Caterpillar Inc vs Waste Management, Inc. — how do they compare? Caterpillar Inc trades at $847.01 (market cap $385.01B), while Waste Management, Inc. trades at $226.76 (market cap $90.58B). The key difference: Caterpillar Inc is far larger — about 4.3× Waste Management, Inc.'s market cap, and Waste Management, Inc. pays the higher dividend (1.56%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| CAT | WM | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $385.01B | $90.58B |
Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
52-Week High | $1.06K | $246.51 |
52-Week Low | $407.79 | $196.77 |
Enterprise Value | $423.45B | $113.37B |
Dividend Yield | 0.78% | 1.56% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
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.
WM trades at $227.68, down 0.58% on the day, with a bullish technical signal supported by moving averages and oversold RSI levels. The company reported Q2 2026 EPS of $2.02, beating estimates, with revenue growth to $25.2 billion in 2025. Valuation ratios are elevated, with a P/E of 59.96 and P/S of 16.1, reflecting premium pricing. Recent news highlights margin gains and institutional activity, including Bank of America reducing holdings by 6.1% in Q1 2026 (Defense World, 2026-08-01).
The outlook remains positive with a consensus price target of $263.43, implying 15.7% upside, driven by pricing discipline and technology investments. Risks include high debt levels, with a debt-to-asset ratio of 53.62% in 2024, and softer volume trends. Earnings momentum from recent beats supports growth, but margin pressures and economic sensitivity could limit gains.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
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 →Waste Management ranks as the largest integrated provider of traditional solid waste services in the United States, operating approximately 260 active landfills and about 340 transfer stations. The company serves residential, commercial, and industrial end markets and is also a leading recycler in North America.
Read more on WM →