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Side-by-side financial analysisStock Comparison
CMBT vs CAT
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Agricultural - Machinery
CMBT vs CAT — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Marine Shipping | Agricultural - Machinery |
| Market Cap | $3.56B | $423.68B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $1.67B | $70.75B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $161M | $9.42B |
| Gross Margin | 35.5% | 32.5% |
| Operating Margin | 27.4% | 16.6% |
| Forward P/E | 7.7x | 36.9x |
| Total Debt | $5.57B | $43.33B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $147M | $9.98B |
CMBT vs CAT — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | Jun 20 | Jun 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cmb.Tech N.V. (CMBT) | 100 | 190.2 | +90.2% |
| Caterpillar Inc. (CAT) | 100 | 719.8 | +619.8% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: CMBT vs CAT
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
CMBT is the clearest fit if your priority is growth exposure and sleep-well-at-night.
- Rev growth 77.2%, EPS growth -83.6%, 3Y rev CAGR 24.2%
- Lower volatility, beta 0.42, current ratio 0.52x
- 77.2% revenue growth vs CAT's 4.3%
CAT carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and long-term compounding.
- Dividend streak 32 yrs, beta 1.67, yield 0.6%
- 11.7% 10Y total return vs CMBT's 191.6%
- Beta 1.67, yield 0.6%, current ratio 1.44x
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | 77.2% revenue growth vs CAT's 4.3% | |
| Value | Lower P/E (7.7x vs 36.9x) | |
| Quality / Margins | 13.3% margin vs CMBT's 9.6% | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 0.42 vs CAT's 1.67 | |
| Dividends | 0.6% yield, 32-year raise streak, vs CMBT's 0.6% | |
| Momentum (1Y) | +153.9% vs CMBT's +73.1% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | 10.0% ROA vs CMBT's 1.9%, ROIC 15.9% vs 4.7% |
CMBT vs CAT — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
CMBT vs CAT — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
Evenly matched — CMBT and CAT each lead in 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
CAT is the larger business by revenue, generating $70.8B annually — 42.5x CMBT's $1.7B. Profitability is closely matched — net margins range from 13.3% (CAT) to 9.6% (CMBT). On growth, CMBT holds the edge at +160.6% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $1.7B | $70.8B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $856M | $14.0B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $161M | $9.4B |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | -$612M | $11.4B |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +35.5% | +32.5% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +27.4% | +16.6% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +9.6% | +13.3% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | -36.7% | +16.2% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +160.6% | +22.2% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -35.4% | +30.2% |
Valuation Metrics
CMBT leads this category, winning 5 of 5 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 21.2x trailing earnings, CMBT trades at a 56% valuation discount to CAT's 48.4x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, CMBT's 11.8x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than CAT's 33.9x.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $3.6B | $423.7B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $9.0B | $457.0B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 21.23x | 48.36x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 7.67x | 36.94x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | 1.72x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 11.84x | 33.92x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 2.13x | 6.27x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 1.36x | 20.03x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | — | 41.24x |
Profitability & Efficiency
CAT leads this category, winning 7 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 $6 for CMBT. CAT carries lower financial leverage with a 2.03x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to CMBT's 2.12x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), CAT scores 5/9 vs CMBT's 4/9, reflecting solid financial health.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +6.2% | +47.5% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +1.9% | +10.0% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +4.7% | +15.9% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +6.8% | +19.1% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 4 | 5 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 2.12x | 2.03x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $5.4B | $33.4B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $147M | $10.0B |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $5.6B | $43.3B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 1.09x | 9.22x |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
CAT leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in CAT five years ago would be worth $42,769 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $26,907 for CMBT. Over the past 12 months, CAT leads with a +153.9% total return vs CMBT's +73.1%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors CAT at 57.4% vs CMBT's 14.0% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +74.4% | +52.7% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +73.1% | +153.9% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +48.2% | +289.8% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +169.1% | +327.7% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +191.6% | +1168.9% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +14.0% | +57.4% |
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — CMBT and CAT each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
CMBT is the less volatile stock with a 0.42 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than CAT's 1.67 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. CAT currently trades 96.2% from its 52-week high vs CMBT's 87.5% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.42x | 1.67x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $17.72 | $946.83 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $7.78 | $355.70 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +87.5% | +96.2% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 49.7 | 52.5 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 1.6M | 2.4M |
Analyst Outlook
CAT leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates CMBT as "Hold" and CAT as "Buy". For income investors, CAT offers the higher dividend yield at 0.64% vs CMBT's 0.59%.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Hold | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | — | $882.20 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 3 | 53 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +0.6% | +0.6% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 0 | 32 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $0.09 | $5.86 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | +1.2% |
CAT leads in 3 of 6 categories (Profitability & Efficiency, Total Returns). CMBT leads in 1 (Valuation Metrics). 2 tied.
CMBT vs CAT: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is CMBT or CAT a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Cmb.
Tech N. V. (CMBT) is the stronger pick with 77. 2% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 4. 3% for Caterpillar Inc. (CAT). Cmb. Tech N. V. (CMBT) offers the better valuation at 21. 2x trailing P/E (7. 7x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Caterpillar Inc. (CAT) a "Buy" — based on 53 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 — CMBT or CAT?
On trailing P/E, Cmb.
Tech N. V. (CMBT) is the cheapest at 21. 2x versus Caterpillar Inc. at 48. 4x. On forward P/E, Cmb. Tech N. V. is actually cheaper at 7. 7x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — CMBT or CAT?
Over the past 5 years, Caterpillar Inc.
(CAT) delivered a total return of +327. 7%, compared to +169. 1% for Cmb. Tech N. V. (CMBT). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: CAT returned +1169% versus CMBT's +191. 6%. 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 — CMBT or CAT?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Cmb.
Tech N. V. (CMBT) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 42β versus Caterpillar Inc. 's 1. 67β — meaning CAT is approximately 295% more volatile than CMBT relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Caterpillar Inc. (CAT) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 2% versus 2% for Cmb. Tech N. V. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — CMBT or CAT?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Cmb.
Tech N. V. (CMBT) is pulling ahead at 77. 2% versus 4. 3% for Caterpillar Inc. (CAT). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Caterpillar Inc. grew EPS -14. 6% year-over-year, compared to -83. 6% for Cmb. Tech N. V.. Over a 3-year CAGR, CMBT leads at 24. 2% 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 — CMBT or CAT?
Caterpillar Inc.
(CAT) is the more profitable company, earning 13. 1% net margin versus 9. 6% for Cmb. Tech N. V. — meaning it keeps 13. 1% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: CMBT leads at 22. 2% versus 16. 6% for CAT. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — CAT leads at 32. 3%, 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 CMBT or CAT more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Cmb.
Tech N. V. (CMBT) trades at 7. 7x forward P/E versus 36. 9x for Caterpillar Inc. — 29. 3x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis.
08Which pays a better dividend — CMBT or CAT?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
Caterpillar Inc. (CAT) offers the highest yield at 0. 6%, versus 0. 6% for Cmb. Tech N. V. (CMBT).
09Is CMBT or CAT better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Cmb.
Tech N. V. (CMBT) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 42), 0. 6% yield, +191. 6% 10Y return). Caterpillar Inc. (CAT) carries a higher beta of 1. 67 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (CMBT: +191. 6%, CAT: +1169%), 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 CMBT and CAT?
Both stocks operate in the Industrials sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.
In terms of investment character: CMBT is a small-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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