Colgate-Palmolive Company (CL) vs Sysco Corporation (SYY)

SYY leads on 8 of 14 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of Colgate-Palmolive Company and Sysco 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).

Total return — CL vs SYY

growth of $100 · last 30y
CL +777.0%SYY +845.0%SYY compounded faster
2004006008001kStart $100200120062011201620212026$877$945
CL SYY

CL vs SYY: by the numbers

  • CL is the larger company ($71.58B vs $37.87B market cap).
  • SYY trades at the lower earnings multiple (21.94 vs 34.75 P/E).
  • CL converts more revenue to profit (10.04% vs 2.08% net margin).
  • SYY grew revenue faster over the past five years (13.67% vs 4.46% CAGR).
  • SYY pays the higher dividend yield (2.73% vs 2.34%).

Which is better, CL or SYY?

Metric tally: CL 6 · SYY 8

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueSYY(lower P/E)
GrowthSYY(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeSYY(higher dividend yield)
QualityCL(higher ROIC)

Valuation

MetricCLSYY
P/E ratio34.7521.94
Forward P/E22.2216.00
P/S ratio3.460.46
P/B ratio496.6616.59
PEG ratio0.40
EV / EBITDA21.1713.10
FCF yield5.23%5.24%

Profitability

MetricCLSYY
Gross margin60.06%18.54%
Operating margin21.21%3.59%
Net margin10.04%2.08%
ROE1439.31%75.58%
ROIC30.34%13.03%

Dividends

MetricCLSYY
Dividend yield2.34%2.73%
Payout ratio79.17%57.75%

Growth (annualized)

MetricCLSYY
Revenue CAGR (5Y)4.46%13.67%
EPS CAGR (5Y)-3.47%54.83%
FCF CAGR (5Y)3.88%3.87%
Total return CAGR (5Y)3.78%2.52%

Frequently asked

Which is better, CL or SYY?
It depends on your goal. value: SYY (lower P/E); growth: SYY (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: SYY (higher dividend yield); quality: CL (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, SYY leads 8 to 6.
Is CL or SYY cheaper?
On trailing earnings, SYY is cheaper: CL trades at a 34.75 P/E and SYY at 21.94.
Which has grown faster, CL or SYY?
Over the past five years, SYY grew revenue faster — CL at a 4.46% CAGR versus SYY at 13.67%.
Does CL or SYY pay a bigger dividend?
CL yields 2.34% and SYY yields 2.73% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is CL or SYY more profitable?
CL runs the higher net margin — CL at 10.04% versus SYY at 2.08%.
Which has been the better investment, CL or SYY?
Over the past 10-year, SYY delivered the higher annualized total return — CL at 4.61% versus SYY at 7.71%. 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 14, 2026.