Caterpillar (NYSE:CAT) CEO Joseph Creed Sells 32,401 Shares

Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT) CEO Joseph Creed sold 32,401 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, August 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $808.98, for a total transaction of $26,211,760.98. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 34,555 shares in the company, valued at approximately $27,954,303.90. The trade was a 48.39% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink.

Caterpillar Stock Performance

Shares of CAT traded down $21.96 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, hitting $775.51. 1,212,841 shares of the company’s stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,878,467. The company has a quick ratio of 0.85, a current ratio of 1.37 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.65. Caterpillar Inc. has a 52 week low of $410.52 and a 52 week high of $1,073.46. The stock’s 50-day simple moving average is $889.47 and its 200-day simple moving average is $838.20. The firm has a market cap of $356.48 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 33.38, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.40 and a beta of 1.60.

Caterpillar (NYSE:CAT) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, August 4th. The industrial products company reported $8.17 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $6.22 by $1.95. The business had revenue of $20.54 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $19.34 billion. Caterpillar had a return on equity of 55.53% and a net margin of 14.51%.The firm’s quarterly revenue was up 23.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $4.72 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts expect that Caterpillar Inc. will post 27.14 EPS for the current year.

Caterpillar Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, August 19th. Investors of record on Monday, July 20th were given a dividend of $1.63 per share. The ex-dividend date was Monday, July 20th. This represents a $6.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.8%. This is a positive change from Caterpillar’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.51. Caterpillar’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 28.06%.

Key Headlines Impacting Caterpillar

Here are the key news stories impacting Caterpillar this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Higher earnings expectations: Erste Group Bank raised its 2026 EPS forecast for Caterpillar to $27.50 from $24.78, above the current consensus estimate of $27.14. The firm nevertheless maintains a “Hold” rating. Erste Group Bank Predicts Stronger Earnings for Caterpillar
• Positive Sentiment: Analyst sentiment remains supportive: Caterpillar has a consensus “Moderate Buy” rating, while Zacks highlights a favorable average brokerage recommendation. However, such ratings can be biased toward optimistic recommendations. Caterpillar Receives Consensus Rating of Moderate Buy
• Positive Sentiment: Manufacturing and data-center opportunities: July durable-goods orders rose 1.1%, supporting the outlook for industrial equipment demand. Caterpillar is also benefiting from rising power-generation needs associated with artificial intelligence and data-center expansion. Industrial Stocks and Durable Goods Orders
• Positive Sentiment: AI investment could broaden growth: Caterpillar is committing $100 million to AI and robotics training and is deploying tools such as the Cat AI Assistant, building on its autonomous-mining expertise. Caterpillar Commits $100 Million to AI and Robotics Training
• Neutral Sentiment: Investors are watching the pullback: Commentary is focused on whether the retreat represents an attractive entry point or a warning that expectations have become too high. Why We’re Watching the Caterpillar Stock Pullback
• Negative Sentiment: Valuation and momentum risks: Caterpillar trades at a relatively elevated earnings multiple, while its shares are below their 50-day and 200-day moving averages. That combination may encourage profit-taking after the stock’s substantial one-year advance.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research analysts have commented on the company. Citigroup boosted their target price on Caterpillar from $1,020.00 to $1,100.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 14th. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price target on shares of Caterpillar from $1,050.00 to $1,155.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Tuesday, June 23rd. Robert W. Baird set a $970.00 price objective on shares of Caterpillar in a research report on Wednesday, August 5th. Barclays raised their target price on shares of Caterpillar from $800.00 to $900.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Thursday, August 6th. Finally, Sanford C. Bernstein reaffirmed a “market perform” rating and set a $1,002.00 target price on shares of Caterpillar in a research note on Wednesday, August 5th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have assigned a Buy rating and eleven have given a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Caterpillar has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $995.52.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Caterpillar

A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Lam Group Inc. acquired a new stake in Caterpillar during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Frazier Financial Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of Caterpillar by 220.0% in the 4th quarter. Frazier Financial Advisors LLC now owns 48 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $28,000 after purchasing an additional 33 shares during the last quarter. Decker Retirement Planning Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Caterpillar by 440.0% in the 2nd quarter. Decker Retirement Planning Inc. now owns 27 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $29,000 after purchasing an additional 22 shares during the last quarter. Cornerstone Financial Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Caterpillar during the fourth quarter worth $32,000. Finally, Matrix Trust Co raised its stake in Caterpillar by 93.8% during the second quarter. Matrix Trust Co now owns 31 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $33,000 after buying an additional 15 shares during the last quarter. 70.98% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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.