Caterpillar CAT, the world’s largest construction-equipment manufacturer, has seen its earnings outlook turn visibly bright over the last several months, helping land the stock into a favorable Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).
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Undoubtedly a major positive, shares are heading toward all-time highs.
Caterpillar shares have already been a bright spot in an otherwise dim market year-to-date, up more than 15% and widely outperforming the S&P 500.
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It raises a valid question: how does the company currently stack up?
Let’s take a closer look.
Valuation
The company’s shares currently trade at a 17.1X forward earnings multiple, modestly above its 16.4X five-year median and a few ticks below its Zacks Industrial Products sector average.
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Further, the company’s price-to-book ratio currently stands at 7.8X, above the 5.9X five-year median and Zacks sector average.
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CAT sports a Value Style Score of a B.
Growth Outlook & Quarterly Performance
Caterpillar has a strong growth profile, with earnings and revenue forecasted to soar 28% and 14.4% in FY22, respectively.
In addition, the company has been on a strong earnings streak, exceeding the Zacks Consensus EPS Estimate in ten consecutive quarters. Just in its latest release, the company registered a 24% bottom-line beat paired with a 4.5% sales surprise.
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Consistent Dividends
For the cherry on top, Caterpillar is a Dividend Aristocrat; 2022 marked the company’s 29th consecutive year of increased dividend payouts.
Caterpillar’s annual dividend currently yields 2% paired with a solid 9% five-year annualized dividend growth rate. As we can see, the company’s current yield is modestly higher than its Zacks sector average.
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Bottom Line
Stocks making new highs tend to make even higher highs, especially when positive earnings estimate revisions have rolled in from analysts.
As it stands, Caterpillar CAT shares are heading toward all-time highs, undoubtedly a major positive that tells us that positive momentum is present.
And with a strong earnings outlook, shares have the fuel they need to potentially continue on their run.
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Caterpillar Inc. (CAT) : Free Stock Analysis Report
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