Colgate-Palmolive Company (CL) vs The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. (EL)
A side-by-side comparison of Colgate-Palmolive Company and The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of August 25, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
CL
Colgate-Palmolive Company
$92.55Consumer DefensiveAt close: Aug 24, 2026, 4:00 PM ET
EL
The Estée Lauder Companies Inc.
$104.13Consumer DefensiveDelayed quote: Aug 24, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
Total return — CL vs EL
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10yCL +54.8% (+4.5%/yr)EL +29.4% (+2.6%/yr)CL compounded faster over this window
CL EL
CL vs EL: by the numbers
- •CL is the larger company ($74.06B vs $37.66B market cap).
- •CL trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (36.67 vs 203.88 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •CL converts more revenue to profit (9.68% vs 1.21% net margin).
- •CL grew revenue faster over the past five years (4.26% vs -1.48% CAGR).
- •CL pays the higher dividend yield (2.27% vs 1.37%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | CL | EL |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 36.67 | 203.88 |
| Forward P/E | 23.93 | N/A |
| P/S ratio | 3.54 | 2.47 |
| P/B ratio | 316.01 | 9.77 |
| EV / EBITDA | 16.25 | 26.74 |
| FCF yield | 5.17% | 3.54% |
Profitability
| Metric | CL | EL |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 60.42% | 75.50% |
| Operating margin | 20.65% | 5.18% |
| Net margin | 9.68% | 1.21% |
| ROE | 863.14% | 4.78% |
| ROIC | 29.91% | 2.97% |
Dividends
| Metric | CL | EL |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 2.27% | 1.37% |
| Payout ratio | 79.55% | 280.00% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | CL | EL |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 4.26% | -1.48% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | -3.47% | -42.44% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 7.70% | -15.16% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 6.06% | -19.74% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, CL or EL?
- CL has the lower trailing P/E: CL trades at 36.67 and EL at 203.88. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, CL or EL?
- Over the past five years, CL grew revenue faster — CL at a 4.26% CAGR versus EL at -1.48%.
- Does CL or EL pay a bigger dividend?
- CL yields 2.27% and EL yields 1.37% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is CL or EL more profitable?
- CL runs the higher net margin — CL at 9.68% versus EL at 1.21%.
- How have CL and EL total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, CL delivered 4.65% and EL delivered 2.36% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Colgate-Palmolive P/E ratioEstée Lauder Companies P/E ratioColgate-Palmolive dividend yieldEstée Lauder Companies dividend yieldColgate-Palmolive ROEEstée Lauder Companies ROEColgate-Palmolive operating marginEstée Lauder Companies operating marginColgate-Palmolive revenue growthEstée Lauder Companies revenue growthColgate-Palmolive free cash flowEstée Lauder Companies free cash flow
Colgate-Palmolive & Estée Lauder Companies 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 25, 2026.