CL vs. KVUE: Colgate-Palmolive vs. Kenvue Stock Comparison
How do Colgate-Palmolive (CL) and Kenvue (KVUE) stack up? This page sets them side by side across company profile, performance and risk, profitability, growth, financial strength, dividends, and valuation, with selected fundamentals also measured against each stock's industry-group peers.
Company Profile
Colgate-Palmolive (CL) and Kenvue (KVUE) both fall under the Household & Personal Products industry group, but CL is classified in Household Products while KVUE is classified in Personal Care Products.
Colgate-Palmolive (CL) has more than two decades of public-market history since May 2, 1973, whereas Kenvue (KVUE) listed on May 4, 2023 and has a much shorter record to draw on.
| Profile Item | CL | KVUE |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Colgate-Palmolive Company | Kenvue Inc. |
| Country/Region | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Consumer Staples | Consumer Staples |
| GICS Industry Group | Household & Personal Products | Household & Personal Products |
| GICS Industry | Household Products | Personal Care Products |
| GICS Sub-Industry | Household Products | Personal Care Products |
| Market Capitalization | 73.36 billion USD | 36.69 billion USD |
| Currency | USD | USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | May 2, 1973 | May 4, 2023 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Price Performance
Cumulative Growth
Trailing Returns
Performance Metrics
| Metric | CL | KVUE |
|---|---|---|
| Total Return (1Y) | 3.41% | -4.45% |
Risk Profile
Drawdown History
Risk Metrics
| Metric | CL | KVUE |
|---|---|---|
| Volatility (1Y, Annualized) | 21.73% | 32.58% |
| Beta (5Y) | 0.33 | 0.47 |
| Avg. Volume (3M) | 5.52M | 20.32M |
Risk-Adjusted Performance
Risk-Return Positioning
Profitability
ROE (TTM)
Colgate-Palmolive (CL) at 363.58% clears its industry range for ROE, a sharper capital-efficiency signal than Kenvue (KVUE) at 15.70%, which is closer to a typical peer reading.
CL
Household & Personal Products industry group
363.58%
- CL
- 363.58%
- Max
- 31.30%
- Q3
- 30.96%
- Median
- 15.00%
- Q1
- 1.55%
- Min
- -13.94%
KVUE
Household & Personal Products industry group
15.70%
- Max
- 31.30%
- Q3
- 30.96%
- KVUE
- 15.70%
- Median
- 15.00%
- Q1
- 1.55%
- Min
- -13.94%
Net Margin (TTM)
Both Colgate-Palmolive (CL) at 10.04% and Kenvue (KVUE) at 10.61% keep about the typical share of revenue as profit for their industries — neither bottom line stands out from peers.
CL
Household & Personal Products industry group
10.04%
- Max
- 19.16%
- Q3
- 11.34%
- CL
- 10.04%
- Median
- 6.79%
- Q1
- 2.51%
- Min
- -9.20%
KVUE
Household & Personal Products industry group
10.61%
- Max
- 19.16%
- Q3
- 11.34%
- KVUE
- 10.61%
- Median
- 6.79%
- Q1
- 2.51%
- Min
- -9.20%
Operating Margin (TTM)
Both Colgate-Palmolive (CL) at 20.92% and Kenvue (KVUE) at 21.62% convert sales into operating profit at a top-quartile rate, pointing to tighter cost discipline before financing and tax.
CL
Household & Personal Products industry group
20.92%
- Max
- 23.17%
- CL
- 20.92%
- Q3
- 19.85%
- Median
- 12.60%
- Q1
- 7.57%
- Min
- -5.14%
KVUE
Household & Personal Products industry group
21.62%
- Max
- 23.17%
- KVUE
- 21.62%
- Q3
- 19.85%
- Median
- 12.60%
- Q1
- 7.57%
- Min
- -5.14%
Profitability Metrics
| Metric | CL | KVUE |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM) | 363.58% | 15.70% |
| ROA (TTM) | 16.10% | 7.07% |
| Net Margin (TTM) | 10.04% | 10.61% |
| Operating Margin (TTM) | 20.92% | 21.62% |
| Gross Margin (TTM) | 60.06% | 58.60% |
Growth
Revenue Growth
Revenue Growth Metrics
| Metric | CL | KVUE |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue Growth (YoY) | 1.40% | -2.14% |
| Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR) | 4.29% | 0.39% |
EPS Growth
EPS Growth Metrics
| Metric | CL | KVUE |
|---|---|---|
| EPS Growth (YoY) | -25.07% | 40.74% |
| EPS Growth (3Y CAGR) | 7.28% | -11.40% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
Colgate-Palmolive (CL) at 1.03 keeps current ratio within its industry’s typical mid-range, while Kenvue (KVUE) at 0.98 runs in the tighter-liquidity quartile — a thinner cushion against current liabilities for KVUE.
CL
Household & Personal Products industry group
1.03
- Max
- 6.27
- Q3
- 3.17
- Median
- 2.05
- CL
- 1.03
- Q1
- 1.00
- Min
- 0.73
KVUE
Household & Personal Products industry group
0.98
- Max
- 6.27
- Q3
- 3.17
- Median
- 2.05
- Q1
- 1.00
- KVUE
- 0.98
- Min
- 0.73
Debt / Equity (MRQ)
Kenvue (KVUE) at 0.83 is near its industry mid-range for debt-to-equity ratio, while Colgate-Palmolive (CL) at 16.41 sits above its benchmark range, pointing to a heavier debt load relative to equity.
CL
Household & Personal Products industry group
16.41
- CL
- 16.41
- Max
- 2.33
- Q3
- 1.61
- Median
- 0.81
- Q1
- 0.40
- Min
- 0.02
KVUE
Household & Personal Products industry group
0.83
- Max
- 2.33
- Q3
- 1.61
- KVUE
- 0.83
- Median
- 0.81
- Q1
- 0.40
- Min
- 0.02
Financial Strength Metrics
| Metric | CL | KVUE |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.03 | 0.98 |
| Debt / Equity (MRQ) | 16.41 | 0.83 |
| Net Debt / EBITDA | 1.33 | 2.23 |
Dividends
Dividend Yield (TTM)
Kenvue (KVUE) at 4.34% delivers top-quartile income for its industry, while Colgate-Palmolive (CL) at 2.25% pays a more typical yield — both are credible income propositions, KVUE the richer one.
CL
Household & Personal Products industry group
2.25%
- Max
- 5.54%
- Q3
- 2.88%
- CL
- 2.25%
- Median
- 1.22%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
KVUE
Household & Personal Products industry group
4.34%
- Max
- 5.54%
- KVUE
- 4.34%
- Q3
- 2.88%
- Median
- 1.22%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
Both Colgate-Palmolive (CL) at 80.62% and Kenvue (KVUE) at 98.51% pay out an above-typical share of earnings for their industries, leaving thinner cover if profits dip.
CL
Household & Personal Products industry group
80.62%
- Max
- 98.51%
- CL
- 80.62%
- Q3
- 71.90%
- Median
- 37.08%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
KVUE
Household & Personal Products industry group
98.51%
- KVUE
- 98.51%
- Max
- 98.51%
- Q3
- 71.90%
- Median
- 37.08%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend Metrics
| Metric | CL | KVUE |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 2.25% | 4.34% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 80.62% | 98.51% |
Valuation
P/E Ratio (TTM)
Kenvue (KVUE) at 22.75 is near its industry’s usual P/E ratio, while Colgate-Palmolive (CL) at 35.53 sits in the richer quartile — CL needs stronger growth or earnings quality to justify the premium.
CL
Household & Personal Products industry group
35.53
- CL
- 35.53
- Max
- 35.53
- Q3
- 25.75
- Median
- 20.10
- Q1
- 16.28
- Min
- 5.77
KVUE
Household & Personal Products industry group
22.75
- Max
- 35.53
- Q3
- 25.75
- KVUE
- 22.75
- Median
- 20.10
- Q1
- 16.28
- Min
- 5.77
P/S Ratio (TTM)
Kenvue (KVUE) at 2.40 is priced about in line with its industry on P/S ratio, while Colgate-Palmolive (CL) at 3.53 sits in the pricier quartile — CL costs more per dollar of sales.
CL
Household & Personal Products industry group
3.53
- Max
- 5.15
- CL
- 3.53
- Q3
- 3.13
- Median
- 1.71
- Q1
- 0.73
- Min
- 0.27
KVUE
Household & Personal Products industry group
2.40
- Max
- 5.15
- Q3
- 3.13
- KVUE
- 2.40
- Median
- 1.71
- Q1
- 0.73
- Min
- 0.27
P/B Ratio (MRQ)
Kenvue (KVUE) at 3.46 sits near its industry’s typical P/B ratio, while Colgate-Palmolive (CL) at 506.52 prices above its benchmark range — CL looks rich relative to book.
CL
Household & Personal Products industry group
506.52
- CL
- 506.52
- Max
- 12.20
- Q3
- 6.75
- Median
- 2.50
- Q1
- 1.26
- Min
- -3.08
KVUE
Household & Personal Products industry group
3.46
- Max
- 12.20
- Q3
- 6.75
- KVUE
- 3.46
- Median
- 2.50
- Q1
- 1.26
- Min
- -3.08
Valuation Metrics
| Metric | CL | KVUE |
|---|---|---|
| P/E Ratio (TTM) | 35.53 | 22.75 |
| P/S Ratio (TTM) | 3.53 | 2.40 |
| P/B Ratio (MRQ) | 506.52 | 3.46 |
| Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM) | 4.52% | 5.06% |