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Caterpillar Inc (CAT) Fair Value & Analysis

Industrials · US · Market cap $432B

CI Caterpillar Inc logo Caterpillar Inc CAT · US
Price$856.96
Fair Value$307.83
Upside-64.1%
Quality65/100
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Healthy Growth
Solidly profitable · 13.3% net margin
Moderate debt · generates free cash flow
0.64% dividend yield
Mixed vs. peers (6/15)
Wide moat 76/100
Evidence: High Range $196.11 – $402.89 Share as image

Fair value as of: Jul 11, 2026

From 26 valuation models · updated 27 days ago

Share price −8.8% over the past month.

A solid business, but screening 64% overvalued on our models.

What matters now

  • The price sits above even our optimistic bull case ($402.89). The favourable scenario is already priced in.
  • Solid but not exceptional quality (65/100) and above fair value, neither a clear bargain nor a standout compounder.
  • A fairly wide model range ($196.11 to $402.89) leaves room in how you read the outcome.
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Price vs Fair Value (5 years)

$1,065 $152.64 Fair Value $307.83 May 2021 Aug 2026

White line = price, green steps = our fair value per fiscal year, dashed = 300-day average. As of Jul 11, 2026.

How to read this chart

60‑month range $152.64 – $1,065 · fair‑value band $196.11 – $402.89 · the $856.96 price screens above the $307.83 fair value. Green steps = our fair value per fiscal year (point-in-time, no hindsight). Dashed = 300-day average. As of Jul 11, 2026.

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Analysis

Caterpillar Inc (CAT) currently trades at $856.96, while our model-based Fair Value estimate is $307.83, implying the stock looks roughly 64.1% overvalued today. We read business quality at 65/100 (solid quality), in the Industrials sector. Bear case: priced above our estimate, the market already discounts strong expectations. Bull case: above-average quality can justify a premium, the entry price still matters most (evidence: high).

Over the trailing twelve months, Caterpillar Inc generated revenue of $70.8B at a net margin of 13.3%. Revenue grew 22.2% year over year. It earns a return on equity of 51.3%. Net debt stands at $33.4B. Fundamentals as of Jul 11, 2026

Our scenario range runs from $196.11 (bear case) to $402.89 (bull case); at $856.96, the current price sits above that range. Bear and bull are the same models run on conservative and optimistic assumptions (margins, growth, valuation multiples), so a plausible valuation range, not a price target. The share trades about 9% below its 52-week high and 145% above its 52-week low, currently above its 200-day average. For context, the median of 10 Industrials peers we cover trades at 30% fair-value upside, at -64%, CAT screens richer than that median.

Fair Value models

Each model estimates fair value its own way; the Fair Value above is the evidence-weighted blend. Evidence (0–100) measures how completely this model’s inputs are available: well-fed models carry more weight in the blend. The spread across models is intentional, each one stresses a different value driver; dividend models, for instance, come out structurally low when payout is small.

Model BearBaseBull Evidence
Highest evidence
Growth DCF $228.86 $373.10 $591.23 80
Residual Income $154.08 $231.36 $2,961 76
Rev-Margin DCF $185.73 $321.32 $478.16 74
All 26 models by family
DCF Models
FCF DCF $223.44 $385.67 $646.85 38
Owner Earnings $207.66 $360.35 $606.18 31
5Y Revenue Exit $185.73 $320.71 $492.42 39
5Y EBITDA Exit $214.23 $374.23 $560.43 41
5Y P/E Exit $216.48 $378.46 $548.40 38
10Y Revenue Exit $189.39 $317.97 $490.03 36
10Y EBITDA Exit $215.09 $356.07 $543.35 37
10Y P/E Exit $216.56 $359.08 $533.91 35
Earnings-Based
Graham-Dodd $131.00 $415.15 $553.12 54
Lynch FV $91.29 $130.42 $169.55 50
PEG = 1.0 $91.29 $130.42 $169.55 46
EPV $138.31 $170.65 $199.40 59
Dividend Discount
Gordon GGM $57.41 $125.34 $210.88 70
DDM Multi-Stage $57.41 $97.59 $130.62 61
Multiples
P/E Multiple $288.97 $385.29 $481.61 63
P/S Multiple $245.62 $327.49 $409.37 58
P/B Multiple $104.14 $138.85 $173.56 55
EV/EBIT $283.59 $393.11 $502.63 53
EV/EBITDA $240.20 $335.26 $430.32 54
EV/Revenue $176.50 $271.42 $366.34 43
Asset-Based
NCAV (Graham) $23.14 $31.01 $46.28 50
Growth DCF
Growth DCF $228.86 $373.10 $591.23 80
Rev-Margin DCF $185.73 $321.32 $478.16 74
Economic Profit
Residual Income $154.08 $231.36 $2,961 76
ROIC Compounder $152.79 $209.26 $276.83 72
Growth Earnings
Growth-Adj P/E $241.74 $345.34 $448.95 68

Widest divergence: DCF Models ($359.08) versus Asset-Based ($31.01). Highest evidence: Growth DCF (80).

Key figures & financial health

Revenue (TTM) $70.8B
Revenue growth (YoY) +22.2%
Net margin 13.3%
Return on equity 51.3%
Free cash flow $10.3B FY2025
P/E ratio 47.2
More key figures
Operating margin 18.2%
EPS (TTM) $19.89
Dividend yield 0.6%
EPS growth (YoY) +30.2%
Net debt $33.4B FY2025

Figures from reported company fundamentals · as of Jul 11, 2026. TTM = trailing twelve months.

Quality Score breakdown

Overall quality 65/100

Of which business quality 62 · Market factors (momentum, volatility) 63

Profitability 61
Margins and returns on capital today
Quality Growth 22
Are margins and returns improving?
Cashflow 68
Earnings quality: real cash, not paper profit
Fin. Strength 51
Balance sheet, leverage, solvency risk
Investment 72
Disciplined investing over empire-building
Low Volatility 32
Calm price path (market factor)
Momentum 72
Price trend over the last 3–12 months (market factor)
52W Momentum 84
Distance to the 52-week high (market factor)
Net Issuance 100
Buybacks instead of dilution

Non-valuation factor families (profitability, growth, cashflow, financial strength, momentum …), each academically grounded. Valuation itself sits in the Fair Value and is deliberately excluded here to avoid double-counting.

About the company

Caterpillar Inc. provides construction and mining equipment, off-highway diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines, and diesel-electric locomotives in the United States and internationally.

Full company description

Caterpillar Inc. provides construction and mining equipment, off-highway diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines, and diesel-electric locomotives in the United States and internationally. The Construction Industries segment offers asphalt pavers, cold planers, compactors, forestry machines, material handlers, motor graders, pipelayers, road reclaimers, telehandlers, track-type tractors, and track and wheel excavators; backhoe, compact track, skid steer, track-type, and wheel loaders; and related parts and work tools. Its Resource Industries segment provides electric rope and hydraulic shovels, draglines, rotary drills, hard rock vehicles, mining trucks, wheel loaders, off-highway and articulated trucks, wide-body trucks, wheel tractor scrapers and dozers, and landfill and soil compactors; machinery components, and wear and maintenance components; and technology products and services for fleet management, equipment management analytics, autonomous machine capabilities, safety services, and mining performance solutions. The Energy & Transportation segment offers reciprocating engine powered generator sets; reciprocating engines, drivetrain, and integrated systems and solutions; centrifugal gas compressors and related services; and diesel-electric locomotive components, and other rail-related products. Its Financial Products segment provides operating and finance leases, revolving charge accounts, installment sale contracts, repair/rebuild financing, working capital loans, and wholesale financing; and insurance and risk management products and services. The All Other segment offers parts distribution; logistics and distribution services; electronics and control systems; dealer portfolio management; brand management and marketing strategy; and digital investment services. It also provides mining software solutions. The company was formerly known as Caterpillar Tractor Co. Caterpillar Inc. was incorporated in 1925 and is headquartered in Irving, Texas.

Company description, as reported by the company or data provider.

Revenue & earnings trend

FY2021 – FY2025 · reported fiscal years

Caterpillar Inc reported revenue of $67.6B in FY2025 versus $51.0B in FY2021, a compound +7.3%/yr. Reported net income was $8.9B in FY2025, compounding +8.1%/yr from FY2021.

Growth Quality 91/100
Revenue growth appears healthy and is supported by profitability and cash-flow quality.
Latest Revenue (FY 2025)
$67.6B
Latest YoY
+4.3%
Avg. growth/yr (3Y)
+4.4%
Avg. growth/yr (5Y)
+10.1%
Avg. growth/yr (40Y)
+5.9%
Revenue +7.3%/yr
FY21 $51.0B
FY22 $59.4B
FY23 $67.1B
FY24 $64.8B
FY25 $67.6B
Net income +8.1%/yr
FY21 $6.5B
FY22 $6.7B
FY23 $10.3B
FY24 $10.8B
FY25 $8.9B

CAT screens 64% overvalued. Compare with Deere & Company →

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Cite: Fair Value Calculator (2026). "Caterpillar Inc Fair Value". https://www.fairvalue-calculator.com/stock/CAT

Recent news

External third-party headlines (Yahoo Finance, Reuters and others), not an editorial selection.

Peer Group

Farm & Heavy Construction Machinery · 146 stocks

How this stock ranks against its industry: the green marker is this stock, the band is the typical 25–75% peer range, and the tick is the median.

Quality Score 65 · Top 25%
Fair Value upside −64% · Bottom 25%
Return on equity (TTM) 51% · Top 25%
Return on assets 9% · Top 25%
Net margin (TTM) 13% · Top 25%
Operating margin (TTM) 18% · Top 25%
Revenue growth 22% · Top 25%
Dividend yield (TTM) 0.6% · Bottom 25%
Debt / equity 1.44× · Higher than 75% of peers

Valuation Multiples vs Farm & Heavy Construction Machinery median · lower = cheaper

P/E (TTM) 47.2× · Pricier than 75% of peers
P/B 20.27× · Pricier than 75% of peers
P/S (TTM) 6.11× · Pricier than 75% of peers
P/FCF 42.1× · Pricier than 75% of peers
EV/EBITDA 31.1× · Pricier than 75% of peers
PEG 2.25× · Pricier than 75% of peers

Snowflake

Five quick dimensions, each 0 to 100: VALUE (fair-value potential), FUTURE (revenue growth), PAST (return on equity), HEALTH (low debt), DIVIDEND (yield). Green = this stock, grey = typical sector peer.

VALUE 0 · sector 22
FUTURE 100 · sector 30
PAST 100 · sector 33
HEALTH 28 · sector 93
DIVIDEND 13 · sector 37

VALUE 0: the price sits above our fair-value range.

Insider activity: 40/100

Values & ESG

Does this company touch areas you may want to avoid? The classification is inferred from sector and industry.

None of the checked exposures detected

ESG scores are not available for this stock yet. Values and ESG data are contextual and can differ between providers.

Similar stocks

10 more Farm & Heavy Construction Machinery stocks, each showing price versus our Fair Value estimate (as of Jul 11, 2026).

Stock Price Fair Value vs Fair Value
Deere & Company DE $597.24 $187.86 -69%
AB Volvo (publ), VOLVA kr 336.60 kr 288.08 -14%
PACCAR Inc PCAR $126.20 $94.80 -25%
Epiroc AB EPIA kr 251.90 kr 144.14 -43%
Exor N.V EXO €69.40 €219.41 +216%
Sany Heavy Industry Co 600031 ¥18.65 ¥20.84 +12%
Traton SE 8TRA €35.80 €52.60 +47%
XCMG Construction Machinery Co 000425 ¥8.39 ¥11.79 +41%
Sinotruk (Hong Kong) Limited 3808 HK$41.00 HK$53.51 +31%
Yutong Bus Co 600066 ¥32.29 ¥42.00 +30%

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Frequently asked questions

Is Caterpillar Inc (CAT) overvalued or undervalued?
As of Jul 11, 2026, our model estimates a fair value of $307.83 versus a price of $856.96, about −64% (overvalued).
What is the fair value of CAT?
Our model-based fair value for Caterpillar Inc is $307.83 (as of Jul 11, 2026), built from audited fundamentals. The current price is $856.96.
What is the quality score of CAT?
Caterpillar Inc has a Quality Score of 65/100. It combines two groups: business quality (profitability, growth, cash flow, balance-sheet strength) and market factors (price momentum, distance to the 52-week high, volatility). Both subtotals are shown separately in the detail view.
What is the revenue of Caterpillar Inc (CAT)?
Caterpillar Inc reported trailing-twelve-month revenue of about $70.8B (latest available figure, as of Jul 11, 2026).
What is the net profit margin of CAT?
The net profit margin of Caterpillar Inc is about 13.3%, meaning it keeps roughly 13.3% of revenue as net income. Based on the latest reported figures.
Does Caterpillar Inc pay a dividend?
Caterpillar Inc currently shows a dividend yield of about 0.65% relative to its recent price (as of Jul 11, 2026).

How we calculate Fair Value

Each company is valued through a stack of independent intrinsic-value models (DCF variants, residual-income, multiples and more), blended into one family-balanced consensus and weighted by how much trustworthy data backs it. A separate quality layer scores the fundamentals. Every input is real reported data, nothing guessed.

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