The Boeing Company (BA) vs Caterpillar Inc. (CAT)

CAT leads on 11 of 12 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of The Boeing Company and Caterpillar Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 13, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Total return — BA vs CAT

growth of $100 · last 30y
BA +426.2%CAT +5534.7%CAT compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
101001k10kStart $100200120062011201620212026$526$5,635
BA CAT

BA vs CAT: by the numbers

  • CAT is the larger company ($419.44B vs $172.68B market cap).
  • CAT trades at the lower earnings multiple (45.30 vs 106.33 P/E).
  • CAT converts more revenue to profit (13.31% vs 2.46% net margin).
  • CAT grew revenue faster over the past five years (10.47% vs 10.30% CAGR).
  • CAT pays a dividend (0.66% yield) while BA does not currently pay one.

Which is better, BA or CAT?

Metric tally: BA 1 · CAT 11

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueCAT(lower P/E)
QualityCAT(higher ROIC)

Valuation

MetricBACAT
P/E ratio106.3345.30
Forward P/E53.2436.92
P/S ratio1.945.99
P/B ratio29.9422.73
PEG ratio1.62
EV / EBITDA29.6329.10
FCF yield2.70%

Profitability

MetricBACAT
Gross margin4.79%32.52%
Operating margin-5.89%16.56%
Net margin2.46%13.31%
ROE37.88%50.48%
ROIC-6.67%11.42%

Dividends

MetricBACAT
Dividend yield0.66%
Payout ratio31.96%

Growth (annualized)

MetricBACAT
Revenue CAGR (5Y)10.30%10.47%
EPS CAGR (5Y)-24.64%27.96%
FCF CAGR (5Y)-37.08%17.77%
Total return CAGR (5Y)-2.39%35.15%

Frequently asked

Which is better, BA or CAT?
It depends on your goal. value: CAT (lower P/E); quality: CAT (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, CAT leads 11 to 1.
Is BA or CAT cheaper?
On trailing earnings, CAT is cheaper: BA trades at a 106.33 P/E and CAT at 45.30.
Which has grown faster, BA or CAT?
Over the past five years, CAT grew revenue faster — BA at a 10.30% CAGR versus CAT at 10.47%.
Does BA or CAT pay a bigger dividend?
CAT pays a dividend (0.66% yield) while BA does not currently pay one.
Is BA or CAT more profitable?
CAT runs the higher net margin — BA at 2.46% versus CAT at 13.31%.
Which has been the better investment, BA or CAT?
Over the past 10-year, CAT delivered the higher annualized total return — BA at 6.23% versus CAT at 31.11%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

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 June 13, 2026.