CAT vs ISRG: Which Is the Better Buy?

Side-by-side comparison of Caterpillar Inc. and Intuitive Surgical, Inc. — fair value, conviction, valuation metrics, and QuantHub research signals. Updated 2026-07-16.
Caterpillar Inc. · Industrials
$940.12
-39.4% upside to fair value
Grade C High Quality
VS
Intuitive Surgical, Inc. · Healthcare
$388.97
+45.0% upside to fair value
Grade B High Quality
QuantHub Verdict
ISRG has more upside to fair value (+45.0%). ISRG trades at a lower forward P/E (46.5x). These are model outputs — not personalized investment advice. See all research →
Valuation & Fundamentals
Metric CAT ISRG
Current Price $940.12 $388.97
Fair Value Estimate $569.47 $564.01
Upside to Fair Value -39.4% +45.0%
Market Cap $433.1B $137.8B
Forward P/E 46.6x 46.5x
EV / EBITDA 29.7x 31.4x
Price / Sales 6.1x 13.0x
Price / FCF 37.8x 48.6x
Revenue Growth YoY +22.2% +23.0%
Gross Margin 32.5% 66.3%
Operating Margin 16.6% 30.5%
Return on Equity 47.5% 17.0%
Dividend Yield 0% 0%
FCF Yield 2.64% 2.06%
Analyst Consensus Hold Strong Buy
Investment Thesis
CAT — Caterpillar Inc.
Caterpillar Inc. is a leading global manufacturer of agricultural and construction machinery, operating within the Industrials sector. The company demonstrates high business quality with a durable competitive moat supported by strong brand recognition, cost advantages, and intangible assets. It posted robust revenue growth of 22.2% and earnings growth of 27.3% in the most recent quarter, reflecti…
ISRG — Intuitive Surgical, Inc.
Intuitive Surgical, Inc. operates in the healthcare sector, specializing in medical devices with a strong focus on robotic-assisted surgery systems. The company demonstrates high business quality with a durable competitive moat supported by a 17.0% return on equity, robust gross margin of 66.3%, and solid operating margin of 30.5%. Revenue and earnings growth in the most recent quarter were impre…
Accumulation Zones
Metric CAT ISRG
Zone Low $427.10 $423.01
Zone High $484.05 $479.41
In Buy Zone? No Yes
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