Colgate-Palmolive (CL) Stock Analysis
This is a peer-relative look at Colgate-Palmolive (CL): its performance, risk, profitability, growth, financial strength, dividend, and valuation are each measured against its Household & Personal Products peers, so every number reads in context rather than in isolation.
Company Profile
| Profile Item | CL |
|---|---|
| Name | Colgate-Palmolive Company |
| Country/Region | United States |
| GICS Sector | Consumer Staples |
| GICS Industry Group | Household & Personal Products |
| GICS Industry | Household Products |
| GICS Sub-Industry | Household Products |
| Market Capitalization | 72.42 billion USD |
| Currency | USD |
| Exchange | NYSE |
| Listing Date | May 2, 1973 |
| Security Type | Common Stock |
Price Performance
Cumulative Growth
Trailing Returns
Calendar-Year Returns
Performance Metrics
| Metric | Current stock: CL | Industry group median |
|---|---|---|
| Total Return (1Y) | 7.07% | -1.99% |
| Total Return (3Y, Annualized) | 7.95% | 0.30% |
| Total Return (5Y, Annualized) | 4.41% | 1.36% |
Risk Profile
Drawdown History
Return Distribution
Risk Metrics
| Metric | Current stock: CL | Industry group median |
|---|---|---|
| Volatility (1Y, Annualized) | 22.54% | 37.33% |
| Beta (5Y) | 0.33 | 0.59 |
| Max Drawdown (5Y) | -29.05% | -51.32% |
Risk-Adjusted Performance
Risk-Return Positioning
Risk-Adjusted Metrics
| Metric | Current stock: CL | Industry group median |
|---|---|---|
| Sharpe Ratio (1Y) | 0.13 | -0.17 |
| Sortino Ratio (1Y) | 0.20 | -0.23 |
Profitability
ROE (TTM)
Colgate-Palmolive (CL) posts ROE of 363.58%, above the industry benchmark range. Equity is being turned into profit at an exceptional rate, but very high ROE should still be checked against leverage, buybacks, and the size of the equity base.
CL
Household & Personal Products industry group
363.58%
Group distribution
- CL
- 363.58%
- Max
- 33.31%
- Q3
- 28.44%
- Median
- 13.69%
- Q1
- 0.17%
- Min
- -20.43%
Largest peers
- CL
- 363.58%
- KMB
- 111.73%
- PG
- 31.11%
- UL
- 30.96%
- KVUE
- 15.70%
- HLN
- 10.27%
- EL
- -5.95%
Net Margin (TTM)
Colgate-Palmolive (CL) keeps 10.04% of revenue as net profit, roughly in line with the peer group’s normal net margin range. Its full cost stack is taking a typical share of sales for the industry.
CL
Household & Personal Products industry group
10.04%
Group distribution
- Max
- 19.16%
- Q3
- 11.33%
- CL
- 10.04%
- Median
- 6.67%
- Q1
- 0.66%
- Min
- -9.20%
Largest peers
- PG
- 19.16%
- UL
- 18.75%
- HLN
- 15.11%
- KMB
- 12.80%
- KVUE
- 10.61%
- CL
- 10.04%
- EL
- -1.67%
Operating Margin (TTM)
Colgate-Palmolive (CL) turns 20.92% of revenue into operating profit, putting operating margin in the upper peer quartile. Before financing and taxes enter the picture, the day-to-day business keeps more of each sales dollar than most industry peers.
CL
Household & Personal Products industry group
20.92%
Group distribution
- Max
- 23.17%
- CL
- 20.92%
- Q3
- 20.10%
- Median
- 12.60%
- Q1
- 6.91%
- Min
- -9.69%
Largest peers
- HLN
- 23.17%
- PG
- 23.05%
- KVUE
- 21.62%
- CL
- 20.92%
- UL
- 20.05%
- KMB
- 19.65%
- EL
- 14.93%
Profitability Metrics
| Metric | Current stock: CL | Industry group median |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM) | 363.58% | 13.69% |
| ROA (TTM) | 16.10% | 6.90% |
| Net Margin (TTM) | 10.04% | 6.67% |
| Operating Margin (TTM) | 20.92% | 12.60% |
| Gross Margin (TTM) | 60.06% | 48.97% |
Growth
Revenue Growth
Colgate-Palmolive (CL) grew revenue 1.40%, roughly around the peer group's normal range. Top-line momentum looks broadly typical for the industry.
EPS Growth
Colgate-Palmolive (CL) grew earnings per share -25.07%, in the lower peer quartile. Per-share profits are advancing more slowly than at most peers, so margins, costs, or share count deserve a closer look.
Growth Metrics
| Metric | Current stock: CL | Industry group median |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue Growth (YoY) | 1.40% | 0.29% |
| Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR) | 4.29% | 0.79% |
| EPS Growth (YoY) | -25.07% | 5.24% |
| EPS Growth (3Y CAGR) | 7.28% | 6.22% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
Colgate-Palmolive (CL) has current ratio of 1.03, in the healthier middle range for its industry. The short-term asset cushion looks balanced relative to peers rather than stretched thin.
CL
Household & Personal Products industry group
1.03
Group distribution
- Max
- 4.51
- Q3
- 3.12
- Median
- 1.95
- CL
- 1.03
- Q1
- 1.01
- Min
- 0.73
Largest peers
- EL
- 1.27
- CL
- 1.03
- KVUE
- 0.98
- HLN
- 0.92
- UL
- 0.79
- KMB
- 0.77
- PG
- 0.73
Debt / Equity (MRQ)
Colgate-Palmolive (CL) has debt-to-equity ratio of 16.41, above the industry benchmark range. Debt sits unusually high against shareholders’ equity, leaving the balance sheet more exposed to rate, refinancing, or earnings shocks.
CL
Household & Personal Products industry group
16.41
Group distribution
- CL
- 16.41
- Max
- 2.33
- Q3
- 1.45
- Median
- 0.77
- Q1
- 0.39
- Min
- 0.02
Largest peers
- CL
- 16.41
- KMB
- 3.71
- EL
- 2.33
- UL
- 1.61
- KVUE
- 0.83
- PG
- 0.68
- HLN
- 0.52
Financial Strength Metrics
| Metric | Current stock: CL | Industry group median |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.03 | 1.95 |
| Debt / Equity (MRQ) | 16.41 | 0.77 |
| Net Debt / EBITDA | 1.33 | 2.19 |
Dividends
Dividend Yield (TTM)
Colgate-Palmolive (CL) has dividend yield of 2.26%, in the industry’s normal income range. It provides a meaningful dividend without the red flag of an unusually high headline yield.
CL
Household & Personal Products industry group
2.26%
Group distribution
- Max
- 5.90%
- Q3
- 2.64%
- CL
- 2.26%
- Median
- 1.02%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Largest peers
- KMB
- 4.66%
- KVUE
- 4.35%
- UL
- 3.19%
- PG
- 2.83%
- CL
- 2.26%
- EL
- 1.67%
- HLN
- 0.71%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
Colgate-Palmolive (CL) has payout ratio of 80.62%, above the industry’s usual payout band. A larger share of earnings is going to dividends, so the cushion narrows if profit weakens.
CL
Household & Personal Products industry group
80.62%
Group distribution
- Max
- 98.51%
- CL
- 80.62%
- Q3
- 66.00%
- Median
- 36.90%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Largest peers
- EL
- 471.43%
- KVUE
- 98.51%
- KMB
- 97.87%
- CL
- 80.62%
- UL
- 78.60%
- PG
- 61.80%
- HLN
- 37.08%
Dividend Metrics
| Metric | Current stock: CL | Industry group median |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 2.26% | 1.02% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 80.62% | 36.90% |
Valuation
P/E Ratio (TTM)
Colgate-Palmolive (CL) trades at P/E ratio of 35.63, in the richer earnings-multiple quartile for its industry. That premium needs support from growth, durable earnings, or stronger business quality.
CL
Household & Personal Products industry group
35.63
Group distribution
- Max
- 36.52
- CL
- 35.63
- Q3
- 24.48
- Median
- 20.82
- Q1
- 15.98
- Min
- 5.38
Largest peers
- CL
- 35.63
- KVUE
- 22.63
- PG
- 21.78
- UL
- 21.03
- KMB
- 20.98
- HLN
- 20.67
- EL
- --
P/S Ratio (TTM)
Colgate-Palmolive (CL) trades at 3.48 on P/S ratio, in the higher sales-valuation quartile. Investors are paying up for each dollar of revenue, so stronger margins, growth, or revenue quality need to carry that price.
CL
Household & Personal Products industry group
3.48
Group distribution
- Max
- 5.42
- CL
- 3.48
- Q3
- 2.97
- Median
- 1.58
- Q1
- 0.70
- Min
- 0.07
Largest peers
- PG
- 3.98
- HLN
- 3.96
- CL
- 3.48
- UL
- 2.59
- KVUE
- 2.39
- KMB
- 2.17
- EL
- 2.01
P/B Ratio (MRQ)
Colgate-Palmolive (CL) trades at 500.00 on P/B ratio, above the industry benchmark range. Investors are putting an unusually rich price on each dollar of book equity relative to peers.
CL
Household & Personal Products industry group
500.00
Group distribution
- CL
- 500.00
- Max
- 11.82
- Q3
- 7.46
- Median
- 2.83
- Q1
- 1.04
- Min
- -2.96
Largest peers
- CL
- 500.00
- KMB
- 19.97
- UL
- 7.47
- EL
- 7.46
- PG
- 6.42
- KVUE
- 3.44
- HLN
- 2.00
Valuation Metrics
| Metric | Current stock: CL | Industry group median |
|---|---|---|
| P/E Ratio (TTM) | 35.63 | 20.82 |
| P/S Ratio (TTM) | 3.48 | 1.58 |
| P/B Ratio (MRQ) | 500.00 | 2.83 |
| Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM) | 4.58% | 4.98% |