Stock Analysis on Net
Stock Analysis on Net

Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT)

$24.99

Net Profit Margin
since 2005

Microsoft Excel

Paying user area

Try for free

Caterpillar Inc. pages available for free this week:

The data is hidden behind: . Unhide it.

Get access

This is a one-time payment. There is no automatic renewal.

We accept:

Visa Mastercard American Express Maestro Discover JCB PayPal Google Pay
Visa Secure Mastercard Identity Check American Express SafeKey

Calculation

Caterpillar Inc., net profit margin, long-term trends, calculation

Microsoft Excel
Net profit margin = 100 × Profit (loss) attributable to common stockholders1 ÷ Sales of Machinery, Power & Energy1
Dec 31, 2025 = 100 × ÷
Dec 31, 2024 = 100 × ÷
Dec 31, 2023 = 100 × ÷
Dec 31, 2022 = 100 × ÷
Dec 31, 2021 = 100 × ÷
Dec 31, 2020 = 100 × ÷
Dec 31, 2019 = 100 × ÷
Dec 31, 2018 = 100 × ÷
Dec 31, 2017 = 100 × ÷
Dec 31, 2016 = 100 × ÷
Dec 31, 2015 = 100 × ÷
Dec 31, 2014 = 100 × ÷
Dec 31, 2013 = 100 × ÷
Dec 31, 2012 = 100 × ÷
Dec 31, 2011 = 100 × ÷
Dec 31, 2010 = 100 × ÷
Dec 31, 2009 = 100 × ÷
Dec 31, 2008 = 100 × ÷
Dec 31, 2007 = 100 × ÷
Dec 31, 2006 = 100 × ÷
Dec 31, 2005 = 100 × ÷

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), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2018-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2017-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2016-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2015-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2014-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2013-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2012-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2011-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2010-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2009-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2008-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2007-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2006-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2005-12-31).

1 US$ in millions

The net profit margin exhibited considerable fluctuation between 2005 and 2025. Initial years demonstrated a relatively strong performance, followed by a significant downturn, a period of recovery, and ultimately, a return to robust profitability. A detailed examination reveals distinct phases in the company’s margin performance.

Initial Stability and Early Downturn (2005-2008)
From 2005 to 2007, the net profit margin remained relatively stable, fluctuating between 8.39% and 9.10%. A slight decrease was observed in 2008, falling to 7.40%, potentially indicating early impacts from emerging economic headwinds.
Significant Decline and Recovery (2009-2011)
The year 2009 witnessed a dramatic decline in net profit margin, reaching a low of 3.03%. This substantial decrease coincided with a significant reduction in sales. However, a strong recovery followed in 2010 and 2011, with the margin increasing to 6.77% and 8.59% respectively, driven by a rebound in sales volume.
Moderate Performance and Volatility (2012-2016)
The period between 2012 and 2016 showed moderate performance with continued volatility. The net profit margin ranged from 7.09% to 9.01% between 2012 and 2014, before experiencing a sharp negative value in 2015 (-0.19%), reflecting a loss attributable to common stockholders. A modest recovery to 1.77% occurred in 2016.
Strong Growth and Peak Performance (2017-2019)
A period of substantial growth commenced in 2017, with the net profit margin rising to 1.77%, then increasing significantly to 11.86% in 2018 and peaking at 12.00% in 2019. This improvement was aligned with increased sales and profitability.
Impact of External Factors and Subsequent Rebound (2020-2025)
The net profit margin decreased to 7.68% in 2020, likely influenced by external economic factors. However, a strong rebound occurred in 2021, reaching 13.47%, followed by 11.85% in 2022. The margin continued to climb, reaching 16.18% in 2023 and 17.59% in 2024, before settling at 13.89% in 2025. This suggests a resilient business model capable of adapting to changing market conditions and capitalizing on favorable opportunities.

Overall, the net profit margin demonstrates a cyclical pattern, influenced by both internal operational factors and external economic conditions. The company has demonstrated an ability to recover from periods of low profitability and achieve substantial margin improvements during favorable economic climates.

Comparison to Competitors

Caterpillar Inc., net profit margin, long-term trends, comparison to competitors

Microsoft Excel
Caterpillar Inc. Boeing Co. Eaton Corp. plc GE Aerospace Honeywell International Inc. Lockheed Martin Corp. RTX Corp.
Dec 31, 2025
Dec 31, 2024
Dec 31, 2023
Dec 31, 2022
Dec 31, 2021
Dec 31, 2020
Dec 31, 2019
Dec 31, 2018
Dec 31, 2017
Dec 31, 2016
Dec 31, 2015
Dec 31, 2014
Dec 31, 2013
Dec 31, 2012
Dec 31, 2011
Dec 31, 2010
Dec 31, 2009
Dec 31, 2008
Dec 31, 2007
Dec 31, 2006
Dec 31, 2005

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), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2018-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2017-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2016-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2015-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2014-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2013-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2012-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2011-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2010-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2009-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2008-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2007-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2006-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2005-12-31).

Comparison to Sector (Capital Goods)

Caterpillar Inc., net profit margin, long-term trends, comparison to sector (capital goods)

Microsoft Excel
Caterpillar Inc. Capital Goods
Dec 31, 2025
Dec 31, 2024
Dec 31, 2023
Dec 31, 2022
Dec 31, 2021
Dec 31, 2020
Dec 31, 2019
Dec 31, 2018
Dec 31, 2017
Dec 31, 2016
Dec 31, 2015
Dec 31, 2014
Dec 31, 2013
Dec 31, 2012
Dec 31, 2011
Dec 31, 2010
Dec 31, 2009
Dec 31, 2008
Dec 31, 2007
Dec 31, 2006
Dec 31, 2005

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), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2018-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2017-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2016-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2015-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2014-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2013-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2012-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2011-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2010-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2009-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2008-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2007-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2006-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2005-12-31).

Comparison to Industry (Industrials)

Caterpillar Inc., net profit margin, long-term trends, comparison to industry (industrials)

Microsoft Excel
Caterpillar Inc. Industrials
Dec 31, 2025
Dec 31, 2024
Dec 31, 2023
Dec 31, 2022
Dec 31, 2021
Dec 31, 2020
Dec 31, 2019
Dec 31, 2018
Dec 31, 2017
Dec 31, 2016
Dec 31, 2015
Dec 31, 2014
Dec 31, 2013
Dec 31, 2012
Dec 31, 2011
Dec 31, 2010
Dec 31, 2009
Dec 31, 2008
Dec 31, 2007
Dec 31, 2006
Dec 31, 2005

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), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2018-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2017-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2016-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2015-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2014-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2013-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2012-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2011-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2010-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2009-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2008-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2007-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2006-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2005-12-31).