Caterpillar (NYSE:CAT) Insider Sells $6,034,465.20 in Stock

Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT) insider Jason Kaiser sold 10,707 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, November 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $563.60, for a total transaction of $6,034,465.20. Following the transaction, the insider directly owned 8,649 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,874,576.40. This represents a 55.32% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink.

Caterpillar Stock Performance

Shares of CAT opened at $552.74 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.34, a current ratio of 1.38 and a quick ratio of 0.81. Caterpillar Inc. has a one year low of $267.30 and a one year high of $596.21. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $506.27 and a 200-day moving average of $427.79. The company has a market cap of $258.67 billion, a PE ratio of 28.37, a P/E/G ratio of 3.33 and a beta of 1.51.

Caterpillar (NYSE:CAT) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The industrial products company reported $4.95 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $4.52 by $0.43. Caterpillar had a return on equity of 47.16% and a net margin of 14.34%.The company had revenue of $17.64 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $16.72 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $5.17 earnings per share. Caterpillar’s revenue for the quarter was up 9.5% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities research analysts predict that Caterpillar Inc. will post 19.86 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Caterpillar Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, November 20th. Investors of record on Monday, October 20th will be issued a dividend of $1.51 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, October 20th. This represents a $6.04 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.1%. Caterpillar’s payout ratio is 31.01%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities analysts have recently weighed in on the company. DA Davidson boosted their target price on Caterpillar from $408.00 to $569.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Monday, November 3rd. Robert W. Baird lifted their target price on shares of Caterpillar from $612.00 to $680.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Thursday, October 30th. Morgan Stanley boosted their price objective on Caterpillar from $350.00 to $380.00 and gave the company an “underweight” rating in a research note on Thursday, October 30th. Bank of America upped their target price on shares of Caterpillar from $594.00 to $650.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, October 30th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company began coverage on Caterpillar in a research report on Thursday. They set an “overweight” rating and a $675.00 price target for the company. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fifteen have assigned a Buy rating, five have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $600.94.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Caterpillar

A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Kilter Group LLC bought a new stake in shares of Caterpillar in the second quarter worth about $27,000. Mid American Wealth Advisory Group Inc. bought a new position in Caterpillar in the second quarter worth $28,000. Marquette Asset Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Caterpillar by 1,060.0% in the 3rd quarter. Marquette Asset Management LLC now owns 58 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $28,000 after acquiring an additional 53 shares in the last quarter. Compass Financial Services Inc lifted its holdings in shares of Caterpillar by 49.2% during the first quarter. Compass Financial Services Inc now owns 94 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $31,000 after purchasing an additional 31 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Family Legacy Financial Solutions LLC purchased a new position in Caterpillar during the second quarter valued at $32,000. Institutional investors own 70.98% of the company’s stock.

About Caterpillar

Caterpillar Inc manufactures and sells construction and mining equipment, off-highway diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines, and diesel-electric locomotives in worldwide. Its Construction Industries segment offers asphalt pavers, compactors, road reclaimers, forestry machines, cold planers, material handlers, track-type tractors, excavators, telehandlers, motor graders, and pipelayers; compact track, wheel, track-type, backhoe, and skid steer loaders; and related parts and tools.