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 September 13, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.

Compare

Total returnCAT vs DE

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10y
CAT +1144.4% (+28.7%/yr)DE +845.2% (+25.2%/yr)CAT compounded faster over this window
05001k2kStart $10020182020202220242026$1,244$945
CAT DE

CAT vs DE: by the numbers

  • CAT is the larger company ($360.93B vs $184.65B market cap).
  • CAT trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (33.70 vs 38.00 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
  • CAT converts more revenue to profit (14.50% vs 10.22% net margin).
  • CAT grew revenue faster over the past five years (10.24% vs 2.84% CAGR).
  • DE pays the higher dividend yield (0.96% vs 0.75%).

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricCATDE
P/E ratio33.7038.00
Forward P/E28.7637.74
P/S ratio4.833.87
P/B ratio18.616.60
EV / EBITDA25.8121.05
FCF yield2.49%2.09%

Profitability

MetricCATDE
Gross margin33.87%35.74%
Operating margin17.52%18.97%
Net margin14.50%10.22%
ROE55.85%17.41%
ROIC13.30%7.20%

Dividends

MetricCATDE
Dividend yield0.75%0.96%
Payout ratio26.49%36.00%

Growth (annualized)

MetricCATDE
Revenue CAGR (5Y)10.24%2.84%
EPS CAGR (5Y)27.96%-0.77%
FCF CAGR (5Y)9.80%-6.06%
Total return CAGR (5Y)34.18%14.72%

Frequently asked

Which has the lower trailing P/E, CAT or DE?
CAT has the lower trailing P/E: CAT trades at 33.70 and DE at 38.00. 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 10.24% CAGR versus DE at 2.84%.
Does CAT or DE pay a bigger dividend?
CAT yields 0.75% and DE yields 0.96% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is CAT or DE more profitable?
CAT runs the higher net margin — CAT at 14.50% versus DE at 10.22%.
How have CAT and DE total returns compared?
Over the past 10 years, CAT delivered 28.83% and DE delivered 25.38% 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.