FY2026 EPS Estimates for Caterpillar Increased by Analyst

Key Points

• Zacks Research has raised its FY2026 earnings per share (EPS) estimate for Caterpillar to $19.43, from a previous estimate of $19.38, with current consensus for FY2023 EPS at $19.86.
• Recent earnings results showed Caterpillar reported an EPS of $4.72, missing the consensus estimate of $4.88, despite exceeding revenue expectations with $16.57 billion in revenue.
• Multiple analysts have raised their target prices for Caterpillar's stock, with Citigroup increasing their price objective to $500 and Robert W. Baird increasing it to $540.

Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT - Free Report) - Investment analysts at Zacks Research upped their FY2026 EPS estimates for shares of Caterpillar in a note issued to investors on Wednesday, September 17th. Zacks Research analyst Team now expects that the industrial products company will post earnings of $19.43 per share for the year, up from their previous estimate of $19.38. The consensus estimate for Caterpillar's current full-year earnings is $19.86 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Caterpillar's Q4 2026 earnings at $5.16 EPS, Q1 2027 earnings at $4.65 EPS and FY2027 earnings at $21.34 EPS.

Caterpillar (NYSE:CAT - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, August 5th. The industrial products company reported $4.72 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $4.88 by ($0.16). Caterpillar had a return on equity of 48.95% and a net margin of 14.95%.The firm had revenue of $16.57 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $16.14 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $5.99 earnings per share. The company's revenue for the quarter was down .7% on a year-over-year basis.

Several other research firms have also recently commented on CAT. Melius Research upgraded shares of Caterpillar from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating and set a $500.00 price target on the stock in a report on Wednesday, July 9th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price target on shares of Caterpillar from $475.00 to $520.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Wednesday, August 6th. Truist Financial boosted their price target on shares of Caterpillar from $414.00 to $507.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Wednesday, August 6th. Jefferies Financial Group restated a "buy" rating and set a $500.00 price target on shares of Caterpillar in a report on Friday, August 29th. Finally, Robert W. Baird boosted their price target on shares of Caterpillar from $495.00 to $540.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a report on Wednesday. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have assigned a Buy rating and five have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $460.20.

Caterpillar Stock Down 0.1%

Shares of Caterpillar stock traded down $0.34 on Friday, hitting $466.62. 5,066,694 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,369,601. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $425.21 and a 200 day moving average price of $369.34. The company has a quick ratio of 0.81, a current ratio of 1.34 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.50. Caterpillar has a 12-month low of $267.30 and a 12-month high of $472.12. The company has a market cap of $218.60 billion, a PE ratio of 23.73, a PEG ratio of 2.84 and a beta of 1.41.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Caterpillar

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of CAT. Valeo Financial Advisors LLC lifted its position in Caterpillar by 36,842.1% during the 2nd quarter. Valeo Financial Advisors LLC now owns 7,299,751 shares of the industrial products company's stock worth $2,833,836,000 after acquiring an additional 7,279,991 shares during the last quarter. Norges Bank acquired a new position in Caterpillar during the 2nd quarter worth $2,165,899,000. GAMMA Investing LLC lifted its position in Caterpillar by 43,447.3% during the 1st quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 3,730,259 shares of the industrial products company's stock worth $1,230,239,000 after acquiring an additional 3,721,693 shares during the last quarter. Pacer Advisors Inc. lifted its position in Caterpillar by 2,723.1% during the 1st quarter. Pacer Advisors Inc. now owns 1,414,280 shares of the industrial products company's stock worth $466,430,000 after acquiring an additional 1,364,183 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Nuveen LLC acquired a new position in Caterpillar during the 1st quarter worth $391,788,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 70.98% of the company's stock.

Insider Activity at Caterpillar

In related news, Chairman Donald J. Umpleby III sold 17,168 shares of Caterpillar stock in a transaction on Tuesday, September 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $412.87, for a total value of $7,088,152.16. Following the completion of the sale, the chairman owned 482,505 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $199,211,839.35. The trade was a 3.44% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, Director Susan C. Schwab sold 2,324 shares of Caterpillar stock in a transaction on Friday, August 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $410.00, for a total transaction of $952,840.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director directly owned 6,917 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $2,835,970. The trade was a 25.15% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders sold 21,653 shares of company stock valued at $8,943,642. Insiders own 0.33% of the company's stock.

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.