Zacks Research Forecasts Increased Earnings for Caterpillar

Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT) – Equities researchers at Zacks Research boosted their Q1 2026 earnings estimates for shares of Caterpillar in a note issued to investors on Thursday, April 3rd. Zacks Research analyst M. Das now expects that the industrial products company will post earnings per share of $4.69 for the quarter, up from their previous forecast of $4.62. The consensus estimate for Caterpillar’s current full-year earnings is $19.86 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Caterpillar’s Q2 2026 earnings at $5.25 EPS, Q3 2026 earnings at $5.48 EPS, Q4 2026 earnings at $5.74 EPS and FY2026 earnings at $21.16 EPS.

Caterpillar (NYSE:CAT) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 30th. The industrial products company reported $5.14 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $4.97 by $0.17. Caterpillar had a return on equity of 58.18% and a net margin of 16.65%.

Other research analysts have also recently issued research reports about the company. Morgan Stanley lowered their price objective on Caterpillar from $330.00 to $300.00 and set an “underweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, January 31st. Truist Financial cut their price objective on shares of Caterpillar from $438.00 to $389.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Tuesday. Citigroup reduced their price target on Caterpillar from $430.00 to $320.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday. Evercore ISI lifted their price objective on Caterpillar from $365.00 to $375.00 and gave the company an “in-line” rating in a report on Wednesday, February 19th. Finally, DA Davidson increased their target price on Caterpillar from $350.00 to $357.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Tuesday, February 4th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have assigned a hold rating and nine have assigned a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $373.20.

Caterpillar Trading Down 2.9 %

Shares of NYSE:CAT opened at $271.86 on Monday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.40, a quick ratio of 0.89 and a current ratio of 1.42. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $339.71 and a 200 day simple moving average of $369.39. Caterpillar has a 52-week low of $267.30 and a 52-week high of $418.50. The company has a market capitalization of $129.93 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.32, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.87 and a beta of 1.21.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Caterpillar

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of CAT. Aletheian Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Caterpillar in the first quarter worth $236,000. Allied Investment Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of Caterpillar by 2.9% during the 1st quarter. Allied Investment Advisors LLC now owns 42,984 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $14,176,000 after purchasing an additional 1,217 shares during the period. Fifth Third Wealth Advisors LLC grew its position in Caterpillar by 6.2% during the first quarter. Fifth Third Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 16,696 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $5,506,000 after buying an additional 982 shares during the period. IVC Wealth Advisors LLC increased its holdings in Caterpillar by 6.7% during the first quarter. IVC Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 4,253 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $1,403,000 after buying an additional 268 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Doliver Advisors LP raised its position in Caterpillar by 32.7% in the first quarter. Doliver Advisors LP now owns 2,014 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $664,000 after acquiring an additional 496 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 70.98% of the company’s stock.

Insider Activity

In related news, insider Jason Kaiser sold 2,425 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $354.70, for a total transaction of $860,147.50. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 6,275 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $2,225,742.50. This trade represents a 27.87 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, CFO Andrew R. J. Bonfield sold 10,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, January 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $380.09, for a total transaction of $3,800,900.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 45,182 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $17,173,226.38. The trade was a 18.12 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 0.29% of the company’s stock.

About Caterpillar

Caterpillar Inc manufactures and sells construction and mining equipment, off-highway diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines, and diesel-electric locomotives in worldwide. Its Construction Industries segment offers asphalt pavers, compactors, road reclaimers, forestry machines, cold planers, material handlers, track-type tractors, excavators, telehandlers, motor graders, and pipelayers; compact track, wheel, track-type, backhoe, and skid steer loaders; and related parts and tools.