What is Caterpillar's stock-based compensation expense?

Caterpillar (CAT) reported stock-based compensation expense of $60.50M in Q4 2025.

How has Caterpillar's stock-based compensation expense changed year-over-year?

Caterpillar's stock-based compensation expense increased by 8.5% year-over-year, from $55.75M to $60.50M.

What is the long-term trend for Caterpillar's stock-based compensation expense?

Over 4 years (2021 to 2025), Caterpillar's stock-based compensation expense has grown at a 4.9% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), from $200.00M to $242.00M.

What does stock-based compensation expense mean?

The cost of paying employees with company stock instead of cash.

Operating Expenses

Stock-based compensation expense

Caterpillar Stock-based compensation expense remained flat by 0.0% to $60.50M in Q4 2025 compared to the prior quarter. Year-over-year, this metric grew by 8.5%, from $55.75M to $60.50M. Over 4 years (FY 2021 to FY 2025), Stock-based compensation expense shows an upward trend with a 4.9% 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

Higher levels indicate significant use of equity for compensation, which can lead to shareholder dilution over time.

Detailed definition

This represents the expense recognized for equity-based awards granted to employees, such as stock options or restricted...

Peer comparison

Standard operating expense for most public companies, particularly in competitive talent markets.

Metric ID: ms_stock_based_compensation

Historical Data

5 years

	FY'21	FY'22	FY'23	FY'24	FY'25
Value	$200.00M	$193.00M	$208.00M	$223.00M	$242.00M
YoY Change	—	-3.5%	+7.8%	+7.2%	+8.5%

Range$193.00M – $242.00M

CAGR+4.9%

Avg YoY Growth+5.0%

Median YoY Growth+7.5%

Current Streak3 years growth

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Caterpillar's stock-based compensation expense?: Caterpillar (CAT) reported stock-based compensation expense of $60.50M in Q4 2025.
How has Caterpillar's stock-based compensation expense changed year-over-year?: Caterpillar's stock-based compensation expense increased by 8.5% year-over-year, from $55.75M to $60.50M.
What is the long-term trend for Caterpillar's stock-based compensation expense?: Over 4 years (2021 to 2025), Caterpillar's stock-based compensation expense has grown at a 4.9% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), from $200.00M to $242.00M.
What does stock-based compensation expense mean?: The cost of paying employees with company stock instead of cash.