Caterpillar (CAT) vs Douglas Dynamics (PLOW)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 7, 2026.
Summary
Caterpillar (CAT) has outperformed Douglas Dynamics (PLOW) over the past year, gaining 67.2% versus a gain of 31.2%. Over five years, CAT leads with a +308.9% price change compared with +3.7% for PLOW. Caterpillar is the larger company by market cap ($374.10 billion vs $917.1 million), about 407.9 times the size.
On valuation, Douglas Dynamics trades at a lower forward P/E (12.3x vs 25.1x for Caterpillar). Douglas Dynamics offers the higher dividend yield (2.97% 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 | CAT | PLOW |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $813.83 | $39.74 |
| Market cap | $374.10B | $917.08M |
| 1-day change | -5.75% | -2.31% |
| YTD return | +42.06% | +21.72% |
| 1-year return | +67.21% | +31.16% |
| 5-year return | +308.92% | +3.65% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 35.03 | 18.06 |
| Forward P/E | 25.09 | 12.31 |
| EPS (TTM) | $23.23 | $2.20 |
| Dividend yield | 0.76% | 2.97% |
| Annual dividend | $6.16 | $1.18 |
| 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 | $1,073.46 | $55.00 |
| 52-week low | $489.34 | $28.52 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -24.19% | -27.75% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | — |
| Avg. price target upside | +19.29% | — |
| Average volume | 2.64M | 250.83K |
| Shares outstanding | 459.67M | 23.08M |
| Employees | 118,000 | — |
| Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| Industry | Construction/Ag Equipment/Trucks | 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 407.9 times larger than Douglas Dynamics by market value ($374.10B vs $917.08M).
- CAT has outperformed PLOW by 36.1 percentage points over the past year.
- Caterpillar trades at a higher earnings multiple (35.0x vs 18.1x trailing P/E).
- Douglas Dynamics offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (2.97% vs 0.76%).
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
CAT vs PLOW FAQ
Which is bigger, Caterpillar or Douglas Dynamics?
Caterpillar (CAT) is larger, with a market capitalization of $374.10B compared with $917.08M for Douglas Dynamics (PLOW).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, CAT or PLOW?
CAT returned +67.21% over the past 12 months, compared with +31.16% for PLOW (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, CAT or PLOW?
PLOW has the lower trailing P/E at 18.1, versus 35.0 for CAT. 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, Caterpillar or Douglas Dynamics?
Douglas Dynamics has the higher yield at 2.97%, compared with 0.76% for Caterpillar.
Are Caterpillar and Douglas Dynamics in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Construction/Ag Equipment/Trucks industry within the Industrials sector.