Kestra Private Wealth Services LLC Sells 2,297 Shares of Caterpillar Inc. $CAT

Kestra Private Wealth Services LLC decreased its holdings in Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT) by 5.6% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 39,023 shares of the industrial products company’s stock after selling 2,297 shares during the quarter. Kestra Private Wealth Services LLC’s holdings in Caterpillar were worth $27,646,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Torren Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Caterpillar in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Frazier Financial Advisors LLC grew its position in Caterpillar by 220.0% during the fourth quarter. Frazier Financial Advisors LLC now owns 48 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $28,000 after buying an additional 33 shares in the last quarter. IFS Advisors LLC bought a new position in Caterpillar during the 4th quarter worth $31,000. Cornerstone Financial Management LLC acquired a new position in Caterpillar in the 4th quarter valued at $32,000. Finally, Rialto Wealth Management LLC raised its holdings in Caterpillar by 47.4% in the 4th quarter. Rialto Wealth Management LLC now owns 56 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $32,000 after acquiring an additional 18 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 70.98% of the company’s stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts have recently issued reports on CAT shares. Daiwa Securities Group increased their target price on Caterpillar from $790.00 to $900.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Friday, May 1st. Evercore reaffirmed an “outperform” rating and issued a $1,103.00 price target on shares of Caterpillar in a research note on Monday, May 11th. Oppenheimer set a $980.00 price objective on shares of Caterpillar and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Friday, May 1st. Barclays raised their target price on shares of Caterpillar from $700.00 to $800.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a report on Friday, May 1st. Finally, UBS Group restated a “neutral” rating and issued a $900.00 target price on shares of Caterpillar in a research report on Tuesday, June 2nd. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, sixteen have assigned a Buy rating and nine have assigned a Hold rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $939.86.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, insider Anthony D. Fassino sold 16,283 shares of Caterpillar stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, May 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $916.80, for a total transaction of $14,928,254.40. Following the sale, the insider directly owned 46,041 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $42,210,388.80. The trade was a 26.13% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, insider Denise C. Johnson sold 12,605 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, May 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $907.91, for a total transaction of $11,444,205.55. Following the transaction, the insider owned 49,825 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $45,236,615.75. This represents a 20.19% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders sold a total of 95,773 shares of company stock worth $87,642,635 in the last quarter. Corporate insiders own 0.33% of the company’s stock.

Caterpillar Price Performance

Caterpillar stock opened at $992.95 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.64, a quick ratio of 0.81 and a current ratio of 1.35. Caterpillar Inc. has a 52 week low of $369.51 and a 52 week high of $1,023.29. The stock has a market capitalization of $457.34 billion, a P/E ratio of 49.42, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.94 and a beta of 1.59. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $887.68 and a 200-day moving average of $750.22.

Caterpillar (NYSE:CAT) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 30th. The industrial products company reported $5.54 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $4.65 by $0.89. Caterpillar had a return on equity of 48.21% and a net margin of 13.33%.The business had revenue of $17.41 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $16.53 billion. During the same period last year, the firm posted $4.25 earnings per share. Caterpillar’s revenue was up 22.2% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Caterpillar Inc. will post 24.64 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Caterpillar Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, August 19th. Stockholders of record on Monday, July 20th will be paid a $1.63 dividend. This represents a $6.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.7%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, July 20th. This is an increase from Caterpillar’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.51. Caterpillar’s dividend payout ratio is 30.06%.

Caterpillar News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting Caterpillar this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Caterpillar was highlighted as a beneficiary of the AI buildout after reports that it will supply engines and turbines for a major Chevron/Microsoft AI data center project, reinforcing demand for its power generation equipment. Caterpillar (CAT) Lands Key Role In Chevron Microsoft AI Data Center Build
• Positive Sentiment: Analysts remain constructive, with Wells Fargo reportedly raising its price recommendation, while other coverage pointed to Caterpillar as a blue-chip dividend name and a stock worth holding amid the industrial rally. Top 5 Blue Chip Stocks with Growing Dividends
• Positive Sentiment: Recent analysis emphasized Caterpillar’s record $63 billion backlog, up 79% year over year, which improves revenue visibility and supports expectations for continued sales growth. CAT’s Record Backlog: A Sign of Sustained Demand Strength?
• Neutral Sentiment: Several recent articles compared Caterpillar with other heavy machinery and industrial stocks, but these pieces were largely contextual rather than new catalysts. Unpacking Q1 Earnings: Caterpillar (NYSE:CAT) In The Context Of Other Heavy Machinery Stocks
• Neutral Sentiment: Coverage noting CAT’s strong one-year run and high valuation suggests investors are also weighing whether much of the good news is already priced in. Caterpillar (CAT) Stock Near $984 After Big Rally Is There Still Upside Potential
• Positive Sentiment: Reports that Caterpillar and partners are advancing battery-electric haul truck testing add to the long-term innovation story in mining and equipment electrification. BHP, Rio Tinto and Caterpillar advance battery-electric haul truck testing

About Caterpillar

Caterpillar Inc is a global manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines and locomotives. The company’s product portfolio includes earthmoving machines such as excavators, bulldozers, wheel loaders and off?highway trucks, as well as a range of power generation products including generator sets and power systems for industrial and commercial use. Caterpillar serves customers across heavy construction, mining, energy, transportation and related industries with both equipment and integrated technology solutions.

In addition to manufacturing, Caterpillar provides a broad range of aftermarket parts and support services, including maintenance, repair, remanufacturing and fleet management tools.