On trailing earnings, DG is cheaper: CL trades at a 34.75 P/E and DG at 16.24.

Which has grown faster, CL or DG?

Over the past five years, DG grew revenue faster — CL at a 4.46% CAGR versus DG at 5.03%.

Does CL or DG pay a bigger dividend?

CL yields 2.34% and DG yields 2.06% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.

Is CL or DG more profitable?

CL runs the higher net margin — CL at 10.04% versus DG at 3.63%.

Which has been the better investment, CL or DG?

Over the past 10-year, CL delivered the higher annualized total return — CL at 4.61% versus DG at 3.68%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Colgate-Palmolive Company (CL) vs Dollar General Corporation (DG)

CL and DG are evenly matched — 8 metrics each of 16.

A side-by-side comparison of Colgate-Palmolive Company and Dollar General Corporation 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).

Colgate-Palmolive Company

$71.58B

$89.45Consumer Defensive

Dollar General Corporation

$25.32B

$114.80Consumer Defensive

Total return — CL vs DG

growth of $100 · last 17y

CL +119.5%DG +405.1%DG compounded faster

CL DG

CL vs DG: by the numbers

•CL is the larger company ($71.58B vs $25.32B market cap).
•DG trades at the lower earnings multiple (16.24 vs 34.75 P/E).
•CL converts more revenue to profit (10.04% vs 3.63% net margin).
•DG grew revenue faster over the past five years (5.03% vs 4.46% CAGR).
•CL pays the higher dividend yield (2.34% vs 2.06%).

Which is better, CL or DG?

Metric tally: CL 8 · DG 8

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueDG(lower P/E)

GrowthDG(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)

IncomeCL(higher dividend yield)

QualityCL(higher ROIC)

Valuation

Metric	CL	DG
P/E ratio	34.75	16.24●
Forward P/E	22.22	14.40●
P/S ratio	3.46	0.59●
P/B ratio	496.66	2.88●
PEG ratio	—	0.61
EV / EBITDA	21.17	12.01●
FCF yield	5.23%	11.38%●

Profitability

Metric	CL	DG
Gross margin	60.06%●	30.83%
Operating margin	21.21%●	5.26%
Net margin	10.04%●	3.63%
ROE	1439.31%●	17.69%
ROIC	30.34%●	6.64%

Dividends

Metric	CL	DG
Dividend yield	2.34%●	2.06%
Payout ratio	79.17%	34.35%

Growth (annualized)

Metric	CL	DG
Revenue CAGR (5Y)	4.46%	5.03%●
EPS CAGR (5Y)	-3.47%●	-8.48%
FCF CAGR (5Y)	3.88%	10.79%●
Total return CAGR (5Y)	3.78%●	-9.86%

Frequently asked

Which is better, CL or DG?: It depends on your goal. value: DG (lower P/E); growth: DG (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: CL (higher dividend yield); quality: CL (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, they are evenly matched.
Is CL or DG cheaper?: On trailing earnings, DG is cheaper: CL trades at a 34.75 P/E and DG at 16.24.
Which has grown faster, CL or DG?: Over the past five years, DG grew revenue faster — CL at a 4.46% CAGR versus DG at 5.03%.
Does CL or DG pay a bigger dividend?: CL yields 2.34% and DG yields 2.06% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is CL or DG more profitable?: CL runs the higher net margin — CL at 10.04% versus DG at 3.63%.
Which has been the better investment, CL or DG?: Over the past 10-year, CL delivered the higher annualized total return — CL at 4.61% versus DG at 3.68%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Go deeper

Full CL analysis Full DG analysis Interactive comparison tool

Dig into the metrics

Colgate-Palmolive P/E ratio Dollar General P/E ratio Colgate-Palmolive dividend yield Dollar General dividend yield Colgate-Palmolive ROE Dollar General ROE Colgate-Palmolive operating margin Dollar General operating margin Colgate-Palmolive revenue growth Dollar General revenue growth Colgate-Palmolive free cash flow Dollar General free cash flow

Colgate-Palmolive & Dollar General appear in these rankings

Highest Dividend Yield Stocks Dividend Aristocrats Highest ROE Stocks Highest ROIC Stocks

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.