Caterpillar Inc. (CAT) vs Deere & Company (DE)
A side-by-side comparison of Caterpillar Inc. and Deere & Company across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of August 1, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
CAT
Caterpillar Inc.
$814.81IndustrialsAt close: Jul 31, 2026, 4:00 PM ET
DE
Deere & Company
$592.67IndustrialsAt close: Jul 31, 2026, 4:00 PM ET
Total return — CAT vs DE
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 30yCAT +9992.8%DE +5667.2%CAT compounded faster
CAT DE
CAT vs DE: by the numbers
- •CAT is the larger company ($375.33B vs $159.98B market cap).
- •DE trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (33.58 vs 40.54 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •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 (1.09% vs 0.74%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | CAT | DE |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 40.54 | 33.58 |
| Forward P/E | 32.88 | 32.76 |
| P/S ratio | 5.36 | 3.43 |
| P/B ratio | 20.34 | 5.86 |
| PEG ratio | 1.45 | N/A |
| EV / EBITDA | 29.82 | 19.84 |
| FCF yield | 3.02% | 2.35% |
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 | 0.74% | 1.09% |
| Payout ratio | 31.96% | 34.91% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | CAT | DE |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 10.47% | 3.78% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 27.96% | -0.77% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 17.77% | -9.34% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 33.83% | 11.84% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, CAT or DE?
- DE has the lower trailing P/E: CAT trades at 40.54 and DE at 33.58. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- 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 0.74% and DE yields 1.09% 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%.
- How have CAT and DE total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, CAT delivered 28.47% and DE delivered 24.44% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Caterpillar P/E ratioDeere & P/E ratioCaterpillar dividend yieldDeere & dividend yieldCaterpillar ROEDeere & ROECaterpillar operating marginDeere & operating marginCaterpillar revenue growthDeere & revenue growthCaterpillar free cash flowDeere & free cash flow
Caterpillar & Deere & 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 August 1, 2026.