Rice Partnership LLC Raises Stake in Caterpillar Inc. $CAT

Rice Partnership LLC lifted its stake in shares of Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT) by 11.9% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 11,776 shares of the industrial products company’s stock after acquiring an additional 1,248 shares during the period. Caterpillar accounts for approximately 1.5% of Rice Partnership LLC’s portfolio, making the stock its 17th biggest position. Rice Partnership LLC’s holdings in Caterpillar were worth $12,540,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Axxcess Wealth Management LLC lifted its stake in Caterpillar by 2.8% during the 4th quarter. Axxcess Wealth Management LLC now owns 22,420 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $12,844,000 after acquiring an additional 604 shares in the last quarter. DSG Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Caterpillar in the 1st quarter valued at about $1,226,000. Cornerstone Planning LLC purchased a new stake in Caterpillar during the fourth quarter worth about $4,517,000. RiverFront Investment Group LLC lifted its position in shares of Caterpillar by 21.1% during the fourth quarter. RiverFront Investment Group LLC now owns 8,915 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $5,107,000 after purchasing an additional 1,552 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Larson Financial Group LLC grew its holdings in shares of Caterpillar by 73.6% in the fourth quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC now owns 12,915 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $7,399,000 after purchasing an additional 5,476 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 70.98% of the company’s stock.

Caterpillar Stock Up 0.1%

CAT stock opened at $828.90 on Monday. The stock has a market cap of $381.02 billion, a P/E ratio of 35.67, a PEG ratio of 1.45 and a beta of 1.60. The company has a current ratio of 1.37, a quick ratio of 0.85 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.65. Caterpillar Inc. has a twelve month low of $410.52 and a twelve month high of $1,073.46. The company’s 50 day moving average is $908.86 and its two-hundred day moving average is $834.13.

Caterpillar (NYSE:CAT) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, August 4th. The industrial products company reported $8.17 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $6.22 by $1.95. Caterpillar had a net margin of 14.51% and a return on equity of 55.53%. The business had revenue of $20.54 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $19.34 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $4.72 EPS. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 23.7% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts expect that Caterpillar Inc. will post 27.14 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Caterpillar Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, August 19th. Shareholders of record on Monday, July 20th were issued a dividend of $1.63 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, July 20th. This is a positive change from Caterpillar’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.51. This represents a $6.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.8%. Caterpillar’s dividend payout ratio is 28.06%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on the stock. Weiss Ratings upgraded shares of Caterpillar from a “buy (b-)” rating to a “buy (b)” rating in a report on Wednesday. Truist Financial set a $980.00 price objective on Caterpillar in a research report on Wednesday, August 5th. Zacks Research upgraded Caterpillar from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 12th. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their target price on Caterpillar from $1,050.00 to $1,155.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Tuesday, June 23rd. Finally, Barclays boosted their target price on Caterpillar from $800.00 to $900.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Thursday, August 6th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have given a Buy rating and eleven have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $995.52.

Key Stories Impacting Caterpillar

Here are the key news stories impacting Caterpillar this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Higher full-year earnings forecasts: Zacks Research raised its FY2026 EPS estimate to $26.55 from $24.51 and its Q2 2027 estimate to $7.90 from $7.17. Zacks maintained a “Strong Buy” rating, signaling confidence in Caterpillar’s earnings trajectory. Zacks Research Forecasts Stronger Earnings for Caterpillar
• Positive Sentiment: $392 million tariff refund: Caterpillar received a significant refund as duty costs declined. The benefit partially offsets approximately $400 million in tariff expenses incurred during the quarter ended June 30 and could support near-term profitability and cash flow. Caterpillar bags $392M tariff refund as duty costs shrink
• Positive Sentiment: Constructive market backdrop: Expectations for continued S&P 500 strength, resilient earnings growth and potential AI-related capital spending are supportive for industrial companies such as Caterpillar. 5 Reasons the S&P 500 Could Keep Rallying Through Year-End
• Neutral Sentiment: High volatility remains a trading risk: Options activity indicates Caterpillar’s stock could experience unusually large moves in either direction, increasing uncertainty despite favorable fundamental projections. Caterpillar Stock Is Priced To Swing Hundreds Of Dollars Either Way
• Negative Sentiment: AI data-center backlash: Proposed restrictions and political resistance to AI-related power demand in Texas and New York could delay or reduce data-center construction. That creates a risk for Caterpillar’s power-generation and related equipment demand, prompting investors to reassess the company’s growth outlook. What Is Caterpillar Facing As AI Data Center Backlash Grows?
• Negative Sentiment: Near-term estimate reduction: Zacks lowered its Q4 2026 EPS forecast to $6.47 from $6.61, suggesting some caution around the next quarterly results even though its full-year and longer-term estimates improved. Caterpillar analyst estimates

Caterpillar Company Profile

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.