Caterpillar (CAT) to Release Earnings on Thursday

Caterpillar (NYSE:CAT - Get Free Report) is anticipated to issue its quarterly earnings data before the market opens on Thursday, January 30th. Analysts expect the company to announce earnings of $4.97 per share and revenue of $16.53 billion for the quarter. Parties interested in participating in the company's conference call can do so using this link.

Caterpillar (NYSE:CAT - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 30th. The industrial products company reported $5.17 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $5.33 by ($0.16). The firm had revenue of $16.11 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $16.37 billion. Caterpillar had a net margin of 16.26% and a return on equity of 59.09%. Caterpillar's revenue was down 4.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $5.52 earnings per share. On average, analysts expect Caterpillar to post $22 EPS for the current fiscal year and $22 EPS for the next fiscal year.

Caterpillar Stock Performance

Caterpillar stock traded down $4.70 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, reaching $390.29. The company's stock had a trading volume of 1,787,209 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,179,738. The company has a current ratio of 1.40, a quick ratio of 0.86 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.33. Caterpillar has a twelve month low of $297.45 and a twelve month high of $418.50. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $381.27 and a 200-day moving average price of $370.23. The firm has a market cap of $188.43 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.09, a PEG ratio of 1.97 and a beta of 1.13.

Caterpillar Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, February 20th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, January 21st will be paid a $1.41 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, January 21st. This represents a $5.64 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.45%. Caterpillar's payout ratio is currently 26.15%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

CAT has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. Robert W. Baird upped their target price on shares of Caterpillar from $299.00 to $300.00 and gave the stock an "underperform" rating in a research report on Thursday, October 31st. Truist Financial cut their target price on Caterpillar from $471.00 to $455.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, January 16th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price target on Caterpillar from $500.00 to $515.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Monday, December 9th. Citigroup reduced their price objective on shares of Caterpillar from $460.00 to $420.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, January 14th. Finally, StockNews.com downgraded shares of Caterpillar from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Friday, January 17th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have issued a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $384.60.

Insider Activity

In related news, insider Cheryl H. Johnson sold 2,664 shares of Caterpillar stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $378.84, for a total transaction of $1,009,229.76. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 12,951 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,906,356.84. This trade represents a 17.06 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, Director Gerald Johnson acquired 100 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Wednesday, December 4th. The stock was bought at an average price of $398.57 per share, for a total transaction of $39,857.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director now owns 2,953 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,176,977.21. The trade was a 3.51 % increase in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Insiders have sold 33,868 shares of company stock worth $13,480,389 in the last 90 days. Corporate insiders own 0.29% of the company's stock.

Caterpillar Company Profile

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.