British American Tobacco p.l.c. (BTI) vs Colgate-Palmolive Company (CL)
A side-by-side comparison of British American Tobacco p.l.c. and Colgate-Palmolive Company across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of August 21, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
BTI
British American Tobacco p.l.c.
$56.21Consumer DefensiveDelayed quote: Aug 21, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
CL
Colgate-Palmolive Company
$91.08Consumer DefensiveDelayed quote: Aug 21, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
Total return — BTI vs CL
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10yBTI +72.3% (+5.6%/yr)CL +52.5% (+4.3%/yr)BTI compounded faster over this window
BTI CL
BTI vs CL: by the numbers
- •BTI is the larger company ($121.24B vs $72.88B market cap).
- •BTI trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (9.59 vs 35.54 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •BTI converts more revenue to profit (20.62% vs 9.68% net margin).
- •CL grew revenue faster over the past five years (4.26% vs -3.08% CAGR).
- •BTI pays the higher dividend yield (5.76% vs 2.34%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | BTI | CL |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 9.59 | 35.54 |
| Forward P/E | 15.57 | 23.19 |
| P/S ratio | 1.80 | 3.43 |
| P/B ratio | 1.91 | 306.28 |
| EV / EBITDA | 6.77 | 15.79 |
| FCF yield | 15.70% | 5.34% |
Profitability
| Metric | BTI | CL |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 83.50% | 60.42% |
| Operating margin | 39.04% | 20.65% |
| Net margin | 20.62% | 9.68% |
| ROE | 6.94% | 863.14% |
| ROIC | 8.04% | 29.91% |
Dividends
| Metric | BTI | CL |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 5.76% | 2.34% |
| Payout ratio | 68.53% | 79.55% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | BTI | CL |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | -3.08% | 4.26% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 4.31% | -3.47% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | -9.26% | 7.70% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 17.25% | 5.09% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, BTI or CL?
- BTI has the lower trailing P/E: BTI trades at 9.59 and CL at 35.54. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, BTI or CL?
- Over the past five years, CL grew revenue faster — BTI at a -3.08% CAGR versus CL at 4.26%.
- Does BTI or CL pay a bigger dividend?
- BTI yields 5.76% and CL yields 2.34% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is BTI or CL more profitable?
- BTI runs the higher net margin — BTI at 20.62% versus CL at 9.68%.
- How have BTI and CL total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, BTI delivered 5.54% and CL delivered 4.31% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
British American Tobacco p.l.c. P/E ratioColgate-Palmolive P/E ratioBritish American Tobacco p.l.c. dividend yieldColgate-Palmolive dividend yieldBritish American Tobacco p.l.c. ROEColgate-Palmolive ROEBritish American Tobacco p.l.c. operating marginColgate-Palmolive operating marginBritish American Tobacco p.l.c. revenue growthColgate-Palmolive revenue growthBritish American Tobacco p.l.c. free cash flowColgate-Palmolive free cash flow
British American Tobacco p.l.c. & 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 August 21, 2026.