Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT) Short Interest Down 21.3% in December

Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT) saw a significant decrease in short interest in December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totaling 5,608,881 shares, a decrease of 21.3% from the December 15th total of 7,123,267 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 2,237,144 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 2.5 days. Currently, 1.2% of the company’s shares are sold short. Currently, 1.2% of the company’s shares are sold short. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 2,237,144 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 2.5 days.

Caterpillar Stock Down 0.0%

Shares of NYSE:CAT traded down $0.23 on Monday, reaching $646.95. The company had a trading volume of 2,551,406 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,882,026. The stock has a market capitalization of $302.76 billion, a P/E ratio of 33.21, a P/E/G ratio of 2.50 and a beta of 1.57. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $588.42 and a 200 day moving average price of $505.37. Caterpillar has a twelve month low of $267.30 and a twelve month high of $655.68. The company has a quick ratio of 0.86, a current ratio of 1.38 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.34.

Caterpillar (NYSE:CAT) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Monday, November 3rd. The industrial products company reported $4.95 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $4.52 by $0.43. Caterpillar had a return on equity of 47.16% and a net margin of 14.34%.The business had revenue of $17.64 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $16.72 billion. During the same period last year, the business earned $5.17 EPS. The firm’s revenue was up 9.5% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities analysts expect that Caterpillar will post 19.86 EPS for the current year.

Caterpillar Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, February 19th. Investors of record on Tuesday, January 20th will be paid a $1.51 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, January 20th. This represents a $6.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.9%. Caterpillar’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 31.01%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, insider Lange Bob De sold 14,638 shares of Caterpillar stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $562.36, for a total value of $8,231,825.68. Following the transaction, the insider directly owned 80,209 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $45,106,333.24. This trade represents a 15.43% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, CAO William E. Schaupp sold 1,200 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $572.22, for a total transaction of $686,664.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief accounting officer owned 1,323 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $757,047.06. This trade represents a 47.56% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Over the last 90 days, insiders sold 54,729 shares of company stock valued at $31,084,308. Company insiders own 0.33% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Caterpillar

A number of hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of CAT. Valeo Financial Advisors LLC grew its holdings in Caterpillar by 36,842.1% in the 2nd quarter. Valeo Financial Advisors LLC now owns 7,299,751 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $2,833,836,000 after buying an additional 7,279,991 shares during the last quarter. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in shares of Caterpillar in the second quarter worth $2,165,899,000. Wellington Management Group LLP grew its stake in shares of Caterpillar by 3,949.8% in the third quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 5,228,058 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $2,494,568,000 after acquiring an additional 5,098,964 shares during the last quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA raised its stake in Caterpillar by 1,851.8% during the 3rd quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 1,830,414 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $873,382,000 after purchasing an additional 1,736,631 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Assenagon Asset Management S.A. boosted its holdings in Caterpillar by 546.6% in the 2nd quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. now owns 843,093 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $327,297,000 after purchasing an additional 712,711 shares during the period. 70.98% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Key Stories Impacting Caterpillar

Here are the key news stories impacting Caterpillar this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Caterpillar unveiled “Cat AI Assistant,” signaling a push into software/AI tools that can increase aftermarket services, improve operator productivity and deepen customer stickiness — potential upside to recurring revenue and margins. Caterpillar reveals Cat AI Assistant
• Positive Sentiment: Analysts maintain constructive views: brokerages give CAT an average “Moderate Buy” recommendation, supporting demand for the shares despite valuation debate. This endorsement can help limit downside in the near term. Caterpillar Inc. Given Average Recommendation
• Neutral Sentiment: Discussion about whether Caterpillar will resume production of new on?highway engines highlights strategic tradeoffs (regulatory, margin and product-focus choices). It’s more of a long-horizon operational/portfolio question than an immediate revenue swing. Will Caterpillar ever return to production of new on-highway engines?
• Positive Sentiment: Caterpillar stands to benefit from 2026 data?center buildouts as hyperscalers expand capacity for AI compute; on?site power and back?up generation demand could lift equipment and power systems sales. This is a demand tailwind tied to structural AI investment. How Caterpillar stock stands to benefit from data center buildout
• Negative Sentiment: Comparative analysis with Volvo highlights near?term headwinds: slowing end?market demand in some regions and tariff pressures that could squeeze margins and growth visibility — factors that can pressure the stock until revenue momentum reappears. Caterpillar vs. Volvo: Which Heavy Equipment Stock is the Better Buy?

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts have weighed in on CAT shares. Truist Financial reiterated a “buy” rating and issued a $729.00 price objective (up previously from $582.00) on shares of Caterpillar in a research note on Thursday, October 30th. Royal Bank Of Canada started coverage on shares of Caterpillar in a research note on Wednesday, October 22nd. They issued a “sector perform” rating and a $560.00 price target on the stock. Weiss Ratings reissued a “buy (b)” rating on shares of Caterpillar in a research report on Monday, December 29th. DA Davidson boosted their target price on Caterpillar from $408.00 to $569.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Monday, November 3rd. Finally, Wolfe Research raised their price target on Caterpillar from $470.00 to $670.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Friday, January 2nd. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, sixteen have given a Buy rating, six have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $623.10.

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.