CAT vs. DE: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Here's a clear look at CAT and DE, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | CAT | DE |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Caterpillar Inc. | Deere & Company |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| GICS Industry Group | Capital Goods | Capital Goods |
| GICS Industry | Machinery | Machinery |
| GICS Sub-Industry | Construction Machinery & Heavy Transportation Equipment | Agricultural & Farm Machinery |
| Market Capitalization | 325.43 billion USD | 153.05 billion USD |
| Currency | USD | USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | January 2, 1962 | June 1, 1972 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
CAT's market capitalization (325.43 billion USD) is substantially larger than DE's (153.05 billion USD), indicating a significant difference in their market valuations.
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of CAT and DE 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 | CAT | DE |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -0.90% | -0.42% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 19.40% | 21.54% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 47.30% | 20.81% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 104.95% | 18.12% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -6.39% | -10.02% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 21.39% | 21.71% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 2.43M | 1.43M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 2.74M | 1.61M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 35.37% | 36.67% |
| Beta | 1.54 | 1.01 |
CAT's beta of 1.54 points to significantly higher volatility compared to DE (beta: 1.01), suggesting CAT has greater potential for both gains and losses relative to market movements.
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
CAT
45.15%
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 34.97%
- Q3
- 19.18%
- Median
- 11.86%
- Q1
- 7.91%
- Min
- -8.50%
CAT's Return on Equity of 45.15% 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.
DE
18.93%
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 34.97%
- Q3
- 19.18%
- Median
- 11.86%
- Q1
- 7.91%
- Min
- -8.50%
DE's Return on Equity of 18.93% is on par with the norm for the Machinery industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
CAT
13.14%
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 18.39%
- Q3
- 10.64%
- Median
- 7.58%
- Q1
- 5.24%
- Min
- -0.82%
A Net Profit Margin of 13.14% places CAT in the upper quartile for the Machinery industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
DE
10.29%
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 18.39%
- Q3
- 10.64%
- Median
- 7.58%
- Q1
- 5.24%
- Min
- -0.82%
DE's Net Profit Margin of 10.29% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Machinery industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
CAT
16.50%
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 26.40%
- Q3
- 15.62%
- Median
- 11.25%
- Q1
- 8.11%
- Min
- -0.02%
An Operating Profit Margin of 16.50% 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.
DE
19.79%
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 26.40%
- Q3
- 15.62%
- Median
- 11.25%
- Q1
- 8.11%
- Min
- -0.02%
An Operating Profit Margin of 19.79% places DE 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 | CAT | DE |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 45.15% | 18.93% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 9.67% | 4.55% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 13.14% | 10.29% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 16.50% | 19.79% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 33.86% | 37.15% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
CAT
1.44
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 3.37
- Q3
- 2.17
- Median
- 1.74
- Q1
- 1.33
- Min
- 0.71
CAT's Current Ratio of 1.44 aligns with the median group of the Machinery industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
DE
0.90
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 3.37
- Q3
- 2.17
- Median
- 1.74
- Q1
- 1.33
- Min
- 0.71
DE's Current Ratio of 0.90 falls into the lower quartile for the Machinery industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
CAT
2.03
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 1.37
- Q3
- 0.69
- Median
- 0.43
- Q1
- 0.23
- Min
- 0.00
With a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 2.03, 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.
DE
2.38
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 1.37
- Q3
- 0.69
- Median
- 0.43
- Q1
- 0.23
- Min
- 0.00
With a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 2.38, DE 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)
CAT
7.20
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 87.64
- Q3
- 40.28
- Median
- 13.43
- Q1
- 6.22
- Min
- -0.40
CAT's Interest Coverage Ratio of 7.20 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Machinery industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
DE
2.97
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 87.64
- Q3
- 40.28
- Median
- 13.43
- Q1
- 6.22
- Min
- -0.40
In the lower quartile for the Machinery industry, DE's Interest Coverage Ratio of 2.97 indicates a tighter cushion for servicing debt, suggesting less financial flexibility than many of its competitors.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | CAT | DE |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.44 | 0.90 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.86 | 0.65 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 2.03 | 2.38 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 7.20 | 2.97 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
Revenue Growth at a Glance
| Symbol | CAT | DE |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue Growth (MRQ vs Prior YoY) | 18.00% | 12.96% |
| Revenue Growth (TTM vs Prior YoY) | 4.29% | -2.61% |
| 3-Year Revenue CAGR | 4.38% | -4.34% |
| 5-Year Revenue CAGR | 10.12% | 5.15% |
EPS Growth
EPS Growth at a Glance
| Symbol | CAT | DE |
|---|---|---|
| EPS Growth (MRQ vs Prior YoY) | -11.46% | -24.12% |
| EPS Growth (TTM vs Prior YoY) | -14.70% | -21.37% |
| 3-Year EPS CAGR | 14.16% | -7.37% |
| 5-Year EPS CAGR | 28.05% | 16.32% |
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
CAT
0.85%
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 5.14%
- Q3
- 2.69%
- Median
- 1.78%
- Q1
- 1.04%
- Min
- 0.00%
CAT's Dividend Yield of 0.85% is in the lower quartile for the Machinery industry. This suggests the company's strategy likely favors retaining earnings for growth over providing a high dividend income.
DE
1.15%
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 5.14%
- Q3
- 2.69%
- Median
- 1.78%
- Q1
- 1.04%
- Min
- 0.00%
DE's Dividend Yield of 1.15% is consistent with its peers in the Machinery industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
CAT
30.94%
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 194.44%
- Q3
- 102.08%
- Median
- 56.16%
- Q1
- 28.80%
- Min
- 0.00%
CAT's Dividend Payout Ratio of 30.94% is within the typical range for the Machinery industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
DE
36.52%
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 194.44%
- Q3
- 102.08%
- Median
- 56.16%
- Q1
- 28.80%
- Min
- 0.00%
DE's Dividend Payout Ratio of 36.52% is within the typical range for the Machinery industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | CAT | DE |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.85% | 1.15% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 30.94% | 36.52% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
CAT
36.42
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 43.99
- Q3
- 30.15
- Median
- 25.62
- Q1
- 19.20
- Min
- 5.87
A P/E Ratio of 36.42 places CAT in the upper quartile for the Machinery industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company's future growth.
DE
31.79
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 43.99
- Q3
- 30.15
- Median
- 25.62
- Q1
- 19.20
- Min
- 5.87
A P/E Ratio of 31.79 places DE in the upper quartile for the Machinery industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company's future growth.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
CAT
4.79
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 5.63
- Q3
- 3.00
- Median
- 1.89
- Q1
- 1.10
- Min
- 0.33
CAT's P/S Ratio of 4.79 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.
DE
3.27
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 5.63
- Q3
- 3.00
- Median
- 1.89
- Q1
- 1.10
- Min
- 0.33
DE's P/S Ratio of 3.27 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)
CAT
12.58
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 8.64
- Q3
- 4.43
- Median
- 2.79
- Q1
- 1.52
- Min
- 0.58
At 12.58, 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.
DE
5.49
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 8.64
- Q3
- 4.43
- Median
- 2.79
- Q1
- 1.52
- Min
- 0.58
DE's P/B Ratio of 5.49 is in the upper tier for the Machinery 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.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | CAT | DE |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 36.42 | 31.79 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 4.79 | 3.27 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 12.58 | 5.49 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 43.41 | 29.70 |