Is Most-Watched Stock Caterpillar Inc. (CAT) Worth Betting on Now?

Core Viewpoint - Caterpillar's stock performance is influenced by earnings estimates and revenue growth, with current trends indicating potential challenges in the near term [2][5][10]. Earnings Estimates - For the current quarter, Caterpillar is expected to report earnings of $4.66 per share, reflecting a decrease of -9.9% year-over-year, with a consensus estimate change of -2.3% over the last 30 days [5]. - The consensus earnings estimate for the current fiscal year is $18.24, indicating a decline of -16.7% from the previous year, with a recent change of -3% [5]. - For the next fiscal year, the earnings estimate is $21.27, suggesting an increase of +16.6% compared to the prior year, with a slight change of -0.5% recently [6]. Revenue Growth - The consensus sales estimate for the current quarter is $16.6 billion, representing a year-over-year increase of +3.1% [11]. - For the current fiscal year, the revenue estimate is $64.5 billion, indicating a slight decline of -0.5%, while the next fiscal year's estimate of $68.44 billion reflects a growth of +6.1% [11]. Recent Performance - In the last reported quarter, Caterpillar achieved revenues of $16.57 billion, a decrease of -0.7% year-over-year, and an EPS of $4.72, down from $5.99 a year ago [12]. - The company surpassed revenue estimates once in the last four quarters, while it exceeded EPS estimates only once during the same period [13]. Valuation - Caterpillar's valuation is assessed using various multiples, with a Zacks Value Style Score of C, indicating that the stock is trading at par with its peers [17].