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).

Compare

Total return — CAT vs QCOM

growth of $100 · last 30y
CAT +5472.6%QCOM +7150.7%QCOM compounded faster
02k4k6k8kStart $100200120062011201620212026$5,573$7,251
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 11

It 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

MetricCATQCOM
P/E ratio45.3022.72
Forward P/E36.9219.72
P/S ratio5.995.10
P/B ratio22.738.32
PEG ratio1.623.96
EV / EBITDA29.1016.71
FCF yield2.70%5.51%

Profitability

MetricCATQCOM
Gross margin32.52%54.80%
Operating margin16.56%25.52%
Net margin13.31%22.31%
ROE50.48%36.38%
ROIC11.42%13.15%

Dividends

MetricCATQCOM
Dividend yield0.66%1.70%
Payout ratio31.96%70.95%

Growth (annualized)

MetricCATQCOM
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.

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.