CAT vs. RTO: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at CAT and RTO, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
CAT is a standard domestic listing, while RTO trades as an American Depositary Receipt (ADR), offering U.S. investors access to its foreign-listed shares.
| Symbol | CAT | RTO |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Caterpillar Inc. | Rentokil Initial plc |
| Country | United States | United Kingdom |
| GICS Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| GICS Industry | Machinery | Commercial Services & Supplies |
| Market Capitalization | 197.04 billion USD | 12.40 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | January 2, 1962 | November 18, 1996 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | ADR |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of CAT and RTO 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 | RTO |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 0.74% | -2.47% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 19.29% | 3.18% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 18.91% | -12.52% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 22.03% | -24.83% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -3.98% | -4.27% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 15.94% | -9.36% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 3.54M | 3.54M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 2.76M | 4.20M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 19.85% | 31.78% |
| Beta | 1.46 | 0.93 |
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.
RTO
6.17%
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 31.93%
- Q3
- 18.03%
- Median
- 9.43%
- Q1
- 6.44%
- Min
- -9.69%
RTO’s Return on Equity of 6.17% is in the lower quartile for the Commercial Services & Supplies industry. This indicates a less efficient generation of profit from its equity base when compared to its competitors.
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.
RTO
5.49%
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 17.53%
- Q3
- 9.01%
- Median
- 5.20%
- Q1
- 2.75%
- Min
- -2.31%
RTO’s Net Profit Margin of 5.49% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Commercial Services & Supplies industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
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.
RTO
9.93%
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 23.43%
- Q3
- 12.19%
- Median
- 8.10%
- Q1
- 3.18%
- Min
- -6.03%
RTO’s Operating Profit Margin of 9.93% is around the midpoint for the Commercial Services & Supplies industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | CAT | RTO |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 49.92% | 6.17% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 10.81% | 2.38% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 14.95% | 5.49% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 18.23% | 9.93% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 36.53% | -- |
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.
RTO
1.12
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 2.94
- Q3
- 1.89
- Median
- 1.38
- Q1
- 0.87
- Min
- 0.53
RTO’s Current Ratio of 1.12 aligns with the median group of the Commercial Services & Supplies industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector 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.
RTO
1.14
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 1.67
- Q3
- 1.08
- Median
- 0.73
- Q1
- 0.36
- Min
- 0.00
RTO’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Commercial Services & Supplies industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.14. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.
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.
RTO
5.22
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 24.70
- Q3
- 12.37
- Median
- 7.16
- Q1
- 2.69
- Min
- -10.97
RTO’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 5.22 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Commercial Services & Supplies industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | CAT | RTO |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.34 | 1.12 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.72 | 1.03 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 2.18 | 1.14 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 12.53 | 5.22 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
CAT
1.37%
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 5.32%
- Q3
- 2.84%
- Median
- 1.87%
- Q1
- 1.09%
- Min
- 0.00%
CAT’s Dividend Yield of 1.37% is consistent with its peers in the Machinery industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
RTO
3.44%
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 3.44%
- Q3
- 2.30%
- Median
- 1.37%
- Q1
- 0.63%
- Min
- 0.00%
RTO’s Dividend Yield of 3.44% is exceptionally high, placing it well above the typical range for the Commercial Services & Supplies industry. While this may seem attractive, an unusually high yield can sometimes be a warning sign, reflecting a falling stock price or market concerns about the dividend’s sustainability.
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.
RTO
93.97%
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 137.88%
- Q3
- 72.93%
- Median
- 40.45%
- Q1
- 23.31%
- Min
- 0.00%
RTO’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 93.97% is in the upper quartile for the Commercial Services & Supplies industry. This indicates a strong commitment to shareholder returns but also suggests that a smaller portion of earnings is retained for reinvestment compared to many peers.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | CAT | RTO |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 1.37% | 3.44% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 28.60% | 93.97% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
CAT
20.88
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 53.66
- Q3
- 31.29
- Median
- 22.00
- Q1
- 16.18
- Min
- 7.00
CAT’s P/E Ratio of 20.88 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.
RTO
27.30
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 57.20
- Q3
- 37.10
- Median
- 22.38
- Q1
- 16.35
- Min
- 0.00
RTO’s P/E Ratio of 27.30 is within the middle range for the Commercial Services & Supplies 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
3.12
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 5.04
- Q3
- 2.72
- Median
- 1.67
- Q1
- 1.04
- Min
- 0.24
CAT’s P/S Ratio of 3.12 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.
RTO
1.50
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 4.64
- Q3
- 2.28
- Median
- 0.97
- Q1
- 0.64
- Min
- 0.00
RTO’s P/S Ratio of 1.50 aligns with the market consensus for the Commercial Services & Supplies industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
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.
RTO
1.69
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 6.71
- Q3
- 4.38
- Median
- 2.39
- Q1
- 1.57
- Min
- 0.43
RTO’s P/B Ratio of 1.69 is within the conventional range for the Commercial Services & Supplies industry. This shows a balanced market view, where the stock’s price is neither at a significant premium nor a discount to the book value of its peers.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | CAT | RTO |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 20.88 | 27.30 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 3.12 | 1.50 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 9.78 | 1.69 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 25.46 | 13.32 |