Stock Analysis on Net
Stock Analysis on Net
Microsoft Excel LibreOffice Calc

Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT)

Analysis of Profitability Ratios
Quarterly Data

Beginner level

Profitability ratios measure the company’s ability to generate profitable sales from its resources (assets).

Profitability Ratios (Summary)

Caterpillar Inc., profitability ratios (quarterly data)

Microsoft Excel LibreOffice Calc
Jun 30, 2020 Mar 31, 2020 Dec 31, 2019 Sep 30, 2019 Jun 30, 2019 Mar 31, 2019 Dec 31, 2018 Sep 30, 2018 Jun 30, 2018 Mar 31, 2018 Dec 31, 2017 Sep 30, 2017 Jun 30, 2017 Mar 31, 2017 Dec 31, 2016 Sep 30, 2016 Jun 30, 2016 Mar 31, 2016 Dec 31, 2015 Sep 30, 2015 Jun 30, 2015 Mar 31, 2015
Return on Sales
Gross profit margin 26.43% 27.22% 27.83% 27.88% 28.10% 28.56% 28.61% 28.75% 28.60% 28.10% 27.24% 24.55% 22.96% 21.81% 20.86% 22.19% 22.16% 22.57% 23.57% — — —
Operating profit margin 13.90% 15.62% 16.33% 16.01% 15.98% 16.02% 16.00% 15.03% 14.51% 13.34% 10.32% 5.04% 2.39% 1.17% 1.39% 4.42% 4.81% 5.43% 7.38% — — —
Net profit margin 9.50% 11.06% 12.00% 11.62% 11.89% 12.14% 11.86% 7.54% 6.48% 4.87% 1.77% 2.24% 0.29% -0.40% -0.19% 2.73% 2.82% 3.08% 4.76% — — —
Return on Investment
Return on equity (ROE) 30.16% 37.36% 41.77% 40.42% 42.30% 41.22% 43.79% 23.97% 21.05% 14.65% 5.50% 5.64% 0.76% -1.07% -0.51% 6.50% 7.23% 8.05% 14.19% — — —
Return on assets (ROA) 5.41% 6.99% 7.77% 7.75% 7.93% 8.08% 7.83% 4.86% 3.97% 2.85% 0.98% 1.12% 0.14% -0.19% -0.09% 1.33% 1.41% 1.61% 2.68% — — —

Based on: 10-Q (filing date: 2020-08-05), 10-Q (filing date: 2020-05-06), 10-K (filing date: 2020-02-19), 10-Q (filing date: 2019-10-31), 10-Q (filing date: 2019-08-01), 10-Q (filing date: 2019-05-06), 10-K (filing date: 2019-02-14), 10-Q (filing date: 2018-10-31), 10-Q (filing date: 2018-08-07), 10-Q (filing date: 2018-05-02), 10-K (filing date: 2018-02-15), 10-Q (filing date: 2017-11-01), 10-Q (filing date: 2017-08-02), 10-Q (filing date: 2017-05-03), 10-K (filing date: 2017-02-15), 10-Q (filing date: 2016-11-02), 10-Q (filing date: 2016-08-03), 10-Q (filing date: 2016-05-02), 10-K (filing date: 2016-02-16), 10-Q (filing date: 2015-10-30), 10-Q (filing date: 2015-07-31), 10-Q (filing date: 2015-05-01).

Profitability ratio Description The company
Gross profit margin Gross profit margin indicates the percentage of revenue available to cover operating and other expenditures. Caterpillar Inc.’s gross profit margin ratio deteriorated from Q4 2019 to Q1 2020 and from Q1 2020 to Q2 2020.
Operating profit margin A profitability ratio calculated as operating income divided by revenue. Caterpillar Inc.’s operating profit margin ratio deteriorated from Q4 2019 to Q1 2020 and from Q1 2020 to Q2 2020.
Net profit margin An indicator of profitability, calculated as net income divided by revenue. Caterpillar Inc.’s net profit margin ratio deteriorated from Q4 2019 to Q1 2020 and from Q1 2020 to Q2 2020.
Profitability ratio Description The company
ROE A profitability ratio calculated as net income divided by shareholders’ equity. Caterpillar Inc.’s ROE deteriorated from Q4 2019 to Q1 2020 and from Q1 2020 to Q2 2020.
ROA A profitability ratio calculated as net income divided by total assets. Caterpillar Inc.’s ROA deteriorated from Q4 2019 to Q1 2020 and from Q1 2020 to Q2 2020.

Gross Profit Margin

Caterpillar Inc., gross profit margin calculation (quarterly data)

Microsoft Excel LibreOffice Calc
Jun 30, 2020 Mar 31, 2020 Dec 31, 2019 Sep 30, 2019 Jun 30, 2019 Mar 31, 2019 Dec 31, 2018 Sep 30, 2018 Jun 30, 2018 Mar 31, 2018 Dec 31, 2017 Sep 30, 2017 Jun 30, 2017 Mar 31, 2017 Dec 31, 2016 Sep 30, 2016 Jun 30, 2016 Mar 31, 2016 Dec 31, 2015 Sep 30, 2015 Jun 30, 2015 Mar 31, 2015
Selected Financial Data (US$ in millions)
Gross margin 2,197  2,648  3,269  3,405  3,730  3,721  3,643  3,741  3,857  3,584  3,305  3,080  2,870  2,372  1,344  1,936  2,226  1,958  2,135  2,331  2,821  3,118 
Sales of Machinery, Energy & Transportation 9,310  9,914  12,386  11,974  13,671  12,724  13,630  12,763  13,279  12,150  12,194  10,713  10,639  9,130  8,885  8,463  9,645  8,780  10,318  10,285  11,583  11,961 
Profitability Ratio
Gross profit margin1 26.43% 27.22% 27.83% 27.88% 28.10% 28.56% 28.61% 28.75% 28.60% 28.10% 27.24% 24.55% 22.96% 21.81% 20.86% 22.19% 22.16% 22.57% 23.57% — — —
Benchmarks
Gross Profit Margin, Competitors2
Illinois Tool Works Inc. 41.18% 41.97% 41.97% 41.91% 41.83% 41.81% 41.74% 41.74% 41.76% 41.82% 41.95% 41.84% 41.82% 41.98% 41.94% 41.88% 41.83% 41.41% 41.16% — — —

Based on: 10-Q (filing date: 2020-08-05), 10-Q (filing date: 2020-05-06), 10-K (filing date: 2020-02-19), 10-Q (filing date: 2019-10-31), 10-Q (filing date: 2019-08-01), 10-Q (filing date: 2019-05-06), 10-K (filing date: 2019-02-14), 10-Q (filing date: 2018-10-31), 10-Q (filing date: 2018-08-07), 10-Q (filing date: 2018-05-02), 10-K (filing date: 2018-02-15), 10-Q (filing date: 2017-11-01), 10-Q (filing date: 2017-08-02), 10-Q (filing date: 2017-05-03), 10-K (filing date: 2017-02-15), 10-Q (filing date: 2016-11-02), 10-Q (filing date: 2016-08-03), 10-Q (filing date: 2016-05-02), 10-K (filing date: 2016-02-16), 10-Q (filing date: 2015-10-30), 10-Q (filing date: 2015-07-31), 10-Q (filing date: 2015-05-01).

1 Q2 2020 Calculation
Gross profit margin = 100 × (Gross marginQ2 2020 + Gross marginQ1 2020 + Gross marginQ4 2019 + Gross marginQ3 2019) ÷ (Sales of Machinery, Energy & TransportationQ2 2020 + Sales of Machinery, Energy & TransportationQ1 2020 + Sales of Machinery, Energy & TransportationQ4 2019 + Sales of Machinery, Energy & TransportationQ3 2019)
= 100 × (2,197 + 2,648 + 3,269 + 3,405) ÷ (9,310 + 9,914 + 12,386 + 11,974) = 26.43%

2 Click competitor name to see calculations.

Profitability ratio Description The company
Gross profit margin Gross profit margin indicates the percentage of revenue available to cover operating and other expenditures. Caterpillar Inc.’s gross profit margin ratio deteriorated from Q4 2019 to Q1 2020 and from Q1 2020 to Q2 2020.

Operating Profit Margin

Caterpillar Inc., operating profit margin calculation (quarterly data)

Microsoft Excel LibreOffice Calc
Jun 30, 2020 Mar 31, 2020 Dec 31, 2019 Sep 30, 2019 Jun 30, 2019 Mar 31, 2019 Dec 31, 2018 Sep 30, 2018 Jun 30, 2018 Mar 31, 2018 Dec 31, 2017 Sep 30, 2017 Jun 30, 2017 Mar 31, 2017 Dec 31, 2016 Sep 30, 2016 Jun 30, 2016 Mar 31, 2016 Dec 31, 2015 Sep 30, 2015 Jun 30, 2015 Mar 31, 2015
Selected Financial Data (US$ in millions)
Operating profit 784  1,404  1,850  2,020  2,213  2,207  1,883  2,135  2,167  2,108  1,161  1,577  1,251  417  (1,262) 481  785  494  (114) 713  1,130  1,527 
Sales of Machinery, Energy & Transportation 9,310  9,914  12,386  11,974  13,671  12,724  13,630  12,763  13,279  12,150  12,194  10,713  10,639  9,130  8,885  8,463  9,645  8,780  10,318  10,285  11,583  11,961 
Profitability Ratio
Operating profit margin1 13.90% 15.62% 16.33% 16.01% 15.98% 16.02% 16.00% 15.03% 14.51% 13.34% 10.32% 5.04% 2.39% 1.17% 1.39% 4.42% 4.81% 5.43% 7.38% — — —
Benchmarks
Operating Profit Margin, Competitors2
Illinois Tool Works Inc. 22.78% 24.11% 24.11% 24.18% 24.10% 24.15% 24.27% 24.12% 24.60% 24.60% 24.41% 24.04% 23.15% 22.84% 22.53% 22.27% 22.15% 21.68% 21.39% — — —

Based on: 10-Q (filing date: 2020-08-05), 10-Q (filing date: 2020-05-06), 10-K (filing date: 2020-02-19), 10-Q (filing date: 2019-10-31), 10-Q (filing date: 2019-08-01), 10-Q (filing date: 2019-05-06), 10-K (filing date: 2019-02-14), 10-Q (filing date: 2018-10-31), 10-Q (filing date: 2018-08-07), 10-Q (filing date: 2018-05-02), 10-K (filing date: 2018-02-15), 10-Q (filing date: 2017-11-01), 10-Q (filing date: 2017-08-02), 10-Q (filing date: 2017-05-03), 10-K (filing date: 2017-02-15), 10-Q (filing date: 2016-11-02), 10-Q (filing date: 2016-08-03), 10-Q (filing date: 2016-05-02), 10-K (filing date: 2016-02-16), 10-Q (filing date: 2015-10-30), 10-Q (filing date: 2015-07-31), 10-Q (filing date: 2015-05-01).

1 Q2 2020 Calculation
Operating profit margin = 100 × (Operating profitQ2 2020 + Operating profitQ1 2020 + Operating profitQ4 2019 + Operating profitQ3 2019) ÷ (Sales of Machinery, Energy & TransportationQ2 2020 + Sales of Machinery, Energy & TransportationQ1 2020 + Sales of Machinery, Energy & TransportationQ4 2019 + Sales of Machinery, Energy & TransportationQ3 2019)
= 100 × (784 + 1,404 + 1,850 + 2,020) ÷ (9,310 + 9,914 + 12,386 + 11,974) = 13.90%

2 Click competitor name to see calculations.

Profitability ratio Description The company
Operating profit margin A profitability ratio calculated as operating income divided by revenue. Caterpillar Inc.’s operating profit margin ratio deteriorated from Q4 2019 to Q1 2020 and from Q1 2020 to Q2 2020.

Net Profit Margin

Caterpillar Inc., net profit margin calculation (quarterly data)

Microsoft Excel LibreOffice Calc
Jun 30, 2020 Mar 31, 2020 Dec 31, 2019 Sep 30, 2019 Jun 30, 2019 Mar 31, 2019 Dec 31, 2018 Sep 30, 2018 Jun 30, 2018 Mar 31, 2018 Dec 31, 2017 Sep 30, 2017 Jun 30, 2017 Mar 31, 2017 Dec 31, 2016 Sep 30, 2016 Jun 30, 2016 Mar 31, 2016 Dec 31, 2015 Sep 30, 2015 Jun 30, 2015 Mar 31, 2015
Selected Financial Data (US$ in millions)
Profit (loss) attributable to common stockholders 458  1,092  1,098  1,494  1,620  1,881  1,048  1,727  1,707  1,665  (1,299) 1,059  802  192  (1,171) 283  550  271  (87) 368  710  1,111 
Sales of Machinery, Energy & Transportation 9,310  9,914  12,386  11,974  13,671  12,724  13,630  12,763  13,279  12,150  12,194  10,713  10,639  9,130  8,885  8,463  9,645  8,780  10,318  10,285  11,583  11,961 
Profitability Ratio
Net profit margin1 9.50% 11.06% 12.00% 11.62% 11.89% 12.14% 11.86% 7.54% 6.48% 4.87% 1.77% 2.24% 0.29% -0.40% -0.19% 2.73% 2.82% 3.08% 4.76% — — —
Benchmarks
Net Profit Margin, Competitors2
Illinois Tool Works Inc. 17.16% 18.06% 17.87% 17.49% 17.17% 17.21% 17.36% 12.69% 12.70% 12.36% 11.79% 16.12% 15.50% 15.24% 14.96% 14.68% 14.65% 14.31% 14.17% — — —

Based on: 10-Q (filing date: 2020-08-05), 10-Q (filing date: 2020-05-06), 10-K (filing date: 2020-02-19), 10-Q (filing date: 2019-10-31), 10-Q (filing date: 2019-08-01), 10-Q (filing date: 2019-05-06), 10-K (filing date: 2019-02-14), 10-Q (filing date: 2018-10-31), 10-Q (filing date: 2018-08-07), 10-Q (filing date: 2018-05-02), 10-K (filing date: 2018-02-15), 10-Q (filing date: 2017-11-01), 10-Q (filing date: 2017-08-02), 10-Q (filing date: 2017-05-03), 10-K (filing date: 2017-02-15), 10-Q (filing date: 2016-11-02), 10-Q (filing date: 2016-08-03), 10-Q (filing date: 2016-05-02), 10-K (filing date: 2016-02-16), 10-Q (filing date: 2015-10-30), 10-Q (filing date: 2015-07-31), 10-Q (filing date: 2015-05-01).

1 Q2 2020 Calculation
Net profit margin = 100 × (Profit (loss) attributable to common stockholdersQ2 2020 + Profit (loss) attributable to common stockholdersQ1 2020 + Profit (loss) attributable to common stockholdersQ4 2019 + Profit (loss) attributable to common stockholdersQ3 2019) ÷ (Sales of Machinery, Energy & TransportationQ2 2020 + Sales of Machinery, Energy & TransportationQ1 2020 + Sales of Machinery, Energy & TransportationQ4 2019 + Sales of Machinery, Energy & TransportationQ3 2019)
= 100 × (458 + 1,092 + 1,098 + 1,494) ÷ (9,310 + 9,914 + 12,386 + 11,974) = 9.50%

2 Click competitor name to see calculations.

Profitability ratio Description The company
Net profit margin An indicator of profitability, calculated as net income divided by revenue. Caterpillar Inc.’s net profit margin ratio deteriorated from Q4 2019 to Q1 2020 and from Q1 2020 to Q2 2020.

Return on Equity (ROE)

Caterpillar Inc., ROE calculation (quarterly data)

Microsoft Excel LibreOffice Calc
Jun 30, 2020 Mar 31, 2020 Dec 31, 2019 Sep 30, 2019 Jun 30, 2019 Mar 31, 2019 Dec 31, 2018 Sep 30, 2018 Jun 30, 2018 Mar 31, 2018 Dec 31, 2017 Sep 30, 2017 Jun 30, 2017 Mar 31, 2017 Dec 31, 2016 Sep 30, 2016 Jun 30, 2016 Mar 31, 2016 Dec 31, 2015 Sep 30, 2015 Jun 30, 2015 Mar 31, 2015
Selected Financial Data (US$ in millions)
Profit (loss) attributable to common stockholders 458  1,092  1,098  1,494  1,620  1,881  1,048  1,727  1,707  1,665  (1,299) 1,059  802  192  (1,171) 283  550  271  (87) 368  710  1,111 
Shareholders’ equity attributable to common shareholders 13,734  14,197  14,588  14,952  14,837  15,437  14,039  15,850  14,879  15,206  13,697  15,627  14,009  13,588  13,137  15,645  15,232  15,676  14,809  15,896  17,092  16,962 
Profitability Ratio
ROE1 30.16% 37.36% 41.77% 40.42% 42.30% 41.22% 43.79% 23.97% 21.05% 14.65% 5.50% 5.64% 0.76% -1.07% -0.51% 6.50% 7.23% 8.05% 14.19% — — —
Benchmarks
ROE, Competitors2
Illinois Tool Works Inc. 92.75% 109.07% 83.31% 83.85% 79.75% 78.47% 78.76% 53.08% 49.72% 43.35% 36.79% 45.19% 45.38% 46.81% 47.84% 41.31% 39.51% 36.58% 36.35% — — —

Based on: 10-Q (filing date: 2020-08-05), 10-Q (filing date: 2020-05-06), 10-K (filing date: 2020-02-19), 10-Q (filing date: 2019-10-31), 10-Q (filing date: 2019-08-01), 10-Q (filing date: 2019-05-06), 10-K (filing date: 2019-02-14), 10-Q (filing date: 2018-10-31), 10-Q (filing date: 2018-08-07), 10-Q (filing date: 2018-05-02), 10-K (filing date: 2018-02-15), 10-Q (filing date: 2017-11-01), 10-Q (filing date: 2017-08-02), 10-Q (filing date: 2017-05-03), 10-K (filing date: 2017-02-15), 10-Q (filing date: 2016-11-02), 10-Q (filing date: 2016-08-03), 10-Q (filing date: 2016-05-02), 10-K (filing date: 2016-02-16), 10-Q (filing date: 2015-10-30), 10-Q (filing date: 2015-07-31), 10-Q (filing date: 2015-05-01).

1 Q2 2020 Calculation
ROE = 100 × (Profit (loss) attributable to common stockholdersQ2 2020 + Profit (loss) attributable to common stockholdersQ1 2020 + Profit (loss) attributable to common stockholdersQ4 2019 + Profit (loss) attributable to common stockholdersQ3 2019) ÷ Shareholders’ equity attributable to common shareholders
= 100 × (458 + 1,092 + 1,098 + 1,494) ÷ 13,734 = 30.16%

2 Click competitor name to see calculations.

Profitability ratio Description The company
ROE A profitability ratio calculated as net income divided by shareholders’ equity. Caterpillar Inc.’s ROE deteriorated from Q4 2019 to Q1 2020 and from Q1 2020 to Q2 2020.

Return on Assets (ROA)

Caterpillar Inc., ROA calculation (quarterly data)

Microsoft Excel LibreOffice Calc
Jun 30, 2020 Mar 31, 2020 Dec 31, 2019 Sep 30, 2019 Jun 30, 2019 Mar 31, 2019 Dec 31, 2018 Sep 30, 2018 Jun 30, 2018 Mar 31, 2018 Dec 31, 2017 Sep 30, 2017 Jun 30, 2017 Mar 31, 2017 Dec 31, 2016 Sep 30, 2016 Jun 30, 2016 Mar 31, 2016 Dec 31, 2015 Sep 30, 2015 Jun 30, 2015 Mar 31, 2015
Selected Financial Data (US$ in millions)
Profit (loss) attributable to common stockholders 458  1,092  1,098  1,494  1,620  1,881  1,048  1,727  1,707  1,665  (1,299) 1,059  802  192  (1,171) 283  550  271  (87) 368  710  1,111 
Total assets 76,566  75,894  78,453  77,993  79,187  78,726  78,509  78,209  78,987  78,014  76,962  78,560  78,510  77,549  74,704  76,402  78,300  78,307  78,497  78,969  82,242  82,490 
Profitability Ratio
ROA1 5.41% 6.99% 7.77% 7.75% 7.93% 8.08% 7.83% 4.86% 3.97% 2.85% 0.98% 1.12% 0.14% -0.19% -0.09% 1.33% 1.41% 1.61% 2.68% — — —
Benchmarks
ROA, Competitors2
Illinois Tool Works Inc. 15.33% 17.60% 16.73% 16.62% 16.23% 16.36% 17.24% 12.27% 12.12% 11.16% 10.05% 13.91% 13.60% 13.54% 13.39% 12.59% 12.84% 12.37% 12.07% — — —

Based on: 10-Q (filing date: 2020-08-05), 10-Q (filing date: 2020-05-06), 10-K (filing date: 2020-02-19), 10-Q (filing date: 2019-10-31), 10-Q (filing date: 2019-08-01), 10-Q (filing date: 2019-05-06), 10-K (filing date: 2019-02-14), 10-Q (filing date: 2018-10-31), 10-Q (filing date: 2018-08-07), 10-Q (filing date: 2018-05-02), 10-K (filing date: 2018-02-15), 10-Q (filing date: 2017-11-01), 10-Q (filing date: 2017-08-02), 10-Q (filing date: 2017-05-03), 10-K (filing date: 2017-02-15), 10-Q (filing date: 2016-11-02), 10-Q (filing date: 2016-08-03), 10-Q (filing date: 2016-05-02), 10-K (filing date: 2016-02-16), 10-Q (filing date: 2015-10-30), 10-Q (filing date: 2015-07-31), 10-Q (filing date: 2015-05-01).

1 Q2 2020 Calculation
ROA = 100 × (Profit (loss) attributable to common stockholdersQ2 2020 + Profit (loss) attributable to common stockholdersQ1 2020 + Profit (loss) attributable to common stockholdersQ4 2019 + Profit (loss) attributable to common stockholdersQ3 2019) ÷ Total assets
= 100 × (458 + 1,092 + 1,098 + 1,494) ÷ 76,566 = 5.41%

2 Click competitor name to see calculations.

Profitability ratio Description The company
ROA A profitability ratio calculated as net income divided by total assets. Caterpillar Inc.’s ROA deteriorated from Q4 2019 to Q1 2020 and from Q1 2020 to Q2 2020.