Securian Asset Management Inc. Decreases Stock Holdings in Caterpillar Inc. $CAT

Securian Asset Management Inc. cut its stake in Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT) by 8.0% in the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 22,626 shares of the industrial products company’s stock after selling 1,964 shares during the period. Securian Asset Management Inc.’s holdings in Caterpillar were worth $10,796,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

A number of other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in CAT. Abacus Planning Group Inc. raised its stake in Caterpillar by 0.6% during the third quarter. Abacus Planning Group Inc. now owns 3,214 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $1,534,000 after purchasing an additional 20 shares during the period. Coastwise Capital Group LLC raised its position in shares of Caterpillar by 1.8% during the 3rd quarter. Coastwise Capital Group LLC now owns 1,168 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $557,000 after buying an additional 21 shares during the period. Live Oak Private Wealth LLC lifted its holdings in Caterpillar by 0.7% in the third quarter. Live Oak Private Wealth LLC now owns 3,525 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $1,682,000 after acquiring an additional 23 shares during the last quarter. Syntegra Private Wealth Group LLC grew its position in Caterpillar by 2.4% in the third quarter. Syntegra Private Wealth Group LLC now owns 1,037 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $495,000 after acquiring an additional 24 shares during the period. Finally, Coastline Trust Co increased its stake in Caterpillar by 0.4% during the third quarter. Coastline Trust Co now owns 6,530 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $3,116,000 after acquiring an additional 24 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 70.98% of the company’s stock.

Caterpillar Price Performance

Caterpillar stock opened at $623.27 on Wednesday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.86, a current ratio of 1.38 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.34. Caterpillar Inc. has a 52-week low of $267.30 and a 52-week high of $627.50. The firm has a market cap of $291.68 billion, a PE ratio of 32.00, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.43 and a beta of 1.57. The company’s 50 day moving average is $577.79 and its two-hundred day moving average is $489.78.

Caterpillar (NYSE:CAT) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Monday, November 3rd. The industrial products company reported $4.95 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $4.52 by $0.43. The business had revenue of $17.64 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $16.72 billion. Caterpillar had a net margin of 14.34% and a return on equity of 47.16%. The company’s quarterly revenue was up 9.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $5.17 earnings per share. On average, research analysts expect that Caterpillar Inc. will post 19.86 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Caterpillar Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, February 19th. Investors of record on Tuesday, January 20th will be paid a dividend of $1.51 per share. This represents a $6.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.0%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, January 20th. Caterpillar’s dividend payout ratio is presently 31.01%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research firms have recently weighed in on CAT. Barclays increased their price target on Caterpillar from $485.00 to $555.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a report on Thursday, October 30th. Erste Group Bank raised shares of Caterpillar from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, October 3rd. Wolfe Research boosted their price target on shares of Caterpillar from $470.00 to $670.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Friday, January 2nd. Jefferies Financial Group increased their price objective on shares of Caterpillar from $570.00 to $700.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 5th. Finally, Morgan Stanley boosted their target price on Caterpillar from $380.00 to $395.00 and gave the company an “underweight” rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 10th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, sixteen have given a Buy rating, five have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Caterpillar currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $618.70.

Trending Headlines about Caterpillar

Here are the key news stories impacting Caterpillar this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Caterpillar unveiled the “Cat AI Assistant” and highlighted industrial AI/autonomy at CES — a clear strategic catalyst that supports software, services and aftermarket monetization. Caterpillar Introduces Cat AI Assistant
• Positive Sentiment: Analysts and coverage are lifting targets and reiterating buys (supporting upside expectations and sentiment). Recent coverage highlights higher price targets and “outperform”/”buy” views. Caterpillar Stock Could Top $650 by Year’s End
• Positive Sentiment: AI/data‑center power demand is being cited as a new growth vector for Caterpillar’s power-generation business, improving revenue visibility for Energy & Transportation. Assessing Caterpillar (CAT) Valuation As AI Data Center Demand Drives Power Expansion Investment
• Positive Sentiment: Unusually heavy call‑option buying (large increase vs. average volume) signals short‑term bullish trading interest and may amplify intraday upside.
• Positive Sentiment: Caterpillar’s steady dividend (recently declared) supports income investors and reduces downside versus peers.
• Neutral Sentiment: CEO Joe Creed was elected Executive Chairman as predecessor D. James Umpleby III will retire April 1 — a planned succession that is mostly continuity but worth monitoring for governance changes. Caterpillar Chief Executive Officer Joe Creed Elected Chairman of the Board
• Neutral Sentiment: Broader sector momentum (industrial/industrial‑tech) is helping CAT’s move, tying performance to cyclical flows rather than company‑specific fundamentals. The S&P 500’s Top-Performing Sectors: 3 Lead the Pack in 2025 (CAT)
• Negative Sentiment: Insider selling: CFO Andrew Bonfield sold 10,000 shares (disclosed SEC filing), which market participants may read as profit‑taking amid the rally. Andrew Bonfield Sells 10,000 Shares of Caterpillar (NYSE:CAT) Stock
• Negative Sentiment: Valuation/technical caution: some analysts who praise the AI/power story are downgrading to Hold or warning the rally has priced in much of the upside, implying consolidation risk ahead of fresh earnings. Caterpillar Roars On AI Power Demand, But Easy Money Has Been Made (Downgrade)
• Negative Sentiment: Some institutional trimming (modest position reductions) suggests portfolio rebalancing after strong gains rather than firm-specific panic. Asset Management One Co. Ltd. Reduces Position in Caterpillar Inc. $CAT

Insider Transactions at Caterpillar

In other Caterpillar news, Director David Maclennan bought 300 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, November 6th. The stock was purchased at an average price of $568.86 per share, for a total transaction of $170,658.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the director directly owned 7,947 shares in the company, valued at $4,520,730.42. This trade represents a 3.92% increase in their ownership of the stock. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, insider Anthony D. Fassino sold 8,184 shares of Caterpillar stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $570.18, for a total value of $4,666,353.12. Following the sale, the insider owned 41,512 shares in the company, valued at $23,669,312.16. This trade represents a 16.47% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders have sold 71,895 shares of company stock valued at $39,758,116 over the last quarter. Insiders own 0.33% of the company’s stock.

Caterpillar Profile

Caterpillar Inc is a global manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines and locomotives. The company’s product portfolio includes earthmoving machines such as excavators, bulldozers, wheel loaders and off‑highway trucks, as well as a range of power generation products including generator sets and power systems for industrial and commercial use. Caterpillar serves customers across heavy construction, mining, energy, transportation and related industries with both equipment and integrated technology solutions.

In addition to manufacturing, Caterpillar provides a broad range of aftermarket parts and support services, including maintenance, repair, remanufacturing and fleet management tools.