Q1 EPS Estimates for Caterpillar Raised by Zacks Research

Key Points

• Zacks Research raised its Q1 2026 EPS estimate for Caterpillar to $4.44 (from $4.41) and provided forward EPS estimates including Q3 2026 $5.66 and a consensus full‑year EPS of $19.86.
• Several brokers have lifted price targets (JPMorgan to $860, HSBC to $850, among others), leaving Caterpillar with an average target of $741.68 and a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" (16 Buy, 7 Hold, 1 Sell).
• Caterpillar announced a quarterly dividend of $1.51 payable May 19 (ex‑dividend April 20), representing a $6.04 annualized payout and a ~0.8% yield.

Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT - Free Report) - Analysts at Zacks Research upped their Q1 2026 EPS estimates for shares of Caterpillar in a research note issued to investors on Thursday, April 9th. Zacks Research analyst Team now anticipates that the industrial products company will post earnings per share of $4.44 for the quarter, up from their prior forecast of $4.41. The consensus estimate for Caterpillar's current full-year earnings is $19.86 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Caterpillar's Q3 2026 earnings at $5.66 EPS, Q3 2027 earnings at $6.00 EPS and Q4 2027 earnings at $7.36 EPS.

Caterpillar (NYSE:CAT - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 29th. The industrial products company reported $5.16 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $4.67 by $0.49. Caterpillar had a net margin of 13.14% and a return on equity of 45.76%. The company had revenue of $19.13 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $17.81 billion. During the same period last year, the company posted $5.14 EPS. Caterpillar's revenue was up 17.9% on a year-over-year basis.

Other research analysts have also recently issued reports about the stock. Daiwa Securities Group lifted their price target on shares of Caterpillar from $640.00 to $790.00 in a research report on Wednesday, February 25th. Truist Financial lifted their price target on shares of Caterpillar from $729.00 to $786.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Monday, February 2nd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their target price on shares of Caterpillar from $765.00 to $860.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Wednesday, March 4th. Rothschild & Co Redburn lifted their target price on shares of Caterpillar from $650.00 to $700.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a report on Wednesday, February 4th. Finally, HSBC lifted their target price on shares of Caterpillar from $660.00 to $850.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Thursday, February 5th. Sixteen investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, seven have assigned a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Caterpillar currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $741.68.

Caterpillar Trading Down 0.0%

Shares of NYSE CAT opened at $790.60 on Monday. Caterpillar has a 1 year low of $282.46 and a 1 year high of $797.85. The stock has a market cap of $367.85 billion, a P/E ratio of 42.01, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.86 and a beta of 1.52. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $726.61 and a 200 day moving average of $625.39. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.44, a current ratio of 1.44 and a quick ratio of 0.94.

Caterpillar Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, May 19th. Shareholders of record on Monday, April 20th will be issued a $1.51 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, April 20th. This represents a $6.04 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.8%. Caterpillar's payout ratio is 32.09%.

Insider Activity

In other news, insider Lange Bob De sold 22,656 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $720.11, for a total transaction of $16,314,812.16. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider directly owned 79,953 shares of the company's stock, valued at $57,574,954.83. The trade was a 22.08% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, insider Anthony D. Fassino sold 10,671 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $680.45, for a total transaction of $7,261,081.95. Following the transaction, the insider directly owned 41,151 shares of the company's stock, valued at $28,001,197.95. The trade was a 20.59% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders sold 125,950 shares of company stock valued at $88,577,390 over the last three months. Corporate insiders own 0.33% of the company's stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in CAT. Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund boosted its position in shares of Caterpillar by 7.3% in the third quarter. Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund now owns 17,262 shares of the industrial products company's stock worth $8,237,000 after purchasing an additional 1,181 shares during the period. Union Bancaire Privee UBP SA boosted its position in shares of Caterpillar by 155.9% in the third quarter. Union Bancaire Privee UBP SA now owns 47,231 shares of the industrial products company's stock worth $21,014,000 after purchasing an additional 28,773 shares during the period. Caprock Group LLC bought a new position in shares of Caterpillar in the third quarter worth approximately $8,893,000. ZEGA Investments LLC boosted its position in shares of Caterpillar by 149.6% in the third quarter. ZEGA Investments LLC now owns 4,184 shares of the industrial products company's stock worth $1,996,000 after purchasing an additional 2,508 shares during the period. Finally, State of New Jersey Common Pension Fund D boosted its position in shares of Caterpillar by 2.5% in the third quarter. State of New Jersey Common Pension Fund D now owns 165,677 shares of the industrial products company's stock worth $79,053,000 after purchasing an additional 4,010 shares during the period. 70.98% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

More Caterpillar News

Here are the key news stories impacting Caterpillar this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Caterpillar named veteran finance executive Kyle Epley as incoming CFO (effective May 1), an internal succession that reduces transition risk and preserves continuity in financial strategy. Caterpillar Names Veteran Executive Kyle Epley as CFO
• Positive Sentiment: Company messaging and coverage highlight record quarterly and full‑year results and a strong backlog — supporting revenue/earnings momentum that underpins the stock move. Caterpillar CFO Change Highlights Record Results And Valuation Questions
• Positive Sentiment: Earlier dividend action prompted a sharp intraday rally (reports showed a ~6.5% move after the announcement), underscoring management’s shareholder‑friendly posture. Caterpillar NYSE: CAT Trading Up 6.5% After Dividend Announcement
• Positive Sentiment: Analysts (Zacks and others) nudged up near‑term EPS forecasts and reiterated longer‑term upside cases, which supports estimates and reduces uncertainty around upcoming quarters. Why Caterpillar (CAT) is a Top Stock for the Long-Term
• Positive Sentiment: High‑profile bullish commentary (e.g., Jim Cramer) has amplified investor interest and momentum in the shares. Jim Cramer Believes “CAT Is One of the Most Viable Stocks”
• Neutral Sentiment: Sanford C. Bernstein raised its price target to $769 but kept a "market perform" rating — a mixed signal: higher PT but no upgrade to outperform. Bernstein adjusts price target on Caterpillar to $769
• Negative Sentiment: Valuation and cyclicality remain risks: coverage notes high valuation metrics (elevated P/E) and dependence on metals/mining and energy cycles — a sharp downturn in those end markets could hit demand and the share price. Caterpillar CFO Change Highlights Record Results And Valuation Questions

Caterpillar Company Profile

Caterpillar Inc is a global manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines and locomotives. The company's product portfolio includes earthmoving machines such as excavators, bulldozers, wheel loaders and off‑highway trucks, as well as a range of power generation products including generator sets and power systems for industrial and commercial use. Caterpillar serves customers across heavy construction, mining, energy, transportation and related industries with both equipment and integrated technology solutions.

In addition to manufacturing, Caterpillar provides a broad range of aftermarket parts and support services, including maintenance, repair, remanufacturing and fleet management tools.

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