Ritholtz Wealth Management grew its position in Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT – Free Report) by 5.0% in the first quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 16,287 shares of the industrial products company’s stock after acquiring an additional 781 shares during the quarter. Ritholtz Wealth Management’s holdings in Caterpillar were worth $11,539,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.
Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Torren Management LLC bought a new position in Caterpillar in the fourth quarter worth $27,000. Frazier Financial Advisors LLC increased its holdings in 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 buying an additional 33 shares during the period. IFS Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Caterpillar in the 4th quarter valued at $31,000. Cornerstone Financial Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Caterpillar during the 4th quarter worth about $32,000. Finally, Rialto Wealth Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Caterpillar by 47.4% during the 4th quarter. Rialto Wealth Management LLC now owns 56 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $32,000 after acquiring an additional 18 shares during the period. 70.98% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.
Insider Buying and Selling at Caterpillar
In related news, CFO Andrew R. J. Bonfield sold 15,674 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, May 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $918.71, for a total transaction of $14,399,860.54. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer directly owned 52,935 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $48,631,913.85. This trade represents a 22.85% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, insider Denise C. Johnson sold 12,605 shares of Caterpillar stock in a transaction on Thursday, May 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $907.91, for a total value of $11,444,205.55. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider owned 49,825 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $45,236,615.75. The trade was a 20.19% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders sold 95,773 shares of company stock worth $87,642,635 over the last 90 days. Company insiders own 0.33% of the company’s stock.
Key Headlines Impacting Caterpillar
- Positive Sentiment: Caterpillar was highlighted as a beneficiary of the AI buildout after reports that it will supply engines and turbines for a major Chevron/Microsoft AI data center project, reinforcing demand for its power generation equipment. Caterpillar (CAT) Lands Key Role In Chevron Microsoft AI Data Center Build
- Positive Sentiment: Analysts remain constructive, with Wells Fargo reportedly raising its price recommendation, while other coverage pointed to Caterpillar as a blue-chip dividend name and a stock worth holding amid the industrial rally. Top 5 Blue Chip Stocks with Growing Dividends
- Positive Sentiment: Recent analysis emphasized Caterpillar’s record $63 billion backlog, up 79% year over year, which improves revenue visibility and supports expectations for continued sales growth. CAT’s Record Backlog: A Sign of Sustained Demand Strength?
- Neutral Sentiment: Several recent articles compared Caterpillar with other heavy machinery and industrial stocks, but these pieces were largely contextual rather than new catalysts. Unpacking Q1 Earnings: Caterpillar (NYSE:CAT) In The Context Of Other Heavy Machinery Stocks
- Neutral Sentiment: Coverage noting CAT’s strong one-year run and high valuation suggests investors are also weighing whether much of the good news is already priced in. Caterpillar (CAT) Stock Near $984 After Big Rally Is There Still Upside Potential
- Positive Sentiment: Reports that Caterpillar and partners are advancing battery-electric haul truck testing add to the long-term innovation story in mining and equipment electrification. BHP, Rio Tinto and Caterpillar advance battery-electric haul truck testing
Caterpillar Trading Up 0.9%
Shares of Caterpillar stock opened at $992.95 on Thursday. Caterpillar Inc. has a 12-month low of $369.51 and a 12-month high of $1,023.29. The stock has a market capitalization of $457.34 billion, a P/E ratio of 49.42, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.94 and a beta of 1.59. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $887.68 and a 200 day simple moving average of $750.22. The company has a quick ratio of 0.81, a current ratio of 1.35 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.64.
Caterpillar (NYSE:CAT – Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 30th. The industrial products company reported $5.54 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $4.65 by $0.89. The firm had revenue of $17.41 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $16.53 billion. Caterpillar had a net margin of 13.33% and a return on equity of 48.21%. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 22.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $4.25 earnings per share. Research analysts expect that Caterpillar Inc. will post 24.64 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.
Caterpillar Increases Dividend
The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, August 19th. Stockholders of record on Monday, July 20th will be issued a $1.63 dividend. This represents a $6.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.7%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, July 20th. This is an increase from Caterpillar’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.51. Caterpillar’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 30.06%.
Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades
A number of analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Argus upped their target price on shares of Caterpillar from $820.00 to $990.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, May 5th. Zacks Research upgraded shares of Caterpillar from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Monday, June 8th. Wall Street Zen raised Caterpillar from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Saturday, May 2nd. UBS Group reiterated a “neutral” rating and issued a $900.00 price objective on shares of Caterpillar in a research note on Tuesday, June 2nd. Finally, Barclays raised their target price on Caterpillar from $700.00 to $800.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Friday, May 1st. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, sixteen have assigned a Buy rating and nine have issued a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $939.86.
View Our Latest Stock Analysis on CAT
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.
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