Household & Personal Products
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PG vs CL
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Household & Personal Products
PG vs CL — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Household & Personal Products | Household & Personal Products |
| Market Cap | $338.64B | $69.26B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $86.72B | $20.38B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $12.72B | $2.13B |
| Gross Margin | 50.3% | 60.1% |
| Operating Margin | 23.2% | 21.3% |
| Forward P/E | 21.0x | 22.6x |
| Total Debt | $35.46B | $7.99B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $9.56B | $1.29B |
PG vs CL — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Procter & Gambl… (PG) | 100 | 125.0 | +25.0% |
| Colgate-Palmolive C… (CL) | 100 | 119.4 | +19.4% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: PG vs CL
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
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 volatility, beta 0.10, Low D/E 67.8%, current ratio 0.70x
CL is the clearest fit if your priority is growth exposure.
- Rev growth 1.4%, EPS growth -25.1%, 3Y rev CAGR 4.3%
- 1.4% revenue growth vs PG's 0.3%
- -2.6% vs PG's -6.1%
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | 1.4% revenue growth vs PG's 0.3% | |
| Value | Lower P/E (21.0x vs 22.6x) | |
| Quality / Margins | 14.7% margin vs CL's 10.5% | |
| Stability / Safety | Lower D/E ratio (67.8% vs 21.9%) | |
| Dividends | 2.8% yield, 36-year raise streak, vs CL's 2.6% | |
| Momentum (1Y) | -2.6% vs PG's -6.1% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | 12.5% ROA vs PG's 10.0%, ROIC 43.4% vs 20.1% |
PG vs CL — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
PG vs CL — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
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 | ||
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $86.7B | $20.4B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $21.9B | $3.9B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $12.7B | $2.1B |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $15.0B | $3.6B |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +50.3% | +60.1% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +23.2% | +21.3% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +14.7% | +10.5% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +17.3% | +17.8% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +7.4% | +5.8% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +5.8% | -105.1% |
Valuation Metrics
Evenly matched — PG and CL 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 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $338.6B | $69.3B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $364.5B | $76.0B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 22.26x | 32.83x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 20.97x | 22.61x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | 3.98x | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 15.65x | 15.26x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 4.02x | 3.40x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 6.80x | 191.84x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 24.11x | 19.06x |
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 | ||
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +23.8% | +2.5% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +10.0% | +12.5% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +20.1% | +43.4% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +23.0% | +41.6% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 5 | 6 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.68x | 21.88x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $25.9B | $6.7B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $9.6B | $1.3B |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $35.5B | $8.0B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 487.21x | 12.37x |
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 | ||
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +3.7% | +12.5% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | -6.1% | -2.6% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +0.7% | +14.6% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +23.1% | +18.2% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +120.1% | +46.2% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +0.2% | +4.7% |
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 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.10x | -0.00x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $170.99 | $99.33 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $137.62 | $74.55 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +84.8% | +86.9% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 43.4 | 50.1 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 7.3M | 5.6M |
Analyst Outlook
PG leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates PG as "Buy" and CL as "Hold". 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 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Hold |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $161.88 | $93.70 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 52 | 45 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +2.8% | +2.6% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 36 | 5 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $4.02 | $2.25 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +1.9% | +1.7% |
CL leads in 3 of 6 categories (Profitability & Efficiency, Total Returns). PG leads in 2 (Income & Cash Flow, Analyst Outlook). 1 tied.
PG vs CL: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is PG or CL 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 — PG or CL?
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 — PG or CL?
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 — PG or CL?
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 — PG or CL?
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 — PG or CL?
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 PG or CL 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 — PG or CL?
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 PG or CL 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 PG and CL?
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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