IRVING, Texas, April 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- After eight years as CEO and nearly 45 years of service, Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE: CAT) Chairman and CEO D. James Umpleby III will become Executive Chairman of the Board effective May 1. Chief Operating Officer (COO) Joseph E. Creed, a 28-year Caterpillar veteran, will succeed him as CEO and join the Board of Directors May 1. Caterpillar Chairman and CEO D. James Umpleby III will become Executive Chairman of the Board effective May 1. Joseph E. Creed, a 28-y ...

Company Pledges $100 Million to Help Equip Tomorrow's InnovatorsIRVING, Texas, April 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE: CAT) today announced an investment to support a key source of its success and longevity for the next 100 years: people. As part of the celebration, the company pledged $100 million over the next five years to help equip the workforce of the future with the skills needed, leveraging technology to meet global market demands as the world undergoes a rapid digital transformation. ...

Even amid stock market turmoil, valuations still matter.So, how is everyone enjoying the roller coaster this morning?From April 2 to April 8, the S&P 500 index of America's 500 biggest companies fell more than 12%, before surging back 9.5% yesterday alone as investors cheered an apparent 90-day delay in the imposition of President Donald Trump's reciprocal tariffs on just about every country we trade with (except China). One overreaction led to another, but this morning, investors are already having second ...

Caterpillar (CAT) shares rallied 9.9% in the last trading session to close at $301.01. This move can be attributable to notable volume with a higher number of shares being traded than in a typical session. This compares to the stock's 19.4% loss over the past four weeks.Caterpillar shares got a boost yesterday after U.S President Trump announced a 90-day pause on certain tariffs for most countries (except China). Investor confidence was further bolstered by Caterpillar's announcement that it will maintain i ...

In times of volatility, investors often find comfort in a company maintaining a steady-as-we-go policy.That, combined with vastly improving sentiment on manufacturing companies, pushed industrial vehicle specialist Caterpillar's (CAT 9.86%) stock to a gain of just under 10% on Hump Day. That bounce was higher than even the ultra-frothy S&P 500 index's 9.5%.Same as beforeCaterpillar's consistency came from its dividend policy. That morning, it declared that its next quarterly payout would be $1.41 per share, ...

Core Insights - Caterpillar Inc. is celebrating its 100th anniversary by focusing on "The Next 100 Years" of innovation and sustainability at bauma Munich 2025, showcasing advanced equipment and technologies to address jobsite challenges [1][2][3] Group 1: Company Overview - Caterpillar reported sales and revenues of $64.8 billion in 2024, positioning itself as the world's leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, as well as off-highway diesel and natural gas engines [6] - The company operates through three primary segments: Construction Industries, Resource Industries, and Energy & Transportation, along with a Financial Products segment [6] Group 2: Innovations and Technologies - The exhibit at bauma includes a range of industrial engines compatible with renewable fuels, such as 100% hydrotreated vegetable oils (HVO), and features the new C13D engine and a high power C3.6 engine delivering 106 kW (142 hp) [4] - Caterpillar is showcasing a series hybrid power expansion powertrain and a hydrogen engine testing exhibit, highlighting its commitment to electrification and fuel development [4] - The Performance Center at the exhibit demonstrates how power, machinery, services, technology, and autonomy can enhance jobsite performance and sustainability [7] Group 3: Product Offerings - The exhibit features 48 machines, including 17 new introductions or upgrades, with enhancements to the battery electric lineup and expansions in demolition, waste handling, and recycling portfolios [7] - Caterpillar offers integrated aftermarket solutions, including Customer Value Agreements (CVAs) and digital tools, aimed at boosting uptime and reducing costs [7] - The company provides a comprehensive electrification ecosystem, including renewable power sources, energy storage systems, and advanced charging solutions to help customers reduce greenhouse gas emissions [7]

Group 1 - The article emphasizes the importance of long-term growth and dividend growth investing, focusing on undervalued stocks and high-quality companies that provide cash for reinvestment [1] - Profitability is highlighted as a safer driver of gains compared to low valuation, with a focus on margins, free cash flow stability and growth, and returns on invested capital [1] - The author expresses a commitment to thorough research on high-quality companies, indicating a continuous interest in understanding their performance [1]

Market Impact - Equipment stocks Deere & Co (NYSE:DE) and Caterpillar Inc (NYSE:CAT) are experiencing significant declines due to China's announcement of retaliatory tariffs of 34% on U.S. goods [1] - Deere's stock is down 4.6%, trading at $426.72, marking its lowest levels since mid-January and heading for a third consecutive loss, the worst week since August 2024 [1] - Caterpillar's stock is down 5.5%, trading at $289.01, also at its lowest level since January 2024, and on track for its worst weekly performance since March 2020 [3] Options Activity - In the options market, Deere has seen an unusual volume of 4,325 puts exchanged, which is seven times the typical volume, compared to only 446 calls [2] - The June 370 put is the most popular option, with new positions being opened [2] - For Caterpillar, the call/put volume ratio has been higher than usual at 1.50, ranking above 86% of readings from the past year, but today it has seen 2,783 puts exchanged against 1,952 calls [4]

Core Viewpoint - Wall Street's initial reaction to the new tariff policies is negative, particularly affecting heavy equipment manufacturers like Caterpillar, Toro, and Deere, which saw significant declines in their stock prices [1][2]. Group 1: Market Reaction - Shares of Caterpillar (CAT) fell by 8.11%, Toro (TTC) by 7.31%, and Deere (DE) by 4.16% as of 1 p.m. ET following the announcement of new tariffs [1]. - The aggressive round of tariffs has caught the markets off guard, leading investors to assess the potential impacts on their investments and the possibility of retaliatory measures from trade partners [2]. Group 2: Impact on Costs and Demand - New levies on raw materials like steel could increase costs for companies specializing in construction and agriculture equipment, potentially forcing them to raise prices or reduce profitability [2]. - Demand for heavy equipment may be affected both domestically and internationally, particularly for Caterpillar, which relies heavily on sales from China, a country likely to retaliate against tariffs [3]. - The agricultural sector, a core customer base for Deere, may see reduced profitability due to tariffs affecting about 20% of U.S. agricultural production that is exported [4]. Group 3: Long-term Considerations - There is a potential argument that tariffs could boost sales for U.S. manufacturers by reducing competition from foreign rivals, leading to increased demand for heavy-duty equipment if U.S. manufacturing is stimulated [5]. - Historical performance suggests that these companies are best-in-class operators that may eventually adapt to the new environment, although the uncertainty surrounding the duration and impact of the tariffs warrants caution [6].

Core Viewpoint - Caterpillar Inc. (CAT) experienced a 1.2% increase in stock price, adding $2 billion to its market capitalization, despite a broader market downturn and recent tariffs introduced by President Trump [1][2] Group 1: Financial Performance - Year-to-date, CAT stock has declined by 10%, underperforming the industry decline of 8%, Zacks Industrial Products sector's 3% drop, and the S&P 500's 0.9% fall [2] - CAT's sales volumes and revenues have been declining for five consecutive quarters, reflecting weak consumer spending [6] - Revenue growth has been negative for the past four quarters, with earnings declining in the last two [7] - Caterpillar expects 2025 revenues to be slightly lower than the 2024 actual of $64.8 billion, with an adjusted operating margin expected in the top half of its target range [9] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2025 earnings indicates a year-over-year decline of 10.3%, while the estimate for 2026 suggests a growth of 12.6% [12] Group 2: Market Conditions - The U.S. manufacturing sector contracted in March, with the Institute for Supply Management's manufacturing index registering 49%, indicating a slowdown in order levels [10] - The downturn in China's real estate sector has significantly weakened demand for CAT's larger excavators, compounded by weak demand in Europe [8] Group 3: Competitive Position - CAT's stock is currently trading at a forward 12-month price-to-sales ratio of 2.49, compared to the industry's 1.82, indicating a premium valuation [15] - The company has a sector-leading dividend yield of 1.69%, with a five-year dividend growth rate of 7.4% [19] - Caterpillar's return on equity (ROE) stands at 59.1%, significantly higher than the sector average of 20.1% and the S&P 500's 31.1% [20] Group 4: Long-Term Prospects - Long-term demand is expected to benefit from increased infrastructure spending and the shift towards clean energy, which will drive demand for Caterpillar's mining equipment [21] - The company is witnessing robust order levels for reciprocating engines for data centers, planning to double its output with a multi-year capital investment [22] - The average price target for CAT suggests a potential increase of 17.6% from its last closing price, with the highest target indicating a gain of 46% [23]