Caterpillar Inc. (CAT) vs NVIDIA Corporation (NVDA)
A side-by-side comparison of Caterpillar Inc. and NVIDIA Corporation across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of September 10, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
Different business models: CAT is classified in Industrials; NVDA is classified in Technology. Margin, capital intensity, and valuation differences should be interpreted in that sector context.
CAT
Caterpillar Inc.
$818.57IndustrialsDelayed quote: Sep 11, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
NVDA
NVIDIA Corporation
$218.29TechnologyDelayed quote: Sep 11, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
Total return — CAT vs NVDA
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10yCAT +1096.8% (+28.2%/yr)NVDA +14538.6% (+64.6%/yr)NVDA compounded faster over this window
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
CAT NVDA
CAT vs NVDA: by the numbers
- •NVDA is the larger company ($5.29T vs $377.06B market cap).
- •NVDA trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (27.60 vs 35.21 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •NVDA converts more revenue to profit (63.66% vs 14.50% net margin).
- •NVDA grew revenue faster over the past five years (69.34% vs 10.24% CAGR).
- •CAT pays the higher dividend yield (0.77% vs 0.13%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | CAT | NVDA |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 35.21 | 27.60 |
| Forward P/E | 30.04 | 23.59 |
| P/S ratio | 5.05 | 17.45 |
| P/B ratio | 19.44 | 23.09 |
| EV / EBITDA | 26.86 | 26.35 |
| FCF yield | 2.39% | 2.40% |
Profitability
| Metric | CAT | NVDA |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 33.87% | 74.67% |
| Operating margin | 17.52% | 65.21% |
| Net margin | 14.50% | 63.66% |
| ROE | 55.85% | 84.23% |
| ROIC | 13.30% | 59.61% |
Dividends
| Metric | CAT | NVDA |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 0.77% | 0.13% |
| Payout ratio | 26.49% | 3.54% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | CAT | NVDA |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 10.24% | 69.34% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 27.96% | 94.31% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 9.80% | 82.12% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 33.75% | 57.72% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, CAT or NVDA?
- NVDA has the lower trailing P/E: CAT trades at 35.21 and NVDA at 27.60. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, CAT or NVDA?
- Over the past five years, NVDA grew revenue faster — CAT at a 10.24% CAGR versus NVDA at 69.34%.
- Does CAT or NVDA pay a bigger dividend?
- CAT yields 0.77% and NVDA yields 0.13% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is CAT or NVDA more profitable?
- NVDA runs the higher net margin — CAT at 14.50% versus NVDA at 63.66%.
- How have CAT and NVDA total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, CAT delivered 28.63% and NVDA delivered 64.96% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Caterpillar P/E ratioNVIDIA P/E ratioCaterpillar dividend yieldNVIDIA dividend yieldCaterpillar ROENVIDIA ROECaterpillar operating marginNVIDIA operating marginCaterpillar revenue growthNVIDIA revenue growthCaterpillar free cash flowNVIDIA free cash flow
Caterpillar & NVIDIA appear in these rankings
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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 September 10, 2026.