Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT – Free Report) – Analysts at Zacks Research boosted their Q1 2026 EPS estimates for Caterpillar in a note issued to investors on Friday, March 20th. Zacks Research analyst Team now anticipates that the industrial products company will earn $4.46 per share for the quarter, up from their prior estimate of $4.38. The consensus estimate for Caterpillar’s current full-year earnings is $19.86 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Caterpillar’s FY2026 earnings at $21.46 EPS, Q2 2027 earnings at $5.99 EPS, Q4 2027 earnings at $7.12 EPS, FY2027 earnings at $24.17 EPS and FY2028 earnings at $28.88 EPS.
Caterpillar (NYSE:CAT – Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 29th. The industrial products company reported $5.16 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $4.67 by $0.49. The company had revenue of $19.13 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $17.81 billion. Caterpillar had a return on equity of 45.76% and a net margin of 13.14%.Caterpillar’s revenue was up 17.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $5.14 EPS.
Read Our Latest Research Report on CAT
Caterpillar Price Performance
Shares of CAT stock opened at $716.16 on Monday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.44, a quick ratio of 0.94 and a current ratio of 1.44. Caterpillar has a fifty-two week low of $267.30 and a fifty-two week high of $789.81. The firm has a market cap of $333.22 billion, a P/E ratio of 38.05, a P/E/G ratio of 1.66 and a beta of 1.54. The business’s 50 day moving average price is $704.99 and its 200-day moving average price is $599.69.
Insider Buying and Selling at Caterpillar
In other news, insider Anthony D. Fassino sold 10,671 shares of Caterpillar stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $680.45, for a total value of $7,261,081.95. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider owned 41,151 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $28,001,197.95. The trade was a 20.59% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CFO Andrew R. J. Bonfield sold 10,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, December 31st. The stock was sold at an average price of $575.06, for a total transaction of $5,750,600.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer owned 45,460 shares in the company, valued at approximately $26,142,227.60. The trade was a 18.03% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders have sold 135,950 shares of company stock valued at $94,327,990 in the last ninety days. Corporate insiders own 0.33% of the company’s stock.
Institutional Inflows and Outflows
Large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Norges Bank bought a new position in Caterpillar in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $2,165,899,000. Wellington Management Group LLP raised its stake in shares of Caterpillar by 3,949.8% in the third quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 5,228,058 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $2,494,568,000 after purchasing an additional 5,098,964 shares during the last quarter. Capital International Investors bought a new position in shares of Caterpillar during the fourth quarter valued at $1,225,317,000. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA boosted its position in shares of Caterpillar by 1,851.8% during the third quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 1,830,414 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $873,382,000 after buying an additional 1,736,631 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. increased its holdings in Caterpillar by 573.1% in the 4th quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 1,504,612 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $861,947,000 after buying an additional 1,281,087 shares in the last quarter. 70.98% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.
Trending Headlines about Caterpillar
Here are the key news stories impacting Caterpillar this week:
- Positive Sentiment: Caterpillar secured large power and data‑center related orders, including a global framework with Atlas Energy Solutions (~1.4 GW) and additional AI/data‑center power deals — a direct revenue driver that strengthens its Power & Energy backlog and exposure to a fast‑growing end market. Caterpillar Taps Energy And AI Power Deals As Valuation Questions Linger
- Positive Sentiment: Market commentary highlights CAT’s outperformance while the broader market slumped, signaling relative strength and investor rotation into cyclicals. That momentum is supporting the stock’s rise today. Caterpillar (CAT) Increases Despite Market Slip: Here’s What You Need to Know
- Positive Sentiment: Technical/quant notes (Dow Jones coverage) flag CAT as showing new buy points amid a weak market — this can draw short‑term momentum traders and institutional inflows. These Dow Jones Stocks Make Bullish Moves; Retailer Dumps OpenAI
- Positive Sentiment: Macro relief from reduced geopolitical risk (postponed military action vs. Iran) produced an industrials‑led rally, benefiting cyclical names like Caterpillar. Broad risk‑on flows are amplifying gains. Greenbrier, Acuity Brands, Werner, Kennametal, and Scorpio Tankers Stocks Trade Up, What You Need To Know
- Positive Sentiment: Analyst research (Zacks coverage summarized by media) is forecasting higher earnings for Caterpillar, reinforcing growth expectations and supporting valuation multiples. Zacks Research Forecasts Higher Earnings for Caterpillar
- Neutral Sentiment: Executive commentary on managing Middle East project safety and growing on‑site power demand from data centers underscores operational priorities and secular demand, but mainly provides context rather than immediate earnings impact. How Caterpillar is navigating Mideast uncertainties amid Iran war
- Neutral Sentiment: Coverage noting CAT’s ~100% year‑over‑year move highlights momentum and dividend appeal — useful for sentiment but also raises attention on stretched performance. This Dow 30 dividend stock is up 100 in the past year
- Negative Sentiment: Analyst critique (Seeking Alpha) warns that while data‑center tailwinds are real, current valuation may already assume aggressive growth — a caution that could limit further multiple expansion and invite profit‑taking. Caterpillar: Data Center Tailwinds Are Real, But Valuation Assumes Unrealistic Growth
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.
See Also
Receive News & Ratings for Caterpillar Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Caterpillar and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
