Head-to-head · free
Caterpillar vs Rocket Lab
CAT vs RKLB — return on capital, cash generation, margins and balance sheet side by side.
CAT
6 / 8
measures where CAT leads
RKLB
2 / 8
measures where RKLB leads
A simple count of which company scores better on each measure — not a recommendation to buy or sell.
| Measure | CAT · FY2025 | RKLB · FY2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue | $67.6B | $601.8M |
| Net income | — | (198.2M) |
| Revenue growth (yearly, multi-year) | 7.3% | 76.3% |
| Free cash flow | $8.9B | (321.8M) |
| Free cash flow margin | 13.2% | -53.5% |
| Net cash / (debt) | — | — |
| ROIC | 13.8% | — |
| Return on equity | 43.5% | -18.8% |
| Gross margin | 31.8% | 34.4% |
| Operating margin | 16.5% | -38.0% |
| Net debt / EBITDA | 2.49x | 3.65x |
Figures are as reported by each company; latest fiscal year shown.
Where Caterpillar's cash went (FY2025)
- Capital spending
- $2.8B
- Buybacks
- —
- Dividends
- —
- Acquisitions
- —
- Net debt issued / (repaid)
- —
Where Rocket Lab's cash went (FY2025)
- Capital spending
- $156.3M
- 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