Colgate-Palmolive Company (CL) vs QUALCOMM Incorporated (QCOM)

QCOM leads on 11 of 16 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of Colgate-Palmolive Company and QUALCOMM Incorporated across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 15, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Compare

Total return — CL vs QCOM

growth of $100 · last 30y
CL +785.9%QCOM +7150.7%QCOM compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
101001k10kStart $100200120062011201620212026$886$7,251
CL QCOM

CL vs QCOM: by the numbers

  • QCOM is the larger company ($223.15B vs $72.48B market cap).
  • QCOM trades at the lower earnings multiple (22.72 vs 34.75 P/E).
  • QCOM converts more revenue to profit (22.31% vs 10.04% net margin).
  • QCOM grew revenue faster over the past five years (8.63% vs 4.46% CAGR).
  • CL pays the higher dividend yield (2.34% vs 1.70%).

Which is better, CL or QCOM?

Metric tally: CL 5 · QCOM 11

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueQCOM(lower P/E)
GrowthQCOM(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeCL(higher dividend yield)
QualityCL(higher ROIC)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricCLQCOM
P/E ratio34.7522.72
Forward P/E22.1819.72
P/S ratio3.465.10
P/B ratio496.668.32
PEG ratio3.96
EV / EBITDA21.1716.71
FCF yield5.23%5.51%

Profitability

MetricCLQCOM
Gross margin60.06%54.80%
Operating margin21.21%25.52%
Net margin10.04%22.31%
ROE1439.31%36.38%
ROIC30.34%13.15%

Dividends

MetricCLQCOM
Dividend yield2.34%1.70%
Payout ratio79.17%70.95%

Growth (annualized)

MetricCLQCOM
Revenue CAGR (5Y)4.46%8.63%
EPS CAGR (5Y)-3.47%5.74%
FCF CAGR (5Y)3.88%9.39%
Total return CAGR (5Y)4.12%11.87%

Frequently asked

Which is better, CL or QCOM?
It depends on your goal. value: QCOM (lower P/E); growth: QCOM (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: CL (higher dividend yield); quality: CL (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, QCOM leads 11 to 5.
Is CL or QCOM cheaper?
On trailing earnings, QCOM is cheaper: CL trades at a 34.75 P/E and QCOM at 22.72.
Which has grown faster, CL or QCOM?
Over the past five years, QCOM grew revenue faster — CL at a 4.46% CAGR versus QCOM at 8.63%.
Does CL or QCOM pay a bigger dividend?
CL yields 2.34% and QCOM yields 1.70% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is CL or QCOM more profitable?
QCOM runs the higher net margin — CL at 10.04% versus QCOM at 22.31%.
Which has been the better investment, CL or QCOM?
Over the past 10-year, QCOM delivered the higher annualized total return — CL at 4.79% versus QCOM at 17.83%. 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 15, 2026.