Caterpillar Inc. (CAT) vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)
Over the past 10 years, CAT outperformed SPY — 29.17% vs 14.89% annualized total return (price plus dividends).
A side-by-side comparison of Caterpillar Inc. and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF 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.
Total return — CAT vs SPY
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 30yMetrics side by side
Did CAT beat SPY?
Over the past 10 years, CAT outperformed SPY — 29.17% vs 14.89% annualized total return (price plus dividends).
Total return (annualized)
| Metric | CAT | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| Total return (1Y) | 102.47% | 17.32% |
| Total return CAGR (3Y) | 52.20% | 18.85% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 35.31% | 12.50% |
| Total return CAGR (10Y) | 29.17% | 14.89% |
SPY is an index fund, so valuation, profitability, and per-company growth metrics don't apply — the head-to-head here is total return (price plus reinvested dividends).
Frequently asked
- Has CAT beaten SPY?
- Over the past 10 years, CAT outperformed SPY — 29.17% vs 14.89% annualized total return (price plus dividends).
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.