CL vs. MKC: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at CL and MKC, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | CL | MKC |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Colgate-Palmolive Company | McCormick & Company, Incorporated |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Consumer Staples | Consumer Staples |
| GICS Industry | Household Products | Food Products |
| Market Capitalization | 63.04 billion USD | 17.67 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | May 2, 1973 | February 21, 1973 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of CL and MKC by tracking the growth of an initial $10,000 investment in each. Use the tabs to select the desired time period. Data is adjusted for dividends and splits.
Historical Performance at a Glance
| Symbol | CL | MKC |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -0.40% | -3.35% |
| 13-Week Price Return | -14.83% | -8.86% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -18.75% | -18.59% |
| 52-Week Price Return | -20.87% | -17.10% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -2.43% | -1.64% |
| Year-to-Date Return | -14.20% | -13.68% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 6.19M | 3.82M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 5.21M | 2.50M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 17.00% | 21.82% |
| Beta | 0.30 | 0.63 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
CL
679.67%
Household Products Industry
- Max
- 216.14%
- Q3
- 106.01%
- Median
- 19.09%
- Q1
- 9.92%
- Min
- -6.34%
CL’s Return on Equity of 679.67% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Household Products industry. This demonstrates a superior ability to generate profit from shareholder investments, though it could also be inflated by high financial leverage.
MKC
14.27%
Food Products Industry
- Max
- 30.51%
- Q3
- 16.54%
- Median
- 10.46%
- Q1
- 6.76%
- Min
- -2.18%
MKC’s Return on Equity of 14.27% is on par with the norm for the Food Products industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
CL
14.55%
Household Products Industry
- Max
- 14.55%
- Q3
- 12.50%
- Median
- 8.91%
- Q1
- 8.67%
- Min
- 5.05%
A Net Profit Margin of 14.55% places CL in the upper quartile for the Household Products industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
MKC
11.50%
Food Products Industry
- Max
- 18.44%
- Q3
- 10.21%
- Median
- 6.29%
- Q1
- 3.53%
- Min
- -0.80%
A Net Profit Margin of 11.50% places MKC in the upper quartile for the Food Products industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
CL
21.17%
Household Products Industry
- Max
- 21.76%
- Q3
- 16.17%
- Median
- 13.11%
- Q1
- 12.17%
- Min
- 6.87%
An Operating Profit Margin of 21.17% places CL in the upper quartile for the Household Products industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.
MKC
15.78%
Food Products Industry
- Max
- 24.83%
- Q3
- 14.29%
- Median
- 9.64%
- Q1
- 6.11%
- Min
- 0.08%
An Operating Profit Margin of 15.78% places MKC in the upper quartile for the Food Products industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | CL | MKC |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 679.67% | 14.27% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 17.38% | 5.92% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 14.55% | 11.50% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 21.17% | 15.78% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 60.57% | 38.54% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
CL
0.89
Household Products Industry
- Max
- 2.84
- Q3
- 1.96
- Median
- 1.21
- Q1
- 0.79
- Min
- 0.50
CL’s Current Ratio of 0.89 aligns with the median group of the Household Products industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
MKC
0.68
Food Products Industry
- Max
- 3.99
- Q3
- 2.39
- Median
- 1.62
- Q1
- 1.23
- Min
- 0.57
MKC’s Current Ratio of 0.68 falls into the lower quartile for the Food Products industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
CL
12.48
Household Products Industry
- Max
- 1.47
- Q3
- 1.47
- Median
- 0.58
- Q1
- 0.16
- Min
- 0.01
With a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 12.48, CL operates with exceptionally high leverage compared to the Household Products industry norm. This suggests an aggressive reliance on debt financing, which can magnify returns but also significantly elevates financial risk.
MKC
0.80
Food Products Industry
- Max
- 1.92
- Q3
- 0.92
- Median
- 0.51
- Q1
- 0.25
- Min
- 0.00
MKC’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.80 is typical for the Food Products industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
CL
20.49
Household Products Industry
- Max
- 83.52
- Q3
- 68.49
- Median
- 17.04
- Q1
- 9.99
- Min
- 5.60
CL’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 20.49 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Household Products industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
MKC
6.49
Food Products Industry
- Max
- 65.06
- Q3
- 29.45
- Median
- 9.43
- Q1
- 4.70
- Min
- -1.69
MKC’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 6.49 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Food Products industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | CL | MKC |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 0.89 | 0.68 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.57 | 0.22 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 12.48 | 0.80 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 20.49 | 6.49 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
CL
2.84%
Household Products Industry
- Max
- 6.79%
- Q3
- 3.95%
- Median
- 2.83%
- Q1
- 2.02%
- Min
- 1.34%
CL’s Dividend Yield of 2.84% is consistent with its peers in the Household Products industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
MKC
2.67%
Food Products Industry
- Max
- 8.09%
- Q3
- 4.48%
- Median
- 2.69%
- Q1
- 1.66%
- Min
- 0.00%
MKC’s Dividend Yield of 2.67% is consistent with its peers in the Food Products industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
CL
61.95%
Household Products Industry
- Max
- 187.99%
- Q3
- 110.64%
- Median
- 74.63%
- Q1
- 58.31%
- Min
- 30.76%
CL’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 61.95% is within the typical range for the Household Products industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
MKC
60.21%
Food Products Industry
- Max
- 216.00%
- Q3
- 112.15%
- Median
- 72.83%
- Q1
- 41.56%
- Min
- 0.00%
MKC’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 60.21% is within the typical range for the Food Products industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | CL | MKC |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 2.84% | 2.67% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 61.95% | 60.21% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
CL
21.79
Household Products Industry
- Max
- 30.25
- Q3
- 22.11
- Median
- 20.35
- Q1
- 15.19
- Min
- 13.52
CL’s P/E Ratio of 21.79 is within the middle range for the Household Products industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
MKC
22.52
Food Products Industry
- Max
- 41.70
- Q3
- 24.61
- Median
- 17.81
- Q1
- 12.59
- Min
- 3.07
MKC’s P/E Ratio of 22.52 is within the middle range for the Food Products industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
CL
3.17
Household Products Industry
- Max
- 4.23
- Q3
- 2.58
- Median
- 1.98
- Q1
- 1.29
- Min
- 1.03
CL’s P/S Ratio of 3.17 is in the upper echelon for the Household Products industry. This means the company is valued richly on its revenue stream compared to its peers, suggesting the stock is priced for a high level of future performance.
MKC
2.59
Food Products Industry
- Max
- 3.33
- Q3
- 1.74
- Median
- 1.10
- Q1
- 0.66
- Min
- 0.11
MKC’s P/S Ratio of 2.59 is in the upper echelon for the Food Products industry. This means the company is valued richly on its revenue stream compared to its peers, suggesting the stock is priced for a high level of future performance.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
CL
104.94
Household Products Industry
- Max
- 46.10
- Q3
- 21.55
- Median
- 5.33
- Q1
- 2.16
- Min
- 1.41
At 104.94, CL’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Household Products industry. This signifies that the market’s valuation is heavily reliant on future potential rather than its current net asset value, which can be a high-risk proposition.
MKC
3.52
Food Products Industry
- Max
- 5.01
- Q3
- 2.98
- Median
- 1.93
- Q1
- 1.28
- Min
- 0.47
MKC’s P/B Ratio of 3.52 is in the upper tier for the Food Products industry. This indicates that investors are paying a premium relative to the company’s net assets, a valuation that hinges on its ability to generate superior profits.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | CL | MKC |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 21.79 | 22.52 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 3.17 | 2.59 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 104.94 | 3.52 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 18.81 | 26.91 |