Zacks Research Has Positive View of Caterpillar Q1 Earnings

Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT) – Equities researchers at Zacks Research increased their Q1 2028 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for shares of Caterpillar in a note issued to investors on Tuesday, October 6th. Zacks Research analyst Team now anticipates that the industrial products company will earn $8.14 per share for the quarter, up from their previous estimate of $7.87. Zacks Research currently has a “Hold” rating on the stock. The consensus estimate for Caterpillar’s current full-year earnings is $27.50 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Caterpillar’s Q2 2028 earnings at $10.52 EPS and FY2028 earnings at $39.15 EPS.

Several other equities analysts also recently issued reports on CAT. Barclays boosted their price target on shares of Caterpillar from $800.00 to $900.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Thursday, August 6th. Freedom Broker upgraded Caterpillar from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $980.00 target price for the company in a research report on Thursday, September 10th. Oppenheimer reiterated an “outperform” rating and issued a $1,118.00 price objective on shares of Caterpillar in a research report on Tuesday, August 4th. Needham & Company LLC set a $980.00 target price on shares of Caterpillar in a research note on Thursday, September 10th. Finally, President Capital started coverage on shares of Caterpillar in a report on Friday, September 18th. They issued a “buy” rating and a $999.00 price objective on the stock. Fifteen analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and twelve have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $989.17.

Caterpillar Stock Performance

Caterpillar stock opened at $813.03 on Thursday. The firm has a market capitalization of $373.72 billion, a P/E ratio of 34.98, a P/E/G ratio of 1.49 and a beta of 1.58. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $822.83 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $853.15. Caterpillar has a 52-week low of $489.34 and a 52-week high of $1,073.46. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.65, a current ratio of 1.37 and a quick ratio of 0.85.

Caterpillar (NYSE:CAT) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, August 4th. The industrial products company reported $8.17 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $6.22 by $1.95. The business had revenue of $20.54 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $19.34 billion. Caterpillar had a return on equity of 55.53% and a net margin of 14.51%.Caterpillar’s revenue was up 23.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $4.72 EPS.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in CAT. Vann Equity Management LLC grew its position in Caterpillar by 3.8% in the third quarter. Vann Equity Management LLC now owns 2,097 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $1,701,000 after purchasing an additional 76 shares in the last quarter. Venture Visionary Partners LLC grew its holdings in shares of Caterpillar by 6.3% in the 3rd quarter. Venture Visionary Partners LLC now owns 24,185 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $19,610,000 after acquiring an additional 1,430 shares in the last quarter. Steph & Co. raised its holdings in Caterpillar by 1,512.2% during the third quarter. Steph & Co. now owns 661 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $536,000 after acquiring an additional 620 shares in the last quarter. Elevation Wealth Partners LLC grew its stake in Caterpillar by 77.2% in the third quarter. Elevation Wealth Partners LLC now owns 296 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $240,000 after purchasing an additional 129 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Cooper Financial Group boosted its holdings in shares of Caterpillar by 8.6% in the 3rd quarter. Cooper Financial Group now owns 5,097 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $4,132,000 after buying an additional 403 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 70.98% of the company’s stock.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, CEO Joseph E. Creed sold 32,401 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, August 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $808.98, for a total transaction of $26,211,760.98. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 34,555 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $27,954,303.90. This trade represents a 48.39% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. 0.33% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Key Headlines Impacting Caterpillar

Here are the key news stories impacting Caterpillar this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Caterpillar plans to invest $1 billion to expand its Cat Compact manufacturing operations in North Carolina. The project will add advanced automation and digital systems, increase U.S. production capacity and support expected customer demand. Caterpillar to invest $1 billion in North Carolina manufacturing facility
• Positive Sentiment: Zacks Research raised its Caterpillar EPS forecasts across 2026–2028, including its 2027 estimate to $32.44 per share from $31.43, while maintaining a favorable long-term view. Other coverage described the recent pullback as a potential buying opportunity, citing Caterpillar’s growing role in supplying power-related equipment for data centers. Caterpillar Q3 Earnings Forecast Boosted by Zacks Research Jim Cramer Sees a Possible Buying Opportunity in Caterpillar
• Neutral Sentiment: Caterpillar and CoreWeave are collaborating to accelerate development of physical-AI applications, potentially improving equipment automation and industrial productivity over time. Caterpillar and CoreWeave shorten the learning loop for physical AI
• Negative Sentiment: Rising long-term Treasury yields are pressuring manufacturers of expensive machinery because higher financing costs can delay equipment purchases and make customers’ credit more costly. The broader industrial selloff has weighed particularly heavily on Caterpillar.
• Negative Sentiment: The Federal Trade Commission and Department of Agriculture are seeking information about the farm-equipment market, extending regulatory pressure affecting Caterpillar and Deere. Investors may be concerned about potential scrutiny of industry practices and market competition. Caterpillar and Deere Stock Fall as Regulatory Pressure Continues
• Negative Sentiment: Truist lowered its Caterpillar price target to $1,100 from $1,225. Zacks also cut its rating from “Strong Buy” to “Hold,” adding to near-term selling pressure even as several earnings estimates were raised. Truist cuts target for Caterpillar stock

Caterpillar Company Profile

Caterpillar Inc is a global manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines, and diesel-electric locomotives. Its products are used in infrastructure development, construction, mining, energy production, transportation, agriculture, forestry, and other industrial applications.

The company markets equipment and related services through a worldwide network of independent dealers. Its operations are generally organized around Construction Industries, Resource Industries, and Energy & Transportation.