CAT vs. GGG: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at CAT and GGG, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | CAT | GGG |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Caterpillar Inc. | Graco Inc. |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| GICS Industry | Machinery | Machinery |
| Market Capitalization | 193.81 billion USD | 14.50 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | January 2, 1962 | March 17, 1980 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of CAT and GGG 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 | GGG |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -0.82% | 4.30% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 20.77% | 1.25% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 13.20% | 3.89% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 23.11% | 10.83% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -5.55% | 4.22% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 14.04% | 3.83% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 3.70M | 0.72M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 2.91M | 0.83M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 22.05% | 19.35% |
| Beta | 1.46 | 1.08 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
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.
GGG
19.16%
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 34.68%
- Q3
- 19.06%
- Median
- 13.13%
- Q1
- 8.53%
- Min
- -4.87%
In the upper quartile for the Machinery industry, GGG’s Return on Equity of 19.16% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
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.
GGG
22.26%
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 19.74%
- Q3
- 11.24%
- Median
- 8.13%
- Q1
- 5.38%
- Min
- -1.11%
GGG’s Net Profit Margin of 22.26% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Machinery industry. This demonstrates outstanding operational efficiency and a strong competitive advantage in converting revenue into profit.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
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.
GGG
26.63%
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 26.63%
- Q3
- 16.15%
- Median
- 11.27%
- Q1
- 7.72%
- Min
- -4.91%
An Operating Profit Margin of 26.63% places GGG 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 | GGG |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 49.92% | 19.16% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 10.81% | 15.86% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 14.95% | 22.26% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 18.23% | 26.63% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 36.53% | 52.25% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
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.
GGG
3.55
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 3.83
- Q3
- 2.32
- Median
- 1.72
- Q1
- 1.28
- Min
- 0.78
GGG’s Current Ratio of 3.55 is in the upper quartile for the Machinery industry. This signifies a strong liquidity position, suggesting the company is well-equipped to cover its immediate liabilities compared to its peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
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.
GGG
0.01
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 1.49
- Q3
- 0.75
- Median
- 0.44
- Q1
- 0.26
- Min
- 0.00
Falling into the lower quartile for the Machinery industry, GGG’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.01 points to a conservative financing strategy. This results in lower financial risk but potentially limits strategic investments compared to more leveraged competitors.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
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.
GGG
209.37
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 67.55
- Q3
- 33.79
- Median
- 13.87
- Q1
- 7.97
- Min
- -1.43
With an Interest Coverage Ratio of 209.37, GGG demonstrates a superior capacity to service its debt, placing it well above the typical range for the Machinery industry. This stems from either robust earnings or a conservative debt load.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | CAT | GGG |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.34 | 3.55 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.72 | 2.52 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 2.18 | 0.01 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 12.53 | 209.37 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
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.
GGG
1.23%
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 5.32%
- Q3
- 2.84%
- Median
- 1.87%
- Q1
- 1.09%
- Min
- 0.00%
GGG’s Dividend Yield of 1.23% is consistent with its peers in the Machinery industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
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.
GGG
36.94%
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 202.17%
- Q3
- 98.65%
- Median
- 55.54%
- Q1
- 29.03%
- Min
- 0.00%
GGG’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 36.94% 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 | GGG |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 1.40% | 1.23% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 28.60% | 36.94% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
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.
GGG
30.06
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 53.66
- Q3
- 31.29
- Median
- 22.00
- Q1
- 16.18
- Min
- 7.00
GGG’s P/E Ratio of 30.06 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)
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.
GGG
6.69
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 5.04
- Q3
- 2.72
- Median
- 1.67
- Q1
- 1.04
- Min
- 0.24
With a P/S Ratio of 6.69, GGG trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Machinery industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
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.
GGG
5.76
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 7.23
- Q3
- 3.90
- Median
- 2.52
- Q1
- 1.47
- Min
- 0.49
GGG’s P/B Ratio of 5.76 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 | GGG |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 20.49 | 30.06 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 3.06 | 6.69 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 9.78 | 5.76 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 24.99 | 23.85 |