Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT) Short Interest Up 61.1% in February

Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT) was the target of a large growth in short interest during the month of February. As of February 13th, there was short interest totaling 10,003,029 shares, a growth of 61.1% from the January 29th total of 6,208,435 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 3,983,183 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 2.5 days. Approximately 2.2% of the shares of the company are sold short. Approximately 2.2% of the shares of the company are sold short. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 3,983,183 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 2.5 days.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research firms have recently weighed in on CAT. Argus increased their price objective on Caterpillar from $625.00 to $820.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 11th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “buy (b)” rating on shares of Caterpillar in a research note on Monday, December 29th. Barclays raised their price target on shares of Caterpillar from $610.00 to $625.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Friday, January 30th. CICC Research began coverage on shares of Caterpillar in a research report on Friday, February 6th. They set an “outperform” rating for the company. Finally, Raymond James Financial reissued a “market perform” rating on shares of Caterpillar in a research report on Wednesday, January 7th. Sixteen investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, seven have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $712.52.

Insider Transactions at Caterpillar

In related news, insider Denise C. Johnson sold 39,138 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $681.08, for a total transaction of $26,656,109.04. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider owned 43,350 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $29,524,818. The trade was a 47.45% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, insider Rodney Michael Shurman sold 2,278 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $759.61, for a total value of $1,730,391.58. Following the sale, the insider owned 1,443 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,096,117.23. The trade was a 61.22% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Over the last ninety days, insiders have sold 143,450 shares of company stock worth $98,245,065. Corporate insiders own 0.33% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Caterpillar

Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Kilter Group LLC bought a new position in shares of Caterpillar in the second quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Torren Management LLC acquired a new stake in Caterpillar during the 4th quarter valued at $27,000. Marquette Asset Management LLC raised its position in Caterpillar by 1,060.0% in the 3rd quarter. Marquette Asset Management LLC now owns 58 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $28,000 after purchasing an additional 53 shares during the last quarter. Frazier Financial Advisors LLC boosted its stake in Caterpillar by 220.0% in the fourth quarter. Frazier Financial Advisors LLC now owns 48 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $28,000 after purchasing an additional 33 shares in the last quarter. Finally, IFS Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Caterpillar during the fourth quarter worth $31,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 70.98% of the company’s stock.

Caterpillar Price Performance

CAT traded down $10.40 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $742.53. 3,440,668 shares of the company’s stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 3,257,661. The company has a quick ratio of 0.94, a current ratio of 1.44 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.44. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $667.81 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $565.67. The firm has a market capitalization of $345.49 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 39.45, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.76 and a beta of 1.53. Caterpillar has a one year low of $267.30 and a one year high of $789.81.

Caterpillar (NYSE:CAT) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 29th. The industrial products company reported $5.16 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $4.67 by $0.49. The company had revenue of $19.13 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $17.81 billion. Caterpillar had a return on equity of 45.76% and a net margin of 13.14%.The company’s revenue was up 17.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $5.14 EPS. As a group, research analysts predict that Caterpillar will post 19.86 EPS for the current year.

Caterpillar Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, February 19th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, January 20th were issued a dividend of $1.51 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, January 20th. This represents a $6.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.8%. Caterpillar’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 32.09%.

Key Caterpillar News

Here are the key news stories impacting Caterpillar this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Wells Fargo raised its price target to $870, citing continued momentum and demand drivers that support higher valuations for CAT. Wells Fargo Raises Caterpillar (NYSE:CAT) Price Target to $870.00
• Positive Sentiment: Daiwa Securities also lifted its price target to $790, adding to analyst bullishness and reinforcing upside expectations from peers. Daiwa Securities Group Raises Caterpillar (NYSE:CAT) Price Target to $790.00
• Positive Sentiment: Market commentary highlights CAT as a beneficiary of AI-related capex (data center construction) and sustained infrastructure/mining demand — a thematic tailwind supporting long-term revenue and equipment replacement cycles. Does Caterpillar’s AI Power Deal And Record Results Redefine The Bull Case For CAT?
• Positive Sentiment: High-profile investors/commentators (Jim Cramer) and strategists are publicly backing CAT as a “hard asset” play tied to construction and AI-related buildout, bolstering retail/institutional interest. Jim Cramer on Caterpillar: “We Like Their Stuff”
• Neutral Sentiment: Research reports forecast solid market expansion in mining trucks, rock drilling and tunneling equipment through 2030, identifying CAT as a key market leader — supportive for long-term demand but not an immediate catalyst. Mining Truck Industry Report 2026-2035
• Neutral Sentiment: Corporate activity: CAT hosted its Global Technician Finals and is rolling out a redesigned rental management experience; these operational initiatives improve service/aftermarket positioning but are incremental. Caterpillar hosts its Global Technician Finals in Peoria
• Neutral Sentiment: Caterpillar and BST invested in ElevenEs (electrification/technology), a strategic move toward EV/efficiency solutions that supports medium-term product mix shifts. Caterpillar and BST invest in ElevenEs
• Negative Sentiment: Today’s share weakness is partly tied to broader market pressure: the Dow fell with losses in Nvidia and Caterpillar cited among decliners, which knocked CAT lower. Dow’s 131-point fall led by losses in NVIDIA Corp., Caterpillar shares
• Negative Sentiment: Short interest rose sharply in February (≈61% month-over-month growth to ~10M shares), indicating increased bearish positioning that can amplify near-term downside volatility.

Caterpillar Company 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.