Caterpillar (CAT) Set to Announce Quarterly Earnings on Thursday

Caterpillar (NYSE:CAT - Get Free Report) will be posting its quarterly earnings results before the market opens on Thursday, April 25th. Analysts expect Caterpillar to post earnings of $5.11 per share for the quarter. Individual interested in registering for the company's earnings conference call can do so using this link.

Caterpillar (NYSE:CAT - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Monday, February 5th. The industrial products company reported $5.23 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $4.76 by $0.47. Caterpillar had a net margin of 15.41% and a return on equity of 56.99%. The business had revenue of $17.07 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $17.06 billion. During the same period last year, the firm earned $3.86 earnings per share. The company's quarterly revenue was up 2.8% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts expect Caterpillar to post $21 EPS for the current fiscal year and $23 EPS for the next fiscal year.

Caterpillar Stock Performance

CAT traded down $0.39 during trading on Thursday, hitting $357.93. The company's stock had a trading volume of 1,919,696 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,434,640. The company has a quick ratio of 0.87, a current ratio of 1.35 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.25. Caterpillar has a one year low of $204.04 and a one year high of $382.01. The firm has a market cap of $178.75 billion, a PE ratio of 17.77, a P/E/G ratio of 1.60 and a beta of 1.17. The business's 50 day simple moving average is $345.95 and its 200-day simple moving average is $297.21.

Caterpillar Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, May 20th. Shareholders of record on Monday, April 22nd will be given a $1.30 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, April 19th. This represents a $5.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.45%. Caterpillar's payout ratio is presently 25.82%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price objective on shares of Caterpillar from $385.00 to $435.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Tuesday. Robert W. Baird increased their price objective on shares of Caterpillar from $210.00 to $257.00 and gave the stock an "underperform" rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 6th. Wells Fargo & Company raised their target price on shares of Caterpillar from $290.00 to $325.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 6th. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their price target on shares of Caterpillar from $357.00 to $408.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Tuesday. Finally, Citigroup lifted their price target on shares of Caterpillar from $255.00 to $340.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a report on Monday, February 12th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have assigned a hold rating and nine have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $307.56.

Insider Transactions at Caterpillar

In related news, insider Anthony D. Fassino sold 4,575 shares of Caterpillar stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $329.80, for a total transaction of $1,508,835.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 23,474 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $7,741,725.20. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In related news, insider Lange Bob De sold 21,194 shares of Caterpillar stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $325.52, for a total transaction of $6,899,070.88. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 61,092 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $19,886,667.84. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, insider Anthony D. Fassino sold 4,575 shares of Caterpillar stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $329.80, for a total transaction of $1,508,835.00. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 23,474 shares of the company's stock, valued at $7,741,725.20. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 45,769 shares of company stock worth $14,509,306 in the last three months. Insiders own 0.33% of the company's stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Caterpillar

Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. FIL Ltd purchased a new stake in Caterpillar in the 4th quarter valued at about $365,000. Burford Brothers Inc. purchased a new stake in Caterpillar in the 4th quarter valued at about $468,000. Hobbs Group Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Caterpillar in the 4th quarter valued at about $62,000. DRW Securities LLC boosted its position in Caterpillar by 26.0% in the 4th quarter. DRW Securities LLC now owns 2,169 shares of the industrial products company's stock valued at $641,000 after buying an additional 447 shares during the period. Finally, Harbour Investments Inc. boosted its position in Caterpillar by 8.0% in the 4th quarter. Harbour Investments Inc. now owns 6,359 shares of the industrial products company's stock valued at $1,880,000 after buying an additional 469 shares during the period. 70.98% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Caterpillar Company 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.