Colgate-Palmolive Company (CL) vs The Kroger Co. (KR)

CL leads on 10 of 16 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of Colgate-Palmolive Company and The Kroger Co. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 13, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Total return — CL vs KR

growth of $100 · last 30y
CL +774.4%KR +1237.0%KR compounded faster
05001k2kStart $100200120062011201620212026$874$1,337
CL KR

CL vs KR: by the numbers

  • CL is the larger company ($71.58B vs $39.90B market cap).
  • CL trades at the lower earnings multiple (34.75 vs 42.02 P/E).
  • CL converts more revenue to profit (10.04% vs 0.69% net margin).
  • CL grew revenue faster over the past five years (4.46% vs 2.19% CAGR).
  • CL pays the higher dividend yield (2.34% vs 2.16%).

Which is better, CL or KR?

Metric tally: CL 10 · KR 6

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueCL(lower P/E)
GrowthCL(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeCL(higher dividend yield)
QualityCL(higher ROIC)

Valuation

MetricCLKR
P/E ratio34.7542.02
Forward P/E22.2211.53
P/S ratio3.460.28
P/B ratio496.666.89
EV / EBITDA21.1710.80
FCF yield5.23%8.64%

Profitability

MetricCLKR
Gross margin60.06%23.30%
Operating margin21.21%1.28%
Net margin10.04%0.69%
ROE1439.31%17.14%
ROIC30.34%4.70%

Dividends

MetricCLKR
Dividend yield2.34%2.16%
Payout ratio79.17%89.74%

Growth (annualized)

MetricCLKR
Revenue CAGR (5Y)4.46%2.19%
EPS CAGR (5Y)-3.47%-13.96%
FCF CAGR (5Y)3.88%-2.23%
Total return CAGR (5Y)3.78%13.20%

Frequently asked

Which is better, CL or KR?
It depends on your goal. value: CL (lower P/E); growth: CL (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: CL (higher dividend yield); quality: CL (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, CL leads 10 to 6.
Is CL or KR cheaper?
On trailing earnings, CL is cheaper: CL trades at a 34.75 P/E and KR at 42.02.
Which has grown faster, CL or KR?
Over the past five years, CL grew revenue faster — CL at a 4.46% CAGR versus KR at 2.19%.
Does CL or KR pay a bigger dividend?
CL yields 2.34% and KR yields 2.16% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is CL or KR more profitable?
CL runs the higher net margin — CL at 10.04% versus KR at 0.69%.
Which has been the better investment, CL or KR?
Over the past 10-year, KR delivered the higher annualized total return — CL at 4.61% versus KR at 8.00%. 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 June 13, 2026.