Caterpillar Inc.CAT
Industrials · Farm & Heavy Construction Machinery
Scored 2026-07-08 · updates weekly
What’s driving the score
100 is the best score. The small percentage shows how much each factor counts. Hover a factor name for what it means. “n/a” means that factor doesn’t apply to this type of company (banks and REITs work differently), so the other factors count more.
The bottom line
As of 2026-07-08, Caterpillar (CAT) scores 87.9 out of 100 on the Dividend Safety Checker scale, which rates its dividend Very Safe. Stocks with this rating almost never cut: none did from 2020 through 2025 in our testing, and only about 1 in 375 across the full 18 years.
The strongest parts of the picture are debt load, years since last cut, dividend growth (1y). The main things holding the score back are cash vs debt (scoring 73 out of 100) and interest coverage (85 out of 100). Cash on hand compared with total debt. A bigger cushion buys time in a rough patch.
Caterpillar currently yields 0.6%, has gone at least 20 years without cutting its dividend, pays out 32% of its free cash flow as dividends. The score updates weekly as new filings and prices come in.
Common questions
Is Caterpillar's dividend safe?
As of 2026-07-08, Caterpillar (CAT) scores 87.9 out of 100 on the Dividend Safety Checker scale, which rates its dividend Very Safe. Stocks with this rating almost never cut: none did from 2020 through 2025 in our testing, and only about 1 in 375 across the full 18 years.
How likely is CAT to cut its dividend in the next 12 months?
Caterpillar is rated Very Safe (score 87.9 of 100). Stocks with this rating almost never cut: none did from 2020 through 2025 in our testing, and only about 1 in 375 across the full 18 years. The rating comes from a formula tested against every US dividend cut from 2008 to 2025.
When did Caterpillar last cut its dividend?
Caterpillar has not cut its dividend in at least 20 years, as far back as our payment records reach.
What is Caterpillar's dividend yield?
As of 2026-07-08, Caterpillar yields 0.6% based on its trailing 12 months of regular dividend payments.
How is this dividend safety score calculated?
The score combines 12 measurable factors: payout ratios, debt, profit steadiness, yield versus the stock's own history, and the company's cut record. Each factor is graded against 18 years of real dividend-cut history. The full method is public at dividendsafetychecker.com/methodology.
Answers are generated from the latest model run and refresh with each rescore. Not investment advice. See how the score works.
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Want to know how this is calculated? The whole method is public, and so is its track record. Or browse more Industrials dividend stocks.