Caterpillar Inc. (CAT) vs Honeywell International Inc. (HON)

CAT leads on 9 of 17 compared metrics, though HON is the cheaper stock.

A side-by-side comparison of Caterpillar Inc. and Honeywell International Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 15, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Compare

Total return — CAT vs HON

growth of $100 · last 30y
CAT +5472.6%HON +722.7%CAT compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
101001k10kStart $100200120062011201620212026$5,573$823
CAT HON

CAT vs HON: by the numbers

  • CAT is the larger company ($419.44B vs $139.60B market cap).
  • HON trades at the lower earnings multiple (31.21 vs 45.30 P/E).
  • CAT converts more revenue to profit (13.31% vs 11.16% net margin).
  • CAT grew revenue faster over the past five years (10.47% vs 2.42% CAGR).
  • HON pays the higher dividend yield (2.13% vs 0.66%).

Which is better, CAT or HON?

Metric tally: CAT 9 · HON 8

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueHON(lower P/E)
GrowthCAT(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeHON(higher dividend yield)
QualityCAT(higher ROIC)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricCATHON
P/E ratio45.3031.21
Forward P/E36.9219.22
P/S ratio5.993.83
P/B ratio22.736.60
PEG ratio1.6217.93
EV / EBITDA29.1023.95
FCF yield2.70%2.92%

Profitability

MetricCATHON
Gross margin32.52%36.95%
Operating margin16.56%14.87%
Net margin13.31%11.16%
ROE50.48%19.24%
ROIC11.42%9.22%

Dividends

MetricCATHON
Dividend yield0.66%2.13%
Payout ratio31.96%63.51%

Growth (annualized)

MetricCATHON
Revenue CAGR (5Y)10.47%2.42%
EPS CAGR (5Y)27.96%1.74%
FCF CAGR (5Y)17.77%-4.80%
Total return CAGR (5Y)35.15%1.55%

Frequently asked

Which is better, CAT or HON?
It depends on your goal. value: HON (lower P/E); growth: CAT (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: HON (higher dividend yield); quality: CAT (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, CAT leads 9 to 8.
Is CAT or HON cheaper?
On trailing earnings, HON is cheaper: CAT trades at a 45.30 P/E and HON at 31.21.
Which has grown faster, CAT or HON?
Over the past five years, CAT grew revenue faster — CAT at a 10.47% CAGR versus HON at 2.42%.
Does CAT or HON pay a bigger dividend?
CAT yields 0.66% and HON yields 2.13% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is CAT or HON more profitable?
CAT runs the higher net margin — CAT at 13.31% versus HON at 11.16%.
Which has been the better investment, CAT or HON?
Over the past 10-year, CAT delivered the higher annualized total return — CAT at 31.11% versus HON at 9.42%. 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 June 15, 2026.