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).

Total return — CL vs MO

growth of $100 · last 30y
CL +774.4%MO +106.8%CL compounded faster
02004006008001kStart $100200120062011201620212026$874$207
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 11

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueMO(lower P/E)
GrowthCL(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeMO(higher dividend yield)
QualityMO(higher ROIC)

Valuation

MetricCLMO
P/E ratio34.7515.05
Forward P/E22.2212.23
P/S ratio3.465.52
P/B ratio496.66
PEG ratio1.32
EV / EBITDA21.1711.93
FCF yield5.23%7.16%

Profitability

MetricCLMO
Gross margin60.06%67.84%
Operating margin21.21%50.73%
Net margin10.04%36.91%
ROE1439.31%-198.37%
ROIC30.34%42.95%

Dividends

MetricCLMO
Dividend yield2.34%5.84%
Payout ratio79.17%102.19%

Growth (annualized)

MetricCLMO
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.

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.