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Caterpillar (CAT)
NYSE:CAT
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Caterpillar (CAT) AI Stock Analysis

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CAT

Caterpillar

(NYSE:CAT)

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Outperform 76 (OpenAI - 4o)
Rating:76Outperform
Price Target:
$652.00
▲(15.79% Upside)
Caterpillar's strong financial performance and positive earnings call are the most significant factors driving the stock score. While technical indicators show bullish momentum, potential overvaluation and high debt levels are notable risks. The company's strategic focus on growth in key segments and mitigating tariff impacts supports a positive outlook.
Positive Factors
Revenue Growth
A 10% increase in sales and revenues to a record $17.6 billion indicates strong market demand and effective business strategies, supporting long-term growth.
Cash Generation
Significant free cash flow generation and shareholder returns demonstrate strong cash management and financial health, ensuring future investment capacity.
Market Position
A growing backlog of $2.4 billion reflects robust demand and a strong market position, indicating sustained future revenue streams.
Negative Factors
High Debt Levels
Despite improvement, a high debt-to-equity ratio indicates reliance on debt financing, which could limit financial flexibility and increase risk.
Tariff Impact
Significant tariff costs impact profit margins and could affect competitive pricing, posing a risk to profitability and market competitiveness.
Regional Sales Decline
Declining sales in Asia Pacific highlight regional market challenges, potentially hindering global revenue diversification and growth.

Caterpillar (CAT) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Caterpillar Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionCaterpillar Inc. (CAT) is a leading American multinational corporation that designs, manufactures, and sells a wide range of machinery and engines, primarily for the construction, mining, and agricultural sectors. Founded in 1925, the company operates through three primary segments: Construction Industries, Resource Industries, and Energy & Transportation. Caterpillar's core products include heavy machinery such as excavators, bulldozers, and backhoes, along with diesel and natural gas engines, and power generation systems. Additionally, the company offers aftermarket services and solutions to enhance customer productivity and equipment longevity.
How the Company Makes MoneyCaterpillar generates revenue through several key streams, including the sale of new equipment and engines, aftermarket parts, and repair services. The majority of its revenue comes from the sale of machinery and engines to construction and mining industries, which are cyclical and depend on global economic conditions. The company also benefits from aftermarket services, which provide ongoing revenue through parts, maintenance, and repair services for existing equipment. Furthermore, Caterpillar has established significant partnerships with various firms and governmental entities, enhancing its market presence and providing integrated solutions. Factors contributing to its earnings include global infrastructure investments, commodity prices affecting the mining sector, and technological advancements in equipment efficiency and sustainability.

Caterpillar Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Any
Any
Revenue by Type
Revenue by Type
Categorizes income based on product or service type, highlighting which offerings drive the most sales and where diversification or concentration risks may lie.
Chart InsightsCaterpillar's Machinery, Energy, and Transportation revenue shows a slight decline in recent quarters, reflecting challenges like tariffs and regional weaknesses. However, the Financial Products segment continues to grow steadily. The latest earnings call highlights a strong backlog and increased demand in Energy & Transportation, suggesting potential revenue growth in the latter half of 2025. Despite a 1% sales decline due to unfavorable pricing, Caterpillar remains optimistic about its strategic priorities, with plans to mitigate tariff impacts and capitalize on growth opportunities in Construction Industries.
Data provided by:Main Street Data

Caterpillar Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Oct 29, 2025
(Q3-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Jan 29, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Neutral
The earnings call highlights Caterpillar's record-breaking sales and revenues, driven by strong demand in Energy & Transportation, and an improved outlook for 2025. However, challenges such as significant tariff impacts and decreased sales in Asia Pacific present notable concerns.
Q3-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Record Sales and Revenue Growth
Sales and revenues increased 10% to $17.6 billion, an all-time record for a single quarter. Backlog grew by about $2.4 billion, driven by strong orders in Energy & Transportation.
Strong Performance in Energy & Transportation
Sales to users increased by 25% year-over-year with double-digit growth across all applications. The largest growth came from power generation with a 33% increase.
Positive Free Cash Flow and Shareholder Returns
Generated $3.2 billion of ME&T free cash flow and deployed about $1.1 billion to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases during the quarter.
Improved Outlook for Full Year 2025
Anticipates strong sales growth for the fourth quarter with higher volumes in all three segments. Full year 2025 sales and revenues expected to be higher than previously anticipated.
Negative Updates
Impact of Tariffs
The net impact of incremental tariffs was near the top end of the estimated range of $500 million to $600 million for the quarter, affecting adjusted operating profit margins.
Decline in Adjusted Profit Per Share
Adjusted profit per share was $4.95 in the quarter compared to $5.17 last year, with an unfavorable impact from higher tax rates and tariffs.
Challenges in Asia Pacific
Sales in the Asia Pacific region decreased due to softness in a few key subregions.
Company Guidance
In the third quarter of 2025, Caterpillar reported robust financial performance, with sales and revenues increasing by 10% year-over-year to a record $17.6 billion, driven primarily by strong demand in the Energy & Transportation segment. The company's backlog also grew significantly by $2.4 billion to reach an all-time high of $39.8 billion, positioning it well for continued growth. Adjusted operating profit margin slightly exceeded expectations at 17.5%, despite facing a headwind from tariffs. The company generated $3.2 billion in ME&T free cash flow and returned approximately $1.1 billion to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases. Sales to users saw a 12% increase, with notable growth in North America and the Energy & Transportation sector, where power generation sales surged by 33% due to heightened demand for reciprocating engines in data centers. Looking ahead, Caterpillar anticipates continued strong sales growth and aims to mitigate the impact of tariffs, which are projected to cost between $1.6 billion and $1.75 billion for the full year.

Caterpillar Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Caterpillar demonstrates strong financial health with robust profitability and cash flow generation. The company has improved its leverage position, although it still relies heavily on debt. Consistent revenue growth and strong margins highlight its competitive position, but high debt levels pose a potential risk.
Income Statement
85
Very Positive
Caterpillar's income statement shows strong profitability with a consistent gross profit margin around 34% to 36% over recent years. The net profit margin has improved to 14.3% in TTM, indicating efficient cost management. Revenue growth has been positive, albeit modest at 2.4% in TTM, following a slight decline in the previous year. The EBIT and EBITDA margins are robust, reflecting effective operational management.
Balance Sheet
70
Positive
The balance sheet reveals a high debt-to-equity ratio, which has decreased from 2.42 in 2020 to 1.97 in 2024, indicating improved leverage management. Return on equity is strong at 48.2% in TTM, showcasing effective use of equity to generate profits. However, the equity ratio remains low, suggesting a reliance on debt financing.
Cash Flow
78
Positive
Caterpillar's cash flow statement demonstrates solid cash generation with a significant free cash flow growth of 22.5% in TTM. The operating cash flow to net income ratio is stable, indicating good cash conversion. The free cash flow to net income ratio is strong, suggesting efficient capital expenditure management.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue64.67B64.81B67.06B59.43B50.97B41.75B
Gross Profit21.94B23.32B23.26B17.51B15.00B12.08B
EBITDA14.65B16.04B15.71B11.41B11.04B6.94B
Net Income9.26B10.79B10.34B6.71B6.49B3.00B
Balance Sheet
Total Assets93.72B87.76B87.48B81.94B82.79B78.32B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments7.54B6.89B6.98B7.00B9.25B9.35B
Total Debt32.28B38.41B37.88B36.99B37.79B37.16B
Total Liabilities73.06B68.27B67.97B66.05B66.28B62.95B
Stockholders Equity20.66B19.49B19.49B15.87B16.48B15.33B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow9.48B8.82B9.79B5.17B4.73B4.21B
Operating Cash Flow11.54B12.04B12.88B7.77B7.20B6.33B
Investing Cash Flow-4.48B-2.45B-5.87B-2.54B-3.08B-1.49B
Financing Cash Flow-5.08B-9.56B-6.93B-7.28B-4.19B-3.75B

Caterpillar Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price563.10
Price Trends
50DMA
490.71
Positive
100DMA
449.83
Positive
200DMA
392.39
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
22.35
Positive
RSI
61.81
Neutral
STOCH
61.42
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For CAT, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 563.1 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 542.87, above the 50-day MA of 490.71, and above the 200-day MA of 392.39, indicating a bullish trend. The MACD of 22.35 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 61.81 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 61.42 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for CAT.

Caterpillar Risk Analysis

Caterpillar disclosed 27 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Caterpillar reported the most risks in the "Macro & Political" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

Caterpillar Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (63)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
76
Outperform
$263.52B28.8946.30%1.04%-1.51%-9.69%
74
Outperform
$51.83B19.3214.15%4.04%-15.29%-42.93%
71
Outperform
$7.68B11.8415.42%1.59%-2.28%-0.53%
66
Neutral
$126.46B24.4621.59%1.38%-20.63%-34.82%
63
Neutral
$10.79B15.437.44%2.01%2.89%-14.66%
59
Neutral
$7.88B21.038.69%1.42%-20.09%121.28%
56
Neutral
$12.08B20.417.74%2.59%-18.10%-65.24%
* Industrials Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
CAT
Caterpillar
563.10
172.46
44.15%
AGCO
Agco
105.56
14.84
16.36%
CNH
CNH Industrial
9.66
-0.86
-8.17%
DE
Deere
467.79
70.72
17.81%
OSK
Oshkosh
121.46
10.88
9.84%
PCAR
Paccar
98.69
-13.09
-11.71%

Caterpillar Corporate Events

Caterpillar’s Q3 2025: Revenue Growth Amid Profit Challenges
Oct 30, 2025

Caterpillar Inc., a leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, off-highway diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines, and diesel-electric locomotives, operates globally through its primary segments: Construction Industries, Resource Industries, and Energy & Transportation. In its third-quarter 2025 earnings report, Caterpillar announced a 10% increase in sales and revenues, reaching $17.6 billion, driven by higher sales volume, particularly in the Energy & Transportation segment. However, the company’s profit per share decreased to $4.88 from $5.06 in the same quarter of the previous year, reflecting an increased effective tax rate and discrete tax charges. The operating profit margin also saw a decline, attributed to unfavorable manufacturing costs and price realization. Despite these challenges, Caterpillar deployed $1.1 billion for dividends and share repurchases, maintaining a strong cash position with $7.5 billion in enterprise cash. Looking ahead, Caterpillar’s management remains optimistic about sustained momentum and long-term profitable growth, supported by a growing backlog and disciplined execution in a dynamic market environment.

Caterpillar’s Earnings Call: Record Sales Amid Tariff Challenges
Oct 30, 2025

Caterpillar’s recent earnings call painted a picture of both triumph and challenge. The company celebrated record-breaking sales and revenues, largely fueled by robust demand in the Energy & Transportation sector, alongside an optimistic outlook for 2025. However, the call also highlighted significant hurdles, including the adverse effects of tariffs and declining sales in the Asia Pacific region.

Stock BuybackDividendsFinancial Disclosures
Caterpillar Reports 10% Sales Increase in Q3 2025
Neutral
Oct 29, 2025

Caterpillar Inc. reported a 10% increase in third-quarter 2025 sales and revenues, reaching $17.6 billion, compared to $16.1 billion in the same quarter of 2024. Despite the revenue growth driven by higher equipment sales, the company’s profit per share decreased to $4.88 from $5.06 in the previous year, impacted by a higher estimated global annual effective tax rate and a net discrete tax charge. The company deployed $1.1 billion in cash for dividends and share repurchases, maintaining a strong cash position with $7.5 billion at the end of the quarter.

The most recent analyst rating on (CAT) stock is a Hold with a $485.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Caterpillar stock, see the CAT Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyPrivate Placements and Financing
Caterpillar Announces New $3.5 Billion Credit Facility
Positive
Sep 3, 2025

On August 28, 2025, Caterpillar Inc. announced the creation of a new 364-Day revolving credit facility, replacing the previous one, with an aggregate commitment of up to $3.5 billion. This facility, along with amendments to existing Three-Year and Five-Year credit agreements, aims to enhance the company’s financial flexibility for general corporate purposes. The updated agreements extend the expiration dates and provide unsecured revolving credit facilities totaling up to $8 billion. These financial arrangements require Caterpillar to maintain specific financial covenants, including a consolidated net worth of at least $9 billion, ensuring robust financial health and operational capacity.

The most recent analyst rating on (CAT) stock is a Hold with a $447.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Caterpillar stock, see the CAT Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyFinancial Disclosures
Caterpillar Faces Significant Tariff Impact in Q3 2025
Negative
Aug 28, 2025

Caterpillar Inc. announced that the impact of newly introduced tariffs will significantly affect its financial results for the third quarter and the entirety of 2025. Since the company’s earnings release on August 5, 2025, additional tariffs have been clarified, leading to an expected net impact of $500 million to $600 million for the third quarter and $1.5 to $1.8 billion for the year. Despite these challenges, the company does not anticipate changes to its sales and revenue outlook but expects its full-year adjusted operating profit margin to be near the lower end of its target range. Further updates will be provided in the third-quarter earnings announcement on October 29, 2025.

The most recent analyst rating on (CAT) stock is a Hold with a $447.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Caterpillar stock, see the CAT Stock Forecast page.

Caterpillar Reports Mixed Second-Quarter 2025 Results
Aug 6, 2025

Caterpillar Inc., a global leader in manufacturing construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines, and industrial gas turbines, has released its second-quarter 2025 earnings report. The company operates primarily through its Construction Industries, Resource Industries, and Energy & Transportation segments, and offers financial services through its Financial Products segment.

Caterpillar’s Earnings Call: Optimism Amid Challenges
Aug 6, 2025

Caterpillar’s recent earnings call conveyed a mixed sentiment, reflecting both optimism and challenges. The company reported strong backlog growth and increased sales in its Energy & Transportation segment, which signals a positive outlook for the latter half of 2025. However, the decline in overall sales and revenues, exacerbated by significant tariff impacts and regional weaknesses in China and Europe, poses notable challenges.

Business Operations and StrategyStock BuybackDividendsFinancial Disclosures
Caterpillar Reports Q2 2025 Financial Results Decline
Negative
Aug 5, 2025

Caterpillar Inc. reported its second-quarter 2025 financial results, showing a slight decline in sales and revenues to $16.6 billion, down 1% from the previous year. The decrease was attributed to unfavorable price realization, although it was partially offset by higher sales volumes. The company’s profit per share also decreased from $5.48 in 2024 to $4.62 in 2025. Despite these declines, the company maintained strong operational cash flow and continued to invest in share repurchases and dividends, reflecting its commitment to shareholder returns. The results highlight the company’s resilience in a challenging market environment, supported by robust demand in the Energy & Transportation segment.

The most recent analyst rating on (CAT) stock is a Hold with a $415.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Caterpillar stock, see the CAT Stock Forecast page.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Nov 01, 2025