Dividend Discount Model (DDM)
In discounted cash flow (DCF) valuation techniques the value of the stock is estimated based upon present value of some measure of cash flow. Dividends are the cleanest and most straightforward measure of cash flow because these are clearly cash flows that go directly to the investor.
Intrinsic Stock Value (Valuation Summary)
Caterpillar Inc., dividends per share (DPS) forecast
US$
| Year | Value | DPSt or Terminal value (TVt) | Calculation | Present value at 24.40% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | DPS01 | 5.84 | ||
| 1 | DPS1 | 7.72 | = 5.84 × (1 + 32.13%) | 6.20 |
| 2 | DPS2 | 10.03 | = 7.72 × (1 + 30.00%) | 6.48 |
| 3 | DPS3 | 12.83 | = 10.03 × (1 + 27.87%) | 6.66 |
| 4 | DPS4 | 16.13 | = 12.83 × (1 + 25.74%) | 6.73 |
| 5 | DPS5 | 19.94 | = 16.13 × (1 + 23.61%) | 6.69 |
| 5 | Terminal value (TV5) | 3,086.87 | = 19.94 × (1 + 23.61%) ÷ (24.40% – 23.61%) | 1,035.96 |
| Intrinsic value of Caterpillar Inc. common stock (per share) | $1,068.73 | |||
| Current share price | $904.28 | |||
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2025-12-31).
1 DPS0 = Sum of the last year dividends per share of Caterpillar Inc. common stock. See details »
Disclaimer!
Valuation is based on standard assumptions. There may exist specific factors relevant to stock value and omitted here. In such a case, the real stock value may differ significantly form the estimated. If you want to use the estimated intrinsic stock value in investment decision making process, do so at your own risk.
Required Rate of Return (r)
| Assumptions | ||
| Rate of return on LT Treasury Composite1 | RF | 4.95% |
| Expected rate of return on market portfolio2 | E(RM) | 17.36% |
| Systematic risk of Caterpillar Inc. common stock | βCAT | 1.57 |
| Required rate of return on Caterpillar Inc. common stock3 | rCAT | 24.40% |
1 Unweighted average of bid yields on all outstanding fixed-coupon U.S. Treasury bonds neither due or callable in less than 10 years (risk-free rate of return proxy).
3 rCAT = RF + βCAT [E(RM) – RF]
= 4.95% + 1.57 [17.36% – 4.95%]
= 24.40%
Dividend Growth Rate (g)
Dividend growth rate (g) implied by PRAT model
Caterpillar Inc., PRAT model
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2025-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2024-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2023-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31).
2025 Calculations
1 Retention rate = (Profit attributable to common stockholders – Dividends declared) ÷ Profit attributable to common stockholders
= (8,884 – 2,788) ÷ 8,884
= 0.69
2 Profit margin = 100 × Profit attributable to common stockholders ÷ Sales of Machinery, Power & Energy
= 100 × 8,884 ÷ 63,980
= 13.89%
3 Asset turnover = Sales of Machinery, Power & Energy ÷ Total assets
= 63,980 ÷ 98,585
= 0.65
4 Financial leverage = Total assets ÷ Equity attributable to common shareholders
= 98,585 ÷ 21,318
= 4.62
5 g = Retention rate × Profit margin × Asset turnover × Financial leverage
= 0.69 × 14.59% × 0.67 × 4.76
= 32.13%
Dividend growth rate (g) implied by Gordon growth model
g = 100 × (P0 × r – D0) ÷ (P0 + D0)
= 100 × ($904.28 × 24.40% – $5.84) ÷ ($904.28 + $5.84)
= 23.61%
where:
P0 = current price of share of Caterpillar Inc. common stock
D0 = the last year dividends per share of Caterpillar Inc. common stock
r = required rate of return on Caterpillar Inc. common stock
Dividend growth rate (g) forecast
Caterpillar Inc., H-model
| Year | Value | gt |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | g1 | 32.13% |
| 2 | g2 | 30.00% |
| 3 | g3 | 27.87% |
| 4 | g4 | 25.74% |
| 5 and thereafter | g5 | 23.61% |
where:
g1 is implied by PRAT model
g5 is implied by Gordon growth model
g2, g3 and g4 are calculated using linear interpolation between g1 and g5
Calculations
g2 = g1 + (g5 – g1) × (2 – 1) ÷ (5 – 1)
= 32.13% + (23.61% – 32.13%) × (2 – 1) ÷ (5 – 1)
= 30.00%
g3 = g1 + (g5 – g1) × (3 – 1) ÷ (5 – 1)
= 32.13% + (23.61% – 32.13%) × (3 – 1) ÷ (5 – 1)
= 27.87%
g4 = g1 + (g5 – g1) × (4 – 1) ÷ (5 – 1)
= 32.13% + (23.61% – 32.13%) × (4 – 1) ÷ (5 – 1)
= 25.74%