MUX
McEwen Mining Inc.
Other Precious Metals
Market Cap$1.36B
5Y Perf.+152.5%
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Stock Comparison
MUX 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%
MUX vs CAT — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | MUX | CAT |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Other Precious Metals | Agricultural - Machinery |
| Market Cap | $1.36B | $431.16B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $162M | $70.75B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $74M | $9.42B |
| Gross Margin | 32.9% | 32.5% |
| Operating Margin | 22.2% | 16.6% |
| Forward P/E | 21.7x | 40.1x |
| Total Debt | $926K | $43.33B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $51M | $9.98B |
MUX vs CAT — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
MUX
CAT
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| McEwen Mining Inc. (MUX) | 100 | 252.5 | +152.5% |
| Caterpillar Inc. (CAT) | 100 | 771.4 | +671.4% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: MUX vs CAT
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: MUX leads in 4 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 dividend income and shareholder returns and recent price momentum and sentiment. This set spans 2 sectors — these stocks serve different portfolio roles, not just different price points.
MUX
McEwen Mining Inc.
The Growth Play
MUX carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for growth exposure and sleep-well-at-night.
- Rev growth 13.2%, EPS growth 168.6%, 3Y rev CAGR 21.4%
- Lower volatility, beta 1.27, Low D/E 0.2%, current ratio 1.69x
- Beta 1.27, yield 0.2%, current ratio 1.69x
Best for: growth exposure and sleep-well-at-night
CAT
Caterpillar Inc.
The Income Pick
CAT is the clearest fit if your priority is income & stability and long-term compounding.
- Dividend streak 8 yrs, beta 1.54, yield 0.6%
- 12.2% 10Y total return vs MUX's -9.0%
- 0.6% yield, 8-year raise streak, vs MUX's 0.2%
Best for: income & stability and long-term compounding
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | MUX | 13.2% revenue growth vs CAT's 4.3% |
| Value | MUX | Lower P/E (21.7x vs 40.1x) |
| Quality / Margins | MUX | 45.7% margin vs CAT's 13.3% |
| Stability / Safety | MUX | Beta 1.27 vs CAT's 1.54, lower leverage |
| Dividends | CAT | 0.6% yield, 8-year raise streak, vs MUX's 0.2% |
| Momentum (1Y) | CAT | +190.7% vs MUX's +181.0% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | CAT | 10.0% ROA vs MUX's 9.0%, ROIC 15.9% vs -1.9% |
MUX vs CAT — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
FY 2025
FY 2025
MUX vs CAT — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLCATLAGGINGMUX
MUXMcEwen Mining Inc.
2leads
CATCaterpillar Inc.
3leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs MUXMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
MUX4/6
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
MUX3/5
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
CAT5/8
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
CAT6/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
Tied
—
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
CAT2/2
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
MUX leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
CAT is the larger business by revenue, generating $70.8B annually — 437.1x MUX's $162M. MUX is the more profitable business, keeping 45.7% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to CAT's 13.3%. On growth, CAT holds the edge at +22.2% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | MUXMcEwen Mining Inc. | CATCaterpillar Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $162M | $70.8B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $61M | $14.0B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $74M | $9.4B |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | -$24M | $11.4B |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +32.9% | +32.5% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +22.2% | +16.6% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +45.7% | +13.3% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | -14.7% | +16.2% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -100.0% | +22.2% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +4.9% | +30.2% |
MUX leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
MUX leads this category, winning 3 of 5 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 38.7x trailing earnings, MUX trades at a 21% valuation discount to CAT's 49.2x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, CAT's 34.5x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than MUX's 72.8x.
| Metric | MUXMcEwen Mining Inc. | CATCaterpillar Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $1.4B | $431.2B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $1.3B | $464.5B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 38.68x | 49.21x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 21.68x | 40.13x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | 1.75x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 72.83x | 34.48x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 6.87x | 6.38x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 2.26x | 20.39x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | — | 41.97x |
MUX leads this category, winning 3 of 5 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
CAT leads this category, winning 5 of 8 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
CAT delivers a 47.5% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $48 in annual profit, vs $14 for MUX. MUX carries lower financial leverage with a 0.00x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to CAT's 2.03x.
| Metric | MUXMcEwen Mining Inc. | CATCaterpillar Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +13.6% | +47.5% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +9.0% | +10.0% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | -1.9% | +15.9% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | -1.9% | +19.1% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 5 | 5 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.00x | 2.03x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | -$50M | $33.4B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $51M | $10.0B |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $926,000 | $43.3B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | -1.52x | 9.22x |
CAT leads this category, winning 5 of 8 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
CAT leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in CAT five years ago would be worth $40,189 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $18,256 for MUX. Over the past 12 months, CAT leads with a +190.7% total return vs MUX's +181.0%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors CAT at 63.8% vs MUX's 37.0% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | MUXMcEwen Mining Inc. | CATCaterpillar Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +22.2% | +55.4% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +181.0% | +190.7% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +157.3% | +339.3% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +82.6% | +301.9% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -9.0% | +1223.1% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +37.0% | +63.8% |
CAT leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — MUX and CAT each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
MUX is the less volatile stock with a 1.27 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 MUX's 76.8% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | MUXMcEwen Mining Inc. | CATCaterpillar Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 1.27x | 1.54x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $29.70 | $930.41 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $6.88 | $318.11 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +76.8% | +99.6% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 42.7 | 73.7 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 1.0M | 2.4M |
Evenly matched — MUX and CAT each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
CAT leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates MUX as "Buy" and CAT as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 31.5% upside for MUX (target: $30) vs -11.0% for CAT (target: $825). For income investors, CAT offers the higher dividend yield at 0.63% vs MUX's 0.18%.
| Metric | MUXMcEwen Mining Inc. | CATCaterpillar Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $30.00 | $824.80 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 7 | 53 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +0.2% | +0.6% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 0 | 8 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $0.04 | $5.86 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | +1.2% |
CAT leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Key Takeaway
CAT leads in 3 of 6 categories (Profitability & Efficiency, Total Returns). MUX leads in 2 (Income & Cash Flow, Valuation Metrics). 1 tied.
Best OverallCaterpillar Inc. (CAT)Leads 3 of 6 categories
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MUX vs CAT: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is MUX or CAT a better buy right now?
For growth investors, McEwen Mining Inc.
(MUX) is the stronger pick with 13. 2% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 4. 3% for Caterpillar Inc. (CAT). McEwen Mining Inc. (MUX) offers the better valuation at 38. 7x trailing P/E (21. 7x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate McEwen Mining Inc. (MUX) a "Buy" — based on 7 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 — MUX or CAT?
On trailing P/E, McEwen Mining Inc.
(MUX) is the cheapest at 38. 7x versus Caterpillar Inc. at 49. 2x. On forward P/E, McEwen Mining Inc. is actually cheaper at 21. 7x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — MUX or CAT?
Over the past 5 years, Caterpillar Inc.
(CAT) delivered a total return of +301. 9%, compared to +82. 6% for McEwen Mining Inc. (MUX). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: CAT returned +1223% versus MUX's -9. 0%. 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 — MUX or CAT?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), McEwen Mining Inc.
(MUX) is the lower-risk stock at 1. 27β versus Caterpillar Inc. 's 1. 54β — meaning CAT is approximately 21% more volatile than MUX relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, McEwen Mining Inc. (MUX) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 0% versus 2% for Caterpillar Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — MUX or CAT?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), McEwen Mining Inc.
(MUX) is pulling ahead at 13. 2% versus 4. 3% for Caterpillar Inc. (CAT). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: McEwen Mining Inc. grew EPS 168. 6% year-over-year, compared to -14. 6% for Caterpillar Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, MUX leads at 21. 4% 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 — MUX or CAT?
McEwen Mining Inc.
(MUX) is the more profitable company, earning 17. 4% net margin versus 13. 1% for Caterpillar Inc. — meaning it keeps 17. 4% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: CAT leads at 16. 6% versus -6. 5% for MUX. 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 MUX or CAT more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, McEwen Mining Inc.
(MUX) trades at 21. 7x forward P/E versus 40. 1x for Caterpillar Inc. — 18. 4x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for MUX: 31. 5% to $30. 00.
08Which pays a better dividend — MUX or CAT?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
Caterpillar Inc. (CAT) offers the highest yield at 0. 6%, versus 0. 2% for McEwen Mining Inc. (MUX).
09Is MUX or CAT better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Caterpillar Inc.
(CAT) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (0. 6% yield, +1223% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (CAT: +1223%, MUX: -9. 0%), 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 MUX and CAT?
These companies operate in different sectors (MUX (Basic Materials) and CAT (Industrials)), which means they face different economic cycles, regulatory environments, and macro sensitivities — making direct comparison nuanced.
CAT pays a dividend while MUX does not, making them suitable for different income and tax situations. 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>
%
(MUX: -100.0% · CAT: 22.2%)Net Margin>
%
(MUX: 45.7% · CAT: 13.3%)P/E Ratio<
x
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