Key Points Data centers are being built at a rapid clip. The construction leader is well positioned to profit. 10 stocks we like better than Caterpillar › Shares of Caterpillar (NYSE: CAT) climbed more than 11% on Wednesday after the construction and power equipment giant said the artificial intelligence (AI) boom was boosting its sales and profits. Image source: Getty Images. AI is powering Caterpillar's growth Caterpillar's sales rose by 10% to $17.6 billion in the third quarter. The gains wer ...

Core Viewpoint - Bloom Energy Corp. has experienced significant stock price increases due to the AI hype cycle, but analysts caution that the rally is not supported by strong fundamentals [1][2]. Financial Performance - In Q2, Bloom Energy reported adjusted earnings of $0.10 per share, exceeding the consensus estimate of $0.01, and a revenue increase of 19.5% year-on-year to $401.2 million, surpassing analysts' expectations of $378.0 million [5]. Valuation Concerns - The stock currently trades at a high multiple of 99.9x 2025E EV/EBITDA, which is more expensive than competitors like GE Vernova and Nvidia, despite Bloom's weaker revenue growth and margins [3]. Revenue Guidance - The company's revenue guidance for 2025 is projected to be between $1.65 billion and $1.85 billion, which does not align with its elevated valuation [3]. Competitive Landscape - Competitive pressure is increasing from established players such as Caterpillar, Cummins, Rolls Royce, and GE Vernova, which offer better pricing, speed, and reliability, particularly in the niche co-location segment of the data center market [4]. Market Dynamics - On-site power generation remains a niche market, with only 6% of 540 tracked data centers utilizing co-located generation, while turbines and reciprocating engines dominate due to lower costs [6].

Core Insights - Caterpillar Inc. (CAT) shares have increased by 9.5% over the past three months, outperforming the manufacturing-construction and mining industry's growth of 9.2% [1] - The company has announced a 7% increase in its quarterly dividend to $1.51 per share, marking the 31st consecutive year of dividend increases, resulting in a yield of 1.63% [3][4] - The Energy and Transportation (E&T) segment has shown improved profits, offsetting declines in the Construction and Resource Industries segments due to weaker demand [5] Financial Performance - Caterpillar's revenue is projected to range from $42 billion to $72 billion, with margins expected between 10% and 22% [6] - The company has a payout ratio of 26.91%, above the industry average of 26.31%, indicating a strong commitment to shareholder returns [4] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for CAT's 2025 earnings indicates a year-over-year decline of 14.6%, while estimates for 2026 suggest a recovery with 12.8% growth [12][15] Market Position and Valuation - Caterpillar's return on equity (ROE) stands at 53.77%, surpassing the industry average of 53.08% and the S&P 500's 32% [16] - The stock is currently trading at a forward P/E ratio of 18.71X, higher than the industry average of 17.79X, indicating a premium valuation [17][19] - Despite the premium valuation, the company is expected to benefit from infrastructure spending and energy-transition trends, supporting long-term demand [20] Growth Drivers - The U.S. Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is anticipated to drive a surge in construction projects, increasing equipment demand [10] - The global transition toward clean energy is creating a stronger need for critical minerals, supporting long-term demand for Caterpillar's mining equipment [10] - Caterpillar is capitalizing on the growth of data centers driven by generative AI, with strong demand for its reciprocating engines [11]