Head-to-head · free
AeroVironment, Inc. vs Caterpillar
AVAV vs CAT — return on capital, cash generation, margins and balance sheet side by side.
AVAV
2 / 8
measures where AVAV leads
CAT
6 / 8
measures where CAT leads
A simple count of which company scores better on each measure — not a recommendation to buy or sell.
| Measure | AVAV · FY2026 | CAT · FY2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue | $2.0B | $67.6B |
| Net income | — | — |
| Revenue growth (yearly, multi-year) | 131.9% | 7.3% |
| Free cash flow | (140.9M) | $8.9B |
| Free cash flow margin | -7.1% | 13.2% |
| Net cash / (debt) | — | — |
| ROIC | — | 13.8% |
| Return on equity | -10.0% | 43.5% |
| Gross margin | 25.3% | 31.8% |
| Operating margin | -3.6% | 16.5% |
| Net debt / EBITDA | -7.65x | 2.49x |
Figures are as reported by each company; latest fiscal year shown.
Where AeroVironment, Inc.'s cash went (FY2026)
- Capital spending
- $62.5M
- Buybacks
- —
- Dividends
- —
- Acquisitions
- —
- Net debt issued / (repaid)
- —
Where Caterpillar's cash went (FY2025)
- Capital spending
- $2.8B
- Buybacks
- —
- Dividends
- —
- Acquisitions
- —
- Net debt issued / (repaid)
- —
Ask which business is stronger
"Which one reinvests at higher returns?" "Who carries more risk in its filings?" Get answers drawn straight from both companies' filings.
Compare them free