Colgate-Palmolive Company (CL) vs Altria Group, Inc. (MO)
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 September 11, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
CL
Colgate-Palmolive Company
$86.80Consumer DefensiveDelayed quote: Sep 11, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
MO
Altria Group, Inc.
$68.98Consumer DefensiveDelayed quote: Sep 11, 2026, 3:59 PM EDT
Total return — CL vs MO
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10yCL +52.5% (+4.3%/yr)MO +115.1% (+8.0%/yr)MO compounded faster over this window
CL MO
CL vs MO: by the numbers
- •MO is the larger company ($115.17B vs $69.46B market cap).
- •MO trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (14.55 vs 34.39 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •MO converts more revenue to profit (36.46% vs 9.68% net margin).
- •CL grew revenue faster over the past five years (4.26% vs -0.68% CAGR).
- •MO pays the higher dividend yield (6.17% vs 2.39%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | CL | MO |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 34.39 | 14.55 |
| Forward P/E | 22.44 | 12.15 |
| P/S ratio | 3.30 | 5.27 |
| P/B ratio | 294.31 | N/A |
| EV / EBITDA | 15.23 | 11.03 |
| FCF yield | 5.55% | 7.21% |
Profitability
| Metric | CL | MO |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 60.42% | 70.99% |
| Operating margin | 20.65% | 55.95% |
| Net margin | 9.68% | 36.46% |
| ROE | 863.14% | N/A |
| ROIC | 29.91% | 34.45% |
Dividends
| Metric | CL | MO |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 2.39% | 6.17% |
| Payout ratio | 83.20% | 89.45% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | CL | MO |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 4.26% | -0.68% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | -3.47% | 11.36% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 7.70% | 6.93% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 5.14% | 14.94% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, CL or MO?
- MO has the lower trailing P/E: CL trades at 34.39 and MO at 14.55. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, CL or MO?
- Over the past five years, CL grew revenue faster — CL at a 4.26% CAGR versus MO at -0.68%.
- Does CL or MO pay a bigger dividend?
- CL yields 2.39% and MO yields 6.17% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is CL or MO more profitable?
- MO runs the higher net margin — CL at 9.68% versus MO at 36.46%.
- How have CL and MO total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, CL delivered 4.62% and MO delivered 7.93% annualized total return. 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 September 11, 2026.