Colgate-Palmolive Company (CL) vs Meta Platforms, Inc. (META)
A side-by-side comparison of Colgate-Palmolive Company and Meta Platforms, Inc. 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.
Different business models: CL is classified in Consumer Defensive; META is classified in Communication Services. Margin, capital intensity, and valuation differences should be interpreted in that sector context.
CL
Colgate-Palmolive Company
$86.80Consumer DefensiveDelayed quote: Sep 11, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
META
Meta Platforms, Inc.
$648.03Communication ServicesDelayed quote: Sep 11, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
Total return — CL vs META
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10yCL +52.5% (+4.3%/yr)META +406.4% (+17.6%/yr)META compounded faster over this window
CL META
CL vs META: by the numbers
- •META is the larger company ($1.65T vs $69.46B market cap).
- •META trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (24.42 vs 34.39 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •META converts more revenue to profit (29.84% vs 9.68% net margin).
- •META grew revenue faster over the past five years (16.85% vs 4.26% CAGR).
- •CL pays the higher dividend yield (2.39% vs 0.33%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | CL | META |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 34.39 | 24.42 |
| Forward P/E | 22.44 | 20.64 |
| P/S ratio | 3.30 | 7.23 |
| P/B ratio | 294.31 | 6.32 |
| EV / EBITDA | 15.23 | 15.94 |
| FCF yield | 5.55% | 2.48% |
Profitability
| Metric | CL | META |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 60.42% | 81.75% |
| Operating margin | 20.65% | 38.08% |
| Net margin | 9.68% | 29.84% |
| ROE | 863.14% | 26.07% |
| ROIC | 29.91% | 17.18% |
Dividends
| Metric | CL | META |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 2.39% | 0.33% |
| Payout ratio | 83.20% | 7.91% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | CL | META |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 4.26% | 16.85% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | -3.47% | 18.60% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 7.70% | 4.96% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 5.14% | 11.41% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, CL or META?
- META has the lower trailing P/E: CL trades at 34.39 and META at 24.42. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, CL or META?
- Over the past five years, META grew revenue faster — CL at a 4.26% CAGR versus META at 16.85%.
- Does CL or META pay a bigger dividend?
- CL yields 2.39% and META yields 0.33% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is CL or META more profitable?
- META runs the higher net margin — CL at 9.68% versus META at 29.84%.
- How have CL and META total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, CL delivered 4.62% and META delivered 17.72% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Colgate-Palmolive P/E ratioMeta Platforms P/E ratioColgate-Palmolive dividend yieldMeta Platforms dividend yieldColgate-Palmolive ROEMeta Platforms ROEColgate-Palmolive operating marginMeta Platforms operating marginColgate-Palmolive revenue growthMeta Platforms revenue growthColgate-Palmolive free cash flowMeta Platforms free cash flow
Colgate-Palmolive & Meta Platforms appear in these rankings
Highest Dividend Yield Stocks25+ Year Dividend GrowersFastest Revenue Growth StocksHighest ROE Stocks
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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.