Colgate-Palmolive Company (CL) vs The Hershey Company (HSY)

A side-by-side comparison of Colgate-Palmolive Company and The Hershey Company across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of August 20, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.

Compare

Total returnCL vs HSY

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10y
CL +54.5% (+4.4%/yr)HSY +117.0% (+8.1%/yr)HSY compounded faster over this window
100150200250300Start $10020182020202220242026$154$217
CL HSY

CL vs HSY: by the numbers

  • CL is the larger company ($72.71B vs $38.29B market cap).
  • HSY trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (25.79 vs 36.00 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
  • HSY converts more revenue to profit (12.24% vs 9.68% net margin).
  • HSY grew revenue faster over the past five years (7.31% vs 4.26% CAGR).
  • HSY pays the higher dividend yield (3.03% vs 2.31%).

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricCLHSY
P/E ratio36.0025.79
Forward P/E23.7722.25
P/S ratio3.483.17
P/B ratio310.278.45
EV / EBITDA15.9816.28
FCF yield5.27%6.60%

Profitability

MetricCLHSY
Gross margin60.42%38.11%
Operating margin20.65%17.58%
Net margin9.68%12.24%
ROE863.14%32.64%
ROIC29.91%15.00%

Dividends

MetricCLHSY
Dividend yield2.31%3.03%
Payout ratio79.55%130.14%

Growth (annualized)

MetricCLHSY
Revenue CAGR (5Y)4.26%7.31%
EPS CAGR (5Y)-3.47%-6.42%
FCF CAGR (5Y)7.70%9.19%
Total return CAGR (5Y)5.32%3.51%

Frequently asked

Which has the lower trailing P/E, CL or HSY?
HSY has the lower trailing P/E: CL trades at 36.00 and HSY at 25.79. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
Which has grown faster, CL or HSY?
Over the past five years, HSY grew revenue faster — CL at a 4.26% CAGR versus HSY at 7.31%.
Does CL or HSY pay a bigger dividend?
CL yields 2.31% and HSY yields 3.03% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is CL or HSY more profitable?
HSY runs the higher net margin — CL at 9.68% versus HSY at 12.24%.
How have CL and HSY total returns compared?
Over the past 10 years, CL delivered 4.44% and HSY delivered 7.85% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

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 20, 2026.