What is Caterpillar's amortization expense?

Caterpillar (CAT) reported amortization expense of $42.25M in Q4 2025.

How has Caterpillar's amortization expense changed year-over-year?

Caterpillar's amortization expense decreased by 4.0% year-over-year, from $44.00M to $42.25M.

What is the long-term trend for Caterpillar's amortization expense?

Over 4 years (2021 to 2025), Caterpillar's amortization expense has grown at a -13.5% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), from $302.00M to $169.00M.

What does amortization expense mean?

The periodic cost recorded for the gradual expiration of intangible assets.

Operating Expenses

Amortization expense

Caterpillar Amortization expense remained flat by 0.0% to $42.25M in Q4 2025 compared to the prior quarter. Year-over-year, this metric declined by 4.0%, from $44.00M to $42.25M. Over 4 years (FY 2021 to FY 2025), Amortization expense shows a downward trend with a -13.5% CAGR. This increase may warrant attention — for this metric, lower values are generally preferred.

Analysis

StatementIncome Statement

SectionOperating Expenses

CategoryEfficiency

SignalLower is better

VolatilityStable

First reportedQ1 2013

Last reportedQ4 2025Feb 13, 2026

How to read this metric

An increase often follows significant acquisitions, while a decrease may signal that older intangible assets are becoming fully amortized.

Detailed definition

The systematic allocation of the cost of intangible assets, such as patents, trademarks, or customer relationships, over...

Peer comparison

Standard operating expense for companies with significant intellectual property or acquired intangible assets.

Metric ID: cat_amortization_expense

Historical Data

5 years

	FY'21	FY'22	FY'23	FY'24	FY'25
Value	$302.00M	$284.00M	$218.00M	$176.00M	$169.00M
YoY Change	—	-6.0%	-23.2%	-19.3%	-4.0%

Range$169.00M – $302.00M

CAGR-13.5%

Avg YoY Growth-13.1%

Median YoY Growth-12.6%

Current Streak4+ years decline

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Caterpillar's amortization expense?: Caterpillar (CAT) reported amortization expense of $42.25M in Q4 2025.
How has Caterpillar's amortization expense changed year-over-year?: Caterpillar's amortization expense decreased by 4.0% year-over-year, from $44.00M to $42.25M.
What is the long-term trend for Caterpillar's amortization expense?: Over 4 years (2021 to 2025), Caterpillar's amortization expense has grown at a -13.5% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), from $302.00M to $169.00M.
What does amortization expense mean?: The periodic cost recorded for the gradual expiration of intangible assets.