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.
CL
Colgate-Palmolive Company
$90.87Consumer DefensiveAt close: Aug 19, 2026, 4:00 PM ET
HSY
The Hershey Company
$188.79Consumer DefensiveAt close: Aug 19, 2026, 4:00 PM ET
Total return — CL vs HSY
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10yCL +54.5% (+4.4%/yr)HSY +117.0% (+8.1%/yr)HSY compounded faster over this window
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
| Metric | CL | HSY |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 36.00 | 25.79 |
| Forward P/E | 23.77 | 22.25 |
| P/S ratio | 3.48 | 3.17 |
| P/B ratio | 310.27 | 8.45 |
| EV / EBITDA | 15.98 | 16.28 |
| FCF yield | 5.27% | 6.60% |
Profitability
| Metric | CL | HSY |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 60.42% | 38.11% |
| Operating margin | 20.65% | 17.58% |
| Net margin | 9.68% | 12.24% |
| ROE | 863.14% | 32.64% |
| ROIC | 29.91% | 15.00% |
Dividends
| Metric | CL | HSY |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 2.31% | 3.03% |
| Payout ratio | 79.55% | 130.14% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | CL | HSY |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
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 August 20, 2026.