NYSE$CAT
Caterpillar · Q1 2021 earnings
Q1 2021 earnings · · Investor relations
Briefing
Caterpillar's performance improved due to higher sales volume and improving conditions in end markets.
Caterpillar reported a 12% increase in sales and revenues for Q1 2021, driven by higher end-user demand and changes in dealer inventories. The company's operating profit margin increased to 15.3%, and adjusted profit per share reached $2.87. Caterpillar ended the quarter with a strong balance sheet, including $11.3 billion in enterprise cash.
- Sales and revenues increased by 12% compared to Q1 2020, reaching $11.9 billion.
- First-quarter profit per share was $2.77, with an adjusted profit per share of $2.87.
- Operating profit margin improved to 15.3% compared to 13.2% in the previous year.
- Strong balance sheet maintained with $11.3 billion of enterprise cash on hand.
Headline financials
Revenue & EPS history
Caterpillar · Revenue · Quarterly
$11.9B
Revenue by segment
Caterpillar · $12.9B total across 4 segments · Q1 2021
- Construction Industries$5.46B+26.8%42.2%
- Power & Energy$4.51B+3.6%34.8%
- Resource Industries$2.22B+6.3%17.1%
- Financial Products$761M-6.5%5.9%
Forward guidance
Caterpillar is encouraged by improving conditions in its end markets and is proactively managing supply chain risks.
Historical earnings impact
How earnings announcements have historically affected this stock's price.
Avg. return before/after earnings
Based on 20 quarterly earnings reports · overlaid with Q1 2021
-0.4%
Avg return
Earnings day
+0.2%
Avg return
5 days after
+2.2%
Avg return
30 days after
47%
34 / 73 earnings
Positive
+11.6%
Q3 2025
Best reaction
-12.7%
Q3 2018
Worst reaction
| Quarter | Report date | Reaction (Day 0) | +5 days | +30 days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 2026 | -0.7% | +11.7% | +7.8% | |
| Q4 2025 | +2.8% | +9.3% | +15.5% | |
| Q3 2025 | +11.6% | +8.8% | +9.8% | |
| Q2 2025 | -1.5% | -5.9% | -2.6% | |
| Q1 2025 | +0.6% | +5.1% | +13.2% | |
| Q4 2024 | -4.6% | -8.0% | -12.5% | |
| Q3 2024 | -2.9% | -2.8% | +4.8% | |
| Q2 2024 | +2.8% | +6.8% | +5.3% | |
| Q1 2024 | -5.5% | -8.0% | -4.0% | |
| Q4 2023 | +2.4% | +0.7% | +6.5% | |
| Q3 2023 | -4.3% | -0.6% | +3.5% | |
| Q2 2023 | +8.4% | +4.3% | +6.0% | |
| Q1 2023 | +1.2% | -0.5% | -2.0% | |
| Q4 2022 | -4.6% | -5.3% | -3.6% | |
| Q3 2022 | +11.4% | +10.9% | +19.7% | |
| Q2 2022 | -6.2% | -4.9% | -6.4% | |
| Q1 2022 | -1.6% | -0.2% | +1.5% | |
| Q4 2021 | -5.0% | -3.4% | -11.8% | |
| Q3 2021 | +4.0% | +5.6% | +1.3% | |
| Q2 2021 | -3.5% | -3.8% | +0.1% | |
| Q1 2021 | -1.8% | +0.5% | +3.8% | |
| Q4 2020 | +0.2% | +3.9% | +17.1% | |
| Q3 2020 | -7.4% | -3.8% | +7.0% | |
| Q2 2020 | -3.6% | -1.3% | +5.0% | |
| Q1 2020 | +4.2% | -3.7% | +4.8% | |
| Q4 2019 | -4.1% | +1.5% | -8.2% | |
| Q3 2019 | +0.1% | +4.8% | +7.6% | |
| Q2 2019 | -2.5% | -2.6% | -17.4% | |
| Q1 2019 | -4.2% | -2.1% | -13.5% | |
| Q4 2018 | -7.5% | -4.3% | +2.0% | |
| Q3 2018 | -12.7% | -10.6% | -3.8% | |
| Q2 2018 | +0.9% | -2.8% | -0.5% | |
| Q1 2018 | -5.7% | -6.0% | +2.4% | |
| Q4 2017 | -0.8% | -2.7% | -3.5% | |
| Q3 2017 | +3.9% | +4.7% | +4.8% | |
| Q2 2017 | +4.9% | +5.5% | +6.1% | |
| Q1 2017 | +8.1% | +5.6% | +8.5% | |
| Q4 2016 | +0.9% | -2.5% | -2.7% | |
| Q3 2016 | -2.2% | -2.5% | +11.9% | |
| Q2 2016 | +6.9% | +5.2% | +5.3% | |
| Q1 2016 | -2.4% | — | — | |
| Q4 2015 | +6.7% | — | — | |
| Q3 2015 | +3.0% | — | — | |
| Q2 2015 | -4.6% | — | — | |
| Q1 2015 | -0.3% | — | — | |
| Q4 2014 | -7.0% | — | — | |
| Q3 2014 | +5.1% | — | — | |
| Q2 2014 | -3.3% | — | — | |
| Q1 2014 | +1.3% | — | — | |
| Q4 2013 | +7.3% | — | — | |
| Q3 2013 | -5.2% | — | — | |
| Q2 2013 | -4.0% | — | — | |
| Q1 2013 | +4.6% | — | — | |
| Q4 2012 | +3.2% | — | — | |
| Q3 2012 | -0.3% | — | — | |
| Q2 2012 | +2.3% | — | — | |
| Q1 2012 | -3.7% | — | — | |
| Q4 2011 | +1.6% | — | — | |
| Q3 2011 | -1.0% | — | — | |
| Q2 2011 | -5.5% | — | — | |
| Q1 2011 | +2.3% | — | — | |
| Q4 2008 | -5.5% | — | — | |
| Q4 2010 | -5.5% | — | — | |
| Q3 2010 | +4.6% | — | — | |
| Q2 2010 | +1.9% | — | — | |
| Q1 2010 | -2.0% | — | — | |
| Q1 2009 | -2.0% | — | — | |
| Q4 2009 | +0.4% | — | — | |
| Q4 2007 | +0.4% | — | — | |
| Q3 2008 | -3.1% | — | — | |
| Q3 2009 | -3.1% | — | — | |
| Q2 2008 | +1.9% | — | — | |
| Q2 2009 | +1.9% | — | — |
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