Caterpillar Inc. $CAT Shares Acquired by Valeo Financial Advisors LLC

Key Points

• Valeo Financial Advisors LLC significantly increased its stake in Caterpillar Inc. by over 36,000% in the second quarter, acquiring a total of 7,299,751 shares, making Caterpillar the firm's third largest holding.
• A number of analysts have recently upgraded Caterpillar's stock rating, with several setting price targets as high as $520.00, indicating strong expectations for future performance.
• Insider trading activity saw a notable sell-off, with Director Susan C. Schwab and insider Jason Kaiser selling shares amounting to over $1.85 million combined, reflecting a significant decrease in their respective positions.

Valeo Financial Advisors LLC boosted its stake in Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT - Free Report) by 36,842.1% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 7,299,751 shares of the industrial products company's stock after buying an additional 7,279,991 shares during the period. Caterpillar accounts for approximately 8.6% of Valeo Financial Advisors LLC's investment portfolio, making the stock its 3rd largest holding. Valeo Financial Advisors LLC owned 1.55% of Caterpillar worth $2,833,836,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. GSB Wealth Management LLC increased its position in Caterpillar by 1.2% in the 2nd quarter. GSB Wealth Management LLC now owns 2,143 shares of the industrial products company's stock valued at $832,000 after acquiring an additional 26 shares during the period. Verum Partners LLC grew its stake in shares of Caterpillar by 2.5% in the second quarter. Verum Partners LLC now owns 1,059 shares of the industrial products company's stock worth $411,000 after purchasing an additional 26 shares in the last quarter. Vanguard Capital Wealth Advisors raised its stake in shares of Caterpillar by 0.8% during the second quarter. Vanguard Capital Wealth Advisors now owns 3,575 shares of the industrial products company's stock valued at $1,388,000 after purchasing an additional 27 shares in the last quarter. Thurston Springer Miller Herd & Titak Inc. lifted its holdings in Caterpillar by 2.4% in the second quarter. Thurston Springer Miller Herd & Titak Inc. now owns 1,216 shares of the industrial products company's stock worth $472,000 after purchasing an additional 29 shares during the period. Finally, McAdam LLC increased its stake in Caterpillar by 1.6% during the 2nd quarter. McAdam LLC now owns 1,872 shares of the industrial products company's stock valued at $727,000 after buying an additional 29 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 70.98% of the company's stock.

Insider Buying and Selling at Caterpillar

In related news, Director Susan C. Schwab sold 2,324 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, August 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $410.00, for a total value 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. This represents a 25.15% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, insider Jason Kaiser sold 2,161 shares of Caterpillar stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $417.70, for a total value of $902,649.70. Following the transaction, the insider directly owned 8,632 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,605,586.40. This trade represents a 20.02% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 38,819 shares of company stock valued at $16,885,492 in the last three months. 0.33% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of analysts have recently weighed in on CAT shares. Melius raised shares of Caterpillar from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating and set a $500.00 price target for the company in a research note on Wednesday, July 9th. Jefferies Financial Group restated a "buy" rating and issued a $500.00 target price on shares of Caterpillar in a research report on Friday, August 29th. Citigroup reissued a "buy" rating on shares of Caterpillar in a research note on Tuesday, September 23rd. DA Davidson raised their target price on Caterpillar from $331.00 to $388.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 22nd. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price target on shares of Caterpillar from $475.00 to $520.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 6th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have issued a Buy rating and five have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $466.53.

Caterpillar Trading Up 1.6%

Shares of CAT opened at $498.48 on Monday. The business's 50-day moving average price is $436.99 and its 200 day moving average price is $379.06. The company has a current ratio of 1.34, a quick ratio of 0.81 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.50. The stock has a market capitalization of $233.53 billion, a P/E ratio of 25.35, a P/E/G ratio of 3.03 and a beta of 1.46. Caterpillar Inc. has a 1-year low of $267.30 and a 1-year high of $504.48.

Caterpillar (NYSE:CAT - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, August 5th. The industrial products company reported $4.72 EPS 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 during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $16.14 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $5.99 earnings per share. The business's quarterly revenue was down .7% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts expect that Caterpillar Inc. will post 19.86 earnings per share for the current year.

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.

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