Oddo BHF Asset Management Sas Invests $3.13 Million in Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT)

Oddo BHF Asset Management Sas bought a new position in Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT - Free Report) in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor bought 8,009 shares of the industrial products company's stock, valued at approximately $3,132,000.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Lantz Financial LLC increased its position in shares of Caterpillar by 2.9% during the 2nd quarter. Lantz Financial LLC now owns 4,181 shares of the industrial products company's stock valued at $1,393,000 after purchasing an additional 116 shares during the last quarter. Triad Wealth Partners LLC bought a new stake in Caterpillar in the second quarter worth about $49,000. Foster Victor Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its stake in Caterpillar by 16.4% in the second quarter. Foster Victor Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 903 shares of the industrial products company's stock valued at $326,000 after acquiring an additional 127 shares during the last quarter. Vista Investment Partners LLC grew its position in shares of Caterpillar by 22.7% during the 2nd quarter. Vista Investment Partners LLC now owns 12,323 shares of the industrial products company's stock valued at $4,105,000 after acquiring an additional 2,276 shares during the period. Finally, Financial Partners Group Inc increased its stake in shares of Caterpillar by 3.6% during the 2nd quarter. Financial Partners Group Inc now owns 1,515 shares of the industrial products company's stock worth $505,000 after purchasing an additional 53 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 70.98% of the company's stock.

Caterpillar Trading Down 0.1 %

Shares of CAT traded down $0.27 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $380.51. The company had a trading volume of 2,035,063 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,553,393. Caterpillar Inc. has a 52-week low of $270.55 and a 52-week high of $418.50. The company has a quick ratio of 0.86, a current ratio of 1.40 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.33. The stock's 50 day moving average price is $392.29 and its 200 day moving average price is $360.37. The firm has a market cap of $183.71 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.64, a P/E/G ratio of 1.92 and a beta of 1.10.

Caterpillar (NYSE:CAT - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data 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 company had revenue of $16.11 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $16.37 billion. Caterpillar had a net margin of 16.26% and a return on equity of 59.09%. The business's revenue for the quarter was down 4.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company posted $5.52 EPS. On average, research analysts predict that Caterpillar Inc. will post 21.68 EPS for the current year.

Caterpillar Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, February 20th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, January 21st will be given a $1.41 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, January 21st. This represents a $5.64 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.48%. Caterpillar's dividend payout ratio is currently 26.15%.

Insider Activity

In other news, insider Anthony D. Fassino sold 6,279 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on 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 in the company, valued at $13,714,323.35. This trade represents a 15.76 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, Director Daniel M. Dickinson sold 1,300 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Wednesday, November 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $418.00, for a total value of $543,400.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 4,976 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,079,968. The trade was a 20.71 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 23,868 shares of company stock valued at $9,679,489. Company insiders own 0.29% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities analysts have weighed in on the company. StockNews.com raised Caterpillar from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Tuesday. UBS Group increased their price target on Caterpillar from $285.00 to $295.00 and gave the stock a "sell" rating in a research note on Monday, November 4th. Citigroup boosted their price objective on Caterpillar from $435.00 to $460.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Monday, December 9th. Robert W. Baird increased 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. Finally, Evercore ISI lowered shares of Caterpillar from an "in-line" rating to an "underperform" rating and boosted their price target for the company from $321.00 to $365.00 in a research report on Wednesday, November 13th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have issued a hold rating and eight have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $374.69.

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.