Colgate-Palmolive Company (CL) vs Kimberly-Clark Corporation (KMB)
A side-by-side comparison of Colgate-Palmolive Company and Kimberly-Clark Corporation across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of July 31, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
CL
Colgate-Palmolive Company
$91.60Consumer DefensiveDelayed quote: Jul 30, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
KMB
Kimberly-Clark Corporation
$110.19Consumer DefensiveDelayed quote: Jul 30, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
Total return — CL vs KMB
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 30yCL +1651.3%KMB +688.9%CL compounded faster
CL KMB
CL vs KMB: by the numbers
- •CL is the larger company ($73.30B vs $36.58B market cap).
- •KMB trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (17.30 vs 35.59 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •KMB converts more revenue to profit (12.81% vs 10.04% net margin).
- •CL grew revenue faster over the past five years (4.46% vs -2.61% CAGR).
- •KMB pays the higher dividend yield (4.61% vs 2.28%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | CL | KMB |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 35.59 | 17.30 |
| Forward P/E | 24.06 | 14.65 |
| P/S ratio | 3.55 | 2.22 |
| P/B ratio | 508.60 | 20.44 |
| EV / EBITDA | 15.92 | 15.23 |
| FCF yield | 5.11% | 7.02% |
Profitability
| Metric | CL | KMB |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 60.06% | 35.86% |
| Operating margin | 21.21% | 13.27% |
| Net margin | 10.04% | 12.81% |
| ROE | 1439.31% | 117.98% |
| ROIC | 30.34% | 17.41% |
Dividends
| Metric | CL | KMB |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 2.28% | 4.61% |
| Payout ratio | 79.17% | 83.55% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | CL | KMB |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 4.46% | -2.61% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | -3.47% | -2.50% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 3.88% | -8.19% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 5.35% | -0.36% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, CL or KMB?
- KMB has the lower trailing P/E: CL trades at 35.59 and KMB at 17.30. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, CL or KMB?
- Over the past five years, CL grew revenue faster — CL at a 4.46% CAGR versus KMB at -2.61%.
- Does CL or KMB pay a bigger dividend?
- CL yields 2.28% and KMB yields 4.61% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is CL or KMB more profitable?
- KMB runs the higher net margin — CL at 10.04% versus KMB at 12.81%.
- How have CL and KMB total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, CL delivered 4.53% and KMB delivered 1.91% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Colgate-Palmolive P/E ratioKimberly-Clark P/E ratioColgate-Palmolive dividend yieldKimberly-Clark dividend yieldColgate-Palmolive ROEKimberly-Clark ROEColgate-Palmolive operating marginKimberly-Clark operating marginColgate-Palmolive revenue growthKimberly-Clark revenue growthColgate-Palmolive free cash flowKimberly-Clark free cash flow
Colgate-Palmolive & Kimberly-Clark 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 July 31, 2026.