Caterpillar Inc. (CAT) Return on Equity (ROE): 50.48%
Is Caterpillar Inc.’s return on equity (ROE) high or low?
Caterpillar Inc.'s return on equity (ROE) of 50.48% is 21% above its 5-year average of 41.87%, near the high end of its 5-year range (19.56%–55.37%).
The return on equity (ROE) for Caterpillar Inc. (CAT) is 50.48% as of Wednesday, June 10, 2026. It is above its 12-month average by 4.09% (48.49%).
CAT Return on Equity (ROE) Chart
CAT Average Return on Equity (ROE) Chart
CAT Current vs Average Return on Equity (ROE) Chart
CAT Return on Equity (ROE) Metrics
RETURN ON EQUITY (ROE)
50.48%
RETURN ON EQUITY (ROE) AVG TTM
48.49%
RETURN ON EQUITY (ROE) AVG 3Y
48.07%
RETURN ON EQUITY (ROE) AVG 5Y
41.87%
RETURN ON EQUITY (ROE) AVG 10Y
32.61%
RETURN ON EQUITY (ROE) AVG 15Y
30.45%
RETURN ON EQUITY (ROE) AVG 20Y
32.43%
CURRENT VS TTM AVG
+4.09%
CURRENT VS 3Y AVG
+5.02%
CURRENT VS 5Y AVG
+20.58%
CURRENT VS 10Y AVG
+54.80%
CURRENT VS 15Y AVG
+65.80%
CURRENT VS 20Y AVG
+55.64%
CAT Competitors' Return on Equity (ROE)
| NAME | MARKET CAP | RETURN ON EQUITY (ROE) | TTM | 3Y | 5Y |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caterpillar Inc. (CAT) | — | 50.48% | 48.49% | 48.07% | 41.87% |
| GE Aerospace (GE) | $334.58B | 47.96% | 40.25% | 29.02% | 19.40% |
| RTX Corporation (RTX) | $239.13B | 10.95% | 9.13% | 7.69% | 5.20% |
| The Boeing Company (BA) | $164.76B | 37.88% | 171.68% | 96.83% | 80.09% |
| Union Pacific Corporation (UNP) | $159.00B | 37.15% | 39.30% | 44.82% | 42.81% |
| Deere & Company (DE) | $152.34B | 17.45% | 19.37% | 32.38% | 32.93% |
| Eaton Corporation plc (ETN) | $146.50B | 20.19% | 20.79% | 18.23% | 15.90% |
| Honeywell International Inc. (HON) | $130.57B | 19.24% | 30.63% | 31.67% | 30.63% |
| Lockheed Martin Corporation (LMT) | $121.37B | 64.00% | 79.46% | 80.50% | 82.20% |
| Parker-Hannifin Corporation (PH) | $111.11B | 23.82% | 24.68% | 21.10% | 20.75% |
Return Analysis
ROE
50.5%
ROA
9.9%
Caterpillar Inc. Return on Equity (ROE) Formula & Definition
ROE = Net Income / Total Shareholders' Equity
Return on equity measures how efficiently a company generates profit from shareholders' equity. Higher ROE indicates better capital efficiency.
Expanded definitions: Investopedia, Wikipedia, Corporate Finance Institute
Caterpillar Inc. Return on Equity (ROE) FAQ
- What is the return on equity (ROE) for Caterpillar Inc. (CAT)?
- The return on equity (ROE) for CAT stock is 50.48%.
- Is Caterpillar Inc.'s return on equity (ROE) high or low?
- Caterpillar Inc.'s return on equity (ROE) of 50.48% is 21% above its 5-year average of 41.87%, near the high end of its 5-year range (19.56%–55.37%).
- What is the TTM average return on equity (ROE) for Caterpillar Inc. (CAT)?
- The TTM average return on equity (ROE) for CAT stock is 48.49%.
- What is the 3Y average return on equity (ROE) for Caterpillar Inc. (CAT)?
- The 3Y average return on equity (ROE) for CAT stock is 48.07%.
- What is the 5Y average return on equity (ROE) for Caterpillar Inc. (CAT)?
- The 5Y average return on equity (ROE) for CAT stock is 41.87%.
- What is the 10Y average return on equity (ROE) for Caterpillar Inc. (CAT)?
- The 10Y average return on equity (ROE) for CAT stock is 32.61%.
- What is the 15Y average return on equity (ROE) for Caterpillar Inc. (CAT)?
- The 15Y average return on equity (ROE) for CAT stock is 30.45%.
- What is the 20Y average return on equity (ROE) for Caterpillar Inc. (CAT)?
- The 20Y average return on equity (ROE) for CAT stock is 32.43%.
Caterpillar Inc. Return on Equity (ROE) History
| DATE | RETURN ON EQUITY (ROE) |
|---|---|
| 2025-12-31 | 41.62% |
| 2024-12-31 | 55.37% |
| 2023-12-31 | 53.02% |
| 2022-12-31 | 42.25% |
| 2021-12-31 | 39.37% |
| 2020-12-31 | 19.56% |
| 2019-12-31 | 41.77% |
| 2018-12-31 | 43.79% |
| 2017-12-31 | 5.50% |
| 2016-12-31 | -0.51% |
| 2015-12-31 | 16.96% |
| 2014-12-31 | 14.64% |
| 2013-12-31 | 18.21% |
| 2012-12-31 | 32.40% |
| 2011-12-31 | 38.25% |
| 2010-12-31 | 24.94% |
| 2009-12-31 | 10.24% |
| 2008-12-31 | 58.44% |
| 2007-12-31 | 39.86% |
| 2006-12-31 | 51.57% |
| 2005-12-31 | 33.85% |
| 2004-12-31 | 27.25% |
| 2003-12-31 | 18.08% |
| 2002-12-31 | 14.58% |
| 2001-12-31 | 14.35% |
| 2000-12-31 | 18.80% |
| 1999-12-31 | 17.31% |
| 1998-12-31 | 29.49% |
| 1997-12-31 | 35.58% |
| 1996-12-31 | 33.07% |
Related Metrics
About Caterpillar Inc.
Caterpillar Inc., a global enterprise founded in 1925 and headquartered in Deerfield, Illinois (having previously operated as Caterpillar Tractor Co. until its rebranding in 1986), is a premier manufacturer and vendor of heavy construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas power units, and industrial gas turbines across the world. The company's extensive offerings are organized into several operational divisions: Construction Industries: This segment delivers a broad spectrum of machinery for construction projects, including asphalt pavers, versatile backhoe and skid steer loaders, various sizes of excavators (from compact to heavy-duty), compactors, road-building equipment like cold planers and motorgraders, pipelayers, site preparation tractors, telehandlers, and utility vehicles, alongside a range of wheel loaders and track-type equipment. Resource Industries: Dedicated to the mining sector, this division supplies powerful equipment such as electric rope and hydraulic shovels, draglines, rotary drills, specialized hard rock vehicles, and a diverse fleet of mining, off-highway, and articulated trucks. It also offers longwall miners, wheel dozers, fleet management systems, autonomous vehicle solutions, crucial machinery components, selected work tools, and comprehensive safety and performance solutions for mining operations. Energy & Transportation: This segment focuses on power generation and propulsion systems. It provides reciprocating engines, generator sets, integrated power solutions, industrial turbines and associated services, remanufactured engines and parts, centrifugal gas compressors, and diesel-electric locomotives with related components and services. These products serve critical sectors including marine, oil and gas, industrial applications, and electric power generation. Financial Products: This segment supports customers with a variety of financial services, such as operating and finance leases, installment sale agreements, working capital loans, and wholesale financing schemes. It also offers insurance and risk management products tailored for vehicles, power generation facilities, and marine vessels. All Other: This encompassing segment is responsible for manufacturing essential consumables and components like filters, fluids, undercarriage parts, and ground engaging tools.
- Sector
- Industrials
- Industry
- Agricultural - Machinery
- CEO
- Joseph E. Creed