AYI vs CAT
Acuity Inc. compared with Caterpillar Inc. on yield, payout growth, payment schedule, cost and risk.
Quick take
- CAT yields more today: 0.80% vs 0.25% (forward).
- AYI has grown its payout faster: 8.2%/yr vs 8.0%/yr over the last 5 years.
- Both pay every quarter.
- CAT has the longer streak of annual increases: 5 years vs 2.
- Over the last year CAT delivered the higher total return: +96.5% vs -0.1% (price change plus payouts).
Generated from the latest data on both pages. Not a recommendation.
Side by side
| Metric | AYI | CAT |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $325.46 | $817.09 |
| TTM yield | 0.24% | 0.75% |
| Forward yield | 0.25% | 0.80% |
| Annual payout per share | $0.80 | $6.52 |
| Payment frequency | Quarterly | Quarterly |
| Next ex-date | Oct 16, 2026 (est.) | Oct 19, 2026 (est.) |
| Payout ratio (earnings) | 5% | 26% |
| 1-year payout growth | +16.7% | +7.3% |
| 5-year payout CAGR | +8.2% | +8.0% |
| Consecutive years of increases | 2 years | 5 years |
| Payout consistency (last 12) | 87/100 | 93/100 |
| 1-year total return | -0.1% | +96.5% |
| 1-year price return | -0.3% | +95.0% |
| Size (market cap / AUM) | 9.7B | 378.1B |
| Years paying | 24.6 | 64.6 |
| Payout risk (heuristic) | Low | Low |
| Sector / category | Industrials | Industrials |
✓ marks the more favourable figure where one exists (higher yield, growth, streak, consistency, return and size; lower cost, payout ratio and risk).
$10,000 invested today
| AYI | CAT | |
|---|---|---|
| Shares | 30.7 | 12.2 |
| Income per year | $25 | $80 |
| Income per month (avg) | $2 | $7 |
Next payments
| Ex-date | Pay date | Per share | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| AYI Oct 16, 2026 | Oct 30, 2026 | $0.20 | Est. |
| AYI Jan 15, 2027 | Jan 29, 2027 | $0.20 | Est. |
| AYI Apr 16, 2027 | Apr 30, 2027 | $0.20 | Est. |
| CAT Oct 19, 2026 | Nov 2, 2026 | $1.63 | Est. |
| CAT Jan 18, 2027 | Feb 1, 2027 | $1.63 | Est. |
| CAT Apr 19, 2027 | May 3, 2027 | $1.63 | Est. |
Annual payouts per share
AYICAT
Regular payments only; the current year is year to date. Per-share amounts are not directly comparable when share prices differ, so read this chart for growth trends.
FAQ
Which has the higher dividend yield, AYI or CAT?
CAT currently has the higher trailing yield: AYI yields 0.24% and CAT yields 0.75%. Yield changes daily with price, so check the live figures above.
How often do AYI and CAT pay?
AYI pays every quarter and CAT pays every quarter. AYI's next ex-date is Oct 16, 2026 and CAT's is Oct 19, 2026.
Which has grown its dividend faster, AYI or CAT?
AYI has grown its payout faster: 8.2%/yr vs 8.0%/yr over the last 5 years.
Is AYI or CAT better for income?
It depends on what you are optimising for. AYI and CAT differ in yield, growth, payment schedule and risk profile; the table above puts every metric side by side so you can weigh them for your own goals. This page is data, not advice.