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 July 28, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
CL
Colgate-Palmolive Company
$92.73Consumer DefensiveDelayed quote: Jul 28, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
MO
Altria Group, Inc.
$74.81Consumer DefensiveDelayed quote: Jul 28, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
Total return — CL vs MO
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 30yCL +1694.5%MO +1164.1%CL compounded faster
CL MO
CL vs MO: by the numbers
- •MO is the larger company ($124.92B vs $74.20B market cap).
- •MO trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (15.25 vs 35.73 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •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 -0.68% CAGR).
- •MO pays the higher dividend yield (5.82% vs 2.27%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | CL | MO |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 35.73 | 15.25 |
| Forward P/E | 24.16 | 12.81 |
| P/S ratio | 3.56 | 5.59 |
| P/B ratio | 510.71 | N/A |
| PEG ratio | N/A | 1.34 |
| EV / EBITDA | 15.98 | 12.67 |
| FCF yield | 5.09% | 7.07% |
Profitability
| Metric | CL | MO |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 60.06% | 86.59% |
| Operating margin | 21.21% | 74.80% |
| Net margin | 10.04% | 36.91% |
| ROE | 1439.31% | -198.37% |
| ROIC | 30.34% | 42.95% |
Dividends
| Metric | CL | MO |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 2.27% | 5.82% |
| Payout ratio | 79.17% | 103.16% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | CL | MO |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 4.46% | -0.68% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | -3.47% | 11.36% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 3.88% | 1.28% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 4.91% | 18.96% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, CL or MO?
- MO has the lower trailing P/E: CL trades at 35.73 and MO at 15.25. 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 4.46% CAGR versus MO at -0.68%.
- Does CL or MO pay a bigger dividend?
- CL yields 2.27% and MO yields 5.82% 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%.
- How have CL and MO total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, CL delivered 4.96% and MO delivered 8.55% 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 July 28, 2026.