Caterpillar Inc vs PPG Industries, Inc. — how do they compare? Caterpillar Inc trades at $936.8 (market cap $429.89B), while PPG Industries, Inc. trades at $114.66 (market cap $25.56B). The key difference: Caterpillar Inc is far larger — about 16.8× PPG Industries, Inc.'s market cap, and PPG Industries, Inc. pays the higher dividend (2.48%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| CAT | PPG | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $429.89B | $25.56B |
Sector | Industrials | Basic Materials |
52-Week High | $1.06K | $131.56 |
52-Week Low | $404.64 | $94.34 |
Enterprise Value | $468.88B | $31.66B |
Dividend Yield | 0.7% | 2.48% |
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.
PPG Industries trades at $113.84, down 2.5% on the day, with a bullish technical signal despite near-term volatility. The stock shows strong profitability with a net margin of 9.83% and ROE of 21.09%, supported by consistent earnings beats in recent quarters. Recent news highlights innovation in aerospace and marine coatings, alongside a sustainable dividend profile. Valuation ratios appear reasonable with a P/E of 16.31 and P/S of 1.6.
The outlook remains positive given analyst consensus favoring a buy rating and a $131.75 price target, implying significant upside. Risks include volume softness and margin pressure, but robust cash flow and strategic innovations provide a cushion. The stock presents a value opportunity with growth catalysts from new product launches and market expansion.
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 →PPG is a global producer of coatings. The company is the world's largest producer of coatings after the purchase of selected Akzo Nobel assets. PPG's products are sold to a wide variety of end users, including the automotive, aerospace, construction, and industrial markets. The company has a footprint in many regions around the globe, with less than half of sales coming from North America in recent years. PPG is focused on its coatings and specialty products and expansion into emerging regions, as exemplified by the Comex acquisition.
Read more on PPG →