Amazon.com, Inc. (AMZN) vs Caterpillar Inc. (CAT)
A side-by-side comparison of Amazon.com, Inc. and Caterpillar Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of July 28, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
Different business models: AMZN is classified in Consumer Cyclical; CAT is classified in Industrials. Margin, capital intensity, and valuation differences should be interpreted in that sector context.
AMZN
Amazon.com, Inc.
$230.86Consumer CyclicalDelayed quote: Jul 28, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
CAT
Caterpillar Inc.
$840.85IndustrialsDelayed quote: Jul 28, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
Total return — AMZN vs CAT
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 29yAMZN +236212.4%CAT +7492.2%AMZN compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
AMZN CAT
AMZN vs CAT: by the numbers
- •AMZN is the larger company ($2.48T vs $387.33B market cap).
- •AMZN trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (27.68 vs 43.45 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •CAT converts more revenue to profit (13.31% vs 12.22% net margin).
- •AMZN grew revenue faster over the past five years (12.13% vs 10.47% CAGR).
- •CAT pays a dividend (0.69% yield), while AMZN has no payments in the available dividend history.
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | AMZN | CAT |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 27.68 | 43.45 |
| Forward P/E | 26.18 | 35.24 |
| P/S ratio | 3.39 | 5.75 |
| P/B ratio | 5.69 | 21.80 |
| PEG ratio | 1.10 | 1.55 |
| EV / EBITDA | 16.84 | 31.77 |
| FCF yield | N/A | 2.81% |
Profitability
| Metric | AMZN | CAT |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 50.60% | 32.52% |
| Operating margin | 11.50% | 16.56% |
| Net margin | 12.22% | 13.31% |
| ROE | 20.55% | 50.48% |
| ROIC | 10.70% | 11.42% |
Dividends
| Metric | AMZN | CAT |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | N/A | 0.69% |
| Payout ratio | N/A | 31.96% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | AMZN | CAT |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 12.13% | 10.47% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 27.90% | 27.96% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | -21.57% | 17.77% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 5.00% | 35.31% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, AMZN or CAT?
- AMZN has the lower trailing P/E: AMZN trades at 27.68 and CAT at 43.45. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, AMZN or CAT?
- Over the past five years, AMZN grew revenue faster — AMZN at a 12.13% CAGR versus CAT at 10.47%.
- Does AMZN or CAT pay a bigger dividend?
- CAT pays a dividend (0.69% yield), while AMZN has no payments in the available dividend history.
- Is AMZN or CAT more profitable?
- CAT runs the higher net margin — AMZN at 12.22% versus CAT at 13.31%.
- How have AMZN and CAT total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, AMZN delivered 20.18% and CAT delivered 29.17% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Amazon.com P/E ratioCaterpillar P/E ratioAmazon.com dividend yieldCaterpillar dividend yieldAmazon.com ROECaterpillar ROEAmazon.com operating marginCaterpillar operating marginAmazon.com revenue growthCaterpillar revenue growthAmazon.com free cash flowCaterpillar free cash flow
Amazon.com & Caterpillar appear in these rankings
Related comparisons
Figures are sourced from reported fundamentals and the latest end-of-day price. This comparison is informational only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not predict future results. See our methodology. Compiled by TGMCharts Research · data verified July 28, 2026.