Why is Caterpillar stock sliding 5% today?

Caterpillar's shares experienced a 4.9% decline, bringing the stock price down to $760.61, following a price target reduction by Citi analyst Kyle Menges. The analyst lowered his price target from $1,100 to $950, a drop of over 13%, while maintaining a Buy rating on the shares.

The caution from multiple analysts, including Citi, Truist Securities, and Zacks Research, has intensified selling pressure on Caterpillar, which is currently valued at a Price-to-Earnings ratio above 34 times. Analysts have expressed concern over whether the spending tied to power generation, data centers, and artificial intelligence can sustain the premium multiple ahead of the third-quarter results due on November 4, 2026.

The decline is primarily attributed to Caterpillar's data-center power business, which has now been seen as unwinding. Deere & Company, in contrast, is performing well today, suggesting the pressure is specific to Caterpillar's valuation rather than the overall heavy machinery group.

Additionally, rising Treasury yields and concerns about the long-term demand for AI-driven power have further contributed to the stock's underperformance. Despite being well above its 52-week low of $499.01, Caterpillar is heavily dragging the Dow Jones Industrial Average, which is itself down 0.4% in a session where the S&P 500 and Nasdaq are also lower.