Global trading
Key takeaways
- Caterpillar Inc is a farm & heavy construction machinery business with stocks listed in the US.
- Caterpillar shares (CAT) are listed on the NYSE and all prices are listed in US Dollars.
- Its last market close was US$591.3 - a decrease of 17.11% over the previous week.
Our top picks for trading platforms
Copy trading
Beginners
How to buy shares in Caterpillar
- Compare share trading platforms. To buy shares in a company listed in the USA from Australia you'll need to find a trading platform that offers access to USA stock markets. Look for a platform with low brokerage and foreign exchange fees.
- Open and fund your brokerage account. Complete an application with your personal and financial details, which will typically include your ID and tax file number. Fund your account with a bank transfer, credit card or debit card.
- Search for Caterpillar. Find the share by name or ticker symbol: CAT. Research its history to confirm it's an investment that matches your financial goals.
- Purchase now or later. Buy today with a market order or use a limit order to delay your purchase until Caterpillar reaches your desired price. To spread out your risk, look into dollar-cost averaging, which smooths out buying using consistent intervals and amounts.
- Decide on how many to buy. At last close price of US$591.3, weigh your budget against a diversified portfolio that can minimise risk through the market's ups and downs. You may be able to buy a fractional share of Caterpillar, depending on your broker.
- Check in on your investment. Congratulations, you own a part of Caterpillar. Optimise your portfolio by tracking how your stock performs with an eye on the long term. You may be eligible for dividends and shareholder voting rights.
Compare trading platforms to buy Caterpillar shares
Looking for other options? Check out these similar products.
How we picked theseFinder Score for share trading platforms
We've scored over 30 share trading platforms assessing them for their core features, fees, customer experience and accessibility. Our experts give each platform a score out of 10.
Must read
Caterpillar overview
Caterpillar Inc. provides construction and mining equipment, off-highway diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines, and diesel-electric locomotives in the United States and internationally. The Construction Industries segment offers asphalt pavers, cold planers, compactors, forestry machines, material handlers, motor graders, pipelayers, road reclaimers, telehandlers, track-type tractors, and track and wheel excavators; backhoe, compact track, skid steer, track-type, and wheel loaders; and related parts and work tools. Its Resource Industries segment provides electric rope and hydraulic shovels, draglines, rotary drills, hard rock vehicles, mining trucks, wheel loaders, off-highway and articulated trucks, wide-body trucks, wheel tractor scrapers and dozers, and landfill and soil compactors; machinery components, and wear and maintenance components; and technology products and services for fleet management, equipment management analytics, autonomous machine capabilities, safety services, and mining performance solutions. The Energy & Transportation segment offers reciprocating engine powered generator sets; reciprocating engines, drivetrain, and integrated systems and solutions; centrifugal gas compressors and related services; and diesel-electric locomotive components, and other rail-related products. Its Financial Products segment provides operating and finance leases, revolving charge accounts, installment sale contracts, repair/rebuild financing, working capital loans, and wholesale financing; and insurance and risk management products and services. The All Other segment offers parts distribution; logistics and distribution services; electronics and control systems; dealer portfolio management; brand management and marketing strategy; and digital investment services. It also provides mining software solutions. The company was formerly known as Caterpillar Tractor Co. Caterpillar Inc. was incorporated in 1925 and is headquartered in Irving, Texas.
Caterpillar price performance over time
Historical closes compared with the last close of US$591.3
| 1 week (2026-10-30) | -5.05% |
|---|---|
| 1 month (2026-10-06) | -31.52% |
| 3 months (2026-08-06) | -31.00% |
| 6 months (2026-05-06) | -36.21% |
| 1 year (2025-11-06) | 3.78% |
|---|---|
| 2 years (2024-11-06) | 41.84% |
| 3 years (2023-11-06) | 148.15% |
| 5 years (2021-11-05) | 187.21% |
Is it a good time to buy Caterpillar stock?
The technical analysis gauge below displays real-time ratings for the timeframes you select. However, this is not a recommendation. It represents a technical analysis based on the most popular technical indicators: Moving Averages, Oscillators and Pivots. Finder might not concur and takes no responsibility.
Caterpillar share price volatility
Over the last 12 months, Caterpillar's shares have ranged in value from as little as US$532.5513 up to US$1068.9301. A popular way to gauge a stock's volatility is its "beta".
Beta measures a share's volatility in relation to the market. The market ( average) beta is 1, while Caterpillar's is 1.64. This would suggest that Caterpillar's shares are more volatile than the average for this exchange and represent, relatively speaking, a higher risk (but potentially also market-beating returns).
Caterpillar financials
| Revenue TTM | US$77.8 billion |
|---|---|
| Operating margin TTM | 20.51% |
| Gross profit TTM | US$23.5 billion |
| Return on assets TTM | 9.27% |
| Return on equity TTM | 56.14% |
| Profit margin | 15.21% |
| Book value | 46.794 |
| Market capitalisation | US$282.1 billion |
| EBITDA | US$17.2 billion |
TTM: trailing 12 months
Caterpillar share dividends
Dividend payout ratio: 24.09% of net profits
Recently Caterpillar has paid out, on average, around 24.09% of net profits as dividends. That has enabled analysts to estimate a "forward annual dividend yield" of 1.06% of the current stock value. This means that over a year, based on recent payouts (which are sadly no guarantee of future payouts), Caterpillar shareholders could enjoy a 1.06% return on their shares, in the form of dividend payments. In Caterpillar's case, that would currently equate to about 1.51 per share.
While Caterpillar's payout ratio might seem low, this can signify that Caterpillar is investing more in its future growth.
Caterpillar's most recent dividend payout was on 19 November 2026. The latest dividend was paid out to all shareholders who bought their shares by 26 October 2026 (the "ex-dividend date").
Have Caterpillar's shares ever split?
Caterpillar's shares were split on a 2:1 basis on 14 July 2005. So if you had owned 1 share the day before the split, the next day you would own 2 shares. This wouldn't directly have changed the overall worth of your Caterpillar shares - just the quantity. However, indirectly, the new 50% lower share price could have impacted the market appetite for Caterpillar shares which in turn could have impacted Caterpillar's share price.
Frequently asked questions
-
No, Caterpillar is not listed on the ASX. It’s traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the ticker symbol CAT. To buy Caterpillar shares from Australia, you’ll need a broker that offers access to US markets.
-
You can fund your account in Australian dollars, but when you buy Caterpillar shares, the transaction will be executed in US dollars. Many brokers automatically handle the currency conversion for you, but fees and exchange rates will vary depending on the provider.
-
Yes, Caterpillar has a long history of paying regular dividends to its shareholders. Payments are typically made quarterly in US dollars. If you own the shares through an Australian broker, dividends will usually be converted into Australian dollars before being deposited into your account.
-
Caterpillar’s share price is influenced by global demand for construction and mining equipment, commodity prices, global infrastructure spending and broader economic conditions. Additionally, exchange rates, interest rates and company performance reports can also affect the share price.
-
Caterpillar is considered a cyclical stock, meaning its performance tends to rise and fall with the global economy. It can be a solid long-term holding for investors seeking exposure to industrial growth and dividend income, but it may be more volatile during economic downturns.
-
If you hold Caterpillar shares through an international broker, dividends are automatically credited to your account in US dollars and may be converted into AUD, depending on your broker’s policy. You may also be subject to US withholding tax on dividend income.
-
Some brokers offer fractional share trading, allowing you to buy less than one full Caterpillar share. This is useful if you’d like to invest a specific dollar amount rather than purchasing a whole share, which can make it easier to diversify your portfolio.
-
Yes, Australian investors might look at companies involved in heavy machinery, engineering, or mining services, such as Worley, CIMIC Group, or Seven Group Holdings. However, each operates in different segments, so it’s important to research before investing.
-
The minimum amount depends on your broker’s requirements and the current share price. Some brokers have no minimum investment if they allow fractional shares, while others may require you to purchase at least one full share.
-
You can monitor Caterpillar’s share performance through your trading platform or financial news sites. Most brokers also offer watchlists, price alerts and company news updates to help you stay informed about price movements and upcoming announcements.
-
Currently 0.219% of Caterpillar shares are held by insiders and 73.512% by institutions.
-
Caterpillar's fiscal year ends in December.
-
Caterpillar's address is: 5205 N. O'Connor Boulevard, Irving, TX, United States, 75039
-
Finder writers are subject matter experts and use primary sources, in-depth research and interviews with other experts to ensure you're getting accurate, up-to-date information. Articles are fact checked in line with our editorial guidelines.
- Price data and company information for Caterpillar
Get rewarded $$ for switching with Finder Rewards
Find a better deal, save on your bills and get a free gift card. Sign up to be the first to hear about new Finder Rewards.
More guides on Finder
-
HALO Trading review for Australians
Explore our comprehensive review of HALO Trading's features and fees for Australian traders.
-
Webull Australia review
Webull is a broker with zero-commission trading and a suite of tools to help you invest.
-
Tiger Brokers Australia review
If you're thinking of trading stocks with Tiger Brokers, check out our review of this online broker's fees, safety and pros and cons first.
-
Pearler review
Is online broker Pearler the right choice for you? Find out in this guide to Pearler’s fees and features.
-
How to sell shares in Australia
Here's all the key information you need to know to sell shares you inherited or received as a gift.
-
moomoo Australia review
Gain access to the US and Australian markets for less through moomoo share trading accounts.
-
Interactive Brokers Australia review
Earn interest on your cash balance and enjoy competitive brokerage fees from just $5 with Interactive Brokers.
-
IG share trading platform review
IG share trading provides access to more than 13,000 stocks on Australian and international markets and is backed by low commissions and 24-hour support.
-
CMC Invest review for Australia
CMC Invest account features brokerage from as low as $9.90 and a host of research and market data options.
-
CommSec review: CommSec share trading account
Learn about online share trading with CommSec and what your options are in this review.