AU
AngloGold Ashanti Plc
Gold
Market Cap$49.78B
5Y Perf.+301.5%
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Stock Comparison
AU vs CAT
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
CAT
Caterpillar Inc.
Agricultural - Machinery
Market Cap$431.16B
5Y Perf.+671.4%
AU vs CAT — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | AU | CAT |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Gold | Agricultural - Machinery |
| Market Cap | $49.78B | $431.16B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $10.38B | $70.75B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $2.86B | $9.42B |
| Gross Margin | 47.8% | 32.5% |
| Operating Margin | 45.5% | 16.6% |
| Forward P/E | 9.1x | 40.1x |
| Total Debt | $2.44B | $43.33B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $2.93B | $9.98B |
AU vs CAT — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
AU
CAT
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| AngloGold Ashanti P… (AU) | 100 | 401.5 | +301.5% |
| Caterpillar Inc. (CAT) | 100 | 771.4 | +671.4% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: AU vs CAT
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: AU leads in 6 of 7 categories, making it the strongest pick for growth and revenue expansion and valuation and capital efficiency. Caterpillar Inc. is the stronger pick specifically for recent price momentum and sentiment. This set spans 2 sectors — these stocks serve different portfolio roles, not just different price points.
AU
AngloGold Ashanti Plc
The Income Pick
AU carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and growth exposure.
- Dividend streak 2 yrs, beta 0.79, yield 3.7%
- Rev growth 70.8%, EPS growth 122.7%, 3Y rev CAGR 30.0%
- Lower volatility, beta 0.79, Low D/E 24.6%, current ratio 2.87x
Best for: income & stability and growth exposure
CAT
Caterpillar Inc.
The Long-Run Compounder
CAT is the clearest fit if your priority is long-term compounding.
- 12.2% 10Y total return vs AU's 5.4%
- +190.7% vs AU's +131.8%
Best for: long-term compounding
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | AU | 70.8% revenue growth vs CAT's 4.3% |
| Value | AU | Lower P/E (9.1x vs 40.1x), PEG 0.53 vs 1.43 |
| Quality / Margins | AU | 27.6% margin vs CAT's 13.3% |
| Stability / Safety | AU | Beta 0.79 vs CAT's 1.54, lower leverage |
| Dividends | AU | 3.7% yield, 2-year raise streak, vs CAT's 0.6% |
| Momentum (1Y) | CAT | +190.7% vs AU's +131.8% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | AU | 20.3% ROA vs CAT's 10.0%, ROIC 35.9% vs 15.9% |
AU vs CAT — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
FY 2024
FY 2025
AU vs CAT — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLAULAGGINGCAT
CATCaterpillar Inc.
1leads
AUAngloGold Ashanti Plc
3leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs CATMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
AU6/6
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
AU7/7
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
AU8/9
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
CAT5/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
Tied
—
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
Tied
—
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
AU leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
CAT is the larger business by revenue, generating $70.8B annually — 6.8x AU's $10.4B. AU is the more profitable business, keeping 27.6% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to CAT's 13.3%. On growth, AU holds the edge at +75.3% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | AUAngloGold Ashanti… | CATCaterpillar Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $10.4B | $70.8B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $4.8B | $14.0B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $2.9B | $9.4B |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $3.4B | $11.4B |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +47.8% | +32.5% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +45.5% | +16.6% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +27.6% | +13.3% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +32.6% | +16.2% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +75.3% | +22.2% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +63.1% | +30.2% |
AU leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
AU leads this category, winning 7 of 7 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 19.0x trailing earnings, AU trades at a 61% valuation discount to CAT's 49.2x P/E. Adjusting for growth (PEG ratio), AU offers better value at 1.10x vs CAT's 1.75x — a lower PEG means you pay less per unit of expected earnings growth.
| Metric | AUAngloGold Ashanti… | CATCaterpillar Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $49.8B | $431.2B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $49.3B | $464.5B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 19.00x | 49.21x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 9.10x | 40.13x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | 1.10x | 1.75x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 8.99x | 34.48x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 5.03x | 6.38x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 5.05x | 20.39x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 16.03x | 41.97x |
AU leads this category, winning 7 of 7 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
AU leads this category, winning 8 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
CAT delivers a 47.5% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $48 in annual profit, vs $31 for AU. AU carries lower financial leverage with a 0.25x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to CAT's 2.03x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), AU scores 8/9 vs CAT's 5/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | AUAngloGold Ashanti… | CATCaterpillar Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +30.8% | +47.5% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +20.3% | +10.0% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +35.9% | +15.9% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +35.5% | +19.1% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 8 | 5 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.25x | 2.03x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | -$492M | $33.4B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $2.9B | $10.0B |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $2.4B | $43.3B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 21.64x | 9.22x |
AU leads this category, winning 8 of 9 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
CAT leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in AU five years ago would be worth $46,418 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $40,189 for CAT. Over the past 12 months, CAT leads with a +190.7% total return vs AU's +131.8%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors CAT at 63.8% vs AU's 54.0% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | AUAngloGold Ashanti… | CATCaterpillar Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +17.2% | +55.4% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +131.8% | +190.7% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +265.5% | +339.3% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +364.2% | +301.9% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +540.2% | +1223.1% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +54.0% | +63.8% |
CAT leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — AU and CAT each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
AU is the less volatile stock with a 0.79 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than CAT's 1.54 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. CAT currently trades 99.6% from its 52-week high vs AU's 76.4% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | AUAngloGold Ashanti… | CATCaterpillar Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.79x | 1.54x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $129.14 | $930.41 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $38.61 | $318.11 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +76.4% | +99.6% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 39.2 | 73.7 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 2.7M | 2.4M |
Evenly matched — AU and CAT each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Evenly matched — AU and CAT each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates AU as "Buy" and CAT as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 34.9% upside for AU (target: $133) vs -11.0% for CAT (target: $825). For income investors, AU offers the higher dividend yield at 3.74% vs CAT's 0.63%.
| Metric | AUAngloGold Ashanti… | CATCaterpillar Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $133.00 | $824.80 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 14 | 53 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +3.7% | +0.6% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 2 | 8 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $3.68 | $5.86 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | +1.2% |
Evenly matched — AU and CAT each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Key Takeaway
AU leads in 3 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Valuation Metrics). CAT leads in 1 (Total Returns). 2 tied.
Best OverallAngloGold Ashanti Plc (AU)Leads 3 of 6 categories
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AU vs CAT: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is AU or CAT a better buy right now?
For growth investors, AngloGold Ashanti Plc (AU) is the stronger pick with 70.
8% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 4. 3% for Caterpillar Inc. (CAT). AngloGold Ashanti Plc (AU) offers the better valuation at 19. 0x trailing P/E (9. 1x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate AngloGold Ashanti Plc (AU) a "Buy" — based on 14 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.
02Which has the better valuation — AU or CAT?
On trailing P/E, AngloGold Ashanti Plc (AU) is the cheapest at 19.
0x versus Caterpillar Inc. at 49. 2x. On forward P/E, AngloGold Ashanti Plc is actually cheaper at 9. 1x. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: AngloGold Ashanti Plc wins at 0. 53x versus Caterpillar Inc. 's 1. 43x — a PEG below 1. 0 traditionally signals the market is underpricing earnings growth.
03Which is the better long-term investment — AU or CAT?
Over the past 5 years, AngloGold Ashanti Plc (AU) delivered a total return of +364.
2%, compared to +301. 9% for Caterpillar Inc. (CAT). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: CAT returned +1223% versus AU's +540. 2%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
04Which is safer — AU or CAT?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), AngloGold Ashanti Plc (AU) is the lower-risk stock at 0.
79β versus Caterpillar Inc. 's 1. 54β — meaning CAT is approximately 96% more volatile than AU relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, AngloGold Ashanti Plc (AU) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 25% versus 2% for Caterpillar Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — AU or CAT?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), AngloGold Ashanti Plc (AU) is pulling ahead at 70.
8% versus 4. 3% for Caterpillar Inc. (CAT). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: AngloGold Ashanti Plc grew EPS 122. 7% year-over-year, compared to -14. 6% for Caterpillar Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, AU leads at 30. 0% annualised revenue growth. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.
06Which has better profit margins — AU or CAT?
AngloGold Ashanti Plc (AU) is the more profitable company, earning 26.
6% net margin versus 13. 1% for Caterpillar Inc. — meaning it keeps 26. 6% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: AU leads at 45. 1% versus 16. 6% for CAT. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — AU leads at 46. 5%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.
07Is AU or CAT more undervalued right now?
The PEG ratio (forward P/E divided by expected earnings growth rate) is the most precise measure of undervaluation relative to growth potential.
By this metric, AngloGold Ashanti Plc (AU) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 0. 53x versus Caterpillar Inc. 's 1. 43x. A PEG below 1. 0 is traditionally considered the threshold for growth-adjusted undervaluation. On forward earnings alone, AngloGold Ashanti Plc (AU) trades at 9. 1x forward P/E versus 40. 1x for Caterpillar Inc. — 31. 0x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for AU: 34. 9% to $133. 00.
08Which pays a better dividend — AU or CAT?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
AngloGold Ashanti Plc (AU) offers the highest yield at 3. 7%, versus 0. 6% for Caterpillar Inc. (CAT).
09Is AU or CAT better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, AngloGold Ashanti Plc (AU) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0.
79), 3. 7% yield, +540. 2% 10Y return). Caterpillar Inc. (CAT) carries a higher beta of 1. 54 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (AU: +540. 2%, CAT: +1223%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.
10What are the main differences between AU and CAT?
These companies operate in different sectors (AU (Basic Materials) and CAT (Industrials)), which means they face different economic cycles, regulatory environments, and macro sensitivities — making direct comparison nuanced.
In terms of investment character: AU is a mid-cap high-growth stock; CAT is a large-cap quality compounder stock. These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.
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Revenue Growth>
%
(AU: 75.3% · CAT: 22.2%)Net Margin>
%
(AU: 27.6% · CAT: 13.3%)P/E Ratio<
x
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