Caterpillar Inc. (CAT) vs GE Aerospace (GE)
A side-by-side comparison of Caterpillar Inc. and GE Aerospace across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of July 28, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
CAT
Caterpillar Inc.
$840.85IndustrialsDelayed quote: Jul 28, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
GE
GE Aerospace
$363.59IndustrialsDelayed quote: Jul 28, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
Total return — CAT vs GE
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 30yCAT +10980.7%GE +980.5%CAT compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
CAT GE
CAT vs GE: by the numbers
- •CAT is the larger company ($387.33B vs $377.25B market cap).
- •GE trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (42.69 vs 43.45 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •GE converts more revenue to profit (17.70% vs 13.31% net margin).
- •CAT grew revenue faster over the past five years (10.47% vs -7.73% CAGR).
- •CAT pays the higher dividend yield (0.69% vs 0.46%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | CAT | GE |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 43.45 | 42.69 |
| Forward P/E | 35.24 | 45.89 |
| P/S ratio | 5.75 | 7.48 |
| P/B ratio | 21.80 | 21.50 |
| PEG ratio | 1.55 | 1.08 |
| EV / EBITDA | 31.77 | 33.96 |
| FCF yield | 2.81% | 0.95% |
Profitability
| Metric | CAT | GE |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 32.52% | 35.44% |
| Operating margin | 16.56% | 20.79% |
| Net margin | 13.31% | 17.70% |
| ROE | 50.48% | 50.86% |
| ROIC | 11.42% | 8.12% |
Dividends
| Metric | CAT | GE |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 0.69% | 0.46% |
| Payout ratio | 31.96% | 20.34% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | CAT | GE |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 10.47% | -7.73% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 27.96% | 11.81% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 17.77% | 24.74% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 35.31% | 41.40% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, CAT or GE?
- GE has the lower trailing P/E: CAT trades at 43.45 and GE at 42.69. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, CAT or GE?
- Over the past five years, CAT grew revenue faster — CAT at a 10.47% CAGR versus GE at -7.73%.
- Does CAT or GE pay a bigger dividend?
- CAT yields 0.69% and GE yields 0.46% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is CAT or GE more profitable?
- GE runs the higher net margin — CAT at 13.31% versus GE at 17.70%.
- How have CAT and GE total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, CAT delivered 29.17% and GE delivered 10.42% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Caterpillar P/E ratioGE Aerospace P/E ratioCaterpillar dividend yieldGE Aerospace dividend yieldCaterpillar ROEGE Aerospace ROECaterpillar operating marginGE Aerospace operating marginCaterpillar revenue growthGE Aerospace revenue growthCaterpillar free cash flowGE Aerospace free cash flow
Caterpillar & GE Aerospace 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 July 28, 2026.