Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT) Shares Acquired by Gouws Capital LLC

Key Points

• Gouws Capital LLC has increased its stake in Caterpillar Inc. by 6.6%, owning approximately $4.94 million worth of shares, making it the firm's 11th largest position.
• Analysts have shown positive sentiment towards Caterpillar, with several raising their price targets significantly, including Bank of America's increase from $460 to $495 and Melius Research setting a target of $500.
• Caterpillar recently declared an increased quarterly dividend of $1.51 per share, up from $1.41, reflecting a commitment to returning value to shareholders.

Gouws Capital LLC grew its holdings in Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT - Free Report) by 6.6% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 14,990 shares of the industrial products company's stock after acquiring an additional 928 shares during the period. Caterpillar comprises 3.0% of Gouws Capital LLC's holdings, making the stock its 11th biggest position. Gouws Capital LLC's holdings in Caterpillar were worth $4,944,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Investment Management Corp VA ADV acquired a new position in Caterpillar in the 4th quarter worth about $33,000. Curat Global LLC purchased a new stake in Caterpillar in the 1st quarter worth $33,000. Redmont Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Caterpillar during the first quarter valued at $33,000. Quarry LP acquired a new stake in shares of Caterpillar in the fourth quarter valued at about $35,000. Finally, Mpwm Advisory Solutions LLC acquired a new position in shares of Caterpillar during the 4th quarter worth about $36,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 70.98% of the company's stock.

Caterpillar Trading Up 0.9%

CAT traded up $3.70 during trading hours on Thursday, reaching $417.40. The company's stock had a trading volume of 3,673,206 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,759,396. The stock has a market cap of $195.54 billion, a PE ratio of 21.23, a P/E/G ratio of 2.46 and a beta of 1.40. Caterpillar Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $267.30 and a fifty-two week high of $441.15. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.50, a current ratio of 1.34 and a quick ratio of 0.81. The business's 50-day moving average is $397.18 and its 200-day moving average is $355.91.

Caterpillar (NYSE:CAT - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly 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). The business had revenue of $16.57 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $16.14 billion. Caterpillar had a net margin of 14.95% and a return on equity of 48.95%. The business's revenue for the quarter was down .7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the company earned $5.99 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Caterpillar Inc. will post 19.86 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Caterpillar Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, August 20th. Investors of record on Monday, July 21st will be issued a $1.51 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, July 21st. This represents a $6.04 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.4%. This is a boost from Caterpillar's previous quarterly dividend of $1.41. Caterpillar's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 30.72%.

Insider Activity

In related news, insider Jason Kaiser sold 2,161 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $417.70, for a total transaction of $902,649.70. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider directly owned 8,632 shares in the company, valued at $3,605,586.40. This trade represents a 20.02% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Corporate insiders own 0.33% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts recently issued reports on the company. DA Davidson lifted their price objective on Caterpillar from $331.00 to $388.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a report on Tuesday, July 22nd. Barclays lifted their price target on Caterpillar from $383.00 to $425.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 6th. Sanford C. Bernstein reissued a "market perform" rating on shares of Caterpillar in a research note on Monday, July 14th. Robert W. Baird lifted their target price on shares of Caterpillar from $395.00 to $422.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research note on Friday, June 20th. Finally, Evercore ISI reduced their target price on shares of Caterpillar from $375.00 to $373.00 and set an "in-line" rating for the company in a research report on Monday, May 19th. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, ten have issued a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $444.00.

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.