Caterpillar Inc. (CAT) vs Meta Platforms, Inc. (META)
A side-by-side comparison of Caterpillar Inc. and Meta Platforms, Inc. 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.
Different business models: CAT is classified in Industrials; META is classified in Communication Services. Margin, capital intensity, and valuation differences should be interpreted in that sector context.
CAT
Caterpillar Inc.
$840.85IndustrialsDelayed quote: Jul 28, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
META
Meta Platforms, Inc.
$593.41Communication ServicesDelayed quote: Jul 28, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
Total return — CAT vs META
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 14yCAT +1314.5%META +1470.4%META compounded faster
CAT META
CAT vs META: by the numbers
- •META is the larger company ($1.51T vs $387.33B market cap).
- •META trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (21.60 vs 43.45 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •META converts more revenue to profit (32.84% vs 13.31% net margin).
- •META grew revenue faster over the past five years (17.89% vs 10.47% CAGR).
- •CAT pays the higher dividend yield (0.69% vs 0.35%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | CAT | META |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 43.45 | 21.60 |
| Forward P/E | 35.24 | 18.03 |
| P/S ratio | 5.75 | 7.08 |
| P/B ratio | 21.80 | 6.25 |
| PEG ratio | 1.55 | 1.16 |
| EV / EBITDA | 31.77 | 14.51 |
| FCF yield | 2.81% | 3.17% |
Profitability
| Metric | CAT | META |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 32.52% | 81.94% |
| Operating margin | 16.56% | 41.21% |
| Net margin | 13.31% | 32.84% |
| ROE | 50.48% | 28.97% |
| ROIC | 11.42% | 17.95% |
Dividends
| Metric | CAT | META |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 0.69% | 0.35% |
| Payout ratio | 31.96% | 8.76% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | CAT | META |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 10.47% | 17.89% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 27.96% | 18.60% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 17.77% | 14.84% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 35.31% | 10.03% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, CAT or META?
- META has the lower trailing P/E: CAT trades at 43.45 and META at 21.60. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, CAT or META?
- Over the past five years, META grew revenue faster — CAT at a 10.47% CAGR versus META at 17.89%.
- Does CAT or META pay a bigger dividend?
- CAT yields 0.69% and META yields 0.35% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is CAT or META more profitable?
- META runs the higher net margin — CAT at 13.31% versus META at 32.84%.
- How have CAT and META total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, CAT delivered 29.17% and META delivered 17.02% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Caterpillar P/E ratioMeta Platforms P/E ratioCaterpillar dividend yieldMeta Platforms dividend yieldCaterpillar ROEMeta Platforms ROECaterpillar operating marginMeta Platforms operating marginCaterpillar revenue growthMeta Platforms revenue growthCaterpillar free cash flowMeta Platforms free cash flow
Caterpillar & Meta Platforms appear in these rankings
Fastest Revenue Growth StocksHighest ROE StocksHighest Operating Margin StocksHighest 10-Year Total Return Stocks
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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.