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.

Compare

Total returnCAT vs GE

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 30y
CAT +10980.7%GE +980.5%CAT compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
101001k10k100kStart $100200120062011201620212026$11,081$1,081
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

MetricCATGE
P/E ratio43.4542.69
Forward P/E35.2445.89
P/S ratio5.757.48
P/B ratio21.8021.50
PEG ratio1.551.08
EV / EBITDA31.7733.96
FCF yield2.81%0.95%

Profitability

MetricCATGE
Gross margin32.52%35.44%
Operating margin16.56%20.79%
Net margin13.31%17.70%
ROE50.48%50.86%
ROIC11.42%8.12%

Dividends

MetricCATGE
Dividend yield0.69%0.46%
Payout ratio31.96%20.34%

Growth (annualized)

MetricCATGE
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.

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.