Q3 EPS Estimates for Caterpillar Raised by Zacks Research

Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT) – Analysts at Zacks Research raised their Q3 2026 earnings per share estimates for shares of Caterpillar in a research note issued to investors on Monday, September 7th. Zacks Research analyst Team now expects that the industrial products company will post earnings per share of $6.57 for the quarter, up from their prior forecast of $6.37. Zacks Research currently has a “Strong-Buy” rating on the stock. The consensus estimate for Caterpillar’s current full-year earnings is $27.34 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Caterpillar’s FY2026 earnings at $27.01 EPS, Q1 2027 earnings at $6.41 EPS, Q2 2027 earnings at $8.21 EPS, Q3 2027 earnings at $8.05 EPS, Q4 2027 earnings at $8.76 EPS, FY2027 earnings at $31.43 EPS, Q2 2028 earnings at $9.56 EPS and FY2028 earnings at $36.64 EPS.

Several other equities research analysts also recently commented on the stock. DA Davidson upped their price target on shares of Caterpillar from $845.00 to $882.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Thursday, August 6th. Truist Financial set a $980.00 target price on shares of Caterpillar in a research note on Wednesday, August 5th. Wells Fargo & Company raised their target price on Caterpillar from $1,050.00 to $1,155.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Tuesday, June 23rd. Sanford C. Bernstein reiterated a “market perform” rating and set a $1,002.00 price target on shares of Caterpillar in a report on Wednesday, August 5th. Finally, Barclays upped their price target on Caterpillar from $800.00 to $900.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Thursday, August 6th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have assigned a Buy rating and eleven have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Caterpillar has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $995.52.

Caterpillar Stock Performance

Caterpillar stock opened at $821.25 on Wednesday. Caterpillar has a fifty-two week low of $416.44 and a fifty-two week high of $1,073.46. The firm’s 50 day simple moving average is $863.27 and its 200-day simple moving average is $839.74. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.65, a current ratio of 1.37 and a quick ratio of 0.85. The company has a market cap of $377.50 billion, a P/E ratio of 35.34, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.41 and a beta of 1.60.

Caterpillar (NYSE:CAT) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, August 4th. The industrial products company reported $8.17 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $6.22 by $1.95. Caterpillar had a return on equity of 55.53% and a net margin of 14.51%.The firm had revenue of $20.54 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $19.34 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $4.72 EPS. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 23.7% compared to the same quarter last year.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Caterpillar news, CEO Joseph E. Creed sold 32,401 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, August 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $808.98, for a total value of $26,211,760.98. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer owned 34,555 shares in the company, valued at $27,954,303.90. This represents a 48.39% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 0.33% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Caterpillar

A number of hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of CAT. Stonebridge Financial Group LLC boosted its position in Caterpillar by 0.7% during the second quarter. Stonebridge Financial Group LLC now owns 1,635 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $1,741,000 after purchasing an additional 11 shares during the last quarter. Inspirion Wealth Advisors LLC increased its position in Caterpillar by 1.2% in the 2nd quarter. Inspirion Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 944 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $936,000 after purchasing an additional 11 shares during the last quarter. Bell Bank raised its stake in shares of Caterpillar by 0.6% during the 2nd quarter. Bell Bank now owns 1,865 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $1,986,000 after purchasing an additional 11 shares in the last quarter. Cornerstone Advisory LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Caterpillar by 0.7% during the 1st quarter. Cornerstone Advisory LLC now owns 1,818 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $1,288,000 after buying an additional 12 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Advisory Resource Group lifted its holdings in shares of Caterpillar by 0.8% during the 4th quarter. Advisory Resource Group now owns 1,632 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $935,000 after buying an additional 13 shares during the last quarter. 70.98% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Key Stories Impacting Caterpillar

Here are the key news stories impacting Caterpillar this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Caterpillar’s power-generation backlog reportedly reached $72 billion, reinforcing the view that demand from data centers and AI-related infrastructure could make the company less dependent on the traditional construction cycle. Caterpillar’s Power Generation Backlog Just Hit $72 Billion
• Positive Sentiment: Recent coverage points to Caterpillar’s record backlog, strong earnings and raised 2026 outlook as key reasons for its roughly 95% one-year gain. The company’s latest reported quarter also exceeded EPS and revenue expectations, supporting investor confidence in its operating momentum. Caterpillar Gains 95% in a Year: Time to Buy, Sell or Hold the Stock?
• Positive Sentiment: Chief Digital Officer Ogi Redzic described how AI is changing construction work, highlighting Caterpillar’s efforts to use digital tools and automation to improve equipment productivity and customer operations. This could strengthen the company’s longer-term technology and services opportunity. Caterpillar’s Digital Chief Ogi Redzic on How A.I. Is Redefining Construction Work
• Neutral Sentiment: Industry coverage continues to identify Caterpillar as a leading construction-equipment company, supported by its global dealer network and cash-generation capabilities. However, the equipment showcase itself does not provide a new financial catalyst. Caterpillar vs. Corning: Which Stock Is a Better Buy in 2026?
• Negative Sentiment: At approximately 34 times earnings, Caterpillar trades at a demanding valuation after its major rally. Analysts note that the premium leaves the stock vulnerable to profit-taking or disappointment if backlog conversion, margins or the 2026 outlook weaken. Caterpillar Gains 95% in a Year: Time to Buy, Sell or Hold the Stock?

Caterpillar Company Profile

Caterpillar Inc is a global manufacturer of construction, mining, and industrial equipment. The company’s products include excavators, dozers, wheel loaders, motor graders, articulated trucks, and off-highway trucks, as well as related attachments and work tools. Caterpillar also supplies replacement parts, equipment services, technology solutions, and rental support through its dealer network.

The company serves customers in construction, mining, quarrying, energy, transportation, forestry, agriculture, and government-related industries.