Is CAT or DE cheaper?

On trailing earnings, DE is cheaper: CAT trades at a 45.30 P/E and DE at 32.72.

Which has grown faster, CAT or DE?

Over the past five years, CAT grew revenue faster — CAT at a 10.47% CAGR versus DE at 3.78%.

Does CAT or DE pay a bigger dividend?

CAT yields 0.66% and DE yields 1.12% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.

Is CAT or DE more profitable?

CAT runs the higher net margin — CAT at 13.31% versus DE at 10.21%.

Which has been the better investment, CAT or DE?

Over the past 10-year, CAT delivered the higher annualized total return — CAT at 31.11% versus DE at 22.98%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Caterpillar Inc. (CAT) vs Deere & Company (DE)

CAT leads on 9 of 17 compared metrics, though DE is the cheaper stock.

A side-by-side comparison of Caterpillar Inc. and Deere & Company across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 15, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Total return — CAT vs DE

growth of $100 · last 30y

CAT +5472.6%DE +2751.8%CAT compounded faster

CAT DE

CAT vs DE: by the numbers

•CAT is the larger company ($419.44B vs $155.88B market cap).
•DE trades at the lower earnings multiple (32.72 vs 45.30 P/E).
•CAT converts more revenue to profit (13.31% vs 10.21% net margin).
•CAT grew revenue faster over the past five years (10.47% vs 3.78% CAGR).
•DE pays the higher dividend yield (1.12% vs 0.66%).

Which is better, CAT or DE?

Metric tally: CAT 9 · DE 8

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueDE(lower P/E)

GrowthCAT(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)

IncomeDE(higher dividend yield)

QualityCAT(higher ROIC)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

Metric	CAT	DE
P/E ratio	45.30	32.72●
Forward P/E	36.92	31.95●
P/S ratio	5.99	3.34●
P/B ratio	22.73	5.71●
PEG ratio	1.62●	2.02
EV / EBITDA	29.10	19.57●
FCF yield	2.70%●	2.41%

Profitability

Metric	CAT	DE
Gross margin	32.52%	35.40%●
Operating margin	16.56%	18.38%●
Net margin	13.31%●	10.21%
ROE	50.48%●	17.45%
ROIC	11.42%●	7.13%

Dividends

Metric	CAT	DE
Dividend yield	0.66%	1.12%●
Payout ratio	31.96%	34.91%

Growth (annualized)

Metric	CAT	DE
Revenue CAGR (5Y)	10.47%●	3.78%
EPS CAGR (5Y)	27.96%●	16.17%
FCF CAGR (5Y)	17.77%●	-9.34%
Total return CAGR (5Y)	35.15%●	12.54%

Frequently asked

Which is better, CAT or DE?: It depends on your goal. value: DE (lower P/E); growth: CAT (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: DE (higher dividend yield); quality: CAT (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, CAT leads 9 to 8.
Is CAT or DE cheaper?: On trailing earnings, DE is cheaper: CAT trades at a 45.30 P/E and DE at 32.72.
Which has grown faster, CAT or DE?: Over the past five years, CAT grew revenue faster — CAT at a 10.47% CAGR versus DE at 3.78%.
Does CAT or DE pay a bigger dividend?: CAT yields 0.66% and DE yields 1.12% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is CAT or DE more profitable?: CAT runs the higher net margin — CAT at 13.31% versus DE at 10.21%.
Which has been the better investment, CAT or DE?: Over the past 10-year, CAT delivered the higher annualized total return — CAT at 31.11% versus DE at 22.98%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Go deeper

Full CAT analysis Full DE analysis Interactive comparison tool

Dig into the metrics

Caterpillar P/E ratio Deere & P/E ratio Caterpillar dividend yield Deere & dividend yield Caterpillar ROE Deere & ROE Caterpillar operating margin Deere & operating margin Caterpillar revenue growth Deere & revenue growth Caterpillar free cash flow Deere & free cash flow

Caterpillar & Deere & appear in these rankings

Highest ROE Stocks Best 10-Year Total Return Stocks Largest Companies by Market Cap

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 15, 2026.