Fair value disclosures

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2024

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Fair value disclosures

Fair value disclosures

A.Fair value measurements

The guidance on fair value measurements defines fair value as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants.  This guidance also specifies a fair value hierarchy based upon the observability of inputs used in valuation techniques.  Observable inputs (highest level) reflect market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs (lowest level) reflect internally developed market assumptions.  In accordance with this guidance, fair value measurements are classified under the following hierarchy:

•Level 1 — Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets.

•Level 2 — Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs or significant value-drivers are observable in active markets.

•Level 3 — Model-derived valuations in which one or more significant inputs or significant value-drivers are unobservable.

When available, we use quoted market prices to determine fair value, and we classify such measurements within Level 1.  In some cases where market prices are not available, we make use of observable market based inputs to calculate fair value, in which case the measurements are classified within Level 2.  If quoted or observable market prices are not available, fair value is based upon valuations in which one or more significant inputs are unobservable, including internally developed models that use, where possible, current market-based parameters such as interest rates, yield curves and currency rates.  These measurements are classified within Level 3.

We classify fair value measurements according to the lowest level input or value-driver that is significant to the valuation.  We may therefore classify a measurement within Level 3 even though there may be significant inputs that are readily observable.

Fair value measurement includes the consideration of nonperformance risk.  Nonperformance risk refers to the risk that an obligation (either by a counterparty or Caterpillar) will not be fulfilled.  For financial assets traded in an active market (Level 1 and certain Level 2), the nonperformance risk is included in the market price.  For certain other financial assets and liabilities (certain Level 2 and Level 3), our fair value calculations have been adjusted accordingly.

Investments in debt and equity securities

We have investments in certain debt and equity securities that are recorded at fair value.  Fair values for our U.S. treasury bonds and large capitalization value and smaller company growth equity securities are based upon valuations for identical instruments in active markets.  Fair values for other government debt securities, corporate debt securities and mortgage-backed debt securities are based upon models that take into consideration such market-based factors as recent sales, risk-free yield curves and prices of similarly rated bonds.

We also have investments in time deposits classified as held-to-maturity debt securities. The fair value of these investments is based upon valuations observed in less active markets than Level 1. These investments have a maturity of less than one year and are recorded at amortized costs, which approximate fair value.

In addition, Insurance Services has an equity investment in a real estate investment trust (REIT) which is recorded at fair value based on the net asset value (NAV) of the investment and is not classified within the fair value hierarchy.

See Note 11 for additional information on our investments in debt and equity securities.

Derivative financial instruments

The fair value of interest rate contracts is primarily based on a standard industry accepted valuation model that utilizes the appropriate market-based forward swap curves and zero-coupon interest rates to determine discounted cash flows. The fair value of foreign currency and commodity forward, option and cross currency contracts is based on standard industry accepted valuation models that discount cash flows resulting from the differential between the contract price and the market-based forward rate. The fair value of total return swap contracts is primarily based on valuing the underlying securities or funds using pricing by industry providers and the average Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) plus a spread.

See Note 4 for additional information.

Assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis at fair value included in Statement 3 as of December 31, 2024 and 2023 were as follows:

	December 31, 2024
(Millions of dollars)	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Measured at NAV		Total Assets / Liabilities, at Fair Value
Assets
Debt securities
Government debt securities
U.S. treasury bonds	$	10	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	10
Other U.S. and non-U.S. government bonds	—		68		—		—		68
Corporate debt securities
Corporate bonds and other debt securities	—		3,170		—		—		3,170
Asset-backed securities	—		219		—		—		219
Mortgage-backed debt securities
U.S. governmental agency	—		443		—		—		443
Residential	—		2		—		—		2
Commercial	—		130		—		—		130
Total debt securities	10		4,032		—		—		4,042
Equity securities
Large capitalization value	261		—		—		—		261
Smaller company growth	41		—		—		—		41
REIT	—		—		—		167		167
Total equity securities	302		—		—		167		469
Derivative financial instruments - assets
Foreign currency contracts - net	—		117		—		—		117
Total assets	$	312	$	4,149	$	—	$	167	$	4,628
Liabilities
Derivative financial instruments - liabilities
Interest rate contracts - net	$	—	$	191	$	—	$	—	$	191
Commodity contracts - net	—		2		—		—		2
Total return swap contracts - net	—		33		—		—		33
Total liabilities	$	—	$	226	$	—	$	—	$	226

	December 31, 2023
(Millions of dollars)	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Measured at NAV		Total  Assets / Liabilities,  at Fair Value
Assets
Debt securities
Government debt securities
U.S. treasury bonds	$	10	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	10
Other U.S. and non-U.S. government bonds	—		60		—		—		60
Corporate debt securities
Corporate bonds and other debt securities	—		2,995		—		—		2,995
Asset-backed securities	—		192		—		—		192
Mortgage-backed debt securities
U.S. governmental agency	—		410		—		—		410
Residential	—		2		—		—		2
Commercial	—		128		—		—		128
Total debt securities	10		3,787		—		—		3,797
Equity securities
Large capitalization value	223		—		—		—		223
Smaller company growth	35		—		—		—		35
REIT	—		—		—		180		180
Total equity securities	258		—		—		180		438
Derivative financial instruments - assets
Foreign currency contracts - net	—		207		—		—		207
Commodity contracts - net	—		9		—		—		9
Total assets	$	268	$	4,003	$	—	$	180	$	4,451
Liabilities
Derivative financial instruments - liabilities
Interest rate contracts - net	$	—	$	151	$	—	$	—	$	151
Total liabilities	$	—	$	151	$	—	$	—	$	151

In addition to the amounts above, certain Cat Financial loans are subject to measurement at fair value on a nonrecurring basis and are classified as Level 3 measurements. A loan is measured at fair value when management determines that collection of contractual amounts due is not probable and the loan is individually evaluated. In these cases, an allowance for credit losses may be established based either on the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the receivables’ effective interest rate, the fair value of the collateral for collateral-dependent receivables, or the observable market price of the receivable. In determining collateral value, Cat Financial estimates the current fair market value of the collateral less selling costs. Cat Financial had loans carried at fair value of $59 million and $55 million as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.  

B.Fair values of financial instruments

In addition to the methods and assumptions we use to record the fair value of financial instruments as discussed in the Fair value measurements section above, we use the following methods and assumptions to estimate the fair value of our financial instruments:

Cash and cash equivalents

Carrying amount approximates fair value. We classify cash and cash equivalents as Level 1. See Statement 3.

Restricted cash and short-term investments

Carrying amount approximates fair value.  We include restricted cash and short-term investments in Prepaid expenses and other current assets in Statement 3. We classify these instruments as Level 1 except for time deposits which are Level 2. See Note 11 for additional information.

Finance receivables

We estimate fair value by discounting the future cash flows using current rates, representative of receivables with similar remaining maturities.

Wholesale inventory receivables

We estimate fair value by discounting the future cash flows using current rates, representative of receivables with similar remaining maturities.

Short-term borrowings

Carrying amount approximates fair value. We classify short-term borrowings as Level 1. See Note 13 for additional information.

Long-term debt

We estimate fair value for fixed and floating rate debt based on quoted market prices.

Our financial instruments not carried at fair value were as follows:

	2024				2023
(Millions of dollars)	Carrying Amount		Fair Value		Carrying Amount		Fair Value		Fair Value Levels	Reference
Assets at December 31,
Finance receivables–net (excluding finance leases 1)	$	16,180	$	15,788	$	15,386	$	15,017	3	Note 7
Wholesale inventory receivables–net (excluding finance leases 1)	1,568		1,527		1,415		1,368		3	Note 7
Liabilities at December 31,
Long-term debt (including amounts due within one year):
Machinery, Energy & Transportation	8,610		7,980		9,623		9,550		2	Note 14
Financial Products	25,406		25,304		23,612		23,299		2	Note 14

1Represents finance leases and failed sale leasebacks of $6,769 million and $6,953 million at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.