CAT · 10-Q · 2026Q2 · Full report
Operating Cash Flow Trends
CATERPILLAR INC · 2026-08-05 · Importance 69 · Surprise 64 · From source text
MP&E operating cash flow reached $7.011 billion in the first six months of 2026, compared with $3.862 billion in the prior-year period, a $3.149 billion increase. The improvement reflected higher pretax profit adjusted for non-cash items, favorable customer advances, accounts payable and accrued compensation, and lower cash taxes paid. Unfavorable changes in receivables and inventories partially offset the improvement. Financial Products operating cash flow increased to $614 million from $597 million.
Key facts
- Machinery, Power & Energy net cash provided by operating activities was $7.011 billion in the first six months of 2026, compared with $3.862 billion for the same period in 2025. source
- MP&E net cash used for financing activities during the first six months of 2026 was $8.158 billion, compared with net cash used of $4.050 billion in the same period of 2025. source
- MP&E free cash flow for the six months ended June 30, 2026 was $5,698 million (MP&E net cash provided by operating activities $7,011 million less MP&E capital expenditures $1,313 million). source
- Consolidated operating cash flow for the first six months of 2026 was $6.241 billion, up $1.830 billion compared to the same period a year ago. source
- MP&E net cash used for investing activities in the first six months of 2026 was $2.195 billion, compared with net cash used of $1.530 billion in the first six months of 2025. source
- Financial Products net cash used for investing activities was $2.580 billion in the first six months of 2026, compared with $990 million for the same period in 2025. source
- Financial Products net cash provided by financing activities was $2.077 billion in the first six months of 2026, compared with $670 million for the same period in 2025. source
- Enterprise operating cash flow for the six months ended June 30, 2026: $6.2 billion. source
Impact estimates
| metric | direction | stage | expected | basis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| cash | negative | realized | -4.0% | MP&E net cash used for financing activities during the first six months of 2026 was $8.158 billion, compared with net cash used of $4.050… |
| cash | positive | realized | +3.1% | Machinery, Power & Energy net cash provided by operating activities was $7.011 billion in the first six months of 2026, compared with… |
| cash | positive | realized | +1.8% | Consolidated operating cash flow for the first six months of 2026 was $6.241 billion, up $1.830 billion compared to the same period a year… |
| cash | negative | realized | -1.6% | Financial Products net cash used for investing activities was $2.580 billion in the first six months of 2026, compared with $990 million… |
| cash | positive | realized | +1.4% | Financial Products net cash provided by financing activities was $2.077 billion in the first six months of 2026, compared with $670… |
| cash | negative | realized | -0.7% | MP&E net cash used for investing activities in the first six months of 2026 was $2.195 billion, compared with net cash used of $1.530… |
| cash | positive | realized | — | MP&E free cash flow for the six months ended June 30, 2026 was $5,698 million (MP&E net cash provided by operating activities $7,011… |
| cash | positive | realized | — | Enterprise operating cash flow for the six months ended June 30, 2026: $6.2 billion. |