Caterpillar (CAT.US) Price Target and Rating 2026/2027

863.44
Price history for Caterpillar (CAT.US) – stock price at $863.44, October 2026
Caterpillar stock price – price development 2026. Updated Oct 7, 2026.
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Caterpillar Price Target 2026: Analysts See 12% Upside

The average price target for Caterpillar is $970.80. This price target represents the analysts' view of the stock price over the next 12 months. The stock may be undervalued, because the price target is higher than the current price. The stock is 12.43% below the target, which can point to potential returns within the next 12 months if the analysts' view proves right. Also consider the stock's valuation ratios such as P/E, P/S and P/B, plus the technical analysis further down the page, for the full picture.

Is Caterpillar overvalued or undervalued?

Caterpillar is currently undervalued with a gap of 12.4% relative to the price target.


The current price is $863.44, which places Caterpillar in the undervalued category. The stock is considered undervalued when the price is below $873.72, and overvalued when the price exceeds $1,067.88.


The fair value range is defined as ±10% of the price target, because price targets are estimates rather than exact values. For Caterpillar, the fair value range lies between $873.72 and $1,067.88.


See the full price target analysis for Caterpillar →

Analyst Ratings for Caterpillar stock in 2026: Buy

28 analysts cover Caterpillar. The ratings are mixed, with 53.6% Buy, 39.3% Hold and 7.2% Sell. The average price target is $970.80, which gives an upside of 12.4% from the current price.

Consensus: Buy (3.93/5)
Strong Buy
14 (50%)
Buy
1 (3.6%)
Hold
11 (39.3%)
Sell
1 (3.6%)
Strong Sell
1 (3.6%)
Strong Sell Sell Hold Buy Strong Buy
3.93 out of 5 based on 28 analysts

About Caterpillar – Farm & Heavy Construction Machinery

Caterpillar Inc. makes and sells the machines that build the world. The company mainly earns money by producing equipment for construction and mining, sold globally.

Caterpillar is known for its large yellow machines. It also runs a big business selling diesel engines and gas turbines.

In construction, Caterpillar makes everything from small backhoe loaders and mini excavators to large motor graders and asphalt pavers. For mining, it produces electric shovels, large mining trucks and drilling machines. Caterpillar also sells spare parts and offers service agreements, which give the company a steady stream of income over time.

Caterpillar was founded in 1925. Today, it operates in almost every country in the world.
Read more about the company

Key Figures for Caterpillar

$390B Market cap
$74.7B Revenue
Farm & Heavy Construction Machinery Industry
36.51 P/E
5.22 P/S
19.25 P/B
United States Listed on exchange

What kind of stock is Caterpillar?

Growth stock Quality stock

Caterpillar is classified as a growth stock and quality stock. This means the stock combines several attractive traits, strong financial health (Piotroski 8/9).

Score Overview for Caterpillar

💰 Value Score 22/100 (Low)
⭐ Quality Score 82/100 (Very High)
🚀 Momentum Score 60/100 (High)
📊 Total Score 54/100

⚠️ 1 red flag identified 1 critical

Our analysis has identified 1 potential risk factor in Caterpillar that investors should be aware of.

🚨 High debt: The debt-to-equity ratio is 350% – the company carries considerably more debt than equity, which raises the financial risk.

📈 Valuation

Caterpillar trades at a P/E ratio of 36.5, which is above the market average. The forward P/E is 25.4 (30% lower), which suggests the market expects rising earnings. The P/S ratio is 5.2 (high — the market pays a premium for the revenue). The P/B ratio is 19.2. The PEG ratio is 1.42.

💵 Profitability & Growth

Caterpillar has a profit margin of 14.5% (solid) and an operating margin of 22.2%. Return on equity (ROE) is 57.0% — excellent return on equity. Return on assets (ROA) is 9.0%. The latest quarterly earnings grew 68.2% year over year — strong growth.

🏦 Financial Health

The Piotroski score is 8 out of 9 — excellent financial health. Altman Z2 is 4.39 (healthy balance sheet — low risk). The debt-to-equity ratio (D/E) is 350.3% — high debt, which raises the risk.

🚀 Momentum & Short Interest

Short interest is 2.03%.

Caterpillar Dividend 2026: 0.7% Dividend Yield

Dividend Key Figures for Caterpillar

Dividend yield
0.73%
Latest dividend per share
1.63 USD
Payout ratio
25.9%
Low
Dividend growth (6 years)
+12.9%
Avg. annual dividend (3 years)
4.83 USD

When does Caterpillar pay a dividend in 2026?

Latest ex-dividend date (traded without the dividend)
July 20, 2026
Latest payment date
August 19, 2026

How much does Caterpillar pay in dividends?

Caterpillar pays dividends to its shareholders. The most recently paid dividend was 1.63 USD per share, which corresponds to a dividend yield of 0.73%. Over the last 6 years, the annual dividend has grown by 12.9%, which shows positive dividend growth.

The payout ratio is 25.9%, which is low. This suggests the company prioritizes reinvesting in growth over dividend payments. There is good room to raise the dividend in the future.

Historical Dividend Payments for Caterpillar

We have registered dividend payments for Caterpillar since Jan 17, 2020. In that period the stock has paid a dividend 26 times, most recently on Jul 20, 2026. This stock qualifies as a stable dividend stock, because it has paid a dividend at least once a year for the last 5 years. That makes it attractive to investors looking for steady, regular dividend payments.

Ex-datePayment dateAmountCurrency
2026-07-202026-08-191.63USD
2026-04-202026-05-191.51USD
2026-01-202026-02-191.51USD
2025-10-202025-11-201.51USD
2025-07-212025-08-201.51USD
2025-04-212025-05-201.41USD
2024-10-212024-11-201.41USD
2024-07-222024-08-201.41USD
2024-04-192024-05-201.30USD
2024-01-192024-02-201.30USD
2023-10-202023-11-201.30USD
2023-07-202023-08-181.30USD
2023-04-212023-05-191.20USD
2023-01-192023-02-171.20USD
2022-10-212022-11-181.20USD
2022-07-192022-08-191.20USD
2022-04-222022-05-201.11USD
2022-01-192022-02-181.11USD
2021-10-222021-11-191.11USD
2021-07-192021-08-201.11USD
2021-04-232021-05-201.03USD
2021-01-192021-02-191.03USD
2020-10-232020-11-201.03USD
2020-07-172020-08-201.03USD
2020-04-172020-05-201.03USD
2020-01-172020-02-201.03USD

Insider Trading in Caterpillar 2026: The Signal Is negative

In 2026, insiders at Caterpillar have made 20 transactions – split into 1 purchases and 19 sales. On a net basis, insiders took $155,888,869 out of the stock. Active insiders include MacLennan David, Creed Joseph E, Johnson Denise C and others. In the short term (last 3 months), the insider signal is negative.

Short-Term Signal (3 months): Negative

Insiders have exclusively sold shares over the last 3 months.

Over the last 3 months: 0 purchases and 1 sales. A net $36,131,609 out of the stock.

Long-Term Signal (all transactions): Mostly negative

Insiders have sold considerably more than they have bought. At large companies this can be due to planned sales (10b5-1 plans) and is not necessarily a negative signal.

Across the last 20 transactions: 1 purchases and 19 sales. A net $155,888,869 out of the stock.

Latest purchase: MacLennan David bought 250 shares at $876.84 each on 2026-05-04. The stock has since fallen 1.5%.

Latest sale: Creed Joseph E sold 44,403 shares at $813.72 each on 2026-08-28.

Who is buying: MacLennan David.

Who is selling: Creed Joseph E, Johnson Denise C, Schaupp William E, Fassino Anthony D., De Lange Bob and others.

Latest Insider Trades in Caterpillar (2026)

The table shows the last 20 reported insider transactions in Caterpillar. Green rows are purchases, red rows are sales. The data is based on official filings.

Transaction date Name Type Number of shares Price per share ($) Total amount ($)
2026-08-28 Creed Joseph E Sell 44,403 814 36,131,609
2026-05-14 Johnson Denise C Sell 16,078 912 14,661,850
2026-05-13 Schaupp William E Sell 360 906 326,160
2026-05-13 Johnson Denise C Sell 7,900 910 7,190,896
2026-05-11 Fassino Anthony D. Sell 21,403 918 19,642,175
2026-05-06 Fassino Anthony D. Sell 12,000 927 11,121,960
2026-05-06 De Lange Bob Sell 28,105 923 25,954,124
2026-05-06 BONFIELD ANDREW R J Sell 11,655 919 10,707,565
2026-05-05 Shurman Rodney Michael Sell 5,639 904 5,095,118
2026-05-04 MacLennan David Buy 250 877 219,210

Who is buying and selling Caterpillar shares in 2026?

The following insiders have bought shares in Caterpillar: MacLennan David. In total, $219,210 was bought across 1 transactions. The following insiders have sold shares: Creed Joseph E, Johnson Denise C, Schaupp William E, Fassino Anthony D., De Lange Bob and others. In total, $156,108,079 was sold across 19 transactions. Insider trades are legal transactions in which executives and board members buy or sell shares of their own company. These transactions are reported to the SEC and are publicly available.

Caterpillar Short Selling 2026: 2.0% Sold Short

Moderate short interest: 2.0% of the free float
Short % of free float
2.0%
Assessment
Moderate short interest
Short squeeze risk
Low
Data source
EODHD
Reported about twice a month

Short interest over time: Caterpillar

0.0%1.3%2.5%
5/307/309/30
2.0% today (moderate)Last 30 days: +0.5 percentage pointsMeasured over 123 days
What does the trend tell you?
Short interest in Caterpillar has been fairly stable at 2.0% over the period. Neither many new short sellers have arrived nor many positions been closed.

What matters is when the curve starts to move. This is how shorting works: whoever shorts has borrowed the share and sold it, and to close the position again they must buy the share back. When short interest falls, shares are being bought back. So it is worth watching the trend, not just today's number.
The stock has a moderate share of short selling. Between 2-5% of the freely traded shares are sold short, which is within the normal range for most stocks.

Short interest comes from our data provider EODHD. The figure is reported about twice a month; we check it every trading day.
Short Interest Scale
0% 2% 5% 10% 20%+
Low Moderate High Very High Extreme
▲
2.0%

When Does Caterpillar Report Earnings – Next Date: Nov 4, 2026

The next earnings report from Caterpillar is scheduled for November 4, 2026. This report covers the third quarter (Q3), which ended on September 30, 2026.



Technical Analysis of Caterpillar 2026 – Signal: Strong Buy

Overall Technical Signal: Strong Buy

Based on trend analysis (SMA50/SMA200) and MACD trend (positive/negative on a daily + weekly basis). Updated October 7, 2026.

Technical analysis of Caterpillar (CAT.US) – RSI 63, MACD positive (bullish), daily candlestick chart October 2026
Caterpillar technical analysis – candlestick chart with RSI, MACD and volume profile. Updated Oct 7, 2026.

Trend Analysis of Caterpillar Inc

Caterpillar Inc is in a short-term uptrend. The price of $863.44 is 5.9% above the 20-day average ($815.05). Medium term, the picture is positive: the price is 5.0% above the 50-day average ($822.44). Long term, the stock is 8.4% above the 200-day average ($796.17), which confirms a long-term uptrend.

Golden Cross: The 50-day average (822.44) is above the 200-day average (796.17), which is a classic bullish signal for Caterpillar Inc.

Is Caterpillar Inc overbought or oversold?

Caterpillar Inc has an RSI of 63.4. The stock shows positive momentum in the upper part of the neutral zone. Combined with the positive trend, this supports the bullish picture.

MACD Analysis for Caterpillar Inc

Daily MACD: MACD is positive (6.225), which means the short-term trend is bullish (the 12-day EMA is above the 26-day EMA). MACD is above the signal line (-1.081) by 7.306, which confirms rising momentum in the uptrend.

Weekly MACD: MACD5 is positive (14.542), which indicates a broader bullish long-term trend. MACD5 is below the signal line (34.022) by 19.480, which suggests the long-term momentum is fading – the positive trend could come under pressure.

Overall MACD assessment: Both the daily and weekly trend are bullish (MACD positive). However, momentum shows signs of weakening on a weekly basis. Watch whether the trend holds.

Risk Profile for Caterpillar Inc

Caterpillar Inc has an annual standard deviation of 39.9%, which classifies the stock as medium risk. The price can swing noticeably when the market moves.

Overall Technical Conclusion for Caterpillar Inc

Trend: Positive. The price trades above SMA50 and SMA200.

MACD trend (zero line): Daily bullish (6.225). Weekly bullish (14.542).

MACD momentum (signal): Daily rising. Weekly falling.

RSI: 63.4 – neutral.

Technical signal: Strong Buy

The price is in an uptrend (above SMA50/SMA200) and MACD is positive on both a daily and weekly basis. Trend and MACD trend confirm each other – the strongest technical buy signal.

Frequently Asked Questions About Caterpillar stock in 2026

Should you buy Caterpillar stock now?
Yes, the technical signal for Caterpillar is currently Strong Buy. Caterpillar trades at $863.44 as of Oct 7, 2026. The technical analysis shows the following: MACD is positive (bullish trend) at 6.225 with rising momentum (signal: -1.081); RSI is at 63.4 (neutral zone); the stock is in a short-term uptrend (price above the 20-day average); the analyst price target of $970.80 points to 12.4% upside. The stock is in a broader uptrend (above SMA50/SMA200). This is a technical observation based on current data, not investment advice.
What is the price target for Caterpillar stock?
The average analyst price target for Caterpillar is $970.80. The current price is $863.44, which gives an upside of 12.4%. Based on this, the stock is considered undervalued. The fair value range (±10% of the price target) is between $873.72 and $1,067.88.
Is Caterpillar a dividend stock?
Yes, Caterpillar is a dividend stock with a dividend yield of 0.73%. The latest dividend was $1.63 per share. The latest ex-dividend date (traded without the dividend) was Jul 20, 2026. The payout ratio is 25.9%, which is considered sustainable.
When does Caterpillar pay a dividend in 2026?
The next dividend date for Caterpillar has not been set yet. The latest ex-dividend date (last trading day with dividend rights) was Jul 20, 2026. The latest dividend was $1.63 per share with an ex-dividend date of Jul 20, 2026. The dividend yield is 0.73%. The payout ratio of 25.9% points to a sustainable dividend with room to grow.
What is the risk of Caterpillar stock?
Caterpillar is rated as a stock in the risk category Moderate. the annual standard deviation is 39.9%, which classifies the stock as Moderate.
Is Caterpillar overvalued?
No, Caterpillar is considered undervalued based on the analyst price target (12.4% upside). Caterpillar has the following valuation ratios: a P/E ratio of 36.5 (highly valued), a P/S ratio of 5.2, a P/B ratio of 19.2. The analyst price target suggests that the stock is undervalued by 12.4%.
Is Caterpillar overbought?
No, Caterpillar is not overbought. RSI is at 63.4 (neutral zone). The technical indicators show: RSI is at 63.4 (upper neutral zone), which shows positive momentum but is not yet overbought. In addition, the price is 5.9% above the 20-day average (short-term uptrend). In addition, MACD is positive with rising momentum (bullish).
When is the next Caterpillar earnings report?
Caterpillar reports its next earnings on November 4, 2026. The stock currently trades at $863.44. With a P/E ratio of 36.5, the market will be watching closely whether earnings meet expectations.
Is Caterpillar shorted?
Yes, Caterpillar is shorted with 2.0% of the free float sold short. This is a moderate level of short selling, within the normal range for most stocks. The figure comes from our data provider EODHD, is reported about twice a month, and we check it every trading day.
Are insiders buying Caterpillar stock?
No, insiders are not buying Caterpillar shares – they are net sellers. Over the last 3 months, insiders have made 0 purchases and 1 sales. On a net basis, 36,131,609 $ worth of shares were sold. Across the last 20 reported transactions, the split is 1 purchases and 19 sales, with a net 155,888,869 $ sold. Active sellers include Creed Joseph E, Johnson Denise C, Schaupp William E and others. Insider selling can have several explanations (e.g. planned 10b5-1 sales, portfolio diversification or taxes), but sustained selling by several insiders is worth watching closely.
Is Caterpillar a good stock?
Based on our total score, Caterpillar is rated as a mediocre stock with a total score of 54 out of 100. The stock scores around average on value, quality and momentum – it sits near the median in our database. The score is made up of Value: 22/100, Quality: 82/100, Momentum: 60/100. In addition: analysts see 12.4% upside to the price target; a dividend of 0.73%; technical signal: Strong Buy. Whether Caterpillar is a good investment depends on your time horizon, risk profile and portfolio. This is a data-driven observation, not investment advice.
What is the outlook for Caterpillar stock?
The outlook for Caterpillar based on current data: the average analyst price target is $970.80 (+12.4%); the stock is in an uptrend (above SMA50 and SMA200); the next earnings report is due on Nov 4, 2026, which can move the price; the P/E ratio is 36.5 (high – the market expects growth). Keep in mind that stock prices are affected by many factors, including earnings reports, the economy and market sentiment. Past returns are no guarantee of future returns.
Why is Caterpillar stock rising?
Caterpillar is rising right now. The technical indicators show: the price is 5.9% above the 20-day average; MACD is positive with rising momentum (bullish signal); insiders have mostly been selling the stock recently. For the latest context, see our technical analysis and insider section above.
How high can Caterpillar go?
The average analyst price target for Caterpillar is $970.80, which corresponds to a potential gain of 12.4% from the current price of $863.44. The stock has traded between $484.97 and $1,071.47 over the last 52 weeks. Keep in mind that price targets are estimates, not guarantees. Actual price moves depend on earnings, market conditions and unexpected events.
How low can Caterpillar fall?
The stock has traded as low as $484.97 over the last 52 weeks — that is 43.8% below the current price of $863.44. The biggest decline (drawdown) in the same period was 54.7% from high to low. Within a year, the price typically swings about ±39.9% (standard deviation — a measure of price swings). A difficult year could therefore mean a further decline of that size. Remember: past price swings are no guarantee for the future — a stock can fall further than the last 52 weeks suggest, especially on profit warnings, sector crises or a market crash. Use stop-loss orders and spread your portfolio to limit losses in single stocks.
What does Caterpillar do?
Caterpillar Inc. makes and sells the machines that build the world. The company mainly earns money by producing equipment for construction and mining, sold globally. Caterpillar is known for its large yellow machines. It also runs a big business selling diesel engines and gas... The company belongs to the Industrials sector, more specifically the Farm & Heavy Construction Machinery industry, is headquartered in United States, and is traded on the USA Stocks. See the key figures, earnings history and price development above to evaluate Caterpillar as an investment.
Did Caterpillar raise or lower its guidance?
Over the last 60 days we have not registered a guidance raise or cut from Caterpillar. The company can still adjust its guidance at quarterly reports or between reports — see the earnings history above.
Is Caterpillar making money or losing money?
Yes, Caterpillar is making money, not losing it. The company has a profit margin (the share of revenue left over as profit) of 14.5% — which is solid. The operating margin (profit before interest and taxes) is 22.2%. At a P/E ratio of 36.5, you currently pay 36.5 dollars for every dollar of the company's annual earnings. A consistently profitable company is usually more resilient than growth stocks that are not yet making money.
Can Caterpillar go bankrupt?
The bankruptcy risk of Caterpillar is rated as low. Altman Z2 (a model for assessing financial distress) is 4.39 — that places the company in the healthy zone. The company has a healthy balance sheet with limited debt relative to earnings and assets. The Piotroski score (financial health 0-9, higher is better) is 8 — which is strong. Debt relative to equity is 350% (high). Remember: models like Altman Z2 are statistical — unexpected shocks (fraud, a sector collapse, lawsuits) can always happen. Spread your portfolio.
Does Caterpillar have a lot of debt?
Yes, Caterpillar has elevated debt relative to equity. The debt-to-equity ratio (D/E — interest-bearing debt to equity) is 350%. For the industrials sector, anything above 200% counts as elevated — that raises the financial risk, especially if interest rates rise or earnings fall. Industrial companies often sit at 100-200% because of heavy production assets and long order books. Note: D/E levels are highly sector-specific — a bank at 300% debt is normal, a tech stock at 300% is extremely leveraged. Always compare with similar companies in the same sector. Can Caterpillar service its debt? Can service its debt without problems — the interest coverage ratio (how many times earnings can cover interest payments) is 34.8x, and net debt equals 2.4 years of earnings (EBITDA).

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