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.

Compare

Total returnCAT vs DE

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 30y
CAT +9992.8%DE +5667.2%CAT compounded faster
05k10kStart $100200120062011201620212026$10,093$5,767
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

MetricCATDE
P/E ratio40.5433.58
Forward P/E32.8832.76
P/S ratio5.363.43
P/B ratio20.345.86
PEG ratio1.45N/A
EV / EBITDA29.8219.84
FCF yield3.02%2.35%

Profitability

MetricCATDE
Gross margin32.52%35.40%
Operating margin16.56%18.38%
Net margin13.31%10.21%
ROE50.48%17.45%
ROIC11.42%7.13%

Dividends

MetricCATDE
Dividend yield0.74%1.09%
Payout ratio31.96%34.91%

Growth (annualized)

MetricCATDE
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.

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.