Stock Analysis on Net
Stock Analysis on Net

Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT)

$24.99

Return on Assets (ROA)
since 2005

Microsoft Excel

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Calculation

Caterpillar Inc., ROA, long-term trends, calculation

Microsoft Excel
ROA = 100 × Profit (loss) attributable to common stockholders1 ÷ Total assets1
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 × ÷
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Dec 31, 2013 = 100 × ÷
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Dec 31, 2008 = 100 × ÷
Dec 31, 2007 = 100 × ÷
Dec 31, 2006 = 100 × ÷
Dec 31, 2005 = 100 × ÷

Based on: 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

Profit (loss) attributable to common stockholders
The profit attributable to common stockholders showed an overall upward trend from 2005 to 2024, with fluctuations in certain years. The profit started at 2,854 million US dollars in 2005, peaking at 6,147 million in 2018 and reaching a new high of 10,792 million in 2024. Notable declines occurred in 2009 and 2016, with a significant loss recorded in 2016 (-67 million). The data reflects recovery and growth after downturns, particularly strong improvements after 2016.
Total assets
Total assets grew steadily from 47,069 million US dollars in 2005 to 87,764 million in 2024, nearly doubling in value over the period. Some fluctuations are evident, including a peak at 89,356 million in 2012 followed by a slight decline and stagnation between 2013 and 2017. After 2017, assets resumed moderate growth, stabilizing above 80,000 million from 2018 onward.
Return on Assets (ROA)
Return on Assets exhibited significant variability over the analyzed years. Starting at 6.06% in 2005, ROA peaked at 7.83% in 2017 and reached its highest point at 12.3% in 2024. There were declines throughout periods of lower profitability, including a near-zero negative ROA of -0.09% in 2016, coinciding with the loss recorded that year. From 2017 onward, ROA improved consistently, indicating enhanced efficiency in asset utilization relative to profit generation.
General insights
The company demonstrated resilience and recovery following economic downturns or operational setbacks. Despite periods of profit decline and volatile asset growth, profitability and asset base both increased substantially in the long term. The improving ROA in recent years suggests better operational efficiency and profitability relative to assets employed. The correlation between profit dips and lower ROA highlights the sensitivity of returns to earnings performance. The overall data indicates progressive strengthening in financial performance and asset management efficiency through 2024.

Comparison to Competitors

Caterpillar Inc., ROA, 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, 2024
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Dec 31, 2019
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Based on: 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., ROA, long-term trends, comparison to sector (capital goods)

Microsoft Excel
Caterpillar Inc. Capital Goods
Dec 31, 2024
Dec 31, 2023
Dec 31, 2022
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Dec 31, 2006
Dec 31, 2005

Based on: 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., ROA, long-term trends, comparison to industry (industrials)

Microsoft Excel
Caterpillar Inc. Industrials
Dec 31, 2024
Dec 31, 2023
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Dec 31, 2021
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Dec 31, 2012
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Dec 31, 2005

Based on: 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).