Alcon AG vs Caterpillar Inc — how do they compare? Alcon AG trades at $75 (market cap $35.19B), while Caterpillar Inc trades at $848 (market cap $385.01B). The key difference: Caterpillar Inc is far larger — about 10.9× Alcon AG's market cap, and Caterpillar Inc pays the higher dividend (0.78%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| ALC | CAT | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $35.19B | $385.01B |
Sector | Health | Industrials |
52-Week High | $90.12 | $1.06K |
52-Week Low | $62.02 | $407.79 |
Enterprise Value | $39.03B | $423.45B |
Dividend Yield | 0.49% | 0.78% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
ALC trades at $71.81, up 3.26% today, with a bullish technical signal supported by moving averages and ADX indicators. The company reported Q2 2026 EPS of $0.84, beating estimates, and raised its profit guidance on August 11, 2026, citing strong product launches. Revenue grew to $10.4B in 2025, though net income margin dipped to 9.42%. Valuation ratios include a P/E of 43 and P/S of 3.34, reflecting premium pricing.
Outlook is positive with analyst consensus at 54% buy ratings and a 27.8% upside target, but risks include margin pressure and high debt. The stock offers growth potential from innovation but faces competitive and macroeconomic headwinds.
Caterpillar (CAT) trades at $843.37, up 0.14% on the day, with strong year-to-date performance driven by robust earnings beats and AI data center demand. The stock shows a bearish technical signal but maintains solid fundamentals, including a net income margin of 14.51% and ROE of 56.99%. Recent news highlights growth from power and energy segments, with a dividend increase expected in June 2026.
Outlook remains positive due to earnings momentum and infrastructure tailwinds, though elevated valuation ratios like a P/E of 36.07 pose risks. Analyst consensus is bullish with a $1,010 price target, but investors should monitor economic cycles and competitive pressures that could impact future performance.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
Alcon, headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, is the global eyecare leader with a diverse portfolio in ophthalmology including contact lenses, eye drops, surgical equipment, and related surgical products. Novartis purchased Alcon from Nestle in 2010 and, following nine years as a Novartis subsidiary, the company was spun off as a public company in April 2019. The company reports five distinct segments: implantables (16% of revenue), consumables (31%), equipment (9%), contact lenses (27%), and ocular health (17%). The company is geographically diversified, with only about 40% of revenue from the U.S. market, and the firm has a strong presence in the European Union and Japan.
Read more on ALC →Caterpillar Inc. designs, manufactures, and markets construction, mining, and forestry machinery. The Company also manufactures engines and other related parts for its equipment, and offers financing and insurance. Caterpillar distributes its products through a worldwide organization of dealers.
Read more on CAT →