Apple Inc. (AAPL) vs Colgate-Palmolive Company (CL)
AAPL leads on 8 of 15 compared metrics.
A side-by-side comparison of Apple Inc. and Colgate-Palmolive Company across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 14, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).
Total return — AAPL vs CL
growth of $100 · last 30yAAPL +136113.9%CL +777.0%AAPL compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
AAPL CL
AAPL vs CL: by the numbers
- •AAPL is the larger company ($4.28T vs $71.58B market cap).
- •CL trades at the lower earnings multiple (34.75 vs 35.20 P/E).
- •AAPL converts more revenue to profit (27.15% vs 10.04% net margin).
- •AAPL grew revenue faster over the past five years (6.76% vs 4.46% CAGR).
- •CL pays the higher dividend yield (2.34% vs 0.36%).
Which is better, AAPL or CL?
Metric tally: AAPL 8 · CL 7It depends on what you're optimizing for:
GrowthAAPL(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeCL(higher dividend yield)
QualityAAPL(higher ROIC)
Valuation
| Metric | AAPL | CL |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 35.20 | 34.75 |
| Forward P/E | 30.21 | 22.22● |
| P/S ratio | 9.52 | 3.46● |
| P/B ratio | 40.37● | 496.66 |
| PEG ratio | 1.51 | — |
| EV / EBITDA | 27.12 | 21.17● |
| FCF yield | 3.00% | 5.23%● |
Profitability
| Metric | AAPL | CL |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 47.86% | 60.06%● |
| Operating margin | 32.64%● | 21.21% |
| Net margin | 27.15%● | 10.04% |
| ROE | 115.10% | 1439.31%● |
| ROIC | 51.97%● | 30.34% |
Dividends
| Metric | AAPL | CL |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 0.36% | 2.34%● |
| Payout ratio | 14.02% | 79.17% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | AAPL | CL |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 6.76%● | 4.46% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 17.73%● | -3.47% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 7.38%● | 3.88% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 18.58%● | 3.78% |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, AAPL or CL?
- It depends on your goal. growth: AAPL (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: CL (higher dividend yield); quality: AAPL (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, AAPL leads 8 to 7.
- Is AAPL or CL cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, CL is cheaper: AAPL trades at a 35.20 P/E and CL at 34.75.
- Which has grown faster, AAPL or CL?
- Over the past five years, AAPL grew revenue faster — AAPL at a 6.76% CAGR versus CL at 4.46%.
- Does AAPL or CL pay a bigger dividend?
- AAPL yields 0.36% and CL yields 2.34% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is AAPL or CL more profitable?
- AAPL runs the higher net margin — AAPL at 27.15% versus CL at 10.04%.
- Which has been the better investment, AAPL or CL?
- Over the past 10-year, AAPL delivered the higher annualized total return — AAPL at 29.17% versus CL at 4.61%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Apple P/E ratioColgate-Palmolive P/E ratioApple dividend yieldColgate-Palmolive dividend yieldApple ROEColgate-Palmolive ROEApple operating marginColgate-Palmolive operating marginApple revenue growthColgate-Palmolive revenue growthApple free cash flowColgate-Palmolive free cash flow
Apple & Colgate-Palmolive appear in these rankings
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Figures are sourced from reported fundamentals and the latest end-of-day price. This comparison is informational only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not predict future results. See our methodology. Compiled by TGMCharts Research · data verified June 14, 2026.