Colgate-Palmolive Company (CL) vs Lowe's Companies, Inc. (LOW)
A side-by-side comparison of Colgate-Palmolive Company and Lowe's Companies, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of July 28, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
Different business models: CL is classified in Consumer Defensive; LOW is classified in Consumer Cyclical. Margin, capital intensity, and valuation differences should be interpreted in that sector context.
CL
Colgate-Palmolive Company
$92.73Consumer DefensiveDelayed quote: Jul 28, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
LOW
Lowe's Companies, Inc.
$218.24Consumer CyclicalDelayed quote: Jul 28, 2026, 4:02 PM EDT
Total return — CL vs LOW
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 30yCL +1635.1%LOW +7749.5%LOW compounded faster
CL LOW
CL vs LOW: by the numbers
- •LOW is the larger company ($122.37B vs $74.20B market cap).
- •LOW trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (17.88 vs 35.73 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •CL converts more revenue to profit (10.04% vs 7.51% net margin).
- •CL grew revenue faster over the past five years (4.46% vs -1.28% CAGR).
- •LOW pays the higher dividend yield (2.27% vs 2.27%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | CL | LOW |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 35.73 | 17.88 |
| Forward P/E | 24.16 | 17.26 |
| P/S ratio | 3.56 | 1.34 |
| P/B ratio | 510.71 | N/A |
| PEG ratio | N/A | 1.30 |
| EV / EBITDA | 15.98 | 12.85 |
| FCF yield | 5.09% | 6.43% |
Profitability
| Metric | CL | LOW |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 60.06% | 33.80% |
| Operating margin | 21.21% | 11.55% |
| Net margin | 10.04% | 7.51% |
| ROE | 1439.31% | -67.10% |
| ROIC | 30.34% | 20.42% |
Dividends
| Metric | CL | LOW |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 2.27% | 2.27% |
| Payout ratio | 79.17% | 40.44% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | CL | LOW |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 4.46% | -1.28% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | -3.47% | 13.72% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 3.88% | -3.74% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 4.91% | 3.79% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, CL or LOW?
- LOW has the lower trailing P/E: CL trades at 35.73 and LOW at 17.88. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, CL or LOW?
- Over the past five years, CL grew revenue faster — CL at a 4.46% CAGR versus LOW at -1.28%.
- Does CL or LOW pay a bigger dividend?
- CL yields 2.27% and LOW yields 2.27% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is CL or LOW more profitable?
- CL runs the higher net margin — CL at 10.04% versus LOW at 7.51%.
- How have CL and LOW total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, CL delivered 4.96% and LOW delivered 12.19% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Colgate-Palmolive P/E ratioLowe's Companies P/E ratioColgate-Palmolive dividend yieldLowe's Companies dividend yieldColgate-Palmolive ROELowe's Companies ROEColgate-Palmolive operating marginLowe's Companies operating marginColgate-Palmolive revenue growthLowe's Companies revenue growthColgate-Palmolive free cash flowLowe's Companies free cash flow
Colgate-Palmolive & Lowe's Companies 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 28, 2026.