Caterpillar Inc. (CAT) vs QUALCOMM Incorporated (QCOM)
QCOM leads on 11 of 17 compared metrics.
A side-by-side comparison of Caterpillar Inc. and QUALCOMM Incorporated 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).
Total return — CAT vs QCOM
growth of $100 · last 30yCAT +5472.6%QCOM +7150.7%QCOM compounded faster
CAT QCOM
CAT vs QCOM: by the numbers
- •CAT is the larger company ($419.44B vs $223.15B market cap).
- •QCOM trades at the lower earnings multiple (22.72 vs 45.30 P/E).
- •QCOM converts more revenue to profit (22.31% vs 13.31% net margin).
- •CAT grew revenue faster over the past five years (10.47% vs 8.63% CAGR).
- •QCOM pays the higher dividend yield (1.70% vs 0.66%).
Which is better, CAT or QCOM?
Metric tally: CAT 6 · QCOM 11It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueQCOM(lower P/E)
GrowthCAT(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeQCOM(higher dividend yield)
QualityQCOM(higher ROIC)
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | CAT | QCOM |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 45.30 | 22.72● |
| Forward P/E | 36.92 | 19.72● |
| P/S ratio | 5.99 | 5.10● |
| P/B ratio | 22.73 | 8.32● |
| PEG ratio | 1.62● | 3.96 |
| EV / EBITDA | 29.10 | 16.71● |
| FCF yield | 2.70% | 5.51%● |
Profitability
| Metric | CAT | QCOM |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 32.52% | 54.80%● |
| Operating margin | 16.56% | 25.52%● |
| Net margin | 13.31% | 22.31%● |
| ROE | 50.48%● | 36.38% |
| ROIC | 11.42% | 13.15%● |
Dividends
| Metric | CAT | QCOM |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 0.66% | 1.70%● |
| Payout ratio | 31.96% | 70.95% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | CAT | QCOM |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 10.47%● | 8.63% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 27.96%● | 5.74% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 17.77%● | 9.39% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 35.15%● | 11.87% |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, CAT or QCOM?
- It depends on your goal. value: QCOM (lower P/E); growth: CAT (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: QCOM (higher dividend yield); quality: QCOM (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, QCOM leads 11 to 6.
- Is CAT or QCOM cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, QCOM is cheaper: CAT trades at a 45.30 P/E and QCOM at 22.72.
- Which has grown faster, CAT or QCOM?
- Over the past five years, CAT grew revenue faster — CAT at a 10.47% CAGR versus QCOM at 8.63%.
- Does CAT or QCOM pay a bigger dividend?
- CAT yields 0.66% and QCOM yields 1.70% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is CAT or QCOM more profitable?
- QCOM runs the higher net margin — CAT at 13.31% versus QCOM at 22.31%.
- Which has been the better investment, CAT or QCOM?
- Over the past 10-year, CAT delivered the higher annualized total return — CAT at 31.11% versus QCOM at 17.83%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Caterpillar P/E ratioQUALCOMM P/E ratioCaterpillar dividend yieldQUALCOMM dividend yieldCaterpillar ROEQUALCOMM ROECaterpillar operating marginQUALCOMM operating marginCaterpillar revenue growthQUALCOMM revenue growthCaterpillar free cash flowQUALCOMM free cash flow
Caterpillar & QUALCOMM 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 June 15, 2026.