COLM
Columbia Sportswear Company
Apparel - Manufacturers
Market Cap$3.30B
5Y Perf.-13.7%
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Stock Comparison
COLM vs WWW
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
WWW
Wolverine World Wide, Inc.
Apparel - Footwear & Accessories
Market Cap$1.37B
5Y Perf.-20.2%
COLM vs WWW — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | COLM | WWW |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Apparel - Manufacturers | Apparel - Footwear & Accessories |
| Market Cap | $3.30B | $1.37B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $3.40B | $1.87B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $169M | $95M |
| Gross Margin | 50.3% | 47.2% |
| Operating Margin | 6.1% | 7.9% |
| Forward P/E | 16.4x | 12.6x |
| Total Debt | $867M | $652M |
| Cash & Equiv. | $442M | $206M |
COLM vs WWW — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
COLM
WWW
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia Sportswear… (COLM) | 100 | 86.3 | -13.7% |
| Wolverine World Wid… (WWW) | 100 | 79.8 | -20.2% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: COLM vs WWW
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: WWW leads in 5 of 7 categories, making it the strongest pick for growth and revenue expansion and valuation and capital efficiency. Columbia Sportswear Company is the stronger pick specifically for capital preservation and lower volatility and operational efficiency and capital deployment. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
COLM
Columbia Sportswear Company
The Income Pick
COLM is the clearest fit if your priority is income & stability and long-term compounding.
- Dividend streak 1 yrs, beta 1.28, yield 1.9%
- 25.4% 10Y total return vs WWW's 5.6%
- Lower volatility, beta 1.28, Low D/E 50.7%, current ratio 2.59x
Best for: income & stability and long-term compounding
WWW
Wolverine World Wide, Inc.
The Growth Play
WWW carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for growth exposure.
- Rev growth 6.8%, EPS growth 159.5%, 3Y rev CAGR -11.3%
- 6.8% revenue growth vs COLM's 0.8%
- Lower P/E (12.6x vs 16.4x)
Best for: growth exposure
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | WWW | 6.8% revenue growth vs COLM's 0.8% |
| Value | WWW | Lower P/E (12.6x vs 16.4x) |
| Quality / Margins | WWW | 5.1% margin vs COLM's 5.0% |
| Stability / Safety | COLM | Beta 1.28 vs WWW's 1.68, lower leverage |
| Dividends | WWW | 2.4% yield, 1-year raise streak, vs COLM's 1.9% |
| Momentum (1Y) | WWW | +4.8% vs COLM's -4.5% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | COLM | 6.1% ROA vs WWW's 5.5%, ROIC 8.0% vs 11.6% |
COLM vs WWW — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
FY 2025
FY 2024
COLM vs WWW — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLWWWLAGGINGCOLM
COLMColumbia Sportswear C…
1leads
WWWWolverine World Wide,…
4leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs COLMMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
WWW5/6
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
WWW5/6
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
WWW5/8
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
Tied
—
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
COLM2/2
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
WWW1/1
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
WWW leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
COLM is the larger business by revenue, generating $3.4B annually — 1.8x WWW's $1.9B. Profitability is closely matched — net margins range from 5.1% (WWW) to 5.0% (COLM). On growth, WWW holds the edge at +4.6% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | COLMColumbia Sportswe… | WWWWolverine World W… |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $3.4B | $1.9B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $251M | $163M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $169M | $95M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $174M | $126M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +50.3% | +47.2% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +6.1% | +7.9% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +5.0% | +5.1% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +5.1% | +6.7% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +0.0% | +4.6% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -13.3% | +102.0% |
WWW leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
WWW leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 0.2x trailing earnings, WWW trades at a 99% valuation discount to COLM's 19.5x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, WWW's 12.1x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than COLM's 14.3x.
| Metric | COLMColumbia Sportswe… | WWWWolverine World W… |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $3.3B | $1.4B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $3.7B | $1.8B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 19.46x | 0.18x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 16.39x | 12.56x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | 1.31x | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 14.28x | 12.08x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 0.97x | 0.73x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 2.02x | 2.54x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 15.23x | 10.91x |
WWW leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
WWW leads this category, winning 5 of 8 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
WWW delivers a 17.7% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $18 in annual profit, vs $10 for COLM. COLM carries lower financial leverage with a 0.51x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to WWW's 1.22x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), WWW scores 8/9 vs COLM's 6/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | COLMColumbia Sportswe… | WWWWolverine World W… |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +10.3% | +17.7% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +6.1% | +5.5% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +8.0% | +11.6% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +9.3% | +12.9% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 6 | 8 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.51x | 1.22x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $425M | $446M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $442M | $206M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $867M | $652M |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | — | 3.19x |
WWW leads this category, winning 5 of 8 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
Evenly matched — COLM and WWW each lead in 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in COLM five years ago would be worth $6,479 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $4,334 for WWW. Over the past 12 months, WWW leads with a +4.8% total return vs COLM's -4.5%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors WWW at 4.7% vs COLM's -6.7% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | COLMColumbia Sportswe… | WWWWolverine World W… |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +13.0% | -7.2% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | -4.5% | +4.8% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -18.7% | +14.7% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -35.2% | -56.7% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +25.4% | +5.6% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | -6.7% | +4.7% |
Evenly matched — COLM and WWW each lead in 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
COLM leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
COLM is the less volatile stock with a 1.28 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than WWW's 1.68 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. COLM currently trades 87.9% from its 52-week high vs WWW's 50.9% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | COLMColumbia Sportswe… | WWWWolverine World W… |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 1.28x | 1.68x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $71.68 | $32.80 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $47.47 | $13.47 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +87.9% | +50.9% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 60.7 | 48.2 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 595K | 985K |
COLM leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
WWW leads this category, winning 1 of 1 comparable metric.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates COLM as "Hold" and WWW as "Hold". Consensus price targets imply 21.7% upside for WWW (target: $20) vs 0.5% for COLM (target: $63). For income investors, WWW offers the higher dividend yield at 2.44% vs COLM's 1.90%.
| Metric | COLMColumbia Sportswe… | WWWWolverine World W… |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Hold | Hold |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $63.33 | $20.33 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 28 | 38 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +1.9% | +2.4% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 1 | 1 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $1.20 | $0.41 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +6.1% | +1.1% |
WWW leads this category, winning 1 of 1 comparable metric.
Key Takeaway
WWW leads in 4 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Valuation Metrics). COLM leads in 1 (Risk & Volatility). 1 tied.
Best OverallWolverine World Wide, Inc. (WWW)Leads 4 of 6 categories
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COLM vs WWW: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is COLM or WWW a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Wolverine World Wide, Inc.
(WWW) is the stronger pick with 6. 8% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 0. 8% for Columbia Sportswear Company (COLM). Wolverine World Wide, Inc. (WWW) offers the better valuation at 0. 2x trailing P/E (12. 6x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Columbia Sportswear Company (COLM) a "Hold" — based on 28 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 — COLM or WWW?
On trailing P/E, Wolverine World Wide, Inc.
(WWW) is the cheapest at 0. 2x versus Columbia Sportswear Company at 19. 5x. On forward P/E, Wolverine World Wide, Inc. is actually cheaper at 12. 6x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — COLM or WWW?
Over the past 5 years, Columbia Sportswear Company (COLM) delivered a total return of -35.
2%, compared to -56. 7% for Wolverine World Wide, Inc. (WWW). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: COLM returned +25. 4% versus WWW's +5. 6%. 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 — COLM or WWW?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Columbia Sportswear Company (COLM) is the lower-risk stock at 1.
28β versus Wolverine World Wide, Inc. 's 1. 68β — meaning WWW is approximately 31% more volatile than COLM relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Columbia Sportswear Company (COLM) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 51% versus 122% for Wolverine World Wide, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — COLM or WWW?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Wolverine World Wide, Inc.
(WWW) is pulling ahead at 6. 8% versus 0. 8% for Columbia Sportswear Company (COLM). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Wolverine World Wide, Inc. grew EPS 159. 5% year-over-year, compared to -15. 2% for Columbia Sportswear Company. Over a 3-year CAGR, COLM leads at -0. 7% 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 — COLM or WWW?
Columbia Sportswear Company (COLM) is the more profitable company, earning 5.
2% net margin versus 5. 1% for Wolverine World Wide, Inc. — meaning it keeps 5. 2% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: WWW leads at 8. 0% versus 6. 0% for COLM. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — COLM leads at 50. 2%, 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 COLM or WWW more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Wolverine World Wide, Inc.
(WWW) trades at 12. 6x forward P/E versus 16. 4x for Columbia Sportswear Company — 3. 8x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for WWW: 21. 7% to $20. 33.
08Which pays a better dividend — COLM or WWW?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
Wolverine World Wide, Inc. (WWW) offers the highest yield at 2. 4%, versus 1. 9% for Columbia Sportswear Company (COLM).
09Is COLM or WWW better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Columbia Sportswear Company (COLM) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 1.
28), 1. 9% yield). Wolverine World Wide, Inc. (WWW) carries a higher beta of 1. 68 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (COLM: +25. 4%, WWW: +5. 6%), 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 COLM and WWW?
Both stocks operate in the Consumer Cyclical sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.
In terms of investment character: COLM is a small-cap quality compounder stock; WWW is a small-cap deep-value stock. 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>
%
(COLM: 0.0% · WWW: 4.6%)Net Margin>
%
(COLM: 5.0% · WWW: 5.1%)P/E Ratio<
x
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