CL
Colgate-Palmolive Company
Household & Personal Products
Market Cap$69.26B
5Y Perf.+19.4%
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Stock Comparison
CL vs PG
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
PG
The Procter & Gamble Company
Household & Personal Products
Market Cap$338.64B
5Y Perf.+25.0%
CL vs PG — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | CL | PG |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Household & Personal Products | Household & Personal Products |
| Market Cap | $69.26B | $338.64B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $20.38B | $86.72B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $2.13B | $12.72B |
| Gross Margin | 60.1% | 50.3% |
| Operating Margin | 21.3% | 23.2% |
| Forward P/E | 22.6x | 21.0x |
| Total Debt | $7.99B | $35.46B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $1.29B | $9.56B |
CL vs PG — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
CL
PG
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colgate-Palmolive C… (CL) | 100 | 119.4 | +19.4% |
| The Procter & Gambl… (PG) | 100 | 125.0 | +25.0% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: CL vs PG
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: PG leads in 4 of 7 categories, making it the strongest pick for valuation and capital efficiency and profitability and margin quality. Colgate-Palmolive Company is the stronger pick specifically for growth and revenue expansion and recent price momentum and sentiment. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
CL
Colgate-Palmolive Company
The Growth Play
CL is the clearest fit if your priority is growth exposure and sleep-well-at-night.
- Rev growth 1.4%, EPS growth -25.1%, 3Y rev CAGR 4.3%
- Lower volatility, beta -0.00, current ratio 1.00x
- Beta -0.00, yield 2.6%, current ratio 1.00x
Best for: growth exposure and sleep-well-at-night
PG
The Procter & Gamble Company
The Income Pick
PG carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and long-term compounding.
- Dividend streak 36 yrs, beta 0.10, yield 2.8%
- 120.1% 10Y total return vs CL's 46.2%
- Lower P/E (21.0x vs 22.6x)
Best for: income & stability and long-term compounding
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | CL | 1.4% revenue growth vs PG's 0.3% |
| Value | PG | Lower P/E (21.0x vs 22.6x) |
| Quality / Margins | PG | 14.7% margin vs CL's 10.5% |
| Stability / Safety | PG | Lower D/E ratio (67.8% vs 21.9%) |
| Dividends | PG | 2.8% yield, 36-year raise streak, vs CL's 2.6% |
| Momentum (1Y) | CL | -2.6% vs PG's -6.1% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | CL | 12.5% ROA vs PG's 10.0%, ROIC 43.4% vs 20.1% |
CL vs PG — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
FY 2025
FY 2025
CL vs PG — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLCLLAGGINGPG
PGThe Procter & Gamble …
2leads
CLColgate-Palmolive Com…
3leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs PGMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
PG4/6
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
Tied
—
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
CL7/9
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
CL4/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
CL2/2
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
PG2/2
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
PG leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
PG is the larger business by revenue, generating $86.7B annually — 4.3x CL's $20.4B. Profitability is closely matched — net margins range from 14.7% (PG) to 10.5% (CL).
| Metric | CLColgate-Palmolive… | PGThe Procter & Gam… |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $20.4B | $86.7B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $3.9B | $21.9B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $2.1B | $12.7B |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $3.6B | $15.0B |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +60.1% | +50.3% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +21.3% | +23.2% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +10.5% | +14.7% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +17.8% | +17.3% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +5.8% | +7.4% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -105.1% | +5.8% |
PG leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
Evenly matched — CL and PG each lead in 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 22.3x trailing earnings, PG trades at a 32% valuation discount to CL's 32.8x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, CL's 15.3x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than PG's 15.6x.
| Metric | CLColgate-Palmolive… | PGThe Procter & Gam… |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $69.3B | $338.6B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $76.0B | $364.5B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 32.83x | 22.26x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 22.61x | 20.97x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | 3.98x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 15.26x | 15.65x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 3.40x | 4.02x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 191.84x | 6.80x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 19.06x | 24.11x |
Evenly matched — CL and PG each lead in 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
CL leads this category, winning 7 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
CL delivers a 2.5% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $3 in annual profit, vs $24 for PG. PG carries lower financial leverage with a 0.68x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to CL's 21.88x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), CL scores 6/9 vs PG's 5/9, reflecting solid financial health.
| Metric | CLColgate-Palmolive… | PGThe Procter & Gam… |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +2.5% | +23.8% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +12.5% | +10.0% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +43.4% | +20.1% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +41.6% | +23.0% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 6 | 5 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 21.88x | 0.68x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $6.7B | $25.9B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $1.3B | $9.6B |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $8.0B | $35.5B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 12.37x | 487.21x |
CL leads this category, winning 7 of 9 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
CL leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in PG five years ago would be worth $12,310 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $11,816 for CL. Over the past 12 months, CL leads with a -2.6% total return vs PG's -6.1%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors CL at 4.7% vs PG's 0.2% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | CLColgate-Palmolive… | PGThe Procter & Gam… |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +12.5% | +3.7% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | -2.6% | -6.1% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +14.6% | +0.7% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +18.2% | +23.1% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +46.2% | +120.1% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +4.7% | +0.2% |
CL leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
CL leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
CL is the less volatile stock with a -0.00 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than PG's 0.10 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500.
| Metric | CLColgate-Palmolive… | PGThe Procter & Gam… |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | -0.00x | 0.10x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $99.33 | $170.99 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $74.55 | $137.62 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +86.9% | +84.8% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 50.1 | 43.4 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 5.6M | 7.3M |
CL leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
PG leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates CL as "Hold" and PG as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 11.7% upside for PG (target: $162) vs 8.5% for CL (target: $94). For income investors, PG offers the higher dividend yield at 2.78% vs CL's 2.60%.
| Metric | CLColgate-Palmolive… | PGThe Procter & Gam… |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Hold | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $93.70 | $161.88 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 45 | 52 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +2.6% | +2.8% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 5 | 36 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $2.25 | $4.02 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +1.7% | +1.9% |
PG leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Key Takeaway
CL leads in 3 of 6 categories (Profitability & Efficiency, Total Returns). PG leads in 2 (Income & Cash Flow, Analyst Outlook). 1 tied.
Best OverallColgate-Palmolive Company (CL)Leads 3 of 6 categories
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CL vs PG: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is CL or PG a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Colgate-Palmolive Company (CL) is the stronger pick with 1.
4% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 0. 3% for The Procter & Gamble Company (PG). The Procter & Gamble Company (PG) offers the better valuation at 22. 3x trailing P/E (21. 0x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate The Procter & Gamble Company (PG) a "Buy" — based on 52 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.
02Which has the better valuation — CL or PG?
On trailing P/E, The Procter & Gamble Company (PG) is the cheapest at 22.
3x versus Colgate-Palmolive Company at 32. 8x. On forward P/E, The Procter & Gamble Company is actually cheaper at 21. 0x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — CL or PG?
Over the past 5 years, The Procter & Gamble Company (PG) delivered a total return of +23.
1%, compared to +18. 2% for Colgate-Palmolive Company (CL). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: PG returned +120. 1% versus CL's +46. 2%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
04Which is safer — CL or PG?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Colgate-Palmolive Company (CL) is the lower-risk stock at -0.
00β versus The Procter & Gamble Company's 0. 10β — meaning PG is approximately -2455% more volatile than CL relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, The Procter & Gamble Company (PG) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 68% versus 22% for Colgate-Palmolive Company — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — CL or PG?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Colgate-Palmolive Company (CL) is pulling ahead at 1.
4% versus 0. 3% for The Procter & Gamble Company (PG). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: The Procter & Gamble Company grew EPS 8. 1% year-over-year, compared to -25. 1% for Colgate-Palmolive Company. Over a 3-year CAGR, CL leads at 4. 3% annualised revenue growth. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.
06Which has better profit margins — CL or PG?
The Procter & Gamble Company (PG) is the more profitable company, earning 19.
0% net margin versus 10. 5% for Colgate-Palmolive Company — meaning it keeps 19. 0% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: PG leads at 24. 3% versus 21. 3% for CL. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — CL leads at 60. 1%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.
07Is CL or PG more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, The Procter & Gamble Company (PG) trades at 21.
0x forward P/E versus 22. 6x for Colgate-Palmolive Company — 1. 6x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for PG: 11. 7% to $161. 88.
08Which pays a better dividend — CL or PG?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
The Procter & Gamble Company (PG) offers the highest yield at 2. 8%, versus 2. 6% for Colgate-Palmolive Company (CL).
09Is CL or PG better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Colgate-Palmolive Company (CL) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β -0.
00), 2. 6% yield). Both have compounded well over 10 years (CL: +46. 2%, PG: +120. 1%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.
10What are the main differences between CL and PG?
Both stocks operate in the Consumer Defensive sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.
These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.
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Revenue Growth>
%
(CL: 5.8% · PG: 7.4%)Net Margin>
%
(CL: 10.5% · PG: 14.7%)P/E Ratio<
x
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