Russell Investments Group Ltd. Purchases 18,762 Shares of Caterpillar Inc. $CAT

Russell Investments Group Ltd. lifted its position in shares of Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT) by 8.0% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 254,426 shares of the industrial products company’s stock after buying an additional 18,762 shares during the period. Russell Investments Group Ltd.’s holdings in Caterpillar were worth $206,631,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Diversify Advisory Services LLC bought a new position in Caterpillar during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $5,372,000. D.B. Root & Company LLC purchased a new position in Caterpillar in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $850,000. Dearborn Partners LLC bought a new stake in Caterpillar in the second quarter valued at approximately $20,293,000. B. Metzler seel. Sohn & Co. AG lifted its position in Caterpillar by 4.3% in the second quarter. B. Metzler seel. Sohn & Co. AG now owns 62,731 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $66,802,000 after purchasing an additional 2,590 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Van Hulzen Asset Management LLC lifted its position in Caterpillar by 85.3% in the second quarter. Van Hulzen Asset Management LLC now owns 2,809 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $2,991,000 after purchasing an additional 1,293 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 70.98% of the company’s stock.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, Director C Jr purchased 1,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 2nd. The shares were acquired at an average price of $620.39 per share, for a total transaction of $620,390.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director directly owned 4,714 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,924,518.46. The trade was a 26.93% increase in their position. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, CEO Joseph E. Creed sold 32,401 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Friday, August 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $808.98, for a total transaction of $26,211,760.98. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 34,555 shares in the company, valued at approximately $27,954,303.90. The trade was a 48.39% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Company insiders own 0.33% of the company’s stock.

Caterpillar Trading Up 0.7%

CAT opened at $605.54 on Friday. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $744.62 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $805.40. The firm has a market capitalization of $277.09 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.76, a PEG ratio of 1.04 and a beta of 1.65. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.50, a current ratio of 1.42 and a quick ratio of 0.88. Caterpillar Inc. has a one year low of $537.08 and a one year high of $1,073.46.

Caterpillar (NYSE:CAT) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 29th. The industrial products company reported $7.20 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $7.06 by $0.14. The firm had revenue of $20.68 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $20.76 billion. Caterpillar had a return on equity of 59.87% and a net margin of 15.21%. The business’s quarterly revenue was up 17.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company earned $4.95 EPS. Analysts predict that Caterpillar Inc. will post 27.38 EPS for the current year.

Caterpillar Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, November 19th. Investors of record on Monday, October 26th will be paid a $1.63 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, October 26th. This represents a $6.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.1%. Caterpillar’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 25.58%.

Recent Caterpillar Headlines

Investors following CAT have been watching these headlines:

• Positive Sentiment: Evercore ISI retained its Outperform rating and sees potential upside from current levels, despite cutting its price target to $833 from $1,045. Bank of America also maintained its Buy rating. Article: Caterpillar Keeps Sliding: Why Evercore ISI Still Sees 40% Upside
• Neutral Sentiment: Recent commentary debates whether CAT’s substantial multi-year gains leave the stock fairly valued and how much recovery potential remains, rather than pointing to a clear near-term catalyst. Article: How Much Downside Is Left In Caterpillar Stock?
• Negative Sentiment: Bank of America warned that CAT’s valuation could face further pressure, citing uncertainty around data-center investment. The concern adds to the recent selloff and questions about whether growth expectations are already reflected in the shares. Article: Caterpillar faces further valuation risks despite machinery strength, Bank of America warns

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Morgan Stanley cut their target price on shares of Caterpillar from $915.00 to $675.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a report on Friday, October 30th. UBS Group decreased their target price on shares of Caterpillar from $925.00 to $750.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, October 26th. President Capital started coverage on shares of Caterpillar in a report on Friday, September 18th. They set a “buy” rating and a $999.00 price target for the company. Freedom Broker dropped their price target on shares of Caterpillar from $980.00 to $800.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Monday, November 2nd. Finally, Robert W. Baird set a $970.00 price target on shares of Caterpillar in a report on Wednesday, August 5th. Fifteen research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and twelve have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $898.25.

About Caterpillar

Caterpillar Inc. is a global manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, engines, turbines, and related products and services. Its offerings include earthmoving and material-handling machines, diesel and natural gas engines, power-generation systems, and equipment and technologies used in mining and transportation. The company’s products are commonly sold under the Cat brand. Caterpillar serves customers in markets around the world through a network of independent dealers. Its businesses also provide parts, maintenance, equipment rental, and other support services, as well as financing and insurance through its financial services operations.