Compare StocksADBE vs CAT

Adobe Inc. (ADBE) vs Caterpillar Inc. (CAT)

ADBE
Adobe Inc.
$245.99
VS
CAT
Caterpillar Inc.
$688.65

Rewards

ADBE
  • Adobe Inc. has maintained ROIC above 15% for 4 consecutive years, indicating a durable competitive advantage.
  • Gross margin of 89.4% indicates strong pricing power — typical of businesses with significant intellectual property or brand strength.
  • Adobe Inc. scores 100/100 on the Economic Moat Score (Wide Moat), with roic consistency as the strongest competitive dimension.
CAT
  • Caterpillar Inc. has maintained ROIC above 10% for 4 consecutive years, suggesting solid business economics.
  • Caterpillar Inc. scores 75/100 on the Economic Moat Score (Wide Moat), with roic consistency as the strongest competitive dimension.
  • Free cash flow has grown at a 13.0% CAGR over the past 4 years, demonstrating strong earnings power growth.

Risks

ADBE
    CAT
    • FCF yield of 1.8% is below 3%, meaning the market is pricing in substantial future growth to justify the current price.
    • Trailing P/E of 36.6x is 83% above the historical average of 20.0x — the stock trades at a premium to its own history.
    • High leverage (2.07x debt/equity) combined with thin interest coverage (-1.0x) poses financial risk.

    Key Valuation Metrics

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    ADBE
    CAT
    Valuation
    $9.29B
    Free Cash Flow
    $5.84B
    9.20%
    FCF Yield
    1.81%
    14.33
    Trailing P/E
    36.63
    9.33
    Forward P/E
    24.87
    Quality & Moat
    40.36%
    ROIC
    13.09%
    62.36%
    ROE
    41.67%
    89.40%
    Gross Margin
    28.79%
    1.29
    PEG Ratio
    N/A
    Balance Sheet Safety
    0.58
    Debt / Equity
    2.07
    N/A
    Interest Coverage
    N/A
    -0.02
    Net Debt / EBITDA
    2.49
    N/A
    Dividend Yield
    0.88%
    ADBE: 9Ties: 1CAT: 0
    ADBECAT

    Historical Fundamentals

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    ADBE

    Price ÷ Earnings Per Share — how many years of current earnings you're paying for at today's price. Lower P/E may indicate undervaluation.

    CAT

    Price ÷ Earnings Per Share — how many years of current earnings you're paying for at today's price. Lower P/E may indicate undervaluation.

    Price ÷ Earnings Per Share — how many years of current earnings you're paying for at today's price. Lower P/E may indicate undervaluation.

    $1 Retained Earnings Test

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    ADBE
    $-0.60
    created per $1 retained over 3 years
    Market Cap Declined
    Σ Retained
    $18.12B
    Δ Market Cap
    $-10.93B
    Buffett's "$1 Test": For every $1 of earnings retained, has management created at least $1 of market value?
    > $1 created per $1 retained = Value Creator · < $1 created = Value Destroyer
    CAT
    $6.48
    created per $1 retained over 3 years
    Exceptional Value Creator
    Σ Retained
    $22.05B
    Δ Market Cap
    +$142.85B
    Buffett's "$1 Test": For every $1 of earnings retained, has management created at least $1 of market value?
    > $1 created per $1 retained = Value Creator · < $1 created = Value Destroyer

    Buffett's "$1 Test": For every $1 of earnings retained, has management created at least $1 of market value?
    > $1 created per $1 retained = Value Creator · < $1 created = Value Destroyer

    Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) Analysis

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    ADBE
    48.4% Margin of Safety
    Price is 48.4% below estimated fair value
    Current Price: $245.99
    Fair Value: $477.11
    Strongly undervalued
    Undervalued
    Fairly valued
    Overvalued
    Strongly overvalued
    CAT
    14.7% Margin of Safety
    Price is 14.7% below estimated fair value
    Current Price: $688.65
    Fair Value: $807.79
    Strongly undervalued
    Undervalued
    Fairly valued
    Overvalued
    Strongly overvalued

    Reverse DCF — Market-Implied Growth

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    ADBE

    What growth rate is the market pricing in at $246?

    +3.0%
    Market-Implied Owner Earnings Growth
    Standard FCF implies -0.7%

    The market implies +3.0% Owner Earnings growth, below historical trends — potential opportunity.

    Standard FCF implies a more demanding -0.7%, reflecting heavy growth investment expected to generate future returns.

    CAT

    What growth rate is the market pricing in at $689?

    +17.2%
    Market-Implied Owner Earnings Growth
    Standard FCF implies +23.0%

    The market implies +17.2% Owner Earnings growth, above historical trends.

    Standard FCF implies a demanding +23.0%, reflecting heavy growth investment.

    Economic Moat Score

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    ADBE
    100/100
    Wide Moat
    70+ Wide · 40-69 Narrow · <40 None

    Wide moat with strength across all dimensions. ROIC Consistency is the standout factor.

    Composite score measuring competitive advantage durability across four dimensions: returns above cost of capital, pricing power stability, revenue predictability, and capital efficiency. Based on 4 years of fundamental data.
    CAT
    75/100
    Wide Moat
    70+ Wide · 40-69 Narrow · <40 None

    Wide moat with strength across all dimensions. ROIC Consistency is the standout factor.

    Composite score measuring competitive advantage durability across four dimensions: returns above cost of capital, pricing power stability, revenue predictability, and capital efficiency. Based on 4 years of fundamental data.

    Forensic Accounting

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    ADBE
    -2.85
    Unlikely Manipulator
    Above -1.78 = likely manipulator · -2.22 to -1.78 = grey zone

    M-Score Trend

    Beneish's 8-variable model estimates the probability of earnings manipulation. An M-Score above -1.78 signals elevated risk — companies in this range have historically been 3-5× more likely to be manipulating earnings. Scores between -2.22 and -1.78 fall in a grey zone warranting further investigation.
    CAT
    -2.43
    Unlikely Manipulator
    Above -1.78 = likely manipulator · -2.22 to -1.78 = grey zone

    M-Score Trend

    Beneish's 8-variable model estimates the probability of earnings manipulation. An M-Score above -1.78 signals elevated risk — companies in this range have historically been 3-5× more likely to be manipulating earnings. Scores between -2.22 and -1.78 fall in a grey zone warranting further investigation.

    Beneish's 8-variable model estimates the probability of earnings manipulation. An M-Score above -1.78 signals elevated risk — companies in this range have historically been 3-5× more likely to be manipulating earnings. Scores between -2.22 and -1.78 fall in a grey zone warranting further investigation.

    Ownership Breakdown

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    ADBE
    Insiders 0.2%Institutions 87.8%Retail & Other 11.9%
    No. of Institutional Holders3,534
    High insider ownership aligns management incentives with shareholders — a key signal in Buffett-style analysis. Institutional concentration can indicate smart-money conviction but also crowding risk.
    CAT
    Insiders 0.2%Institutions 72.6%Retail & Other 27.1%
    No. of Institutional Holders4,271
    High insider ownership aligns management incentives with shareholders — a key signal in Buffett-style analysis. Institutional concentration can indicate smart-money conviction but also crowding risk.

    High insider ownership aligns management incentives with shareholders. Institutional concentration can indicate smart-money conviction but also crowding risk.

    Insider Buying Activity

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    ADBE
    0
    Buys (3M)
    0
    Buys (12M)
    DURN DANIEL J
    Chief Financial Officer
    $507,758
    @ $390.58 · 2025-03-20
    RICKS DAVID A
    Director
    $998,946
    @ $443.98 · 2025-01-28
    Open market purchases · includes direct & indirect ownership · excludes option exercises
    CAT
    0
    Buys (3M)
    3
    Buys (12M)
    Total value (12M): $322,768
    MACLENNAN DAVID W
    Director
    $170,658
    @ $568.86 · 2025-11-06
    MACLENNAN DAVID W
    Director
    $120,262
    @ $320.70 · 2025-05-07
    JOHNSON GERALD
    Director
    $31,848
    @ $318.48 · 2025-05-02
    JOHNSON GERALD
    Director
    $36,557
    @ $365.57 · 2025-02-04
    JOHNSON GERALD
    Director
    $39,857
    @ $398.57 · 2024-12-04
    JOHNSON GERALD
    Director
    $33,859
    @ $338.59 · 2024-09-04
    JOHNSON GERALD
    Director
    $35,640
    @ $356.40 · 2024-05-20
    MACLENNAN DAVID W
    Director
    $168,695
    @ $337.39 · 2024-05-03
    Open market purchases · includes direct & indirect ownership · excludes option exercises

    Open market purchases · includes direct & indirect ownership · excludes option exercises.

    Insider Selling Activity

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    ADBE
    1
    Sells (3M)
    3
    Sells (12M)
    Total value (12M): $711,495
    DURN DANIEL J
    Chief Financial Officer
    $485,323
    @ $294.85 · 2026-01-27
    FORUSZ JILLIAN
    Officer
    $50,344
    @ $337.88 · 2025-10-31
    FORUSZ JILLIAN
    Officer
    $175,828
    @ $380.58 · 2025-05-02
    FORUSZ JILLIAN
    Officer
    $145,567
    @ $435.83 · 2025-01-28
    BELSKY SCOTT K
    Officer
    $2.05M
    @ $431.61 · 2025-01-27
    BANSE AMY L
    Director
    $333,300
    @ $550.00 · 2024-12-06
    FORUSZ JILLIAN
    Officer
    $327,987
    @ $485.19 · 2024-10-29
    BELSKY SCOTT K
    Officer
    $232,525
    @ $483.42 · 2024-10-25
    BELSKY SCOTT K
    Officer
    $1.14M
    @ $511.48 · 2024-10-16
    DURN DANIEL J
    Chief Financial Officer
    $3.35M
    @ $515.44 · 2024-09-17
    GARFIELD MARK S.
    Officer
    $52,089
    @ $537.00 · 2024-07-25
    BELSKY SCOTT K
    Officer
    $258,297
    @ $537.00 · 2024-07-25
    GARFIELD MARK S.
    Officer
    $85,255
    @ $564.60 · 2024-07-16
    BELSKY SCOTT K
    Officer
    $1.25M
    @ $561.60 · 2024-07-16
    RAO DANA J.D.
    General Counsel
    $3.56M
    @ $525.51 · 2024-06-17
    GARFIELD MARK S.
    Officer
    $138,735
    @ $525.51 · 2024-06-17
    GARFIELD MARK S.
    Officer
    $265,644
    @ $447.97 · 2024-06-03
    GARFIELD MARK S.
    Officer
    $389,630
    @ $490.10 · 2024-05-06
    BELSKY SCOTT K
    Officer
    $1.29M
    @ $474.30 · 2024-05-02
    GARFIELD MARK S.
    Officer
    $45,436
    @ $468.41 · 2024-04-25
    Direct ownership only · excludes indirect, option exercises, planned (10b5-1) sales & derivatives
    CAT
    14
    Sells (3M)
    24
    Sells (12M)
    Total value (12M): $156.13M
    CREED JOSEPH E
    Chief Executive Officer
    $1.80M
    @ $718.93 · 2026-03-05
    SHURMAN RODNEY MICHAEL
    Officer
    $1.73M
    @ $759.61 · 2026-02-23
    SHURMAN RODNEY MICHAEL
    Officer
    $1.35M
    @ $763.39 · 2026-02-17
    SCHAUPP WILLIAM E
    Officer
    $742,802
    @ $764.20 · 2026-02-17
    FASSINO ANTHONY D.
    Officer
    $6.13M
    @ $776.90 · 2026-02-13
    KAISER JASON
    Officer
    $1.31M
    @ $776.70 · 2026-02-12
    DE LANGE BOB
    Officer
    $9.59M
    @ $767.08 · 2026-02-11
    FASSINO ANTHONY D.
    Officer
    $4.36M
    @ $722.15 · 2026-02-06
    DE LANGE BOB
    Officer
    $16.31M
    @ $720.11 · 2026-02-06
    DE LANGE BOB
    Officer
    $11.33M
    @ $704.97 · 2026-02-04
    FASSINO ANTHONY D.
    Officer
    $7.26M
    @ $680.45 · 2026-02-02
    JOHNSON DENISE C.
    Officer
    $26.66M
    @ $681.08 · 2026-02-02
    DE LANGE BOB
    Officer
    $10.91M
    @ $682.99 · 2026-02-02
    BONFIELD ANDREW ROBERT JOHN
    Chief Financial Officer
    $5.75M
    @ $575.06 · 2025-12-31
    BONFIELD ANDREW ROBERT JOHN
    Chief Financial Officer
    $5.71M
    @ $571.44 · 2025-12-01
    KAISER JASON
    Officer
    $6.03M
    @ $563.60 · 2025-11-11
    FASSINO ANTHONY D.
    Officer
    $4.67M
    @ $570.18 · 2025-11-10
    SCHAUPP WILLIAM E
    Officer
    $686,664
    @ $572.22 · 2025-11-05
    DE LANGE BOB
    Officer
    $8.23M
    @ $562.36 · 2025-11-05
    UMPLEBY DONALD JAMES III
    Officer
    $8.67M
    @ $505.29 · 2025-10-10
    UMPLEBY DONALD JAMES III
    Officer
    $7.94M
    @ $462.65 · 2025-09-22
    UMPLEBY DONALD JAMES III
    Officer and Director
    $7.09M
    @ $412.87 · 2025-09-02
    SCHWAB SUSAN C
    Director
    $952,840
    @ $410.00 · 2025-08-15
    KAISER JASON
    Officer
    $902,650
    @ $417.70 · 2025-08-11
    KAISER JASON
    Officer
    $860,148
    @ $354.70 · 2025-02-18
    BONFIELD ANDREW ROBERT JOHN
    Chief Financial Officer
    $3.80M
    @ $380.09 · 2025-01-16
    FASSINO ANTHONY D.
    President
    $2.57M
    @ $408.59 · 2024-11-29
    BONFIELD ANDREW ROBERT JOHN
    Chief Financial Officer
    $4.05M
    @ $405.36 · 2024-11-25
    SCHWAB SUSAN C
    Director
    $766.00
    @ $383.00 · 2024-11-15
    DE LANGE BOB
    Officer
    $5.19M
    @ $410.25 · 2024-11-07
    FASSINO ANTHONY D.
    President
    $2.26M
    @ $409.84 · 2024-11-06
    DICKINSON DANIEL M
    Director
    $543,400
    @ $418.00 · 2024-11-06
    JOHNSON CHERYL H
    Officer
    $1.01M
    @ $378.84 · 2024-11-04
    SCHAUPP WILLIAM E
    Officer
    $368,789
    @ $380.98 · 2024-11-01
    FASSINO ANTHONY D.
    Officer
    $1.12M
    @ $351.36 · 2024-08-30
    JOHNSON CHERYL H
    Officer
    $1.02M
    @ $342.48 · 2024-08-22
    JOHNSON CHERYL H
    Officer
    $527,800
    @ $350.00 · 2024-07-16
    JOHNSON CHERYL H
    Officer
    $512,720
    @ $340.00 · 2024-05-30
    DE LANGE BOB
    Officer
    $7.80M
    @ $356.90 · 2024-05-13
    Direct ownership only · excludes indirect, option exercises, planned (10b5-1) sales & derivatives

    Direct ownership only · excludes indirect, option exercises, planned (10b5-1) sales & derivatives.

    🎭 Mr. Market's Mood

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    ADBE
    FearGreed
    😨Fear(27/100)

    "Market is pessimistic — investigate whether fears are temporary or structural"

    Composite sentiment score based on 6 market signals. Inspired by Buffett's "Mr. Market" allegory — fear = potential opportunity, greed = potential risk. Must be used alongside fundamental analysis, not in isolation.
    CAT
    FearGreed
    😐Neutral(54/100)

    "Market is pricing this stock without strong emotion in either direction"

    Composite sentiment score based on 6 market signals. Inspired by Buffett's "Mr. Market" allegory — fear = potential opportunity, greed = potential risk. Must be used alongside fundamental analysis, not in isolation.

    Composite sentiment score based on market signals. Inspired by Buffett’s "Mr. Market" allegory — fear = potential opportunity, greed = potential risk. Must be used alongside fundamental analysis, not in isolation.

    ⚖️ Buffett Signal

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    ADBE
    Awaiting DCF Data

    The Buffett Signal cross-references market sentiment with DCF valuation. Configure the DCF Analysis above to generate a signal.

    DCF Margin of Safety: N/AMr. Market's Mood: Fear (27)
    CAT
    Awaiting DCF Data

    The Buffett Signal cross-references market sentiment with DCF valuation. Configure the DCF Analysis above to generate a signal.

    DCF Margin of Safety: N/AMr. Market's Mood: Neutral (54)
    View ADBE Full AnalysisView CAT Full Analysis
    Adobe Inc. (ADBE) vs Caterpillar Inc. (CAT) Stock Comparison | SafetyMargin.io