Essential Planning LLC. Makes New $655,000 Investment in Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT)

Essential Planning LLC. acquired a new position in Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT - Free Report) during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm acquired 1,690 shares of the industrial products company's stock, valued at approximately $655,000.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in CAT. Great Lakes Advisors LLC raised its stake in Caterpillar by 2.4% in the fourth quarter. Great Lakes Advisors LLC now owns 300,906 shares of the industrial products company's stock worth $109,156,000 after buying an additional 7,160 shares in the last quarter. Truvestments Capital LLC raised its position in shares of Caterpillar by 3.7% in the 4th quarter. Truvestments Capital LLC now owns 10,196 shares of the industrial products company's stock worth $3,699,000 after acquiring an additional 366 shares in the last quarter. SHEPHERD WEALTH MANAGEMENT Ltd LIABILITY Co purchased a new position in shares of Caterpillar in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $1,082,000. Hopwood Financial Services Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Caterpillar during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $162,000. Finally, Farther Finance Advisors LLC grew its stake in Caterpillar by 4.0% in the fourth quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 8,362 shares of the industrial products company's stock worth $3,033,000 after purchasing an additional 318 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 70.98% of the company's stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts recently issued reports on CAT shares. Truist Financial lowered their price target on shares of Caterpillar from $455.00 to $438.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research report on Monday, February 3rd. Jefferies Financial Group lifted their price target on Caterpillar from $455.00 to $475.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Friday, December 6th. Wedbush upgraded shares of Caterpillar to an "outperform" rating in a research note on Monday, February 3rd. Bank of America dropped their target price on shares of Caterpillar from $452.00 to $414.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, January 31st. Finally, UBS Group raised shares of Caterpillar from a "sell" rating to a "neutral" rating and raised their price target for the company from $355.00 to $385.00 in a research report on Monday, February 3rd. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have assigned a hold rating and nine have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Caterpillar presently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $383.80.

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Insider Activity

In other news, CFO Andrew R. J. Bonfield sold 10,000 shares of the firm'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 transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 45,182 shares in the company, valued at $17,173,226.38. This trade represents a 18.12 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, Director Gerald Johnson purchased 100 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 4th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $365.57 per share, with a total value of $36,557.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the director now owns 3,053 shares of the company's stock, valued at $1,116,085.21. The trade was a 3.39 % increase in their position. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Insiders own 0.29% of the company's stock.

Caterpillar Stock Performance

Shares of CAT stock traded up $3.02 during mid-day trading on Monday, reaching $342.66. 1,683,737 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,429,137. Caterpillar Inc. has a 12 month low of $307.05 and a 12 month high of $418.50. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $360.81 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $372.66. The firm has a market capitalization of $163.77 billion, a PE ratio of 15.53, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.87 and a beta of 1.15. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.40, a quick ratio of 0.89 and a current ratio of 1.42.

Caterpillar (NYSE:CAT - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 30th. The industrial products company reported $5.14 EPS 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%. On average, research analysts forecast that Caterpillar Inc. will post 19.86 EPS for the current year.

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.