New York, January 16, 2026, 21:21 EST — The market has closed.
- Shares of Caterpillar slipped roughly 0.1%, finishing at $646.89 on Friday.
- The company set January 29 to release its fourth-quarter and full-year results, followed by a call that same morning.
- Starting February 1, a new leader will take charge of the Construction Industries unit, just before the current head retires.
Caterpillar shares edged down on Friday, slipping about 0.1% to close at $646.89. Investors digested an upcoming earnings report and news of a top executive shuffle at the heavy equipment giant.
The updates arrive as the market shifts focus beyond early January’s initial trading surge. For Caterpillar, they clarify two crucial drivers for the stock: the leadership of a key business unit and management’s outlook on demand and margins.
This is significant as U.S. markets shut Monday for a holiday. When trading resumes Tuesday, investors will dive back into earnings season, watching cyclicals such as Caterpillar closely—they often serve as a barometer for construction trends and global industrial demand.
Caterpillar announced on Jan. 14 that Tony Fassino, group president of Construction Industries, will retire on May 31, 2026. Rod Shurman is set to step into the role starting Feb. 1. CEO Joe Creed praised Fassino’s “many contributions” as having a “lasting impact,” while saying Shurman’s background “prepares him to guide Construction Industries into its next chapter.” 1
On Jan. 29, Caterpillar will unveil its fourth-quarter and full-year 2025 results at 5:30 a.m. CST (6:30 a.m. ET). A listen-only webcast and analyst call will follow at 7:30 a.m. CST. The company confirmed it will file the release with the SEC using a Form 8-K, the standard for reporting major corporate updates. 2
The broader market showed little movement heading into the weekend. U.S. stocks closed Friday almost unchanged. Bruce Zaro, a wealth manager at Granite Wealth Management, noted that mid-January “tends to be pretty choppy” following monthly options expiration, as traders adjust their positions. 3
Caterpillar’s report on Jan. 29 remains the key date. Investors usually focus on familiar areas: pricing compared to costs, demand for machines and engines across regions, and whether dealers are holding excess inventory.
Management commentary can carry as much weight as the actual numbers. Even a slight change in tone about order patterns often sends waves through the stock, given how quickly Caterpillar’s end markets can pivot.
There’s a risk, though. If the company hints that customers are holding back on buying, or if cost pressures worsen beyond forecasts, the stock could slide fast. That’s especially true with shares trading close to recent peaks and expectations running high.
Traders will be eyeing how much of Friday’s range shows genuine conviction. Caterpillar moved from $641.50 to $656.81 during the session, proving the stock can still swing sharply, even when headlines are light.
Caterpillar is set to release its earnings on Jan. 29, ahead of the U.S. market open, with a management Q&A scheduled for later that morning.
