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.

Compare

Total returnBA vs CAT

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10y
BA +79.5% (+6.0%/yr)CAT +1144.4% (+28.7%/yr)CAT compounded faster over this window
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
101001k10kStart $10020182020202220242026$180$1,244
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

MetricBACAT
P/E ratio90.7733.70
Forward P/EN/A28.76
P/S ratio1.764.83
P/B ratio27.1718.61
EV / EBITDAN/A25.81
FCF yieldN/A2.49%

Profitability

MetricBACAT
Gross margin4.68%33.87%
Operating margin-5.41%17.52%
Net margin2.59%14.50%
ROE39.92%55.85%
ROIC-7.72%13.30%

Dividends

MetricBACAT
Dividend yieldN/A0.75%
Payout ratioN/A26.49%

Growth (annualized)

MetricBACAT
Revenue CAGR (5Y)8.80%10.24%
EPS CAGR (5Y)N/A27.96%
FCF CAGR (5Y)N/A9.80%
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.

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.