Is PACCAR Stock Outperforming the S&P 500?

With a market cap of $65.6 billion, PACCAR Inc (PCAR) is a global manufacturer and distributor of light, medium, and heavy-duty commercial trucks, serving markets globally. The company operates through three segments: Truck; Parts; and Financial Services, designing and selling trucks under the Kenworth, Peterbilt, and DAF brands, distributing aftermarket parts, and providing financing, leasing, and fleet services through its PacLease network. 

Companies valued at $10 billion or more are generally classified as “large-cap” stocks, and PACCAR  fits this criterion perfectly. PACCAR also manufactures industrial winches marketed under the Braden, Carco, and Gearmatic nameplates.

Shares of the Bellevue, Washington-based company have pulled back 10.4% from its 52-week high of $139.24. PACCAR’s shares have risen 5.6% over the past three months, outperforming the S&P 500 Index’s ($SPX) 1.8% gain over the same time frame. 

PCAR stock is up 13.9% on a YTD basis, outpacing SPX’s 12.8% return. Moreover, shares of the truck maker have increased nearly 27% over the past 52 weeks, compared to SPX’s 18.7% gain over the same time frame.

Despite a few fluctuations, the stock has been trading above its 50-day and 200-day moving averages since late November 2025. 

PACCAR shares rose 3.6% on Jul. 28 after the company reported better-than-expected Q2 2026 EPS of $1.43 and revenue of $7.55 billion. The upside was driven by strong customer orders that boosted truck build rates, resilient demand for newer fuel-efficient and premium heavy-duty trucks, and growth in the higher-margin parts business, whose revenue increased 1.5% to $1.75 billion.

In comparison, PCAR stock has performed weaker than its rival, Caterpillar Inc. (CAT). CAT stock has surged 42.1% on a YTD basis and 93.7% over the past 52 weeks. 

Despite the stock’s outperformance relative to the SPX, analysts remain cautiously optimistic on PCAR. The stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” from the 17 analysts covering it, and the mean price target of $142.60 is a premium of 14.4% to current levels.  

On the date of publication, Sohini Mondal did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. For more information please view the Barchart Disclosure Policy here.