Caterpillar (CAT) Total Return Calculator
$10,000 since Dec 2007, with and without reinvesting · data through Oct 2026
$10,000 invested in Caterpillar (CAT) ten years ago, at the end of Oct 2016, was worth $92,328 at the end of Oct 2026 with every dividend reinvested: 24.9% a year, against $41,633 in the S&P 500. Since Dec 2007, $10,000 became $138,266 reinvested (15.0% a year), or $94,898 taking the dividends as cash, $9,072 of it paid out along the way.
CAT became
$138,266
S&P 500: $72,756
Return a year
15.0%
S&P 500: 11.1%
Payouts reinvested
$12,605
bought more shares
Worst drop
-69.4%
S&P 500: -48.2%
$10,000, Dec 2007 to Oct 2026
Payouts reinvested · S&P 500 reinvested
| Year | CAT total return | Paid out | S&P 500 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 (part) | +9.6% | $1,376 | +11.7% |
| 2025 | +60.3% | $1,338 | +17.7% |
| 2024 | +24.7% | $1,156 | +24.9% |
| 2023 | +26.0% | $1,030 | +26.2% |
| 2022 | +18.6% | $995 | −18.2% |
| 2021 | +16.0% | $857 | +28.7% |
| 2020 | +27.0% | $779 | +18.3% |
| 2019 | +19.5% | $728 | +31.2% |
| 2018 | −17.6% | $590 | −4.6% |
| 2017 | +75.0% | $597 | +21.7% |
| 2016 | +42.1% | $541 | +12.0% |
| 2015 | −23.0% | $497 | +1.2% |
| 2014 | +3.5% | $437 | +13.5% |
| 2013 | +3.4% | $277 | +32.3% |
| 2012 | +1.6% | $387 | +16.0% |
| 2011 | −1.5% | $290 | +1.9% |
| 2010 | +68.5% | $254 | +15.1% |
| 2009 | +33.2% | $253 | +26.4% |
| 2008 | −36.8% | $225 | −36.8% |
"Paid out" is what your holding received that year. Month-end prices; no costs or taxes.
Key facts: CAT total return
Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data
- $10,000 invested in Caterpillar (CAT) at the end of Dec 2007, with dividends reinvested, was worth $138,266 at the end of Oct 2026: 15.0% a year, against $72,756 (11.1% a year) in the S&P 500.
- Over the 10 years to Oct 2026, CAT turned $10,000 into $92,328 with dividends reinvested, 24.9% a year.
- Over the 5 years to Oct 2026, CAT returned 27.1% a year with dividends reinvested (S&P 500: 12.0%).
- Taking CAT's dividends as cash instead of reinvesting them, the same $10,000 ended at $94,898, including $9,072 of cash received; reinvesting added $43,368.
- CAT's best calendar year in that time was 2017 (75.0%) and its worst 2008 (-36.8%), with dividends reinvested.
Cite this page
SmarterDividends, "Caterpillar (CAT) Total Return Calculator," updated Nov 5, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/stocks/CAT/total-return
CAT total return questions
If I invested $10,000 in CAT 10 years ago, how much would I have?
About $92,328 at the end of Oct 2026, with every dividend reinvested: 24.9% a year. Taking them as cash, you'd have shares worth $74,617 or so plus the cash you received. The same $10,000 in the S&P 500 became $41,633.
What is CAT's total return since Dec 2007?
1283% in total, or 15.0% a year, through Oct 2026 with dividends reinvested. The share price alone rose 758%.
How much of CAT's return came from dividends?
About 19% of its yearly return since Dec 2007. Reinvesting them, rather than taking cash, left you $43,368 better off on a $10,000 start.
What was CAT's worst year?
2008, at -36.8% with dividends reinvested (S&P 500: -36.8%). Its deepest fall from a peak, on month-end values, was -69.4%.
How is total return calculated here?
From month-end prices: the adjusted price counts every dividend reinvested in the month it was paid; the plain price doesn't. The S&P 500 is SPY with its dividends reinvested. No trading costs or taxes.