Strategic Advisors LLC Boosts Stock Position in Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT)

Strategic Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT - Free Report) by 14.6% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 5,724 shares of the industrial products company's stock after acquiring an additional 730 shares during the quarter. Strategic Advisors LLC's holdings in Caterpillar were worth $2,076,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Retirement Wealth Solutions LLC bought a new position in Caterpillar in the 4th quarter worth approximately $34,000. Capital Performance Advisors LLP bought a new position in Caterpillar in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $36,000. Albion Financial Group UT boosted its stake in Caterpillar by 334.8% in the 4th quarter. Albion Financial Group UT now owns 100 shares of the industrial products company's stock worth $36,000 after purchasing an additional 77 shares during the period. Kimelman & Baird LLC boosted its stake in Caterpillar by 42.9% in the 3rd quarter. Kimelman & Baird LLC now owns 100 shares of the industrial products company's stock worth $39,000 after purchasing an additional 30 shares during the period. Finally, Trivant Custom Portfolio Group LLC boosted its stake in Caterpillar by 130.0% in the 4th quarter. Trivant Custom Portfolio Group LLC now owns 115 shares of the industrial products company's stock worth $42,000 after purchasing an additional 65 shares during the period. 70.98% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Caterpillar Stock Down 1.2 %

Shares of Caterpillar stock traded down $4.16 during trading on Thursday, hitting $348.84. 2,171,572 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,392,472. Caterpillar Inc. has a 52-week low of $307.05 and a 52-week high of $418.50. The stock's fifty day simple moving average is $370.18 and its 200 day simple moving average is $372.40. The firm has a market cap of $166.72 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.81, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.89 and a beta of 1.12. The company has a current ratio of 1.42, a quick ratio of 0.89 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.40.

Caterpillar (NYSE:CAT - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 30th. The industrial products company reported $5.14 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $4.97 by $0.17. Caterpillar had a return on equity of 58.18% and a net margin of 16.65%. On average, equities analysts predict that Caterpillar Inc. will post 19.86 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Caterpillar Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, February 20th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, January 21st will be paid a $1.41 dividend. This represents a $5.64 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.62%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, January 21st. Caterpillar's payout ratio is 25.56%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

CAT has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. DA Davidson upped their price target on Caterpillar from $350.00 to $357.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 4th. Robert W. Baird increased their target price on Caterpillar from $299.00 to $300.00 and gave the company an "underperform" rating in a research report on Thursday, October 31st. Morgan Stanley lowered their target price on Caterpillar from $330.00 to $300.00 and set an "underweight" rating for the company in a research report on Friday, January 31st. Bank of America lowered their target price on Caterpillar from $452.00 to $414.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research report on Friday, January 31st. Finally, Citigroup increased their price target on Caterpillar from $420.00 to $430.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Friday, January 31st. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have given a hold rating and eight have assigned a buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $383.80.

Insider Transactions at Caterpillar

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 value of $3,800,900.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly 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 through the SEC website. Also, insider Anthony D. Fassino sold 6,279 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $408.59, for a total value of $2,565,536.61. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 33,565 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $13,714,323.35. The trade was a 15.76 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 18,704 shares of company stock worth $7,226,584 over the last three months. 0.29% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Caterpillar 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.