Caterpillar Inc. $CAT Stock: Sigma Investment Counselors Inc. Boosts Stake

Sigma Investment Counselors Inc. grew its stake in shares of Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT) by 9.6% in the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 20,333 shares of the industrial products company’s stock after buying an additional 1,786 shares during the period. Caterpillar makes up 0.8% of Sigma Investment Counselors Inc.’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 29th biggest holding. Sigma Investment Counselors Inc.’s holdings in Caterpillar were worth $16,486,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in CAT. BlackRock Inc. bought a new position in Caterpillar during the second quarter valued at about $40,457,153,000. State Street Corp raised its holdings in Caterpillar by 4.0% in the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 36,276,960 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $37,120,529,000 after acquiring an additional 1,396,356 shares in the last quarter. Bank of America Corp DE acquired a new position in Caterpillar in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $5,818,150,000. Bank of New York Mellon Corp bought a new stake in shares of Caterpillar in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $3,192,710,000. Finally, Legal & General Group Plc bought a new stake in shares of Caterpillar in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $2,783,451,000. Institutional investors own 70.98% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several analysts have recently weighed in on CAT shares. Truist Financial decreased their price objective on Caterpillar from $1,225.00 to $1,100.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Monday, October 5th. President Capital initiated coverage on Caterpillar in a research note on Friday, September 18th. They issued a “buy” rating and a $999.00 target price for the company. Robert W. Baird set a $970.00 target price on Caterpillar in a research report on Wednesday, August 5th. Weiss Ratings upgraded shares of Caterpillar from a “buy (b-)” rating to a “buy (b)” rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 14th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada boosted their price target on shares of Caterpillar from $877.00 to $897.00 and gave the company a “sector perform” rating in a report on Wednesday, August 5th. Fifteen investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and twelve have issued a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Caterpillar presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $947.42.

Caterpillar Trading Up 3.2%

CAT stock opened at $714.14 on Wednesday. Caterpillar Inc. has a 1-year low of $521.67 and a 1-year high of $1,073.46. The business’s 50 day moving average is $792.99 and its 200-day moving average is $806.88. The firm has a market cap of $328.27 billion, a P/E ratio of 30.73 and a beta of 1.58.

Caterpillar (NYSE:CAT) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, August 4th. The industrial products company reported $8.17 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $6.22 by $1.95. The company had revenue of $20.54 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $19.34 billion. Caterpillar’s quarterly revenue was up 23.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $4.72 EPS. Sell-side analysts forecast that Caterpillar Inc. will post 27.74 EPS for the current year.

Caterpillar Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, November 19th. Shareholders of record on Monday, October 26th will be paid a dividend of $1.63 per share. This represents a $6.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.9%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, October 26th. Caterpillar’s dividend payout ratio is currently 28.06%.

Key Caterpillar News

Here are the key news stories impacting Caterpillar this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Strong backlog and AI-related demand: Caterpillar’s power-generation equipment is benefiting from data-center and artificial-intelligence infrastructure spending. The company reportedly has a record $72 billion backlog, with orders extending through 2030, supporting a favorable long-term growth outlook. Learn Why The Bull Case For Caterpillar Could Change Following AI Power Demand
• Positive Sentiment: Upcoming earnings catalyst: Analysts expect another quarter of revenue and earnings growth when Caterpillar reports on October 29. A recent estimate increase from Erste Group adds to the positive pre-earnings sentiment. Erste Group Bank Raises Earnings Estimates for Caterpillar
• Positive Sentiment: Shareholder returns and capacity expansion: Caterpillar confirmed a $1.63 quarterly dividend payable November 19 and is investing approximately $1 billion in North Carolina to expand compact-equipment manufacturing. These developments reinforce the company’s income appeal and capacity to serve demand. Caterpillar vs. Deere: Which Heavy Equipment Dividend Is Growing Faster?
• Neutral Sentiment: Leadership transition: Resource Industries head Denise Johnson plans to retire in early 2027, with Derrick York named as her successor. The planned handoff provides continuity, although investors may monitor execution in the mining business. Caterpillar Taps Derrick York as Denise Johnson Sets Early 2027 Retirement
• Negative Sentiment: Tariff and legal risks: Rising tariffs could pressure Caterpillar’s margins, while the company is pursuing a significant legal challenge involving the United Kingdom’s post-Brexit tariffs. The outcome could affect costs and trade flexibility. Caterpillar Mounts Landmark Legal Test of UK’s Post-Brexit Tariffs

Insider Activity

In other Caterpillar news, CEO Joseph E. Creed sold 32,401 shares of Caterpillar stock in a transaction on Friday, August 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $808.98, for a total transaction of $26,211,760.98. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 34,555 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $27,954,303.90. This trade represents a 48.39% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Insiders own 0.33% of the company’s stock.

Caterpillar Profile

Caterpillar Inc is a manufacturer of construction, mining, and industrial equipment. Its product portfolio includes excavators, bulldozers, wheel loaders, motor graders, articulated trucks, and other machinery used in construction, infrastructure development, mining, quarrying, forestry, and related industries. The company also produces diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines, generator sets, and other power-generation and transportation equipment.

Caterpillar operates through businesses focused on construction industries, resource industries, and energy and transportation.