Caterpillar Shares Drop 6% as FTC and USDA Launch Farm Equipment Inquiry

Key Facts

1The FTC and USDA have opened an inquiry into how the farm equipment industry operates.

2Caterpillar shares fell 6% amid the regulatory inquiry and long-term yields hitting 20-year highs.

Caterpillar shares fell 6% as the Federal Trade Commission and the US Department of Agriculture opened an inquiry into the operating practices of the farm equipment industry. Benzinga reported that federal regulators requested public comments on industry competition and repair practices, sparking investor concern over the business models of major manufacturers.

CAT closed at $863.44 on October 6, 2026, after reaching a session low of $851.47. This decline coincided with the regulatory scrutiny and long-term bond yields hitting 20-year highs, which contributed to the downward pressure on the industrial leader's valuation.