CL vs. UL: Colgate-Palmolive vs. Unilever Stock Comparison
How do Colgate-Palmolive (CL) and Unilever (UL) 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 Unilever (UL) both fall under the Household & Personal Products industry group, but CL is classified in Household Products while UL is classified in Personal Care Products.
Colgate-Palmolive (CL) trades as ordinary local shares, while Unilever (UL) trades as an ADR — compare with FX exposure, depositary-program fees, and dividend-withholding-tax differences in mind.
| Profile Item | CL | UL |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Colgate-Palmolive Company | Unilever PLC Sponsored American Depositary Receipt |
| Country/Region | United States | United Kingdom |
| 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 | 129.46 billion USD |
| Currency | USD | USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | May 2, 1973 | March 25, 1980 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | ADR |
Price Performance
Cumulative Growth
Trailing Returns
Performance Metrics
| Metric | CL | UL |
|---|---|---|
| Total Return (1Y) | 3.41% | -9.68% |
Risk Profile
Drawdown History
Risk Metrics
| Metric | CL | UL |
|---|---|---|
| Volatility (1Y, Annualized) | 21.73% | 21.73% |
| Beta (5Y) | 0.33 | 0.41 |
| Avg. Volume (3M) | 5.52M | 4.57M |
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 Unilever (UL) at 30.96%, 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%
UL
Household & Personal Products industry group
30.96%
- Max
- 31.30%
- UL
- 30.96%
- Q3
- 30.96%
- Median
- 15.00%
- Q1
- 1.55%
- Min
- -13.94%
Net Margin (TTM)
Unilever (UL) at 18.75% retains a top-quartile share of revenue as profit, ahead of Colgate-Palmolive (CL) at 10.04%, which keeps about the industry-typical share.
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%
UL
Household & Personal Products industry group
18.75%
- Max
- 19.16%
- UL
- 18.75%
- Q3
- 11.34%
- Median
- 6.79%
- Q1
- 2.51%
- Min
- -9.20%
Operating Margin (TTM)
Both Colgate-Palmolive (CL) at 20.92% and Unilever (UL) at 20.05% 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%
UL
Household & Personal Products industry group
20.05%
- Max
- 23.17%
- UL
- 20.05%
- Q3
- 19.85%
- Median
- 12.60%
- Q1
- 7.57%
- Min
- -5.14%
Profitability Metrics
| Metric | CL | UL |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM) | 363.58% | 30.96% |
| ROA (TTM) | 16.10% | 8.43% |
| Net Margin (TTM) | 10.04% | 18.75% |
| Operating Margin (TTM) | 20.92% | 20.05% |
| Gross Margin (TTM) | 60.06% | 46.95% |
Growth
Revenue Growth
Revenue Growth Metrics
| Metric | CL | UL |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue Growth (YoY) | 1.40% | -3.77% |
| Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR) | 4.29% | -5.62% |
EPS Growth
EPS Growth Metrics
| Metric | CL | UL |
|---|---|---|
| EPS Growth (YoY) | -25.07% | 67.69% |
| EPS Growth (3Y CAGR) | 7.28% | 8.70% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
Colgate-Palmolive (CL) at 1.03 keeps current ratio within its industry’s typical mid-range, while Unilever (UL) at 0.79 runs in the tighter-liquidity quartile — a thinner cushion against current liabilities for UL.
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
UL
Household & Personal Products industry group
0.79
- Max
- 6.27
- Q3
- 3.17
- Median
- 2.05
- Q1
- 1.00
- UL
- 0.79
- Min
- 0.73
Debt / Equity (MRQ)
Unilever (UL) at 1.61 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
UL
Household & Personal Products industry group
1.61
- Max
- 2.33
- UL
- 1.61
- Q3
- 1.61
- Median
- 0.81
- Q1
- 0.40
- Min
- 0.02
Financial Strength Metrics
| Metric | CL | UL |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.03 | 0.79 |
| Debt / Equity (MRQ) | 16.41 | 1.61 |
| Net Debt / EBITDA | 1.33 | 2.14 |
Dividends
Dividend Yield (TTM)
Unilever (UL) at 3.23% delivers top-quartile income for its industry, while Colgate-Palmolive (CL) at 2.25% pays a more typical yield — both are credible income propositions, UL 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%
UL
Household & Personal Products industry group
3.23%
- Max
- 5.54%
- UL
- 3.23%
- Q3
- 2.88%
- Median
- 1.22%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
Both Colgate-Palmolive (CL) at 80.62% and Unilever (UL) at 78.60% 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%
UL
Household & Personal Products industry group
78.60%
- Max
- 98.51%
- UL
- 78.60%
- Q3
- 71.90%
- Median
- 37.08%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend Metrics
| Metric | CL | UL |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 2.25% | 3.23% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 80.62% | 78.60% |
Valuation
P/E Ratio (TTM)
Unilever (UL) at 20.38 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
UL
Household & Personal Products industry group
20.38
- Max
- 35.53
- Q3
- 25.75
- UL
- 20.38
- Median
- 20.10
- Q1
- 16.28
- Min
- 5.77
P/S Ratio (TTM)
Unilever (UL) at 2.56 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
UL
Household & Personal Products industry group
2.56
- Max
- 5.15
- Q3
- 3.13
- UL
- 2.56
- Median
- 1.71
- Q1
- 0.73
- Min
- 0.27
P/B Ratio (MRQ)
Both look rich against book: Unilever (UL) at 7.39 sits in the upper P/B ratio quartile, and Colgate-Palmolive (CL) at 506.52 prices even higher, above its industry range.
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
UL
Household & Personal Products industry group
7.39
- Max
- 12.20
- UL
- 7.39
- Q3
- 6.75
- Median
- 2.50
- Q1
- 1.26
- Min
- -3.08
Valuation Metrics
| Metric | CL | UL |
|---|---|---|
| P/E Ratio (TTM) | 35.53 | 20.38 |
| P/S Ratio (TTM) | 3.53 | 2.56 |
| P/B Ratio (MRQ) | 506.52 | 7.39 |
| Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM) | 4.52% | 4.85% |