AOS vs CAT
A. O. Smith Corporation compared with Caterpillar Inc. on yield, payout growth, payment schedule, cost and risk.
AOS
A. O. Smith Corporation
TTM yield · Quarterly
CAT
Caterpillar Inc.
TTM yield · Quarterly
Quick take
- AOS yields more today: 2.45% vs 0.79% (forward).
- CAT has grown its payout faster: 8.0%/yr vs 6.7%/yr over the last 5 years.
- Both pay every quarter.
- AOS has the longer streak of annual increases: 20 years vs 5.
- Over the last year CAT delivered the higher total return: +97.8% vs -15.5% (price change plus payouts).
Generated from the latest data on both pages. Not a recommendation.
Side by side
| Metric | AOS | CAT |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $58.81 | $822.53 |
| TTM yield | 2.45% | 0.75% |
| Forward yield | 2.45% | 0.79% |
| Annual payout per share | $1.44 | $6.52 |
| Payment frequency | Quarterly | Quarterly |
| Next ex-date | Oct 31, 2026 (est.) | Oct 19, 2026 (est.) |
| Payout ratio (earnings) | 40% | 26% |
| 1-year payout growth | +5.9% | +7.3% |
| 5-year payout CAGR | +6.7% | +8.0% |
| Consecutive years of increases | 20 years | 5 years |
| Payout consistency (last 12) | 95/100 | 93/100 |
| 1-year total return | -15.5% | +97.8% |
| 1-year price return | -17.5% | +96.3% |
| Size (market cap / AUM) | 8.0B | 378.1B |
| Years paying | 40.6 | 64.6 |
| Payout risk (heuristic) | Low | Low |
| Sector / category | Industrials | Industrials |
✓ marks the more favourable figure where one exists (higher yield, growth, streak, consistency, return and size; lower cost, payout ratio and risk).
$10,000 invested today
| AOS | CAT | |
|---|---|---|
| Shares | 170.0 | 12.2 |
| Income per year | $245 | $79 |
| Income per month (avg) | $20 | $7 |
Next payments
| Ex-date | Pay date | Per share | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| AOS Oct 31, 2026 | Nov 14, 2026 | $0.36 | Est. |
| AOS Jan 31, 2027 | Feb 14, 2027 | $0.36 | Est. |
| AOS May 3, 2027 | May 17, 2027 | $0.36 | Est. |
| CAT Oct 19, 2026 | Nov 2, 2026 | $1.63 | Est. |
| CAT Jan 18, 2027 | Feb 1, 2027 | $1.63 | Est. |
| CAT Apr 19, 2027 | May 3, 2027 | $1.63 | Est. |
Annual payouts per share
AOSCAT
Regular payments only; the current year is year to date. Per-share amounts are not directly comparable when share prices differ, so read this chart for growth trends.
FAQ
Which has the higher dividend yield, AOS or CAT?
AOS currently has the higher trailing yield: AOS yields 2.45% and CAT yields 0.75%. Yield changes daily with price, so check the live figures above.
How often do AOS and CAT pay?
AOS pays every quarter and CAT pays every quarter. AOS's next ex-date is Oct 31, 2026 and CAT's is Oct 19, 2026.
Which has grown its dividend faster, AOS or CAT?
CAT has grown its payout faster: 8.0%/yr vs 6.7%/yr over the last 5 years.
Is AOS or CAT better for income?
It depends on what you are optimising for. AOS and CAT differ in yield, growth, payment schedule and risk profile; the table above puts every metric side by side so you can weigh them for your own goals. This page is data, not advice.