Astec Industries (ASTE) vs Caterpillar (CAT)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Caterpillar (CAT) has outperformed Astec Industries (ASTE) over the past year, gaining 67.2% versus a loss of 17.5%. Over five years, CAT leads with a +308.9% price change compared with -24.2% for ASTE. Caterpillar is the larger company by market cap ($374.10 billion vs $901.5 million), about 415.0 times the size.
On valuation, Astec Industries trades at a lower forward P/E (9.9x vs 25.1x for Caterpillar). Astec Industries offers the higher dividend yield (1.33% vs 0.76%).
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | ASTE | CAT |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $39.21 | $813.83 |
| Market cap | $901.54M | $374.10B |
| 1-day change | -4.96% | -5.75% |
| YTD return | -9.49% | +42.06% |
| 1-year return | -17.47% | +67.21% |
| 5-year return | -24.20% | +308.92% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 46.13 | 35.03 |
| Forward P/E | 9.85 | 25.09 |
| EPS (TTM) | $0.85 | $23.23 |
| Dividend yield | 1.33% | 0.76% |
| Annual dividend | $0.52 | $6.16 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | — | $67.59B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | — | +4.29% |
| Net income (latest FY) | — | $8.88B |
| Gross margin | — | 33.79% |
| Operating margin | — | 16.50% |
| Net margin | — | 13.14% |
| 52-week high | $65.69 | $1,073.46 |
| 52-week low | $38.34 | $489.34 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -40.31% | -24.19% |
| Analyst consensus | none | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +71.51% | +19.29% |
| Average volume | 231.35K | 2.64M |
| Shares outstanding | 22.99M | 459.67M |
| Employees | 4,468 | 118,000 |
| Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| Industry | Farm & Heavy Construction Machinery | Construction/Ag Equipment/Trucks |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- Caterpillar is about 415.0 times larger than Astec Industries by market value ($374.10B vs $901.54M).
- CAT has outperformed ASTE by 84.7 percentage points over the past year.
- Astec Industries trades at a higher earnings multiple (46.1x vs 35.0x trailing P/E).
About Astec Industries
ASTE stock →Astec Industries, Inc. designs, engineers, manufactures, markets, and services equipment and components used primarily in road building and related construction activities worldwide.
Industrials · Farm & Heavy Construction Machinery · 4,468 employees
About Caterpillar
CAT stock →Caterpillar Inc. provides construction and mining equipment, off-highway diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines, and diesel-electric locomotives in the United States and internationally.
Industrials · Construction/Ag Equipment/Trucks · 118,000 employees
ASTE vs CAT FAQ
Which is bigger, Astec Industries or Caterpillar?
Caterpillar (CAT) is larger, with a market capitalization of $374.10B compared with $901.54M for Astec Industries (ASTE).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, ASTE or CAT?
CAT returned +67.21% over the past 12 months, compared with -17.47% for ASTE (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, ASTE or CAT?
CAT has the lower trailing P/E at 35.0, versus 46.1 for ASTE. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, Astec Industries or Caterpillar?
Astec Industries has the higher yield at 1.33%, compared with 0.76% for Caterpillar.
Are Astec Industries and Caterpillar in the same industry?
Both are in the Industrials sector, but in different industries: Farm & Heavy Construction Machinery for Astec Industries and Construction/Ag Equipment/Trucks for Caterpillar.