All charts and data below are CPI-U inflation-adjusted and with dividends reinvested. (Why?)

Total Real Returns

CAT: Total Real Return Chart (Dividends Reinvested, Inflation Adjusted)

CAT real return snapshot: after CPI-U inflation, CAT returned +85.92% over the past year and +34.64% YTD, with dividends reinvested. Since Mar. 17, 1980, CAT is up +8,954.98% in real purchasing-power return, or +10.18%/yr, and is currently −25.67% below its real total-return high on Jun. 30, 2026.

Data ending Wed Sep. 2, 2026

Growth of $10,000

Mon 1980-03-17💬 to Wed 2026-09-02 Overall
Return
Exponential
Trendline
CAT
×
+8,954.98%
+10.18%/yr
+10.05%/yr
R2=0.938
Caterpillar Inc NYSE Common Stock

Growth of $10,000 Summary

Mon 1980-03-17💬 to Wed 2026-09-02 Start
Value
End
Value
CAT
×
$10,000.00
1980-03-17
$905,497.79
2026-09-02

This Year’s Performance

through 2026-09-02

  YTD YoY
CAT
×
+34.64% +85.92%

Drawdowns

  Current
Drawdown
Worst
Drawdown
CAT
×
−25.67%
on 2026-09-02
from 2026-06-30 peak
−73.92%
on 2009-03-02
from 2007-07-19 peak

Rolling Returns

Period ending Wed 2026-09-02 1 yr 2 yr 3 yr 5 yr 10 yr
CAT
×
+85.92% +114.40%
+46.42%/yr
+164.75%
+38.34%/yr
+233.18%
+27.21%/yr
+768.93%
+24.14%/yr

Annual Returns

Year CAT
2026 (YTD) +34.64%
2025 +56.15%
2024 +21.17%
2023 +21.87%
2022 +11.40%
2021 +8.33%
2020 +25.26%
2019 +16.84%
2018 −19.10%
2017 +71.41%
2016 +39.22%
2015 −23.53%
2014 +2.70%
2013 +1.89%
2012 −0.14%
2011 −4.29%
2010 +66.05%
2009 +29.69%
2008 −36.86%
2007 +15.75%
2006 +5.21%
2005 +16.67%
2004 +15.96%
2003 +82.71%
2002 −11.85%
2001 +11.92%
2000 +0.71%
1999 +1.94%
1998 −4.59%
1997 +29.11%
1996 +26.87%
1995 +6.08%
1994 +21.67%
1993 +62.98%
1992 +20.25%
1991 −7.06%
1990 −21.65%
1989 −11.34%
1988 −0.50%
1987 +49.47%
1986 −4.40%
1985 +32.49%
1984 −34.97%
1983 +17.35%
1982 −26.41%
1981 −12.15%
1980 +13.76%