Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE: CAT) is set to announce its quarterly earnings on Thursday, January 29th, before the stock market opens. Analysts anticipate that the company will report revenue of approximately $18.03 billion, alongside earnings of $4.72 per share. This earning period follows a strong performance in the third quarter of 2025, in which Caterpillar generated $17.6 billion in revenue—a 9.51% increase from the same quarter the previous year.
Caterpillar’s insider trading activity reveals that there have been 36 transactions involving CAT stock in the past six months. Among these, only one was a purchase, while 35 were sales. Notable sales include 51,500 shares sold by Executive Chairman Donald J. Umpleby and multiple transactions by Chief Financial Officer Andrew R. Bonfield, who sold 20,000 shares. In contrast, there was a modest purchase of 300 shares by David MacLennan, showing some level of confidence from insiders amidst a predominantly selling trend.
The company has also seen significant hedge fund activity, with 1,449 institutional investors increasing their position in Caterpillar shares while 1,343 have reduced their stakes recently. This shift indicates a dynamic response within the investment community, showcasing varied confidence levels in the company.
Furthermore, government contracts have played a role in Caterpillar’s financial outlook, with over $306 million in award payments reported over the last year.
In terms of analyst opinion, the sentiment around Caterpillar has remained positive with eight firms issuing buy ratings compared to just one firm recommending a sell. Recent price targets from analysts suggest a median target of $640, with peaks reaching as high as $750 from Jefferies and $740 from JP Morgan.
Overall, Caterpillar appears to be on solid ground as it prepares for its upcoming earnings report. The combination of strong historical revenue, significant insider and institutional trading movements, and favorable analyst ratings could position the company favorably in the eyes of investors looking towards the future.