Colgate-Palmolive Company (CL) vs The Coca-Cola Company (KO)
A side-by-side comparison of Colgate-Palmolive Company and The Coca-Cola Company across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of September 11, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
CL
Colgate-Palmolive Company
$86.80Consumer DefensiveDelayed quote: Sep 11, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
KO
The Coca-Cola Company
$88.29Consumer DefensiveDelayed quote: Sep 11, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
Total return — CL vs KO
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10yCL +52.5% (+4.3%/yr)KO +182.8% (+11.0%/yr)KO compounded faster over this window
CL KO
CL vs KO: by the numbers
- •KO is the larger company ($379.87B vs $69.46B market cap).
- •KO trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (26.51 vs 34.39 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •KO converts more revenue to profit (28.56% vs 9.68% net margin).
- •KO grew revenue faster over the past five years (6.60% vs 4.26% CAGR).
- •CL pays the higher dividend yield (2.39% vs 2.37%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | CL | KO |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 34.39 | 26.51 |
| Forward P/E | 22.44 | 26.71 |
| P/S ratio | 3.30 | 7.58 |
| P/B ratio | 294.31 | 10.51 |
| EV / EBITDA | 15.23 | 25.84 |
| FCF yield | 5.55% | 3.76% |
Profitability
| Metric | CL | KO |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 60.42% | 61.89% |
| Operating margin | 20.65% | 29.63% |
| Net margin | 9.68% | 28.56% |
| ROE | 863.14% | 39.60% |
| ROIC | 29.91% | 13.91% |
Dividends
| Metric | CL | KO |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 2.39% | 2.37% |
| Payout ratio | 83.20% | 62.46% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | CL | KO |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 4.26% | 6.60% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | -3.47% | 11.12% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 7.70% | -9.38% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 5.14% | 12.87% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, CL or KO?
- KO has the lower trailing P/E: CL trades at 34.39 and KO at 26.51. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, CL or KO?
- Over the past five years, KO grew revenue faster — CL at a 4.26% CAGR versus KO at 6.60%.
- Does CL or KO pay a bigger dividend?
- CL yields 2.39% and KO yields 2.37% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is CL or KO more profitable?
- KO runs the higher net margin — CL at 9.68% versus KO at 28.56%.
- How have CL and KO total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, CL delivered 4.62% and KO delivered 11.00% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Colgate-Palmolive P/E ratioCoca-Cola P/E ratioColgate-Palmolive dividend yieldCoca-Cola dividend yieldColgate-Palmolive ROECoca-Cola ROEColgate-Palmolive operating marginCoca-Cola operating marginColgate-Palmolive revenue growthCoca-Cola revenue growthColgate-Palmolive free cash flowCoca-Cola free cash flow
Colgate-Palmolive & Coca-Cola appear in these rankings
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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 September 11, 2026.