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Investing.com - UBS maintained its Neutral rating and $357.00 price target on Caterpillar (NYSE:CAT) stock in a research note released Wednesday. The target represents potential downside from current levels, with CAT trading at $423.78 and showing strong momentum near its 52-week high. According to InvestingPro analysis, the stock appears overvalued at current levels, though it maintains a "GOOD" overall financial health rating.
UBS analyst Steven Fisher indicated that investors are increasingly inquiring about Caterpillar’s 2026 earnings per share outlook, with bulls projecting $22-23 EPS and bears estimating $17-18 EPS. The company currently trades at a P/E ratio of 20.6x, with trailing twelve-month EPS of $20.51.
The firm’s stance on Caterpillar has become more balanced compared to its more cautious view over the past two years, with construction identified as a key swing factor for 2026 performance.
UBS expects the mining cycle to remain relatively stable from a new investment perspective in 2026, while oil and gas could stabilize at lower levels due to now-stable oil prices.
The research note also highlighted that power generation is growing but faces capacity constraints until late 2026 or early 2027, reinforcing construction as the critical variable in Caterpillar’s 2026 outlook.
In other recent news, Caterpillar Inc. reported several notable developments. The company announced a 7% increase in its quarterly dividend, raising it to $1.51 per share, payable on August 20. In financial activities, Caterpillar Financial Services issued $300 million in floating rate notes due in 2027, as part of its ongoing financing strategy. Analysts have been active in evaluating Caterpillar’s prospects, with Melius Research upgrading the stock to Buy, citing the potential of data center-driven capacity increases in its engine business. Meanwhile, Bernstein maintained its Market Perform rating, noting potential growth from capacity expansion at Caterpillar’s large engine manufacturing facility in Indiana. JPMorgan reiterated its Overweight rating, highlighting growth in Caterpillar Financial Services, which accounted for 6% of consolidated revenue and 7% of adjusted profit before tax in the first quarter of 2025. The financial services revenue rose by 1% year-over-year to $860 million, supported by higher average earnings assets. These developments reflect Caterpillar’s strategic financial maneuvers and analyst evaluations.
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