AIT vs CAT: Which Is the Better Dividend Stock?
As of Oct 30, 2026, AIT and CAT are closely matched. CAT offers the higher yield at 0.91%, AIT has the higher dividend-safety score, and AIT looks like the better value (its fair-value estimate is 6% below its share price).
Key facts: AIT vs CAT
Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data
- As of Oct 30, 2026, Caterpillar Inc. (CAT) has the higher forward dividend yield at 0.91%, versus 0.68% for Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc. (AIT).
- As of Oct 30, 2026, SmarterDividends grades AIT's dividend safety A (99/100) and CAT's A (91/100).
- By SmarterDividends' count as of Oct 30, 2026, AIT has raised its dividend for 16 consecutive years and CAT for 32.
- As of Oct 30, 2026, AIT pays out 18% of its earnings as dividends and CAT pays out 26%.
- As of Oct 30, 2026, AIT's fair-value estimate is 6% below its share price and CAT's fair-value estimate is 42% below its share price, so AIT looks like the better value of the two on SmarterDividends' blended model.
Cite this page
SmarterDividends, "AIT vs CAT: Dividend Yield, Safety & Value Compared," updated Oct 30, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/ait-vs-cat
| Metric | AIT | CAT |
|---|---|---|
| Forward yield | 0.68% | 0.91% |
| Annual dividend | $2.04 | $6.52 |
| Payout ratio | 18% | 26% |
| Years of growth | 16 yr | 32 yr |
| 5-yr dividend growth | 7.5% | 7.2% |
| 5-yr total return | 209% | 222% |
| Dividend safety score | 99 (A) | 91 (A) |
| Fair value estimate | $283.24 | $377.48 |
| Upside to fair value | -6% | -42% |
| Frequency | quarterly | quarterly |
| Market cap | $11.0B | $297.6B |
| P/E ratio | 26.6 | 27.9 |
Higher yield
CAT
0.91%
Safer dividend
AIT
Grade A
Faster growth
AIT
7.5%
Better value
AIT
-6% upside
AIT vs CAT — FAQ
Is AIT or CAT a better dividend stock?
AIT and CAT are closely matched. CAT has the higher yield; AIT scores better on safety.
Which has a higher dividend yield, AIT or CAT?
CAT has the higher forward dividend yield at 0.91%, versus 0.68% for AIT.
Is AIT or CAT safer?
AIT has the higher dividend-safety score (99/100 vs 91/100), reflecting stronger payout coverage and dividend-growth history.
Is AIT or CAT better value right now?
As of Oct 30, 2026, AIT looks like the better value: its fair-value estimate is 6% below its share price (fairly valued). For CAT, its fair-value estimate is 42% below its share price.
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See more dividend stock comparisons · data refreshes daily · for informational purposes only, not investment advice.