Free Cash Flow for Caterpillar (CAT)
Free Cash Flow for Caterpillar (CAT): headline value $10.27B · YoY +16.5%. Annual and quarterly series, chart, and tables are below.
Headline figure above is from the reporting period ending (reported ). Chart and table below cover the full reported history back to .

CAT
Currently viewingFree Cash FlowSwitch metric
Latest period
$10.27B
YoY change
+16.5%
5Y CAGR
+19.5%
Peak year (2025)
$10.27B
Latest annual
$10.27B
Free Cash Flow history chart for Caterpillar (CAT) from 1989 to 2025
Free Cash Flow history table for Caterpillar (CAT) from 1989 to 2025
| Fiscal year | Period ended | Reported | Free Cash Flow | YoY |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $10.27B | +16.5% | ||
| 2024 | $8.82B | -9.9% | ||
| 2023 | $9.79B | +89.5% | ||
| 2022 | $5.17B | +9.3% | ||
| 2021 | $4.73B | +12.2% | ||
| 2020 | $4.21B | -0.7% | ||
| 2019 | $4.24B | +16.5% | ||
| 2018 | $3.64B | +8.1% | ||
| 2017 | $3.37B | +24.3% | ||
| 2016 | $2.71B | -21.1% | ||
| 2015 | $3.44B | -26.5% | ||
| 2014 | $4.68B | -18.6% | ||
| 2013 | $5.75B | +5219.4% | ||
| 2012 | $108.00M | -96.4% | ||
| 2011 | $3.03B | +25.2% | ||
| 2010 | $2.42B | -39.8% | ||
| 2009 | $4.03B | +412.3% | ||
| 2008 | $786.00M | -84.0% | ||
| 2007 | $4.92B | +57.3% | ||
| 2006 | $3.12B | +347.6% | ||
| 2005 | $698.00M | -111.4% | ||
| 2004 | -$6.11B | -17.2% | ||
| 2003 | -$7.38B | +28.6% | ||
| 2002 | -$5.74B | -30284.2% | ||
| 2001 | $19.00M | -97.2% | ||
| 2000 | $671.00M | -48.8% | ||
| 1999 | $1.31B | +157.4% | ||
| 1998 | $509.00M | -48.6% | ||
| 1997 | $990.00M | -2.1% | ||
| 1996 | $1.01B | -33.1% | ||
| 1995 | $1.51B | +42.1% | ||
| 1994 | $1.06B | +37.5% | ||
| 1993 | $773.00M | -664.2% | ||
| 1992 | -$137.00M | +3.0% | ||
| 1991 | -$133.00M | -39.3% | ||
| 1990 | -$219.00M | +20.3% | ||
| 1989 | -$182.00M | — |
Free Cash Flow values are taken from Caterpillar's reported cash flow statements (10-Q quarterly and 10-K annual filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission). Each row shows the period end date and the date the filing was reported; YoY compares each figure to the same period one year earlier. Amounts are in USD as filed.
Analysis
The 2025 reading of Caterpillar (CAT) free cash flow is $10.27B – grew 16.5% year-over-year.
Caterpillar free cash flow has recorded the values shown across consecutive periods, with a +19.5% compound annual growth rate over 2020–2025 (5 years).
Across the available history, free cash flow reached its high of $10.27B in 2025 and its low of -$7.38B in 2003.
Among 8 Industrials peers, Caterpillar (CAT) ranks 1st; the peer median for free cash flow is $4.93B.
Caterpillar Free Cash Flow by Year
Caterpillar Free Cash Flow 2025: $10.27B
Caterpillar free cash flow in 2025 was $10.27B, grew 16.5% from 2024. This figure represents the highest annual value in the available history.
Caterpillar Free Cash Flow 2024: $8.82B
Caterpillar free cash flow in 2024 was $8.82B, declined 9.9% below 2023.
Caterpillar Free Cash Flow 2023: $9.79B
Caterpillar free cash flow in 2023 was $9.79B, surged 89.5% from 2022.
Caterpillar Free Cash Flow 2022: $5.17B
Caterpillar free cash flow in 2022 was $5.17B, grew 9.3% from 2021.
Caterpillar Free Cash Flow 2021: $4.73B
Caterpillar free cash flow in 2021 was $4.73B.
See more financial history for Caterpillar (CAT).
Sector peers — Free Cash Flow
Companies in the same sector as Caterpillar, ranked by their latest free cash flow.
| Company | Free Cash Flow | Sector |
|---|---|---|
| RTX Corporation (RTX) | $7.94B | Industrials |
| GE Aerospace (GE) | $7.26B | Industrials |
| Union Pacific Corporation (UNP) | $5.50B | Industrials |
| Honeywell International Inc. (HON) | $5.39B | Industrials |
| Eaton Corporation plc (ETN) | $4.47B | Industrials |
| Parker-Hannifin Corporation (PH) | $3.34B | Industrials |
| Deere & Company (DE) | $3.23B | Industrials |
| The Boeing Company (BA) | -$1.88B | Industrials |
Frequently asked questions
What is Caterpillar's free cash flow?
Latest reported free cash flow for Caterpillar (CAT) is $10.27B (period ending December 31, 2025).
How has Caterpillar free cash flow changed year-over-year?
Caterpillar (CAT) free cash flow changed +16.5% year-over-year on the latest annual filing.
What is the long-term growth rate of Caterpillar free cash flow?
Caterpillar (CAT) free cash flow compound annual growth rate is +19.5% over the most recent 5 years available.
When did Caterpillar free cash flow hit its highest annual value?
Caterpillar free cash flow reached its highest annual value of $10.27B in 2025.
What was Caterpillar free cash flow in 2024?
Caterpillar (CAT) free cash flow in 2024 was $8.82B.
What was Caterpillar free cash flow in 2025?
Caterpillar (CAT) free cash flow in 2025 was $10.27B.
Metrics overview
Pick a metric for charts, filings and peers — each row shows the latest TTM or most-recent-quarter value.
Explore more
CAT Overview
Company profile, financial tools, and key metrics
CAT Revenue Counter
Earns $2,143 every second. See per minute, hour, and day.
CAT Earnings Counter
Earns $281.36 per second net profit. See per minute, hour, and day.
CAT Economic Scale
Exceeds Bolivia's GDP. Compare with world economies.
CAT What If Invested
What if you had invested $1,000? See historical returns from any date.
CAT How It Makes Money
Discover visual breakdown of $67.59B in revenue — where it comes from and where it goes.
CAT Stock Seasonality
Best and worst months to invest. Historical monthly returns heatmap.
CAT Price Target Scenarios
Model bear, base, and bull cases with EPS growth and exit P/E — pre-filled from analysts and history.
CAT Daily Price Character
Steady · 46.3% historical win rate (green days). Streaks & record days.
CAT Buybacks
1.94% TTM buyback yield. Shareholder yield & SBC comparison.
CAT Stock Split History
5 splits on record. Dates, ratios, and cumulative multiple.
CAT Dividend Profile
Yield: 0.75%. Safety: 8/8. See full history.
CAT Dividend Calculator
How much dividend income would $1,000 have earned? Calculate from any date.
CAT Dividend Forecast
Project future income with DRIP, growth assumptions, and optional monthly contributions.