Caterpillar Inc vs Philip Morris International Inc. — how do they compare? Caterpillar Inc trades at $941.16 (market cap $429.03B), while Philip Morris International Inc. trades at $176.88 (market cap $280.84B). The key difference: Caterpillar Inc is the larger of the two by market cap, and Philip Morris International Inc. pays the higher dividend (3.26%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| CAT | PM | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $429.03B | $280.84B |
Sector | Industrials | Consumer Staples |
52-Week High | $1.06K | $191.86 |
52-Week Low | $404.64 | $144.33 |
Enterprise Value | $468.02B | $327.33B |
Dividend Yield | 0.7% | 3.26% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Caterpillar (CAT) trades at $933.34, down 2.0% on the day but up 51% year-to-date, reflecting strong momentum from AI-driven infrastructure demand. The company has beaten earnings estimates for three consecutive quarters, with Q1 2026 EPS of $5.54 surpassing expectations by 19%. Valuation metrics remain elevated with a P/E of 46.39 and P/S of 6.18, while profitability remains robust with a 13.33% net margin and 51.35% ROE. Technical indicators show neutral signals with support at $922 and resistance at $943.
Outlook remains positive with analyst consensus pointing to $1,020 price target (9% upside) and 55% buy ratings. Key opportunities include AI data center power demand generating $10.2B in generator sales, while risks include elevated valuation and cyclical exposure to economic conditions. The company's 32nd consecutive dividend increase expected in June supports income investors.
Philip Morris International (PM) trades at $175.95, down 3.12% on the day, amid a recent profit forecast revision. The stock shows a bullish technical signal with key support at $175 and resistance at $183. Fundamentally, the company reported strong 2025 results with $40.65B revenue and $11.35B net income, though a $500M impairment charge and cost pressures prompted a lowered 2026 outlook. Analyst sentiment remains positive with a $194 consensus price target and 68% buy ratings.
The outlook is cautiously optimistic; earnings growth and the IQOS brand strength offer upside, but regulatory risks and illicit market pressures pose challenges. The current price presents a potential entry point below the analyst target, though investors must weigh margin pressures from energy costs and currency swings noted in recent company guidance.
Trailing returns across standard periods
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 →Philip Morris International is an international tobacco company with a product portfolio primarily consisting of cigarettes and reduced-risk products, including heat-not-burn, vapor and oral nicotine products, which are sold in markets outside the United States. The company diversified away from nicotine products with the acquisition of Vectura, a provider of innovative inhaled drug delivery solutions, in 2021.
Read more on PM →