EarningsQ2 2026 Earnings Report
MX:CAT Q2 2026 EPS Results
Actual EPS$140.76
Consensus EPS$107.09
Beat/MissBeat by +$33.67
One Year Ago EPS$81.32
MX:CAT Q2 2026 Revenue Results
Actual Revenue$353.93B
Expected Revenue$333.12B
Beat/MissBeat by +$20.81B
YoY Revenue Growth+23.98%
Earnings Announcement Details
QuarterQ2 2026
Date08/04/2026
TimeBefore Open
Conference CallTuesday, August 4, 2026
MX:CAT Upcoming Earnings
Caterpillar's next earnings date is estimated for November 4, 2026, based on past reporting schedules.
Q2 2026 Earnings Call Audio
MX:CAT Q2 2026 Earnings Call
0:00 / 0:00
Q2 2026 Earnings Slide Deck
Q2 2026 Earnings Call Summary
Earnings Call Sentiment|Positive
The earnings call presented a strongly positive operational and financial performance: record revenue and free cash flow, materially expanded backlog, raised full-year guidance, robust segment growth, and active capital returns. Challenges were noted — notably tariffs, higher SG&A/R&D and manufacturing costs tied to capacity expansion, regional softness in some markets, dealer inventory seasonality, and extended lead times — but management provided mitigation context (IEEPA recovery, capacity ramp actions, and disciplined investment). On balance, the favorable revenue, margin expansion, cash generation and backlog growth significantly outweigh the outlined headwinds, supporting a constructive outlook.Company Guidance
Record Quarterly Sales and Revenue
Sales and revenues were $20.5 billion in Q2 2026, up 24% year-over-year — the first time in company history the company exceeded $20 billion in a single quarter.
Strong Earnings and Margin Expansion
Adjusted operating profit was $4.5 billion and adjusted operating profit margin was 21.9%, a 430 basis point increase versus prior year; adjusted profit per share was $8.17, up 73% year-over-year.
Record MP&E Free Cash Flow and Capital Returns
MP&E free cash flow was a record $5.1 billion in the quarter (about $2.8 billion higher versus prior year). The company deployed $2.2 billion to shareholders (approx. $1.5 billion in share repurchases and the remainder in dividends) and announced an 8% dividend increase.
Backlog Growth and Strong Order Rates
Backlog increased sequentially by $9 billion to $72 billion, a ~92% increase versus Q2 last year (~$35 billion increase). 59% of backlog is expected to deliver in the next 12 months, supporting the raised full-year outlook.
Segment Revenue Strength
All three primary segments reported solid growth: Construction Industries sales $8.3 billion (+35% YoY), Power & Energy sales $8.2 billion (+17% YoY), Resource Industries sales $4.6 billion (+20% YoY). Financial Products revenue grew 10% to $1.1 billion with segment profit up 32%.
Improved Full-Year Outlook
Company increased its full-year 2026 sales and revenues outlook to mid- to high-teens growth, expects full-year adjusted operating margin to be higher than prior expectation, and now anticipates MP&E free cash flow in the top half of the $6 billion–$15 billion target range.
Operational and Capacity Moves
Restarting production of the 10-MW medium-speed gas engine with shipments expected in Q4 and ramp to ~1.5 GW capacity; repurposed a 250,000 sq. ft. facility to accelerate turbine packaging and shipment capability, enabling quicker capacity expansion.
Service & Technology Investments and M&A
Services revenue expected to grow at a higher rate for the full year; completed acquisition of Skycatch (July) to enhance spatial data and AI capabilities; continued strategic investments to support long-term services and aftermarket growth.
Improving Financial Products Metrics
Cat Financial past dues improved to 1.31% (down 31 bps YoY) and allowance rate fell to 0.84% (lowest ever reported); retail new business volume grew 9% and used equipment inventory remains low.
Prudent Capital and Balance Sheet Position
Enterprise cash balance of $6.7 billion plus $1.5 billion in liquid marketable securities; full-year CapEx guidance maintained at ~$3.5 billion while prioritizing returns of MP&E free cash flow to shareholders.
MX:CAT Earnings History
The table shows recent earnings report dates and whether the forecast was beat or missed. See the change in forecast and EPS from the previous year.
Beat
Missed