Caterpillar Posts Record $20.5 B Q2 2026 Revenue, Beats Forecasts

Caterpillar record revenue Q2 2026 earnings AI data center demand order backlog

Caterpillar Inc. announced second‑quarter 2026 results showing revenue of $20.54 billion, a 24 % year‑over‑year increase and the first quarter in company history to exceed $20 billion. Adjusted earnings per share rose to $8.17 from $4.72 a year earlier, while the adjusted operating margin reached 21.9 % and operating income climbed to $4.21 billion. Cash flow from operations was $4.4 billion and the company ended the quarter with $6.7 billion in cash.

The order backlog jumped 92 % to a record $72.1 billion, reflecting strong demand across all three segments. Power & Energy revenue grew 17 % and sales of generator sets and turbines to data‑center customers rose 72 %, driven by the artificial‑intelligence data‑center build‑out. Construction Industries revenue increased 35 % and Resources Industries rose 20 %.

CEO and chairman Joe Creed highlighted “strong order rates and a growing backlog” as evidence of broadening momentum. Following the release, Caterpillar shares surged 8‑10 % in pre‑market trading, lifting Dow Jones industrial‑average futures. The company repurchased $1.5 billion of its own stock and paid $0.7 billion in dividends during the quarter.

Entities: Cat Helios · Caterpillar Inc. · Joe Creed · U.S. mining industry

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.

[● 4 SOURCES] Adjusted earnings per share were $8.17, compared with $4.72 a year earlier. (All articles)
[● 4 SOURCES] Adjusted operating margin reached 21.9 % and operating income was $4.21 billion. (All articles)
[● 3 SOURCES] Caterpillar's order backlog grew 92 % year‑over‑year to $72.1 billion. (All articles)
[● 4 SOURCES] CEO Joe Creed said strong order rates and a growing backlog reflect broadening momentum across all segments. (All articles)
[● 4 SOURCES] The quarter marked the first time Caterpillar generated over $20 billion in sales in a single quarter. (All articles)
[● 2 SOURCES] Power & Energy segment revenue rose 17 % and sales to data‑center customers increased 72 %. (All articles)
[● 3 SOURCES] Caterpillar shares jumped roughly 8‑10 % in pre‑market trading after the earnings release. (All articles)
[● 7 SOURCES] Caterpillar reported second‑quarter 2026 revenue of $20.54 billion, up 24 % year‑over‑year. (All articles)