Cascade Investment Advisors Inc. Has $2.22 Million Stock Position in Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT)

Cascade Investment Advisors Inc. reduced its position in Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT) by 4.7% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 6,115 shares of the industrial products company’s stock after selling 300 shares during the period. Caterpillar makes up 1.4% of Cascade Investment Advisors Inc.’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 17th largest holding. Cascade Investment Advisors Inc.’s holdings in Caterpillar were worth $2,218,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. BankPlus Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in Caterpillar during the 4th quarter valued at about $490,000. Nilsine Partners LLC boosted its holdings in Caterpillar by 3.7% in the fourth quarter. Nilsine Partners LLC now owns 9,798 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $3,554,000 after acquiring an additional 346 shares in the last quarter. Baldwin Wealth Partners LLC MA lifted its position in shares of Caterpillar by 10.1% in the 4th quarter. Baldwin Wealth Partners LLC MA now owns 1,925 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $698,000 after purchasing an additional 176 shares during the period. Foundations Investment Advisors LLC grew its stake in Caterpillar by 12.5% in the fourth quarter. Foundations Investment Advisors LLC now owns 7,687 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $2,789,000 after purchasing an additional 856 shares during the period. Finally, West Wealth Group LLC bought a new position in shares of Caterpillar during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $230,000. 70.98% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insiders Place Their Bets

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 sale, 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 position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, CFO Andrew R. J. Bonfield sold 10,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, January 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $380.09, for a total transaction of $3,800,900.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 45,182 shares in the company, valued at $17,173,226.38. This represents a 18.12 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders 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 Stock Down 3.2 %

Shares of CAT opened at $394.60 on Tuesday. The company has a market capitalization of $190.51 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.29, a PEG ratio of 1.97 and a beta of 1.13. Caterpillar Inc. has a 52 week low of $297.45 and a 52 week high of $418.50. The stock’s 50-day moving average price is $381.07 and its 200-day moving average price is $369.79. The company has a quick ratio of 0.86, a current ratio of 1.40 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.33.

Caterpillar (NYSE:CAT) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, October 30th. The industrial products company reported $5.17 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $5.33 by ($0.16). The company had revenue of $16.11 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $16.37 billion. Caterpillar had a return on equity of 59.09% and a net margin of 16.26%. The company’s revenue for the quarter was down 4.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $5.52 earnings per share. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Caterpillar Inc. will post 21.69 EPS for the current year.

Caterpillar Announces Dividend

The business 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 1.43%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, January 21st. Caterpillar’s payout ratio is presently 26.15%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts have commented on the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their target price on Caterpillar from $500.00 to $515.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Monday, December 9th. StockNews.com cut shares of Caterpillar from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Friday, January 17th. UBS Group upped their price objective on Caterpillar from $285.00 to $295.00 and gave the stock a “sell” rating in a research note on Monday, November 4th. Robert W. Baird lifted their price target on shares of Caterpillar from $299.00 to $300.00 and gave the company an “underperform” rating in a report on Thursday, October 31st. Finally, Bank of America upped their target price on shares of Caterpillar from $376.00 to $434.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday, September 30th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have given a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $380.60.

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.