BAH vs. CAT: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at BAH and CAT, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | BAH | CAT |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corporation | Caterpillar Inc. |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| GICS Industry | Professional Services | Machinery |
| Market Capitalization | 13.76 billion USD | 193.81 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | November 18, 2010 | January 2, 1962 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of BAH and CAT by tracking the growth of an initial $10,000 investment in each. Use the tabs to select the desired time period. Data is adjusted for dividends and splits.
Historical Performance at a Glance
| Symbol | BAH | CAT |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 0.76% | -0.82% |
| 13-Week Price Return | -10.46% | 20.77% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -13.57% | 13.20% |
| 52-Week Price Return | -23.72% | 23.11% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 4.01% | -5.55% |
| Year-to-Date Return | -13.26% | 14.04% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 1.67M | 3.70M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 2.13M | 2.91M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 42.52% | 22.05% |
| Beta | 0.43 | 1.46 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
BAH
107.71%
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 52.17%
- Q3
- 30.06%
- Median
- 22.21%
- Q1
- 11.67%
- Min
- -13.44%
BAH’s Return on Equity of 107.71% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Professional Services industry. This demonstrates a superior ability to generate profit from shareholder investments, though it could also be inflated by high financial leverage.
CAT
49.92%
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 34.68%
- Q3
- 19.06%
- Median
- 13.13%
- Q1
- 8.53%
- Min
- -4.87%
CAT’s Return on Equity of 49.92% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Machinery industry. This demonstrates a superior ability to generate profit from shareholder investments, though it could also be inflated by high financial leverage.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
BAH
10.08%
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 26.06%
- Q3
- 13.34%
- Median
- 7.88%
- Q1
- 3.50%
- Min
- -2.93%
BAH’s Net Profit Margin of 10.08% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Professional Services industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
CAT
14.95%
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 19.74%
- Q3
- 11.24%
- Median
- 8.13%
- Q1
- 5.38%
- Min
- -1.11%
A Net Profit Margin of 14.95% places CAT in the upper quartile for the Machinery industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
BAH
13.60%
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 35.84%
- Q3
- 19.38%
- Median
- 12.54%
- Q1
- 7.36%
- Min
- -5.21%
BAH’s Operating Profit Margin of 13.60% is around the midpoint for the Professional Services industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
CAT
18.23%
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 26.63%
- Q3
- 16.15%
- Median
- 11.27%
- Q1
- 7.72%
- Min
- -4.91%
An Operating Profit Margin of 18.23% places CAT in the upper quartile for the Machinery industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | BAH | CAT |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 107.71% | 49.92% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 17.12% | 10.81% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 10.08% | 14.95% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 13.60% | 18.23% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 67.65% | 36.53% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
BAH
1.78
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 2.45
- Q3
- 1.65
- Median
- 1.26
- Q1
- 1.10
- Min
- 0.47
BAH’s Current Ratio of 1.78 is in the upper quartile for the Professional Services industry. This signifies a strong liquidity position, suggesting the company is well-equipped to cover its immediate liabilities compared to its peers.
CAT
1.34
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 3.83
- Q3
- 2.32
- Median
- 1.72
- Q1
- 1.28
- Min
- 0.78
CAT’s Current Ratio of 1.34 aligns with the median group of the Machinery industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
BAH
3.74
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 2.63
- Q3
- 1.44
- Median
- 0.91
- Q1
- 0.49
- Min
- 0.00
With a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 3.74, BAH operates with exceptionally high leverage compared to the Professional Services industry norm. This suggests an aggressive reliance on debt financing, which can magnify returns but also significantly elevates financial risk.
CAT
2.18
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 1.49
- Q3
- 0.75
- Median
- 0.44
- Q1
- 0.26
- Min
- 0.00
With a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 2.18, CAT operates with exceptionally high leverage compared to the Machinery industry norm. This suggests an aggressive reliance on debt financing, which can magnify returns but also significantly elevates financial risk.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
BAH
8.26
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 39.67
- Q3
- 20.05
- Median
- 11.07
- Q1
- 5.36
- Min
- -2.22
BAH’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 8.26 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Professional Services industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
CAT
12.53
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 67.55
- Q3
- 33.79
- Median
- 13.87
- Q1
- 7.97
- Min
- -1.43
CAT’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 12.53 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Machinery industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | BAH | CAT |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.78 | 1.34 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 1.70 | 0.72 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 3.74 | 2.18 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 8.26 | 12.53 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
BAH
2.02%
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 5.28%
- Q3
- 2.51%
- Median
- 1.63%
- Q1
- 0.62%
- Min
- 0.00%
BAH’s Dividend Yield of 2.02% is consistent with its peers in the Professional Services industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
CAT
1.40%
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 5.32%
- Q3
- 2.84%
- Median
- 1.87%
- Q1
- 1.09%
- Min
- 0.00%
CAT’s Dividend Yield of 1.40% is consistent with its peers in the Machinery industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
BAH
22.52%
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 109.23%
- Q3
- 64.39%
- Median
- 47.00%
- Q1
- 20.35%
- Min
- 0.00%
BAH’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 22.52% is within the typical range for the Professional Services industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
CAT
28.60%
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 202.17%
- Q3
- 98.65%
- Median
- 55.54%
- Q1
- 29.03%
- Min
- 0.00%
CAT’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 28.60% is in the lower quartile for the Machinery industry. This suggests a conservative dividend policy, with a strategic focus on reinvesting profits for future growth.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | BAH | CAT |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 2.02% | 1.40% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 22.52% | 28.60% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
BAH
11.14
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 49.59
- Q3
- 36.59
- Median
- 28.13
- Q1
- 18.55
- Min
- 10.07
In the lower quartile for the Professional Services industry, BAH’s P/E Ratio of 11.14 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.
CAT
20.49
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 53.66
- Q3
- 31.29
- Median
- 22.00
- Q1
- 16.18
- Min
- 7.00
CAT’s P/E Ratio of 20.49 is within the middle range for the Machinery industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
BAH
1.12
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 9.54
- Q3
- 5.11
- Median
- 2.10
- Q1
- 0.75
- Min
- 0.11
BAH’s P/S Ratio of 1.12 aligns with the market consensus for the Professional Services industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
CAT
3.06
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 5.04
- Q3
- 2.72
- Median
- 1.67
- Q1
- 1.04
- Min
- 0.24
CAT’s P/S Ratio of 3.06 is in the upper echelon for the Machinery industry. This means the company is valued richly on its revenue stream compared to its peers, suggesting the stock is priced for a high level of future performance.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
BAH
12.13
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 13.75
- Q3
- 8.87
- Median
- 4.35
- Q1
- 2.43
- Min
- 0.54
BAH’s P/B Ratio of 12.13 is in the upper tier for the Professional Services industry. This indicates that investors are paying a premium relative to the company’s net assets, a valuation that hinges on its ability to generate superior profits.
CAT
9.78
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 7.23
- Q3
- 3.90
- Median
- 2.52
- Q1
- 1.47
- Min
- 0.49
At 9.78, CAT’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Machinery industry. This signifies that the market’s valuation is heavily reliant on future potential rather than its current net asset value, which can be a high-risk proposition.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | BAH | CAT |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 11.14 | 20.49 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 1.12 | 3.06 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 12.13 | 9.78 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 13.61 | 24.99 |