The Boeing Company (BA) vs Caterpillar Inc. (CAT)
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 September 13, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
BA
The Boeing Company
$209.69IndustrialsDelayed quote: Sep 15, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
CAT
Caterpillar Inc.
$783.54IndustrialsDelayed quote: Sep 15, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
Total return — BA vs CAT
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10yBA +79.5% (+6.0%/yr)CAT +1144.4% (+28.7%/yr)CAT compounded faster over this window
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
BA CAT
BA vs CAT: by the numbers
- •CAT is the larger company ($360.93B vs $165.73B market cap).
- •CAT trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (33.70 vs 90.77 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •CAT converts more revenue to profit (14.50% vs 2.59% net margin).
- •CAT grew revenue faster over the past five years (10.24% vs 8.80% CAGR).
- •CAT pays a dividend (0.75% yield), while BA is a former payer with no current dividend run rate.
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | BA | CAT |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 90.77 | 33.70 |
| Forward P/E | N/A | 28.76 |
| P/S ratio | 1.76 | 4.83 |
| P/B ratio | 27.17 | 18.61 |
| EV / EBITDA | N/A | 25.81 |
| FCF yield | N/A | 2.49% |
Profitability
| Metric | BA | CAT |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 4.68% | 33.87% |
| Operating margin | -5.41% | 17.52% |
| Net margin | 2.59% | 14.50% |
| ROE | 39.92% | 55.85% |
| ROIC | -7.72% | 13.30% |
Dividends
| Metric | BA | CAT |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | N/A | 0.75% |
| Payout ratio | N/A | 26.49% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | BA | CAT |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 8.80% | 10.24% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | N/A | 27.96% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | N/A | 9.80% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | -0.38% | 34.18% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, BA or CAT?
- CAT has the lower trailing P/E: BA trades at 90.77 and CAT at 33.70. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, BA or CAT?
- Over the past five years, CAT grew revenue faster — BA at a 8.80% CAGR versus CAT at 10.24%.
- Does BA or CAT pay a bigger dividend?
- CAT pays a dividend (0.75% yield), while BA is a former payer with no current dividend run rate.
- Is BA or CAT more profitable?
- CAT runs the higher net margin — BA at 2.59% versus CAT at 14.50%.
- How have BA and CAT total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, BA delivered 5.94% and CAT delivered 28.83% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Boeing P/E ratioCaterpillar P/E ratioCaterpillar dividend yieldBoeing ROECaterpillar ROEBoeing operating marginCaterpillar operating marginBoeing revenue growthCaterpillar revenue growthBoeing free cash flowCaterpillar free cash flow
Boeing & Caterpillar appear in these rankings
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 September 13, 2026.