Caterpillar (CAT) vs. Deere (DE)
This page compares Caterpillar (CAT) with Deere (DE) using historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation metrics.
Company Profile
Caterpillar (CAT) and Deere (DE) both belong to the Machinery industry, though CAT is classified under Construction Machinery & Heavy Transportation Equipment while DE falls under Agricultural & Farm Machinery.
| Symbol | CAT | DE |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Caterpillar Inc. | Deere & Company |
| Country/Region | 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 | 398.85 billion USD | 143.52 billion USD |
| Currency | USD | USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | January 2, 1962 | June 1, 1972 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
Historical Performance at a Glance
| Symbol | CAT | DE |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -2.52% | -5.43% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 13.86% | -19.74% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 56.44% | 12.24% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 152.82% | 3.24% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -2.71% | -9.92% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 51.16% | 14.13% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 2.44M | 1.26M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 2.70M | 1.43M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 40.13% | 38.87% |
| Beta | 1.62 | 0.95 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
Caterpillar (CAT) posts Return on Equity (TTM) of 47.57%, above its industry benchmark range, while Deere (DE) at 18.93% sits closer to the industry mid-range.
CAT
Capital Goods industry group
47.57%
- Max
- 46.22%
- Q3
- 20.97%
- Median
- 12.12%
- Q1
- 4.01%
- Min
- -19.93%
DE
Capital Goods industry group
18.93%
- Max
- 46.22%
- Q3
- 20.97%
- Median
- 12.12%
- Q1
- 4.01%
- Min
- -19.93%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
Caterpillar (CAT) at 13.33% ranks in the top quartile for Net Profit Margin (TTM), ahead of Deere (DE) at 10.29%, which sits closer to the industry mid-range.
CAT
Capital Goods industry group
13.33%
- Max
- 25.28%
- Q3
- 12.38%
- Median
- 6.85%
- Q1
- 1.74%
- Min
- -13.93%
DE
Capital Goods industry group
10.29%
- Max
- 25.28%
- Q3
- 12.38%
- Median
- 6.85%
- Q1
- 1.74%
- Min
- -13.93%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
Deere (DE) at 19.79% ranks in the top quartile for Operating Profit Margin (TTM), ahead of Caterpillar (CAT) at 16.48%, which sits closer to the industry mid-range.
CAT
Capital Goods industry group
16.48%
- Max
- 31.46%
- Q3
- 16.66%
- Median
- 9.92%
- Q1
- 4.69%
- Min
- -13.15%
DE
Capital Goods industry group
19.79%
- Max
- 31.46%
- Q3
- 16.66%
- Median
- 9.92%
- Q1
- 4.69%
- Min
- -13.15%
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | CAT | DE |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 47.57% | 18.93% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 9.97% | 4.55% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 13.33% | 10.29% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 16.48% | 19.79% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 33.84% | 37.15% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
Both Caterpillar (CAT) at 1.35 and Deere (DE) at 0.90 run Current Ratio (MRQ) in the tighter-liquidity quartile of industry peers, leaving thinner cushions against current liabilities than typical competitors.
CAT
Capital Goods industry group
1.35
- Max
- 5.24
- Q3
- 2.93
- Median
- 1.88
- Q1
- 1.38
- Min
- 0.45
DE
Capital Goods industry group
0.90
- Max
- 5.24
- Q3
- 2.93
- Median
- 1.88
- Q1
- 1.38
- Min
- 0.45
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
Both Caterpillar (CAT) at 2.31 and Deere (DE) at 2.38 sit above their industry benchmark ranges for Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ), pointing to heavier debt loads relative to equity on both sides.
CAT
Capital Goods industry group
2.31
- Max
- 2.24
- Q3
- 1.07
- Median
- 0.59
- Q1
- 0.27
- Min
- 0.00
DE
Capital Goods industry group
2.38
- Max
- 2.24
- Q3
- 1.07
- Median
- 0.59
- Q1
- 0.27
- Min
- 0.00
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
Both Caterpillar (CAT) at 8.29 and Deere (DE) at 2.97 post Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) near their industry mid-ranges, so neither company stands out strongly from peers on interest-coverage headroom.
CAT
Capital Goods industry group
8.29
- Max
- 33.75
- Q3
- 15.37
- Median
- 6.22
- Q1
- 1.46
- Min
- -17.81
DE
Capital Goods industry group
2.97
- Max
- 33.75
- Q3
- 15.37
- Median
- 6.22
- Q1
- 1.46
- Min
- -17.81
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | CAT | DE |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.35 | 0.90 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.72 | 0.65 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 2.31 | 2.38 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 8.29 | 2.97 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
Revenue Growth at a Glance
| Symbol | CAT | DE |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue Growth (MRQ vs Prior YoY) | 22.22% | 12.96% |
| Revenue Growth (TTM vs Prior YoY) | 11.85% | -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) | 30.35% | -24.12% |
| EPS Growth (TTM vs Prior YoY) | -2.06% | -21.37% |
| 3-Year EPS CAGR | 14.16% | -7.37% |
| 5-Year EPS CAGR | 28.05% | 16.32% |
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
Deere (DE) at 1.26% reports Dividend Yield (TTM) in the top quartile of industry peers, ahead of Caterpillar (CAT) at 0.70%, which sits around the industry mid-range.
CAT
Capital Goods industry group
0.70%
- Max
- 2.80%
- Q3
- 1.19%
- Median
- 0.38%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
DE
Capital Goods industry group
1.26%
- Max
- 2.80%
- Q3
- 1.19%
- Median
- 0.38%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
Caterpillar (CAT) at 29.46% maintains Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) around its industry median — a balanced dividend policy. Deere (DE) at 36.52% sits outside the typical mid-range, leaning toward more retention or more distribution than the industry median.
CAT
Capital Goods industry group
29.46%
- Max
- 67.06%
- Q3
- 29.46%
- Median
- 11.18%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
DE
Capital Goods industry group
36.52%
- Max
- 67.06%
- Q3
- 29.46%
- Median
- 11.18%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | CAT | DE |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.70% | 1.26% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 29.46% | 36.52% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
Both Caterpillar (CAT) at 42.26 and Deere (DE) at 29.02 post Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) near the typical industry midpoint — neither company stands out strongly from peers on trailing earnings multiple.
CAT
Capital Goods industry group
42.26
- Max
- 76.08
- Q3
- 44.68
- Median
- 30.28
- Q1
- 21.23
- Min
- 1.06
DE
Capital Goods industry group
29.02
- Max
- 76.08
- Q3
- 44.68
- Median
- 30.28
- Q1
- 21.23
- Min
- 1.06
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
Deere (DE) at 2.99 carries typical industry Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM), while Caterpillar (CAT) at 5.63 sits in the higher-multiple quartile — CAT carries a higher trailing revenue multiple relative to peers.
CAT
Capital Goods industry group
5.63
- Max
- 9.58
- Q3
- 4.85
- Median
- 2.77
- Q1
- 1.52
- Min
- 0.13
DE
Capital Goods industry group
2.99
- Max
- 9.58
- Q3
- 4.85
- Median
- 2.77
- Q1
- 1.52
- Min
- 0.13
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
Deere (DE) at 5.49 hovers around the typical industry Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ), while Caterpillar (CAT) at 17.66 sits above its industry benchmark range — an elevated book-value multiple for CAT relative to peers.
CAT
Capital Goods industry group
17.66
- Max
- 13.81
- Q3
- 7.00
- Median
- 3.82
- Q1
- 2.19
- Min
- 0.15
DE
Capital Goods industry group
5.49
- Max
- 13.81
- Q3
- 7.00
- Median
- 3.82
- Q1
- 2.19
- Min
- 0.15
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | CAT | DE |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 42.26 | 29.02 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 5.63 | 2.99 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 17.66 | 5.49 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 50.44 | 27.11 |