Kestra Private Wealth Services LLC Boosts Stake in Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT)

Kestra Private Wealth Services LLC increased its holdings in Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT - Free Report) by 4.0% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 47,068 shares of the industrial products company's stock after acquiring an additional 1,829 shares during the period. Kestra Private Wealth Services LLC's holdings in Caterpillar were worth $15,523,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. McIlrath & Eck LLC boosted its stake in shares of Caterpillar by 3.2% during the 4th quarter. McIlrath & Eck LLC now owns 962 shares of the industrial products company's stock valued at $349,000 after purchasing an additional 30 shares in the last quarter. Asset Management Group Inc. lifted its position in Caterpillar by 0.3% during the 4th quarter. Asset Management Group Inc. now owns 10,771 shares of the industrial products company's stock valued at $3,907,000 after acquiring an additional 32 shares during the period. Summit X LLC raised its holdings in Caterpillar by 3.2% in the first quarter. Summit X LLC now owns 1,025 shares of the industrial products company's stock worth $338,000 after buying an additional 32 shares during the last quarter. Dunhill Financial LLC raised its holdings in Caterpillar by 21.3% in the fourth quarter. Dunhill Financial LLC now owns 205 shares of the industrial products company's stock worth $75,000 after buying an additional 36 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Silvia Mccoll Wealth Management LLC raised its holdings in Caterpillar by 2.1% in the first quarter. Silvia Mccoll Wealth Management LLC now owns 1,752 shares of the industrial products company's stock worth $578,000 after buying an additional 36 shares during the last quarter. 70.98% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Caterpillar Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:CAT traded down $0.68 during trading on Monday, reaching $411.52. 1,021,040 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,502,642. The company has a current ratio of 1.32, a quick ratio of 0.77 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.43. The firm has a market cap of $193.84 billion, a PE ratio of 20.05, a PEG ratio of 2.74 and a beta of 1.38. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $369.61 and a 200-day moving average price of $349.62. Caterpillar Inc. has a 12 month low of $267.30 and a 12 month high of $419.90.

Caterpillar (NYSE:CAT - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, April 30th. The industrial products company reported $4.25 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $4.35 by ($0.10). The firm had revenue of $14.25 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $14.64 billion. Caterpillar had a net margin of 15.71% and a return on equity of 53.77%. The firm's revenue for the quarter was down 9.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $5.60 earnings per share. Research analysts expect that Caterpillar Inc. will post 19.86 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Caterpillar Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, August 20th. Shareholders of record on Monday, July 21st will be given a $1.51 dividend. This represents a $6.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.47%. This is an increase from Caterpillar's previous quarterly dividend of $1.41. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, July 21st. Caterpillar's dividend payout ratio is presently 27.49%.

Insider Transactions at Caterpillar

In other Caterpillar news, Director David Maclennan purchased 375 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 7th. The shares were bought at an average cost of $320.70 per share, for a total transaction of $120,262.50. Following the purchase, the director owned 6,653 shares of the company's stock, valued at $2,133,617.10. This represents a 5.97% increase in their position. The purchase was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. 0.33% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of brokerages recently weighed in on CAT. Morgan Stanley upgraded shares of Caterpillar from an "underweight" rating to an "equal weight" rating and dropped their target price for the stock from $300.00 to $283.00 in a research report on Wednesday, April 16th. Citigroup reiterated a "buy" rating and set a $420.00 price objective (up previously from $370.00) on shares of Caterpillar in a research report on Tuesday, June 24th. Oppenheimer increased their target price on shares of Caterpillar from $395.00 to $483.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research note on Thursday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their target price on shares of Caterpillar from $395.00 to $475.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research note on Thursday, July 10th. Finally, Robert W. Baird increased their target price on shares of Caterpillar from $395.00 to $422.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research note on Friday, June 20th. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, ten have given a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Caterpillar presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $415.53.

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.