Aware Super Pty Ltd as trustee of Aware Super Takes $52.27 Million Position in Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT)

Aware Super Pty Ltd as trustee of Aware Super bought a new position in Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT - Free Report) in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor bought 144,094 shares of the industrial products company's stock, valued at approximately $52,272,000. Caterpillar accounts for 0.8% of Aware Super Pty Ltd as trustee of Aware Super's holdings, making the stock its 16th biggest holding.

Several other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in CAT. Canada Post Corp Registered Pension Plan purchased a new position in Caterpillar during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $10,130,000. LaSalle St. Investment Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of Caterpillar by 157.7% in the 4th quarter. LaSalle St. Investment Advisors LLC now owns 1,974 shares of the industrial products company's stock valued at $716,000 after acquiring an additional 1,208 shares during the period. Belpointe Asset Management LLC raised its position in shares of Caterpillar by 23.0% in the 4th quarter. Belpointe Asset Management LLC now owns 3,682 shares of the industrial products company's stock worth $1,311,000 after acquiring an additional 688 shares in the last quarter. Mariner LLC lifted its stake in shares of Caterpillar by 2.8% during the 4th quarter. Mariner LLC now owns 231,214 shares of the industrial products company's stock worth $83,875,000 after purchasing an additional 6,261 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Cohen & Steers Inc. boosted its position in Caterpillar by 22.0% during the fourth quarter. Cohen & Steers Inc. now owns 921 shares of the industrial products company's stock valued at $334,000 after purchasing an additional 166 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 70.98% of the company's stock.

Caterpillar Stock Performance

Shares of Caterpillar stock traded up $3.68 during trading on Friday, hitting $293.82. 2,716,340 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,638,071. The stock has a market capitalization of $140.42 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.31, a PEG ratio of 1.87 and a beta of 1.21. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $328.46 and a 200-day simple moving average of $364.66. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.40, a quick ratio of 0.89 and a current ratio of 1.42. Caterpillar Inc. has a 52-week low of $267.30 and a 52-week high of $418.50.

Caterpillar (NYSE:CAT - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 30th. The industrial products company reported $5.14 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $4.97 by $0.17. Caterpillar had a return on equity of 58.18% and a net margin of 16.65%. On average, research analysts forecast that Caterpillar Inc. will post 19.86 EPS for the current year.

Caterpillar Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, May 20th. Stockholders of record on Monday, April 21st will be issued a dividend of $1.41 per share. This represents a $5.64 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.92%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, April 21st. Caterpillar's payout ratio is 25.56%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several analysts have commented on CAT shares. Morgan Stanley raised shares of Caterpillar from an "underweight" rating to an "equal weight" rating and decreased their price target for the company from $300.00 to $283.00 in a research report on Wednesday. StockNews.com downgraded shares of Caterpillar from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 25th. UBS Group raised Caterpillar from a "sell" rating to a "neutral" rating and upped their price target for the stock from $355.00 to $385.00 in a research report on Monday, February 3rd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price objective on Caterpillar from $490.00 to $380.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research report on Monday. Finally, Evercore ISI increased their price target on Caterpillar from $365.00 to $375.00 and gave the company an "in-line" rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 19th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have issued a hold rating and eight have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $361.64.

Insider Buying and Selling at Caterpillar

In other news, insider Jason Kaiser sold 2,425 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $354.70, for a total value of $860,147.50. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 6,275 shares of the company's stock, valued at $2,225,742.50. This represents a 27.87 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, Director Gerald Johnson purchased 100 shares of Caterpillar stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 4th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $365.57 per share, for a total transaction of $36,557.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 3,053 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,116,085.21. This trade represents a 3.39 % increase in their position. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. 0.29% of the stock is owned by insiders.

About Caterpillar

Caterpillar Inc manufactures and sells construction and mining equipment, off-highway diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines, and diesel-electric locomotives in worldwide. Its Construction Industries segment offers asphalt pavers, compactors, road reclaimers, forestry machines, cold planers, material handlers, track-type tractors, excavators, telehandlers, motor graders, and pipelayers; compact track, wheel, track-type, backhoe, and skid steer loaders; and related parts and tools.