,574,955Form
18Fassino, Anthony DGroup PresidentDirectSell2092026722.156,0334,356,73129,717,195Form
19De, Lange BobGroup PresidentDirectSell2052026704.9716,07011,328,81156,364,183Form
20Fassino, Anthony DGroup PresidentDirectSell2032026680.4510,6717,261,08228,001,198Form
21De, Lange BobGroup PresidentDirectSell2032026682.9915,97710,912,13154,607,099Form
22Bonfield, Andrew R JChief Financial OfficerDirectSell1052026575.0610,0005,750,58926,142,178Form
23Bonfield, Andrew R JChief Financial OfficerDirectSell12022025571.4410,0005,714,44831,692,328Form
24Kaiser, JasonGroup PresidentDirectSell11132025563.6010,7076,034,4904,874,597Form
25Fassino, Anthony DGroup PresidentDirectSell11122025570.188,1844,666,35323,669,312Form
26De, Lange BobGroup PresidentDirectSell11072025562.3614,6388,231,82645,106,333Form
27MacLennan, DavidDirectBuy11062025568.86300170,6584,520,730Form
28Schaupp, William EChief Accounting OfficerDirectSell11062025572.221,200686,664757,047Form
29Umpleby, Iii Donald JExecutive ChairmanDirectSell10142025505.2917,1668,673,808226,457,335Form
30Umpleby, Iii Donald JExecutive ChairmanDirectSell9232025462.6517,1667,941,850215,289,088Form
31Umpleby, Iii Donald JExecutive ChairmanDirectSell9032025412.8717,1687,088,152199,211,839Form
32Schwab, Susan CDirectSell8192025410.002,324952,8402,835,970Form
33Kaiser, JasonGroup PresidentDirectSell8132025417.702,161902,6503,605,586Form

Investor Activity (13F)

Updated Aug 10, 2026
13F holdings as of Mar 31, 2026 (Q1 2026)

Active managers (13F portfolio over $250M, at least 3 holdings) with a position over $5M that is either over 10% of their portfolio or held in a concentrated book of 50 or fewer total positions. Index/ETF, sovereign, bank, community-bank and charitable/donor-advised filers are excluded.

Active ManagerValue% of PortfolioTotal PositionsQoQFiling
Gates Foundation Trust$4.5 Bil14.2%22Hold13F
Westchester Capital Management, Inc.$41.7 Mil8.4%45Hold13F
Regents Gate Capital LLP$17.7 Mil3.8%36New13F
Minneapolis Portfolio Management Group, LLC$35.2 Mil3.7%33TRIM -28.1%13F
Oribel Capital Management, LP$21.3 Mil3.2%41New13F
DKRT Investments Corp.$10.6 Mil2.7%48Hold13F
Cumberland Advisors Inc$6.7 Mil2.6%48Hold13F
Blackhill Capital Inc$42.2 Mil2.2%49Hold13F
Albar Capital Partners LLP$10.7 Mil1.7%36TRIM -71.1%13F
Active ManagerValue% of PortfolioTotal PositionsQoQFiling
Oribel Capital Management, LP$21.3 Mil3.2%41New13F
Regents Gate Capital LLP$17.7 Mil3.8%36New13F
Active ManagerValue% of PortfolioTotal PositionsQoQAs OfFiling
Electron Capital Partners, LLC$42.8 Mil2.0%40ExitedDec 31, 202513F
Generali Powszechne Towarzystwo Emerytalne$14.4 Mil2.5%30ExitedDec 31, 202513F
Albar Capital Partners LLP$10.7 Mil1.7%36TRIM -71.1%Mar 31, 202613F
Minneapolis Portfolio Management Group, LLC$35.2 Mil3.7%33TRIM -28.1%Mar 31, 202613F
Active ManagerValue% of PortfolioTotal PositionsQoQFiling
Gates Foundation Trust$4.5 Bil14.2%22Hold13F
Blackhill Capital Inc$42.2 Mil2.2%49Hold13F
Westchester Capital Management, Inc.$41.7 Mil8.4%45Hold13F
Minneapolis Portfolio Management Group, LLC$35.2 Mil3.7%33TRIM -28.1%13F
Oribel Capital Management, LP$21.3 Mil3.2%41New13F
Regents Gate Capital LLP$17.7 Mil3.8%36New13F
Albar Capital Partners LLP$10.7 Mil1.7%36TRIM -71.1%13F
DKRT Investments Corp.$10.6 Mil2.7%48Hold13F
Cumberland Advisors Inc$6.7 Mil2.6%48Hold13F

CAT Trade Sentinel


Stock Conviction

High Conviction

CONVICTION RATIONALE

Conviction is high due to a record $72 billion backlog that provides exceptional, multi-year revenue visibility, a feature rarely seen in this industry. This is driven by a structural shift in data center demand, confirmed by multi-gigawatt orders. Management's consistent history of raising guidance reinforces confidence in their ability to execute on this opportunity.

STOCK ARCHETYPE
Cyclical Capital Goods Manufacturer with a Large Services Tail

(Number of Units Sold * Average Selling Price) + Services Revenue + Financial Products Revenue Operating leverage from higher sales volume, favorable price realization against input costs (including tariffs), and the mix of sales towards higher-margin segments like Power & Energy.

Looking for high-conviction positions with a better risk/reward profile? See what's currently in the Trefis High Quality Portfolio.
INVESTMENT THESIS
Can a secular power cycle create a new growth era for a cyclical leader?

Yes. A surge in data center demand is driving a multi-year order book, providing unprecedented revenue visibility.

Mechanism: The Power & Energy segment is capturing secular demand, driving a record $72 billion company backlog. With 59% deliverable in 12 months, this de-risks near-term results and supports raised full-year sales guidance of mid-to-high teens growth, creating operating leverage and strong free cash flow.
Supporting Evidence:
  • Order backlog grew to a record $72 billion in Q2 2026, up 92% year-over-year.
  • Full-year 2026 sales growth guidance was raised to 'mid- to high teens'.
  • Power & Energy customers are placing orders as far out as 2030.
  • The company has booked four orders of at least one gigawatt for data center prime power.
  • Retail sales to users accelerated in Q2, with Construction up 22% and growth in Resources.
PRIMARY RISK
Peak cycle meets cost pressure

The company faces significant margin pressure from tariffs at what could be the peak of its traditional machinery cycle, risking a sharp contraction if demand falters.

Mechanism: A sequential decline in the order backlog would signal the cycle has turned, removing visibility.
Supporting Evidence:
  • Full-year 2026 tariff costs are expected to be around $2.2 billion.
  • Q2 2026 tariff costs were about $400 million, a direct margin headwind.
  • Management guided for a dealer inventory reduction of over $1 billion in Q4 2026.
  • Trailing-twelve-month operating margin of 17.5% is down from 18.2% a year earlier.
Key KPI Watchlist
KPI Status Rationale
Order Backlog$72 billion as of the end of Q2 2026 - AcceleratingBacklog growth has shown significant acceleration, with the year-over-year growth rate increasing from 71% in Q4 2025 to 79% in Q1 2026, and now 92% in Q2 2026. Management stated on the August earnings call that all three primary segments contributed to both the year-over-year and sequential growth, indicating broad-based demand strength.
Sales to Users (Retail Sales)Broad-based growth in Q2 2026: Construction Industries +22%, Resource Industries +17%, Power & Energy +33% - AcceleratingSales to end-users, a proxy for retail demand, showed accelerating momentum. Construction Industries growth jumped to 22% in Q2 from 7% in Q1. Resource Industries accelerated to 17% growth in Q2 from 6% in Q1. The Power & Energy segment maintained its robust growth, posting a 33% increase in Q2 after a 32% increase in Q1.
Sales to Users Growth (Total)22% year-over-year (Q2 2026)Measures retail demand from end customers, providing a clearer picture of underlying market health independent of dealer inventory changes. Strong growth indicates robust end-market activity.
Dealer Inventory Change (Construction Industries)+$400 million (Q2 2026)Reflects dealers' expectations of future demand. An increase suggests dealers are stocking up in anticipation of strong sales, which can be a tailwind to Caterpillar's factory sales.
Core Investment Debate

Secular backlog vs. cyclical margin pressure

BULL VIEW

The multi-year, $72 billion backlog from the data center buildout provides enough visibility and volume to power through tariff headwinds and any softness in traditional construction markets.

CORE TENSION

Can the secular demand driving a $72B backlog offset the $2.2B annual tariff headwind and a guided $1B+ Q4 inventory drawdown?


PREVAILING SENTIMENT
BULLISH

Current evidence favors the bull view. The backlog is not just large but accelerating, growing $9 billion sequentially, and management raised full-year revenue guidance alongside the tariff news.

BEAR VIEW

The $2.2 billion annual tariff impact will erode profitability just as the cyclical machinery businesses roll over, and the high-visibility backlog will not be enough to offset the margin decline.

Next 6 months: Risks and Catalysts
Timeline Event & Metric To Watch
fourth quarter
Medium-Speed Engine Shipments Begin
Watch: Shipments are expected to begin for the 10-megawatt medium-speed gas reciprocating engine platform.
10/19/2026
Peer Performance Signal
Watch: PCAR's reported revenue, order intake, and management outlook for heavy truck and industrial markets.
10/27/2026
Tariff Cost Impact on Margins
Watch: Actual Q3 tariff costs and their impact on operating margin versus guidance and consensus expectations.
10/27/2026
Next Earnings Report
Watch: Caterpillar is scheduled to report its next quarterly earnings.
11/4/2026
Peer Cummins Earnings
Watch: Peer Cummins (CMI) is scheduled to report earnings.
11/25/2026
Peer Deere Earnings
Watch: Peer Deere (DE) is scheduled to report earnings.
second half of the year
Manufacturing Throughput Increase
Watch: The company expects to increase manufacturing throughput.
fourth quarter
Construction Inventory Headwind
Watch: Commentary on dealer destocking progress and its quantified impact on Construction Industries' sales growth in the Q3 report.
Key Events in Last 6 Months
Date Event Stock Impact
2026-08-04
Record Q2 Earnings Report
Details: Reported record second-quarter sales and revenues of $20.5 billion, up 24%, and adjusted profit per share of $8.17. The company raised its full-year revenue forecast.
+4.9%
$830.03 -> $871.08
2026-07-07
Skycatch Acquisition Announced
Details: Acquired Skycatch, Inc., a provider of spatial data capture and analysis solutions, to expand mining technology capabilities.
-2.3%
$968.12 -> $946.32
2026-06-10
Quarterly Dividend Increased
Details: The Board of Directors raised the quarterly dividend by 12 cents to $1.63 per share.
-1.9%
$913.01 -> $895.97
2026-04-30
Strong Q1 Earnings Report
Details: Reported Q1 2026 sales and revenues of $17.4 billion, an increase of 22%, and adjusted profit per share of $8.17. The two-day stock reaction was 10.0%.
+9.8%
$808.55 -> $888.02
2026-04-30
RPMGlobal Acquisition Completed
Details: Resource Industries completed the acquisition of RPMGlobal, a leader in mining software technology, to strengthen its ability to deliver integrated solutions for customers.
+9.8%
$808.55 -> $888.02
2026-03-02
CONEXPO Technology Showcase
Details: At CONEXPO, the company launched Cat Compact, a streamlined customer experience for small contractors, and expanded its AI and autonomy capabilities across the jobsite.
-2.8%
$740.05 -> $719.47
Risk Management
Position Sizing

2% - 4%

REDUCED POSITION

Sizing is volatility-based: CAT trades at roughly 42% annualized options-implied volatility versus about 13% for the S&P 500 (3.3x the market), around the 85th percentile of its own trailing year. A 2% - 4% position keeps a single-name swing of that size within a diversified portfolio's risk budget.

Diversification Alternatives
DE - Deere & Company
Pure-play agriculture cycle

Deere offers more direct exposure to the agricultural and turf equipment markets, which operate on different cycles than Caterpillar's core mining and energy segments.

Core Thesis: Invest in a leader in precision agriculture technology benefiting from global food demand and farm modernization.
CMI - Cummins Inc.
Engine technology transition

Cummins is a key competitor in engines and power generation, offering a more focused bet on powertrain technology, including the transition to new fuel sources.

Core Thesis: Invest in a powertrain technology leader navigating the transition from diesel to alternative fuels and electrification.
How Is The Market Pricing CAT?

A cyclical industrial leader capturing powerful secular tailwinds from the global build-out of data centers and infrastructure.

Caterpillar is experiencing a period of exceptionally strong demand, driven by both cyclical recovery and secular growth trends. The Power & Energy segment is capitalizing on the explosive growth in data centers, while Construction Industries benefits from government infrastructure spending. This has led to a record $72 billion backlog, providing significant revenue visibility and de-risking the near-term outlook despite macroeconomic uncertainties and tariff-related cost pressures.

What will confirm the thesis

Continued sequential growth in the order backlog, sustained double-digit 'Sales to Users' growth, and management raising full-year guidance again.

What will damage the thesis

A sharp decline in key commodity prices (copper, gold), announcements of major data center project cancellations, or a significant sequential decline in the order backlog.

Noise: Real but irrelevant to thesis

Month-to-month fluctuations in regional sales data, minor shifts in dealer inventory that are within seasonal norms.

Repricing Catalyst

The record $72 billion backlog and the company raising its full-year 2026 sales growth guidance to 'mid- to high teens' in the August 2026 earnings report, signaling that demand momentum is accelerating beyond prior expectations.

What CAT Makes & Who Pays
TTM figures based on the twelve months through fiscal Q1 2026
Power & Energy
$33.4B TTM (47% of Total)
What It Is

Sells reciprocating engines, turbines, generator sets, and related services to customers in oil and gas, power generation (including data centers), industrial, marine, and rail applications.

Who Pays & How

Energy companies, data center operators, and industrial firms pay for reliable and efficient power solutions. Customers choose Caterpillar for its broad product portfolio, including reciprocating engines and turbines, that supports critical applications from gas compression to prime and backup power for data centers.

Unit sales of engines and turbines, along with long-term service agreements and aftermarket parts sales.
Competition
Cummins Inc., Rolls-Royce Power Systems AG, Siemens Energy AG, and GE Vernova Inc.
Competitors include larger global firms and smaller companies focused on specific product ranges, regions, or applications.
A broad portfolio including reciprocating engines and turbines, a global service network, and established relationships with customers in critical industries.
Construction Industries
$27.0B TTM (38% of Total)
What It Is

Sells a range of construction machinery like excavators, wheel loaders, and asphalt pavers to customers in infrastructure, building construction, rental, and quarry and aggregates industries.

Who Pays & How

Construction contractors, rental companies, and quarry operators pay for equipment. Customers in developed economies prioritize productivity and low lifetime owning/operating costs, while those in developing economies may prioritize purchase price, for which Caterpillar offers differentiated products like its SEM brand.

Unit sales of machinery, along with related parts, services, and work tools, sold through an independent global dealer network.
Competition
Komatsu Ltd., Deere & Company, Volvo Construction Equipment, and Sany Heavy Industry Co., Ltd.
The competitive environment includes global competitors as well as many regional and specialized local competitors, particularly in China.
The industry's largest independent global dealer network, brand reputation for quality and reliability, and a broad product portfolio tailored to different regional needs.
Resource Industries
$12.6B TTM (18% of Total)
What It Is

Sells large machinery like mining trucks, electric rope shovels, and large track-type tractors to customers in mining, heavy construction, and quarry and aggregates.

Who Pays & How

Mining companies and heavy construction firms pay for highly productive and reliable equipment that provides the lowest total cost of ownership. Customers use the equipment to extract commodities like copper, iron ore, coal, and gold.

Unit sales of large-scale equipment, technology products and services for fleet management and autonomy, and related parts and components.
Competition
Komatsu Ltd., Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd., Epiroc AB, and Sandvik AB.
Competitors include a few large global firms and numerous smaller companies with limited product ranges or regional focus.
A broad product range for surface and underground mining, control over key component design, and innovative technologies like autonomous hauling solutions.
Financial Products Segment
$4.3B TTM (6% of Total)
What It Is

Provides retail and wholesale financing and leasing for Caterpillar products to customers and dealers worldwide. Also offers insurance and risk management products.

Who Pays & How

End-customers and dealers use financing to purchase and lease Caterpillar equipment. They choose Cat Financial due to its deep knowledge of asset values, industry trends, and integration with Caterpillar's sales process, including financial merchandising programs.

Interest income from loans and leases, and premiums from insurance products. The segment's profitability is driven by financing spreads and the volume of earning assets.
Competition
Commercial banks, finance and leasing companies like Wells Fargo Equipment Finance, and financial subsidiaries of competing manufacturers like John Deere Capital Corporation and Komatsu Financial L.P.
Competitors, especially those owned by manufacturers, often use below-market interest rate programs to support machine sales.
A significant competitive advantage from marketing programs offered in conjunction with Caterpillar and its dealers, which are designed to support machine sales.
CAT Evolution: Price Return by Era
2021-2023 · Post-Pandemic Recovery and Supply Constraints
+73%
As economic activity resumed following the pandemic, Caterpillar's revenue recovered strongly, growing from $64,809 million in 2024 to $67,589 million in 2025 due to recovering demand across segments.
2024-2026 · Secular Growth Acceleration
+204%
This era is defined by a surge in demand for the Power & Energy segment, driven by data center construction for AI and cloud computing. This secular trend, combined with ongoing strength in construction and resources, has pushed the company's backlog to record highs, with management repeatedly raising guidance and investing in new capacity to meet demand.
Market Is In Wait-and-See Mode
Price structure is showing early stress, with SMA alignment beginning to break down. Relative to SPY: Significantly underperforming and deteriorating. Potential evidence of capital being actively rotating away. Volume and momentum show mild distribution. The selling pressure is present but not overwhelming. Earnings history is neutral. The market reaction and subsequent drift do not give a clear directional signal.
① Structure
-1
Structural pillar score (-4 to +4). Driven by trend regime, SMA cross events, proximity to 52W high, and relative strength vs SPY.
② Volume / Momentum
-1
Volume/Momentum pillar score (-4 to +4). Driven by institutional footprint score, OBV divergence, and momentum character.
③ Catalyst
0
Catalyst pillar score (-4 to +4). Driven by earnings day reaction, 20D post-earnings drift, and post-earnings volume character.
Combined Score
-2 / 12
1 Price Structure & Trend Pullback in Uptrend · -
2 Momentum Mixed
3 Relative Strength vs. SPY Strong Underperformance
4 Institutional Footprint & Volume Mild Distribution
5 Volatility Normal
6 Key Price Levels Range · Vol Flat
7 Earnings Reaction History Diminishing Reward
8 How the Verdict Is Derived Three Pillars

Industry Resources

Industrials Resources
IndustryWeek
Manufacturing.net
Aviation Week
Construction Machinery & Heavy Transportation Equipment Resources
Equipment World
Construction Equipment
OEM Off-Highway
Core Cache Last Updated: 8/9/2026