Caterpillar lifts 2026 sales growth forecast as AI buildout powers on; shares surge 12%

Aug 4 : Caterpillar raised its annual revenue growth forecast after beating second-quarter profit estimates on Tuesday, benefiting from a buildout of AI data centers that has spurred demand for its power-generation and construction equipment.Shares of the company were on track for their best day in over 17 years, if gains hold, after surging 12 per cent in morning trading. Caterpillar's stock surge also powered a 1.3 per cent rise in the blue-chip benchmark Dow Jones industrial index.The company cut its full-year tariff costs forecast to around $2.2 billion from the previously expected $2.2 billion to $2.6 billion. Over the last few quarters, the equipment giant has seen a surge in orders for construction equipment amid a nationwide buildout of data centers as well as the backup power equi