Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT) Holdings Decreased by Measured Wealth Private Client Group LLC

Key Points

• Measured Wealth Private Client Group LLC reduced its stake in Caterpillar Inc. by 47.2%, now holding 1,316 shares valued at approximately $434,000.
• Caterpillar has reported lower earnings per share at $4.72, missing analysts' expectations, while revenue decreased by 0.7% compared to the previous year.
• The company announced a dividend increase to $1.51 per share, payable on August 20th, reflecting a yield of 1.5% and a payout ratio of 30.72%.

Measured Wealth Private Client Group LLC decreased its stake in Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT - Free Report) by 47.2% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 1,316 shares of the industrial products company's stock after selling 1,176 shares during the period. Measured Wealth Private Client Group LLC's holdings in Caterpillar were worth $434,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the stock. Zions Bancorporation National Association UT bought a new stake in shares of Caterpillar in the 1st quarter worth approximately $417,000. Townsquare Capital LLC increased its position in Caterpillar by 1.8% in the 1st quarter. Townsquare Capital LLC now owns 34,895 shares of the industrial products company's stock valued at $11,509,000 after acquiring an additional 628 shares during the period. Founders Financial Alliance LLC increased its position in Caterpillar by 8.8% in the 1st quarter. Founders Financial Alliance LLC now owns 3,265 shares of the industrial products company's stock valued at $1,077,000 after acquiring an additional 263 shares during the period. Savvy Advisors Inc. increased its position in Caterpillar by 5.6% in the 1st quarter. Savvy Advisors Inc. now owns 4,267 shares of the industrial products company's stock valued at $1,407,000 after acquiring an additional 227 shares during the period. Finally, LaSalle St. Investment Advisors LLC increased its position in Caterpillar by 13.7% in the 1st quarter. LaSalle St. Investment Advisors LLC now owns 2,245 shares of the industrial products company's stock valued at $740,000 after acquiring an additional 271 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 70.98% of the company's stock.

Caterpillar Price Performance

Shares of CAT traded up $3.67 during trading hours on Tuesday, hitting $412.21. 2,764,597 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,742,564. The company has a market capitalization of $193.11 billion, a PE ratio of 20.97, a PEG ratio of 2.47 and a beta of 1.40. 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 firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $394.65 and a 200-day simple moving average of $355.11. Caterpillar Inc. has a one year low of $267.30 and a one year high of $441.15.

Caterpillar (NYSE:CAT - Get Free Report) last released 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). The company had revenue of $16.57 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $16.14 billion. Caterpillar had a return on equity of 48.95% and a net margin of 14.95%. The business's revenue was down .7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $5.99 earnings per share. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Caterpillar Inc. will post 19.86 earnings per share for the current year.

Caterpillar Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, August 20th. Stockholders of record on Monday, July 21st will be issued a dividend of $1.51 per share. This is a positive change from Caterpillar's previous quarterly dividend of $1.41. This represents a $6.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.5%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, July 21st. Caterpillar's dividend payout ratio is presently 30.72%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

CAT has been the topic of several analyst reports. Citigroup raised their target price on Caterpillar from $460.00 to $500.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 6th. UBS Group upgraded Caterpillar from a "sell" rating to a "neutral" rating and raised their target price for the company from $272.00 to $357.00 in a research report on Friday, May 16th. Barclays raised their target price on Caterpillar from $383.00 to $425.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 6th. Robert W. Baird raised their target price on Caterpillar from $395.00 to $422.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research report on Friday, June 20th. Finally, Evercore ISI lowered their price target on Caterpillar from $375.00 to $373.00 and set an "in-line" rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, May 19th. Seven research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, ten have issued a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Caterpillar currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $444.00.

Caterpillar Profile

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.