KMB vs. KO: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at KMB and KO, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | KMB | KO |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Kimberly-Clark Corporation | The Coca-Cola Company |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Consumer Staples | Consumer Staples |
| GICS Industry | Household Products | Beverages |
| Market Capitalization | 34.73 billion USD | 305.65 billion USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqGS | NYSE |
| Listing Date | March 17, 1980 | January 2, 1962 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of KMB and KO 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 | KMB | KO |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 0.90% | 0.91% |
| 13-Week Price Return | -21.76% | 1.77% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -22.39% | 3.19% |
| 52-Week Price Return | -21.31% | 12.95% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -13.11% | 3.28% |
| Year-to-Date Return | -20.62% | 14.29% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 11.35M | 15.45M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 3.44M | 15.64M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 33.58% | 16.03% |
| Beta | 0.29 | 0.39 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
KMB
173.33%
Household Products Industry
- Max
- 173.33%
- Q3
- 128.99%
- Median
- 18.47%
- Q1
- 9.92%
- Min
- -6.34%
In the upper quartile for the Household Products industry, KMB’s Return on Equity of 173.33% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
KO
47.01%
Beverages Industry
- Max
- 47.01%
- Q3
- 22.97%
- Median
- 10.24%
- Q1
- 6.33%
- Min
- -16.74%
In the upper quartile for the Beverages industry, KO’s Return on Equity of 47.01% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
KMB
10.89%
Household Products Industry
- Max
- 14.68%
- Q3
- 12.48%
- Median
- 9.30%
- Q1
- 8.70%
- Min
- 5.05%
KMB’s Net Profit Margin of 10.89% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Household Products industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
KO
27.34%
Beverages Industry
- Max
- 21.65%
- Q3
- 12.41%
- Median
- 8.66%
- Q1
- 5.10%
- Min
- -5.72%
KO’s Net Profit Margin of 27.34% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Beverages industry. This demonstrates outstanding operational efficiency and a strong competitive advantage in converting revenue into profit.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
KMB
13.98%
Household Products Industry
- Max
- 21.46%
- Q3
- 16.57%
- Median
- 14.01%
- Q1
- 12.86%
- Min
- 12.78%
KMB’s Operating Profit Margin of 13.98% is around the midpoint for the Household Products industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
KO
31.42%
Beverages Industry
- Max
- 31.42%
- Q3
- 20.65%
- Median
- 13.47%
- Q1
- 9.66%
- Min
- 2.33%
An Operating Profit Margin of 31.42% places KO in the upper quartile for the Beverages 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 | KMB | KO |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 173.33% | 47.01% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 11.84% | 12.63% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 10.89% | 27.34% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 13.98% | 31.42% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 36.47% | 61.63% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
KMB
0.77
Household Products Industry
- Max
- 2.79
- Q3
- 1.98
- Median
- 1.21
- Q1
- 0.76
- Min
- 0.50
KMB’s Current Ratio of 0.77 aligns with the median group of the Household Products industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
KO
1.21
Beverages Industry
- Max
- 3.43
- Q3
- 1.91
- Median
- 1.22
- Q1
- 0.83
- Min
- 0.55
KO’s Current Ratio of 1.21 aligns with the median group of the Beverages industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
KMB
5.51
Household Products Industry
- Max
- 1.47
- Q3
- 1.47
- Median
- 0.49
- Q1
- 0.16
- Min
- 0.01
With a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 5.51, KMB 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.
KO
1.52
Beverages Industry
- Max
- 2.14
- Q3
- 1.09
- Median
- 0.73
- Q1
- 0.35
- Min
- 0.00
KO’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Beverages industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.52. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
KMB
14.18
Household Products Industry
- Max
- 83.52
- Q3
- 68.49
- Median
- 17.34
- Q1
- 9.99
- Min
- 5.60
KMB’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 14.18 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Household Products industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
KO
67.13
Beverages Industry
- Max
- 78.96
- Q3
- 42.68
- Median
- 10.96
- Q1
- 3.86
- Min
- 0.81
KO’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 67.13 is in the upper quartile for the Beverages industry, signifying a strong and healthy capacity to meet its interest payments from operating profits.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | KMB | KO |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 0.77 | 1.21 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.56 | 0.88 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 5.51 | 1.52 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 14.18 | 67.13 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
KMB
4.74%
Household Products Industry
- Max
- 5.56%
- Q3
- 3.53%
- Median
- 3.05%
- Q1
- 2.11%
- Min
- 1.42%
With a Dividend Yield of 4.74%, KMB offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the Household Products industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.
KO
2.77%
Beverages Industry
- Max
- 7.61%
- Q3
- 4.81%
- Median
- 3.32%
- Q1
- 2.18%
- Min
- 0.00%
KO’s Dividend Yield of 2.77% is consistent with its peers in the Beverages industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
KMB
83.80%
Household Products Industry
- Max
- 189.95%
- Q3
- 111.93%
- Median
- 74.93%
- Q1
- 56.30%
- Min
- 30.76%
KMB’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 83.80% is within the typical range for the Household Products industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
KO
65.04%
Beverages Industry
- Max
- 193.57%
- Q3
- 102.38%
- Median
- 72.98%
- Q1
- 39.04%
- Min
- 0.00%
KO’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 65.04% is within the typical range for the Beverages industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | KMB | KO |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 4.74% | 2.77% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 83.80% | 65.04% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
KMB
17.68
Household Products Industry
- Max
- 31.74
- Q3
- 25.68
- Median
- 20.54
- Q1
- 14.94
- Min
- 14.20
KMB’s P/E Ratio of 17.68 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.
KO
23.49
Beverages Industry
- Max
- 36.07
- Q3
- 23.27
- Median
- 18.39
- Q1
- 14.57
- Min
- 6.38
A P/E Ratio of 23.49 places KO in the upper quartile for the Beverages industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
KMB
1.93
Household Products Industry
- Max
- 4.24
- Q3
- 2.79
- Median
- 1.94
- Q1
- 1.34
- Min
- 1.04
KMB’s P/S Ratio of 1.93 aligns with the market consensus for the Household Products industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
KO
6.42
Beverages Industry
- Max
- 4.25
- Q3
- 2.29
- Median
- 1.56
- Q1
- 0.91
- Min
- 0.38
With a P/S Ratio of 6.42, KO trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Beverages industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
KMB
30.97
Household Products Industry
- Max
- 46.10
- Q3
- 20.24
- Median
- 5.19
- Q1
- 2.28
- Min
- 1.41
KMB’s P/B Ratio of 30.97 is in the upper tier for the Household 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.
KO
9.04
Beverages Industry
- Max
- 7.45
- Q3
- 4.03
- Median
- 2.20
- Q1
- 1.39
- Min
- 0.83
At 9.04, KO’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Beverages 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.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | KMB | KO |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 17.68 | 23.49 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 1.93 | 6.42 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 30.97 | 9.04 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 20.82 | 27.62 |