Colgate-Palmolive Company (CL) vs Altria Group, Inc. (MO)
MO leads on 11 of 15 compared metrics.
A side-by-side comparison of Colgate-Palmolive Company and Altria Group, Inc. 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).
CL
Colgate-Palmolive Company
$89.45Consumer Defensive
MO
Altria Group, Inc.
$71.94Consumer Defensive
Total return — CL vs MO
growth of $100 · last 30yCL +774.4%MO +106.8%CL compounded faster
CL MO
CL vs MO: by the numbers
- •MO is the larger company ($120.13B vs $71.58B market cap).
- •MO trades at the lower earnings multiple (15.05 vs 34.75 P/E).
- •MO converts more revenue to profit (36.91% vs 10.04% net margin).
- •CL grew revenue faster over the past five years (4.46% vs 1.08% CAGR).
- •MO pays the higher dividend yield (5.84% vs 2.34%).
Which is better, CL or MO?
Metric tally: CL 4 · MO 11It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueMO(lower P/E)
GrowthCL(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeMO(higher dividend yield)
QualityMO(higher ROIC)
Valuation
| Metric | CL | MO |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 34.75 | 15.05● |
| Forward P/E | 22.22 | 12.23● |
| P/S ratio | 3.46● | 5.52 |
| P/B ratio | 496.66 | — |
| PEG ratio | — | 1.32 |
| EV / EBITDA | 21.17 | 11.93● |
| FCF yield | 5.23% | 7.16%● |
Profitability
| Metric | CL | MO |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 60.06% | 67.84%● |
| Operating margin | 21.21% | 50.73%● |
| Net margin | 10.04% | 36.91%● |
| ROE | 1439.31%● | -198.37% |
| ROIC | 30.34% | 42.95%● |
Dividends
| Metric | CL | MO |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 2.34% | 5.84%● |
| Payout ratio | 79.17% | 102.19% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | CL | MO |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 4.46%● | 1.08% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | -3.47% | 11.36%● |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 3.88%● | 1.28% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 3.78% | 16.42%● |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, CL or MO?
- It depends on your goal. value: MO (lower P/E); growth: CL (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: MO (higher dividend yield); quality: MO (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, MO leads 11 to 4.
- Is CL or MO cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, MO is cheaper: CL trades at a 34.75 P/E and MO at 15.05.
- Which has grown faster, CL or MO?
- Over the past five years, CL grew revenue faster — CL at a 4.46% CAGR versus MO at 1.08%.
- Does CL or MO pay a bigger dividend?
- CL yields 2.34% and MO yields 5.84% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is CL or MO more profitable?
- MO runs the higher net margin — CL at 10.04% versus MO at 36.91%.
- Which has been the better investment, CL or MO?
- Over the past 10-year, MO delivered the higher annualized total return — CL at 4.61% versus MO at 7.92%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Colgate-Palmolive P/E ratioAltria P/E ratioColgate-Palmolive dividend yieldAltria dividend yieldColgate-Palmolive ROEAltria ROEColgate-Palmolive operating marginAltria operating marginColgate-Palmolive revenue growthAltria revenue growthColgate-Palmolive free cash flowAltria free cash flow
Colgate-Palmolive & Altria 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 June 13, 2026.