Flputnam Investment Management Co. Makes New Investment in Caterpillar Inc. $CAT

Flputnam Investment Management Co. acquired a new position in Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT) in the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund acquired 18,961 shares of the industrial products company’s stock, valued at approximately $20,192,000.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of CAT. Axxcess Wealth Management LLC grew its stake in Caterpillar by 2.8% during the fourth quarter. Axxcess Wealth Management LLC now owns 22,420 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $12,844,000 after purchasing an additional 604 shares during the period. DSG Capital Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of Caterpillar in the first quarter valued at $1,226,000. Cornerstone Planning LLC bought a new stake in Caterpillar during the 4th quarter worth approximately $4,517,000. RiverFront Investment Group LLC raised its position in Caterpillar by 21.1% in the 4th quarter. RiverFront Investment Group LLC now owns 8,915 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $5,107,000 after buying an additional 1,552 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Larson Financial Group LLC lifted its position in shares of Caterpillar by 73.6% during the fourth quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC now owns 12,915 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $7,399,000 after purchasing an additional 5,476 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 70.98% of the company’s stock.

Caterpillar Trading Down 2.1%

NYSE CAT opened at $800.11 on Friday. The stock’s 50 day moving average is $893.92 and its 200 day moving average is $837.14. The company has a quick ratio of 0.85, a current ratio of 1.37 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.65. The firm has a market capitalization of $367.79 billion, a PE ratio of 34.43, a P/E/G ratio of 1.43 and a beta of 1.60. Caterpillar Inc. has a twelve month low of $410.52 and a twelve month high of $1,073.46.

Caterpillar (NYSE:CAT) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, August 4th. The industrial products company reported $8.17 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $6.22 by $1.95. The business had revenue of $20.54 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $19.34 billion. Caterpillar had a return on equity of 55.53% and a net margin of 14.51%.The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 23.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $4.72 earnings per share. Research analysts forecast that Caterpillar Inc. will post 27.14 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Caterpillar Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, August 19th. Shareholders of record on Monday, July 20th were issued a $1.63 dividend. This represents a $6.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.8%. This is a boost from Caterpillar’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.51. The ex-dividend date was Monday, July 20th. Caterpillar’s dividend payout ratio is currently 28.06%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of brokerages have issued reports on CAT. Wall Street Zen upgraded Caterpillar from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Saturday, May 2nd. Robert W. Baird set a $970.00 price target on shares of Caterpillar in a report on Wednesday, August 5th. Argus lifted their price target on shares of Caterpillar from $820.00 to $990.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, May 5th. Barclays increased their target price on Caterpillar from $800.00 to $900.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a report on Thursday, August 6th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group boosted their price objective on shares of Caterpillar from $900.00 to $1,045.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, May 1st. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have assigned a Buy rating and eleven have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $995.52.

Key Caterpillar News

Here are the key news stories impacting Caterpillar this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Caterpillar’s Construction Industries segment generated 35% revenue growth in the second quarter, supported by stronger demand, higher sales volumes and pricing. Digital technology and connected-equipment services could provide additional long-term growth opportunities. CAT’s Construction Revenues Up 35% in Q2: Can It Maintain This Pace?
• Positive Sentiment: Analysts point to favorable earnings-estimate revisions and recent price strength as potential catalysts. Caterpillar’s latest quarterly results also showed substantial year-over-year revenue and earnings growth, with results exceeding consensus expectations. Why Caterpillar (CAT) Might be Well Poised for a Surge
• Positive Sentiment: The company raised its quarterly dividend 8% to $1.63 per share and has now increased its annual dividend for 32 consecutive years, reinforcing Caterpillar’s appeal as an income-growth stock. However, the benefit is partly offset by the stock’s high price and consequently low yield. Caterpillar’s Dividend Case Is Stronger in 2026, But the Yield Is Holding It Back
• Neutral Sentiment: CEO Joe Creed is scheduled to participate in a Wells Fargo investor discussion on September 10. The event could provide updates on demand, dealer inventories and guidance, but it is not an immediate earnings catalyst. Caterpillar CEO Joe Creed to Participate in Virtual Headquarters Visit with Wells Fargo
• Negative Sentiment: One analysis questions whether construction demand is being driven by durable end-market activity or dealer-channel ordering. That uncertainty raises concerns about a possible slowdown or inventory adjustment after the recent surge. Is Caterpillar Stock Relying on an Artificial Demand Story?
• Negative Sentiment: At a valuation above 34 times earnings, Caterpillar leaves less room for disappointment. Investors are also cautious that its data-center-related exposure could face political scrutiny, while the dividend yield remains limited at the current valuation.

Caterpillar Company Profile

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.