Archer-Daniels-Midland Company (ADM) vs Colgate-Palmolive Company (CL)
ADM leads on 8 of 15 compared metrics.
A side-by-side comparison of Archer-Daniels-Midland Company and Colgate-Palmolive Company across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of July 9, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).
ADM
Archer-Daniels-Midland Company
$78.98Consumer Defensive
CL
Colgate-Palmolive Company
$91.01Consumer Defensive
Total return — ADM vs CL
growth of $100 · last 30yADM +481.8%CL +800.7%CL compounded faster
ADM CL
ADM vs CL: by the numbers
- •CL is the larger company ($72.83B vs $38.06B market cap).
- •ADM trades at the lower earnings multiple (36.00 vs 36.15 P/E).
- •CL converts more revenue to profit (10.04% vs 1.34% net margin).
- •CL grew revenue faster over the past five years (4.46% vs 3.38% CAGR).
- •ADM pays the higher dividend yield (2.59% vs 2.28%).
Which is better, ADM or CL?
Metric tally: ADM 8 · CL 7It depends on what you're optimizing for:
GrowthCL(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeADM(higher dividend yield)
QualityCL(higher ROIC)
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | ADM | CL |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 36.00 | 36.15 |
| Forward P/E | 17.26● | 24.45 |
| P/S ratio | 0.48● | 3.60 |
| P/B ratio | 1.70● | 516.60 |
| EV / EBITDA | 14.98● | 16.15 |
| FCF yield | 12.33%● | 5.03% |
Profitability
| Metric | ADM | CL |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 5.83% | 60.06%● |
| Operating margin | 1.52% | 21.21%● |
| Net margin | 1.34% | 10.04%● |
| ROE | 4.74% | 1439.31%● |
| ROIC | 3.51% | 30.34%● |
Dividends
| Metric | ADM | CL |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 2.59%● | 2.28% |
| Payout ratio | 93.27% | 80.30% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | ADM | CL |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 3.38% | 4.46%● |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | -6.73% | -3.47%● |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 18.75%● | 3.88% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 9.36%● | 4.93% |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, ADM or CL?
- It depends on your goal. growth: CL (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: ADM (higher dividend yield); quality: CL (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, ADM leads 8 to 7.
- Is ADM or CL cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, ADM is cheaper: ADM trades at a 36.00 P/E and CL at 36.15.
- Which has grown faster, ADM or CL?
- Over the past five years, CL grew revenue faster — ADM at a 3.38% CAGR versus CL at 4.46%.
- Does ADM or CL pay a bigger dividend?
- ADM yields 2.59% and CL yields 2.28% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is ADM or CL more profitable?
- CL runs the higher net margin — ADM at 1.34% versus CL at 10.04%.
- Which has been the better investment, ADM or CL?
- Over the past 10-year, ADM delivered the higher annualized total return — ADM at 9.52% versus CL at 4.72%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Archer-Daniels-Midland P/E ratioColgate-Palmolive P/E ratioArcher-Daniels-Midland dividend yieldColgate-Palmolive dividend yieldArcher-Daniels-Midland ROEColgate-Palmolive ROEArcher-Daniels-Midland operating marginColgate-Palmolive operating marginArcher-Daniels-Midland revenue growthColgate-Palmolive revenue growthArcher-Daniels-Midland free cash flowColgate-Palmolive free cash flow
Archer-Daniels-Midland & Colgate-Palmolive appear in these rankings
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 July 9, 2026.