Caterpillar, GE lead weekly gains in big-cap industrials
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Investors are gearing up for a positive earnings report from Caterpillar (NYSE:CAT), whose stock has risen for the past six days of trading. The maker of heavy machinery and construction equipment this week rose 5.9% and touched record highs. It reports Q4 earnings on Tuesday, January 31.
General Electric (NYSE:GE) also is on a six-day winning streak, and its stock also gained 5.9%. The company this week reported a higher profit on strong demand for jet engines as the aerospace industry works to keep up with surging demand for air travel.
Raytheon Technologies (NYSE:RTX) advanced 5.6%, despite ending a five-day streak of gains with a slight dip on Friday. The defense contractor this week said its quarterly net income more than doubled from a year earlier on rising sales, especially for aircraft engines and parts.
The Industrial Select Sector SPDR ETF (NYSEARCA:XLI), whose holdings include the biggest companies in the manufacturing sector, finished the week with a 2.2% gain.
Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC) reversed lower this week after reporting earnings. The aerospace and defense company beat estimates, but investors may be concerned about potential losses from developing its next-generation stealth bomber. Cowen today downgraded the shares.
In addition to Caterpillar, Honeywell International (NASDAQ:HON) reports earnings next week. The industrial conglomerateâs stock this week advanced 3%.






Company (Ticker)
5-day change


Boeing (NYSE:BA)
2.1%


Caterpillar (CAT)
5.9%


Deere (DE)
1.8%


General Electric (GE)
5.9%


Honeywell International (HON)
3.0%


Industrial Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLI)
2.2%


Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT)
3.7%


Northrop Grumman (NOC)
-2.9%


Raytheon Technologies (RTX)
5.6%


Union Pacific (UNP)
-3.0%


United Parcel Service (UPS)
2.2%