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Caterpillar (CAT) vs. GE Aerospace (GE)

This page compares Caterpillar (CAT) with GE Aerospace (GE) using historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation metrics.

Company Profile

Caterpillar (CAT) and GE Aerospace (GE) both fall under the Capital Goods industry group, but CAT is classified in Machinery while GE is classified in Industrial Conglomerates.

SymbolCATGE
Company NameCaterpillar Inc.GE Aerospace
Country/RegionUnited StatesUnited States
GICS SectorIndustrialsIndustrials
GICS Industry GroupCapital GoodsCapital Goods
GICS IndustryMachineryIndustrial Conglomerates
GICS Sub-IndustryConstruction Machinery & Heavy Transportation EquipmentIndustrial Conglomerates
Market Capitalization398.85 billion USD315.29 billion USD
CurrencyUSDUSD
ExchangeNYSENYSE
Listing DateJanuary 2, 1962January 2, 1962
Security TypeCommon StockCommon Stock

Historical Performance

CAT
GE
Loading price history…
Caterpillar (CAT) vs. GE Aerospace (GE): Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past five years. Adjusted for dividends and splits.

Historical Performance at a Glance

SymbolCATGE
5-Day Price Return-2.52%7.19%
13-Week Price Return13.86%-9.85%
26-Week Price Return56.44%-0.79%
52-Week Price Return152.82%29.21%
Month-to-Date Return-2.71%4.08%
Year-to-Date Return51.16%-2.04%
10-Day Avg. Volume2.44M4.78M
3-Month Avg. Volume2.70M6.01M
3-Month Volatility40.13%41.35%
Beta1.621.39

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

Caterpillar (CAT) leads with Return on Equity (TTM) of 47.57%, above its industry benchmark range, while GE Aerospace (GE) at 46.22% also ranks strongly in the top quartile.

CAT

Capital Goods industry group

47.57%

Max
46.22%
Q3
20.97%
Median
12.12%
Q1
4.01%
Min
-19.93%

GE

Capital Goods industry group

46.22%

Max
46.22%
Q3
20.97%
Median
12.12%
Q1
4.01%
Min
-19.93%
Caterpillar (CAT) vs. GE Aerospace (GE): A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against the Capital Goods industry group benchmark.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

Both Caterpillar (CAT) at 13.33% and GE Aerospace (GE) at 17.86% rank in the top quartile for Net Profit Margin (TTM) among industry peers, indicating both companies convert revenue into net income more strongly than typical competitors.

CAT

Capital Goods industry group

13.33%

Max
25.28%
Q3
12.38%
Median
6.85%
Q1
1.74%
Min
-13.93%

GE

Capital Goods industry group

17.86%

Max
25.28%
Q3
12.38%
Median
6.85%
Q1
1.74%
Min
-13.93%
Caterpillar (CAT) vs. GE Aerospace (GE): A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against the Capital Goods industry group benchmark.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

GE Aerospace (GE) at 16.66% 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%

GE

Capital Goods industry group

16.66%

Max
31.46%
Q3
16.66%
Median
9.92%
Q1
4.69%
Min
-13.15%
Caterpillar (CAT) vs. GE Aerospace (GE): A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against the Capital Goods industry group benchmark.

Profitability at a Glance

SymbolCATGE
Return on Equity (TTM)47.57%46.22%
Return on Assets (TTM)9.97%6.74%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)13.33%17.86%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)16.48%16.66%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)33.84%34.28%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

Both Caterpillar (CAT) at 1.35 and GE Aerospace (GE) at 1.01 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

GE

Capital Goods industry group

1.01

Max
5.24
Q3
2.93
Median
1.88
Q1
1.38
Min
0.45
Caterpillar (CAT) vs. GE Aerospace (GE): A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against the Capital Goods industry group benchmark.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

GE Aerospace (GE) at 1.12 sits in the higher-leverage quartile relative to peers, but Caterpillar (CAT) at 2.31 is higher still, above its industry benchmark range.

CAT

Capital Goods industry group

2.31

Max
2.24
Q3
1.07
Median
0.59
Q1
0.27
Min
0.00

GE

Capital Goods industry group

1.12

Max
2.24
Q3
1.07
Median
0.59
Q1
0.27
Min
0.00
Caterpillar (CAT) vs. GE Aerospace (GE): A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against the Capital Goods industry group benchmark.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

Both Caterpillar (CAT) at 8.29 and GE Aerospace (GE) at 5.01 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

GE

Capital Goods industry group

5.01

Max
33.75
Q3
15.37
Median
6.22
Q1
1.46
Min
-17.81
Caterpillar (CAT) vs. GE Aerospace (GE): A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against the Capital Goods industry group benchmark.

Financial Strength at a Glance

SymbolCATGE
Current Ratio (MRQ)1.351.01
Quick Ratio (MRQ)0.720.70
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)2.311.12
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)8.295.01

Growth

Revenue Growth

Caterpillar (CAT) vs. GE Aerospace (GE): A comparison of their Revenue Growth across different time periods.

Revenue Growth at a Glance

SymbolCATGE
Revenue Growth (MRQ vs Prior YoY)22.22%24.74%
Revenue Growth (TTM vs Prior YoY)11.85%21.75%
3-Year Revenue CAGR4.38%16.32%
5-Year Revenue CAGR10.12%-9.57%

EPS Growth

Caterpillar (CAT) vs. GE Aerospace (GE): A comparison of their EPS Growth across different time periods.

EPS Growth at a Glance

SymbolCATGE
EPS Growth (MRQ vs Prior YoY)30.35%-1.50%
EPS Growth (TTM vs Prior YoY)-2.06%26.27%
3-Year EPS CAGR14.16%198.60%
5-Year EPS CAGR28.05%9.37%

Dividend

Dividend Yield (TTM)

Both Caterpillar (CAT) at 0.70% and GE Aerospace (GE) at 0.50% report Dividend Yield (TTM) near their industry mid-ranges, so neither company stands out strongly from peers on cash yield relative to share price.

CAT

Capital Goods industry group

0.70%

Max
2.80%
Q3
1.19%
Median
0.38%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%

GE

Capital Goods industry group

0.50%

Max
2.80%
Q3
1.19%
Median
0.38%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%
Caterpillar (CAT) vs. GE Aerospace (GE): A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against the Capital Goods industry group benchmark.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

Both Caterpillar (CAT) at 29.46% and GE Aerospace (GE) at 17.74% maintain Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) around their industries’ median — balanced dividend policy on both sides, returning cash while leaving part of reported earnings available for reinvestment or balance-sheet flexibility.

CAT

Capital Goods industry group

29.46%

Max
67.06%
Q3
29.46%
Median
11.18%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%

GE

Capital Goods industry group

17.74%

Max
67.06%
Q3
29.46%
Median
11.18%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%
Caterpillar (CAT) vs. GE Aerospace (GE): A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against the Capital Goods industry group benchmark.

Dividend at a Glance

SymbolCATGE
Dividend Yield (TTM)0.70%0.50%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)29.46%17.74%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

Both Caterpillar (CAT) at 42.26 and GE Aerospace (GE) at 35.75 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

GE

Capital Goods industry group

35.75

Max
76.08
Q3
44.68
Median
30.28
Q1
21.23
Min
1.06
Caterpillar (CAT) vs. GE Aerospace (GE): A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against the Capital Goods industry group benchmark.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

Both Caterpillar (CAT) at 5.63 and GE Aerospace (GE) at 6.39 trade in the higher-multiple quartile for Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) among industry peers, indicating higher trailing revenue multiples than typical peers.

CAT

Capital Goods industry group

5.63

Max
9.58
Q3
4.85
Median
2.77
Q1
1.52
Min
0.13

GE

Capital Goods industry group

6.39

Max
9.58
Q3
4.85
Median
2.77
Q1
1.52
Min
0.13
Caterpillar (CAT) vs. GE Aerospace (GE): A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against the Capital Goods industry group benchmark.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

Both Caterpillar (CAT) at 17.66 and GE Aerospace (GE) at 16.40 sit above their industries’ benchmark ranges for Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ), pointing to unusually high book-value multiples 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

GE

Capital Goods industry group

16.40

Max
13.81
Q3
7.00
Median
3.82
Q1
2.19
Min
0.15
Caterpillar (CAT) vs. GE Aerospace (GE): A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against the Capital Goods industry group benchmark.

Valuation at a Glance

SymbolCATGE
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)42.2635.75
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)5.636.39
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)17.6616.40
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)50.4441.38