Colgate-Palmolive Company (CL) vs Microsoft Corporation (MSFT)
MSFT leads on 11 of 16 compared metrics.
A side-by-side comparison of Colgate-Palmolive Company and Microsoft Corporation across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 14, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).
CL
Colgate-Palmolive Company
$89.45Consumer Defensive
MSFT
Microsoft Corporation
$390.74Technology
Total return — CL vs MSFT
growth of $100 · last 30yCL +777.0%MSFT +4981.1%MSFT compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
CL MSFT
CL vs MSFT: by the numbers
- •MSFT is the larger company ($2.90T vs $71.58B market cap).
- •MSFT trades at the lower earnings multiple (23.26 vs 34.75 P/E).
- •MSFT converts more revenue to profit (39.34% vs 10.04% net margin).
- •MSFT grew revenue faster over the past five years (14.75% vs 4.46% CAGR).
- •CL pays the higher dividend yield (2.34% vs 0.91%).
Which is better, CL or MSFT?
Metric tally: CL 5 · MSFT 11It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueMSFT(lower P/E)
GrowthMSFT(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeCL(higher dividend yield)
QualityCL(higher ROIC)
Valuation
| Metric | CL | MSFT |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 34.75 | 23.26● |
| Forward P/E | 22.22 | 20.12● |
| P/S ratio | 3.46● | 9.14 |
| P/B ratio | 496.66 | 7.02● |
| PEG ratio | — | 2.34 |
| EV / EBITDA | 21.17 | 14.60● |
| FCF yield | 5.23%● | 2.51% |
Profitability
| Metric | CL | MSFT |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 60.06% | 68.31%● |
| Operating margin | 21.21% | 46.80%● |
| Net margin | 10.04% | 39.34%● |
| ROE | 1439.31%● | 30.22% |
| ROIC | 30.34%● | 21.63% |
Dividends
| Metric | CL | MSFT |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 2.34%● | 0.91% |
| Payout ratio | 79.17% | 25.99% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | CL | MSFT |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 4.46% | 14.75%● |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | -3.47% | 18.68%● |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 3.88% | 6.27%● |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 3.78% | 9.56%● |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, CL or MSFT?
- It depends on your goal. value: MSFT (lower P/E); growth: MSFT (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: CL (higher dividend yield); quality: CL (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, MSFT leads 11 to 5.
- Is CL or MSFT cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, MSFT is cheaper: CL trades at a 34.75 P/E and MSFT at 23.26.
- Which has grown faster, CL or MSFT?
- Over the past five years, MSFT grew revenue faster — CL at a 4.46% CAGR versus MSFT at 14.75%.
- Does CL or MSFT pay a bigger dividend?
- CL yields 2.34% and MSFT yields 0.91% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is CL or MSFT more profitable?
- MSFT runs the higher net margin — CL at 10.04% versus MSFT at 39.34%.
- Which has been the better investment, CL or MSFT?
- Over the past 10-year, MSFT delivered the higher annualized total return — CL at 4.61% versus MSFT at 23.98%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Colgate-Palmolive P/E ratioMicrosoft P/E ratioColgate-Palmolive dividend yieldMicrosoft dividend yieldColgate-Palmolive ROEMicrosoft ROEColgate-Palmolive operating marginMicrosoft operating marginColgate-Palmolive revenue growthMicrosoft revenue growthColgate-Palmolive free cash flowMicrosoft free cash flow
Colgate-Palmolive & Microsoft appear in these rankings
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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 June 14, 2026.