Table of Contents UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION FORM 10-K For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 CATERPILLAR INC. Washington, D.C. 20549 (Mark One) ☒ ☐ ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 OR TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the transition period from to . Commission File No. 1-768 (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter) Delaware (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) 510 Lake Cook Road, Suite 100, Deerfield, Illinois (Address of principal executive offices) 37-0602744 (IRS Employer I.D. No.) 60015 (Zip Code) Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (224) 551-4000 Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: In addition to the New York Stock Exchange, Caterpillar common stock is also listed on stock exchanges in France and Switzerland. (1) Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ý No o Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes o No ý Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes ý No o Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ý No o Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer”, “smaller reporting company” and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.  (Check one):  (1) Title of each class Trading Symbol (s) Name of each exchange on which registered Common Stock ($1.00 par value) CAT New York Stock Exchange 9 3/8% Debentures due March 15, 2021 CAT21 New York Stock Exchange 8% Debentures due February 15, 2023 CAT23 New York Stock Exchange 5.3% Debentures due September 15, 2035 CAT35 New York Stock Exchange