Caterpillar reported stronger-than-expected first-quarter earnings on Thursday, driven by robust demand across its construction and power generation businesses, with shares rising nearly 6% in premarket trading.

The industrial giant, widely viewed as a bellwether for global economic activity, posted earnings per share of $5.54 on revenue of $17.4 billion.

That surpassed Wall Street expectations of $4.65 per share on $16.5 billion in revenue, according to FactSet.

A year earlier, the company had reported earnings of $4.25 per share on sales of $14.2 billion.

Strong demand drives revenue growth

Total revenue rose 22% year over year to $17.42 billion, supported by strength across key segments.

The company’s core construction equipment division saw revenue jump 38%, reflecting solid demand and improved dealer inventory levels.

Meanwhile, its power and energy segment posted a 22% increase in revenue, underscoring the growing importance of energy solutions in Caterpillar’s portfolio.

“Solid sales and…growth, combined with robust order activity, demonstrate the strength of our business and our focus on solving our customers’ toughest challenges,” Chief Executive Joe Creed said in a statement.

“A record backlog provides a strong foundation for continued positive momentum.”

Caterpillar’s backlog reached a record $63 billion at the end of the quarter, up 79% from a year earlier, offering strong visibility into future revenue.

AI boom fuels power generation segment

A key driver of recent growth has been demand from data centers, particularly those supporting artificial intelligence workloads.

These facilities require large-scale, uninterrupted power supply, boosting demand for Caterpillar’s generators and turbine systems.

The company said sales increased in “large reciprocating engines and in turbines and turbine-related services, primarily data center applications.”

This shift marks a notable evolution for Caterpillar, which has traditionally been associated with heavy construction and mining equipment.

Engines and power systems are now emerging as a major growth engine, reflecting broader changes in the global economy.

Analysts said the company is benefiting from the rapid expansion of digital infrastructure, with AI data centers becoming a significant source of demand for industrial-scale energy solutions.

Should you buy CAT stock?

Looking ahead, Caterpillar appears well positioned to capitalise on multiple structural growth drivers, including rising global infrastructure spending, urbanisation and the transition to cleaner energy systems.

The company has previously said it expects its energy and transportation division to accelerate annual sales growth by 5% to 7% through 2030, up from an average of around 4% in recent years.

Market participants also noted that strong execution on AI-related orders and dealer restocking likely supported the latest quarter’s performance.

Caterpillar’s stock has rallied sharply, gaining about 162% over the past year and 35% year to date.

Shares are currently trading at a premium, though analysts see further upside.

According to MarketBeat, Based on 24 Wall Street analysts who have issued ratings for Caterpillar in the last 12 months, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy.”

The average price target stands at $767.77, with the highest estimate at $960, compared with the current trading level of around $860.

Despite elevated valuations, investors appear encouraged by Caterpillar’s ability to tap into emerging demand linked to the digital and energy transition, reinforcing its role as a key supplier to both traditional and next-generation industries.

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