CAT vs. FFIV

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

CAT (Caterpillar Inc.) and FFIV (F5 Networks, Inc.) are both stocks. CAT operates in Farm & Heavy Construction Machinery (Industrials), while FFIV operates in Software - Infrastructure (Technology). Over the past 10 years, CAT returned 31.33%/yr vs 12.87%/yr for FFIV. At a 0.36 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

CAT vs. FFIV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Caterpillar Inc. (CAT) and F5 Networks, Inc. (FFIV). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, CAT achieves a 59.62% return, which is significantly higher than FFIV's 55.20% return. Over the past 10 years, CAT has outperformed FFIV with an annualized return of 31.33%, while FFIV has yielded a comparatively lower 12.87% annualized return.

CAT

• 1D: 1.44%
• 1M: 2.51%
• YTD: 59.62%
• 6M: 52.94%
• 1Y: 157.79%
• 3Y*: 57.16%
• 5Y*: 35.17%
• 10Y*: 31.33%

FFIV

• 1D: 0.59%
• 1M: 9.26%
• YTD: 55.20%
• 6M: 50.82%
• 1Y: 38.22%
• 3Y*: 38.11%
• 5Y*: 15.50%
• 10Y*: 12.87%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

CAT vs. FFIV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
CAT Caterpillar Inc.	59.62%	60.30%	24.66%	25.95%	18.60%	15.95%	26.97%	19.51%	-17.56%	75.03%
FFIV F5 Networks, Inc.	55.20%	1.51%	40.50%	24.72%	-41.36%	39.09%	25.99%	-13.81%	23.48%	-9.33%

Correlation

The correlation between CAT and FFIV is 0.27, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.27
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.43
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.41
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.41
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 4, 1999	0.36

The correlation between CAT and FFIV shifts across timeframes, from 0.27 (1 year) to 0.43 (3 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Fundamentals

Market Cap CAT : $424.14B FFIV : $22.70B
EPS CAT : $20.07 FFIV : $12.19
PE Ratio CAT : 45.37 FFIV : 32.50
PEG Ratio CAT : 3.00 FFIV : 1.42
PS Ratio CAT : 6.04 FFIV : 9.54
PB Ratio CAT : 22.73 FFIV : 6.22
Total Revenue (TTM) CAT : $70.76B FFIV : $2.41B
Gross Profit (TTM) CAT : $23.01B FFIV : $2.63B
EBITDA (TTM) CAT : $15.31B FFIV : $889.95M

Return for Risk

CAT vs. FFIV — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

CAT

CAT Risk / Return Rank: 98
CAT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 98
CAT Sortino Ratio Rank: 98
CAT Omega Ratio Rank: 97
CAT Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
CAT Martin Ratio Rank: 99

FFIV

FFIV Risk / Return Rank: 69
FFIV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
FFIV Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
FFIV Omega Ratio Rank: 70
FFIV Calmar Ratio Rank: 65
FFIV Martin Ratio Rank: 64

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

CAT vs. FFIV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Caterpillar Inc. (CAT) and F5 Networks, Inc. (FFIV). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	CAT	FFIV	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	4.43	1.08	+3.36
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	5.03	1.58	+3.46
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.65	1.21	+0.43
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	11.24	1.04	+10.20
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	36.80	2.28	+34.52

CAT vs. FFIV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CAT Sharpe Ratio is 4.43, which is higher than the FFIV Sharpe Ratio of 1.08. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CAT and FFIV, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

CAT vs. FFIV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CAT drawdown since its inception was -73.43%, smaller than the maximum FFIV drawdown of -97.59%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CAT and FFIV.

Drawdown Indicators

	CAT	FFIV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-73.43%	-97.59%	+24.16%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.88%	-34.73%	+20.85%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-34.05%	-34.73%	+0.68%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-34.05%	-47.42%	+13.37%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-43.36%	-54.59%	+11.23%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.18%	-3.17%	-0.01%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-19.73%	-40.16%	+20.43%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.23%	15.77%	-11.54%

Volatility

CAT vs. FFIV - Volatility Comparison

Caterpillar Inc. (CAT) has a higher volatility of 13.16% compared to F5 Networks, Inc. (FFIV) at 8.89%. This indicates that CAT's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FFIV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	CAT	FFIV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	13.16%	8.89%	+4.27%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	28.37%	24.72%	+3.65%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	35.19%	33.48%	+1.71%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	30.79%	29.97%	+0.82%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	30.98%	29.56%	+1.42%

Dividends

CAT vs. FFIV - Dividend Comparison

CAT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.66%, while FFIV has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CAT Caterpillar Inc.	0.66%	1.02%	1.49%	1.69%	1.93%	2.07%	2.26%	2.56%	2.58%	1.97%	3.32%	4.33%
FFIV F5 Networks, Inc.	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Financials

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both CAT and FFIV in my portfolio?

CAT and FFIV have a correlation of 0.27, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, CAT or FFIV?

CAT has higher volatility (13.16%) compared to FFIV (8.89%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CAT dropped -73.43% vs FFIV's -97.59%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

CAT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.43 vs 1.08), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.