Colgate-Palmolive Company (CL) vs The Hershey Company (HSY)
HSY leads on 9 of 16 compared metrics.
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 June 17, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).
CL
Colgate-Palmolive Company
$90.66Consumer Defensive
HSY
The Hershey Company
$182.52Consumer Defensive
Total return — CL vs HSY
growth of $100 · last 30yCL +798.5%HSY +937.6%HSY compounded faster
CL HSY
CL vs HSY: by the numbers
- •CL is the larger company ($72.55B vs $37.02B market cap).
- •HSY trades at the lower earnings multiple (33.99 vs 35.22 P/E).
- •CL converts more revenue to profit (10.04% vs 9.12% net margin).
- •HSY grew revenue faster over the past five years (7.65% vs 4.46% CAGR).
- •HSY pays the higher dividend yield (3.09% vs 2.31%).
Which is better, CL or HSY?
Metric tally: CL 7 · HSY 9It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueHSY(lower P/E)
GrowthHSY(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeHSY(higher dividend yield)
QualityCL(higher ROIC)
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | CL | HSY |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 35.22 | 33.99● |
| Forward P/E | 22.48 | 18.27● |
| P/S ratio | 3.51 | 3.11● |
| P/B ratio | 503.38 | 7.88● |
| EV / EBITDA | 20.48 | 19.25● |
| FCF yield | 5.16% | 5.82%● |
Profitability
| Metric | CL | HSY |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 60.06%● | 34.76% |
| Operating margin | 21.21%● | 14.08% |
| Net margin | 10.04%● | 9.12% |
| ROE | 1439.31%● | 23.11% |
| ROIC | 30.34%● | 9.00% |
Dividends
| Metric | CL | HSY |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 2.31% | 3.09%● |
| Payout ratio | 79.17% | 128.27% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | CL | HSY |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 4.46% | 7.65%● |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | -3.47%● | -6.42% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 3.88% | 10.95%● |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 4.49%● | 3.64% |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, CL or HSY?
- It depends on your goal. value: HSY (lower P/E); growth: HSY (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: HSY (higher dividend yield); quality: CL (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, HSY leads 9 to 7.
- Is CL or HSY cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, HSY is cheaper: CL trades at a 35.22 P/E and HSY at 33.99.
- Which has grown faster, CL or HSY?
- Over the past five years, HSY grew revenue faster — CL at a 4.46% CAGR versus HSY at 7.65%.
- Does CL or HSY pay a bigger dividend?
- CL yields 2.31% and HSY yields 3.09% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is CL or HSY more profitable?
- CL runs the higher net margin — CL at 10.04% versus HSY at 9.12%.
- Which has been the better investment, CL or HSY?
- Over the past 10-year, HSY delivered the higher annualized total return — CL at 4.77% versus HSY at 9.14%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Colgate-Palmolive P/E ratioHershey P/E ratioColgate-Palmolive dividend yieldHershey dividend yieldColgate-Palmolive ROEHershey ROEColgate-Palmolive operating marginHershey operating marginColgate-Palmolive revenue growthHershey revenue growthColgate-Palmolive free cash flowHershey free cash flow
Colgate-Palmolive & Hershey 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 June 17, 2026.