CATERPILLAR INC (CAT) — Insider Trading

AI-Powered SEC Filing Analysis

Latest Insider Trading Filed: 2026-05-15

Key Insights

Group President Denise Johnson executed a substantial net sale of 12,796 CAT shares on 05/14/2026, reducing her direct holdings from approximately 62,473 to 49,825 shares, representing a ~20% reduction in her position.
The sales were executed across multiple tranches at prices ranging from $904.25 to $911.96, suggesting a systematic liquidation strategy rather than a single opportunistic trade, with total proceeds approximately $11.6 million.
Johnson simultaneously exercised 16,078 stock options at $196.70 (grant date March 7, 2022) and immediately sold shares, indicating a classic cashless exercise and liquidation pattern rather than conviction-based accumulation.
The timing and magnitude of insider selling by a senior executive (Group President) could signal reduced confidence in near-term stock performance or portfolio rebalancing, warranting monitoring of broader executive trading patterns.

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Earlier Insider Trading filings

Filed: 2026-05-14

Group President Denise Johnson exercised 7,900 stock options at $196.70 per share on 05/13/2026, suggesting confidence in CAT's stock price appreciation from the original grant date (03/07/2022).
Insider sold 6,196 shares across two transactions on the same day at prices around $909-$910, reducing beneficial ownership from 57,725 to 49,825 shares, indicating potential profit-taking or portfolio rebalancing.
The option exercise followed by same-day stock sales suggests a strategic approach to manage compensation vesting while maintaining net ownership position at a Group President level.
Stock options vest in equal 1/3 increments over three years from March 2022 grant date, with expiration in March 2032, indicating this was a partial exercise of available vesting tranches.

Filed: 2026-05-14

Chief Accounting Officer William Schaupp sold 360 shares of CAT at $906 per share on May 13, 2026, reducing his beneficial ownership to 530 shares, indicating a net reduction in insider holdings.
The sale represents a relatively modest transaction value of approximately $326,160, suggesting routine portfolio rebalancing rather than a major confidence signal or distress indicator.
This insider transaction does not trigger Rule 10b5-1 plan status, indicating it was a discretionary sale rather than a pre-planned trading arrangement, which could reflect near-term liquidity needs rather than systematic divestment.

Filed: 2026-05-12

CEO Joseph E. Creed sold 574 shares at $912.03 per share on 05/11/2026, representing a tax-driven disposition from restricted stock unit vesting rather than a discretionary sale decision.
Following the transaction, Creed maintains substantial beneficial ownership of 34,507 shares directly plus 11,804 shares indirectly through a 401(k) plan, indicating continued confidence in CAT's long-term value.
The transaction was executed through tax withholding (Form F code), which is a routine and non-discretionary event tied to RSU vesting, providing minimal insight into management's forward-looking views on the company.

Filed: 2026-05-12

Christine M. Pambianchi, Chief Human Resources Officer at Caterpillar, sold 224 shares on May 11, 2026 at $912.03 per share through a tax withholding transaction related to vesting restricted stock units, indicating routine equity compensation activity rather than discretionary selling.
The transaction represents shares withheld to satisfy tax obligations from RSU vesting granted on May 9, 2025, which is a standard and non-discretionary insider action that does not signal confidence or concern about the company's prospects.
Following the transaction, Pambianchi maintains beneficial ownership of 3,083 shares of CAT common stock held directly, demonstrating continued equity stake alignment with the company despite the tax-driven sale.

Filed: 2026-05-12

Group President Anthony Fassino exercised 21,403 stock options at $219.76 strike price on 05/11/2026, indicating confidence in CAT's valuation given the current stock price of ~$917.
Fassino sold a combined 16,283 shares across two transactions at prices around $916-$917, reducing his direct holdings from 67,444 to 46,041 shares, suggesting a rebalancing or diversification of his equity position.
The executive retains significant ownership with 46,041 direct shares plus 1,508 shares held indirectly through a 401(k) plan, demonstrating meaningful personal financial commitment to Caterpillar's performance.
The option grant dates back to March 2021 with a 10-year expiration (03/01/2031), representing standard executive compensation vesting that occurred after a 5-year holding period.

Filed: 2026-05-12

Kyle Joseph Epley, CAT's Chief Financial Officer, acquired 515 shares of common stock on 05/08/2026 at $0 price, indicating this was likely a grant or award rather than open market purchase.
Epley received 1,394 employee stock options with a $897.45 exercise price and 10-year expiration (05/08/2036), with staggered vesting over three years starting from the grant date, aligning executive compensation with long-term value creation.
The CFO's total beneficial ownership increased to 17,705 direct shares plus 3,186 indirect shares held through a 401(k) plan, demonstrating significant personal investment in CAT's future performance.
The timing of this equity grant (May 2026) appears to be part of standard annual compensation practices rather than signaling confidence about imminent positive developments.

Filed: 2026-05-07

Group President Bob De Lange exercised 28,105 stock options at $127.60 strike price, indicating confidence in CAT's valuation and long-term prospects despite recent market conditions.
Insider sold 24,222 shares across two transactions at prices around $922-924, reducing beneficial ownership from 114,134 to 86,029 shares, suggesting potential portfolio rebalancing or profit-taking.
The option exercise followed immediately by significant share sales (48% of post-exercise holdings) suggests a structured equity management strategy rather than conviction-based accumulation.
Remaining beneficial ownership of 86,029 shares still represents substantial personal investment by a senior executive, maintaining meaningful skin-in-the-game alignment with shareholders.

Filed: 2026-05-07

Group President Anthony Fassino exercised 12,000 stock options at $219.76 on 05/06/2026, indicating confidence in CAT's valuation and long-term prospects at current levels.
Fassino sold 9,152 shares total (8,802 + 350) at approximately $926.23-$926.83, suggesting portfolio rebalancing or liquidity needs rather than bearish sentiment given the concurrent option exercise.
Net position change shows Fassino acquired 12,000 shares via option exercise while disposing of 9,152 shares through sales, resulting in a net increase of ~2,848 shares held directly, indicating modest net accumulation.
The officer's total direct beneficial ownership stands at 46,041 shares post-transaction with an additional 1,508 shares held indirectly via 401(k) plan, representing meaningful skin-in-the-game for a Group President.

Filed: 2026-05-07

CFO Emeritus Andrew Bonfield exercised and sold significant CAT shares on 05/06/2026, disposing of 15,674 shares at an average price of $918.71, indicating confidence in current valuation but preference for liquidity over accumulation.
Bonfield acquired 23,054 shares through stock option exercises at prices ranging from $253.98 to $338.65, demonstrating vesting of multi-year equity compensation grants from 2023-2025 long-term incentive plans.
Net position decreased from approximately 68,609 to 52,935 shares after the sale, reducing beneficial ownership by ~23%, suggesting the insider viewed the stock price level as opportune for partial profit-taking rather than holding for further appreciation.
The sale occurred at stock prices ($918-919) significantly higher than recent option exercise prices ($254-339), reflecting substantial stock appreciation and timing of option vesting aligned with perceived favorable market conditions.

Filed: 2026-05-05

David MacLennan, Caterpillar's Director, purchased 250 shares at $876.84 per share on May 4, 2026, representing a ~$219,210 investment, indicating confidence in the company's valuation.
The transaction increased MacLennan's beneficial ownership to 8,206 shares (adjusted for dividends), suggesting continued accumulation of company stock by a board-level executive.
The purchase was executed through a discretionary transaction (code P) rather than a Rule 10b5-1 trading plan, indicating a deliberate buying decision made in the open market during normal trading conditions.

Filed: 2026-04-27

CEO Joseph E. Creed acquired 19 phantom stock units on 04/24/2026 valued at approximately $15,780 ($830.79 per unit), consisting of 10 purchased shares and 9 contributed shares under the Supplemental Deferred Compensation Plan.
The transaction represents a modest insider accumulation through deferred compensation rather than open market purchases, which is typical executive compensation practice and carries minimal sentiment signal.
Creed's total beneficial ownership of phantom stock units stands at 11,409 units following this transaction, indicating substantial deferred compensation holdings that will be settled in cash upon retirement or separation from service.

Filed: 2026-04-01

David MacLennan, a director of Caterpillar Inc, acquired 33 phantom stock units on 03/31/2026, increasing his total beneficial ownership to 453 units.
The phantom stock units were acquired under the company's non-qualified deferred compensation plan and will be settled in cash upon MacLennan's retirement or separation from service.
This transaction represents a routine insider holding adjustment and does not indicate any significant change in MacLennan's investment position or the company's outlook.

Filed: 2026-03-27

The reporting person, Joseph E. Creed, acquired 3 phantom stock units of Caterpillar Inc. (CAT) on March 26, 2026, representing the economic equivalent of 3 shares of common stock.
The phantom stock units are to be settled for 100% in cash upon the reporting person's retirement or separation from service, suggesting the reporting person is compensated through this deferred compensation plan.
The reporting person currently holds 11,583 phantom stock units, which could indicate the reporting person has a significant stake in the company and is compensated through long-term incentive plans.

Filed: 2026-03-16

Joseph E. Creed, the Chief Executive Officer of Caterpillar Inc. (CAT), acquired 428 phantom stock units on March 13, 2026, indicating his confidence in the company's future performance.
The acquisition was made through the company's non-qualified deferred compensation plan, which allows executives to defer a portion of their compensation into phantom stock units that track the performance of Caterpillar's common stock.
The insider transaction signals that the CEO believes Caterpillar's stock is undervalued and presents an attractive investment opportunity for long-term shareholders.

Other reports for CATERPILLAR INC

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Important Information

AI-generated analysis is for informational purposes only. Always read original SEC filings and consult with qualified professionals before making investment decisions.