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Caterpillar Inc (NYSE: CAT) has been the standout performer in the Dow Jones Industrial Average this year, with a more than 100% rally since early April.

This explosive rally transformed CAT stock from a traditional industrial bellwether into one of Wall Street’s most unexpected growth stories in 2025.

Now, with Caterpillar integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into its operations, experts believe this stock could push up further in the coming year.

Why Caterpillar stock outperformed in 2025

CAT’s transformation into an AI-adjacent play has been central to its outperformance in 2025.

Expansion in power generation — a sector increasingly tied to artificial intelligence and data centre growth — drove both retail and institutional capital into the NYSE-listed giant this year.

As Jonathan Sakraida, a senior CFRA analyst, put it, “Caterpillar is reorienting its operations to be more in the power generation market, which is expected to grow a lot more than the construction or mining industry.”

Rising electricity demand from AI workloads has created a new narrative for this industrial giant, positioning it as a supplier of critical infrastructure rather than just heavy machinery.

The pivot, combined with record electricity consumption forecasts, helped fuel investor confidence and drove CAT shares to the top of the Dow index in 2025.

What could drive CAT shares higher in 2026

Caterpillar shares are uniquely positioned to offer AI exposure at a more compelling valuation than pure-play names heading into 2026.

At just over 4x sales, the industrial giant is far from expensive to own, given its operationally and geographically diversified business.

While Caterpillar’s commitment to growing its presence in the AI space is no longer a secret, the expected stability in construction and mining – its core business – will likely drive its stock higher in 2026, according to Michael Feniger, a senior Bank of America analyst.

In his research note, Feniger said “support from machinery cycle” could push CAT stock to about $650 in 2026, indicating potential upside of nearly 14% from here.

Meanwhile, the company’s strong balance sheet and dividend appeal continue to attract long‑term investors.

If Caterpillar can balance its AI‑linked growth story with cyclical recovery in core segments, 2026 may still offer meaningful upside despite skepticism from some corners of Wall Street.

Should you stick with Caterpillar at current levels

Caterpillar’s meteoric rise in 2025 underscores how quickly investor narratives can shift when industrial companies align with transformative themes like artificial intelligence.

Yet the stock now faces a delicate balancing act: proving that its power generation expansion can deliver sustained earnings while avoiding the pitfalls of overvaluation.

The coming year will test whether Caterpillar can transition from a one‑year standout to a durable growth story.

For now, Wall Street believes it will, with a consensus “moderate buy” rating and price objectives going as high as $730.

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