The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. (EL) vs Kimberly-Clark Corporation (KMB)
A side-by-side comparison of The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. and Kimberly-Clark Corporation across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of August 4, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
EL
The Estée Lauder Companies Inc.
$84.33Consumer DefensiveDelayed quote: Aug 4, 2026, 10:40 AM EDT
KMB
Kimberly-Clark Corporation
$107.89Consumer DefensiveDelayed quote: Aug 4, 2026, 10:40 AM EDT
Total return — EL vs KMB
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 30yEL +1124.5%KMB +663.7%EL compounded faster
EL KMB
EL vs KMB: by the numbers
- •KMB is the larger company ($35.81B vs $30.50B market cap).
- •KMB is profitable (11.80% net margin) while EL runs a net loss (-1.67%).
- •EL grew revenue faster over the past five years (0.17% vs -2.69% CAGR).
- •KMB pays the higher dividend yield (4.72% vs 1.65%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | EL | KMB |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | N/A | 16.89 |
| Forward P/E | 34.73 | 14.30 |
| P/S ratio | 2.09 | 2.17 |
| P/B ratio | 7.75 | 19.95 |
| EV / EBITDA | 19.16 | 14.92 |
| FCF yield | 4.15% | 7.19% |
Profitability
| Metric | EL | KMB |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 73.40% | 36.69% |
| Operating margin | 7.56% | 12.38% |
| Net margin | -1.67% | 11.80% |
| ROE | -6.21% | 111.71% |
| ROIC | 6.44% | 17.41% |
Dividends
| Metric | EL | KMB |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 1.65% | 4.72% |
| Payout ratio | N/A | 83.55% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | EL | KMB |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 0.17% | -2.69% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | -25.98% | -2.50% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | -12.95% | -8.19% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | -22.55% | -0.83% |
Frequently asked
- Which has grown faster, EL or KMB?
- Over the past five years, EL grew revenue faster — EL at a 0.17% CAGR versus KMB at -2.69%.
- Does EL or KMB pay a bigger dividend?
- EL yields 1.65% and KMB yields 4.72% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is EL or KMB more profitable?
- KMB runs the higher net margin — EL at -1.67% versus KMB at 11.80%.
- How have EL and KMB total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, EL delivered 0.25% and KMB delivered 1.72% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Estée Lauder Companies P/E ratioKimberly-Clark P/E ratioEstée Lauder Companies dividend yieldKimberly-Clark dividend yieldEstée Lauder Companies ROEKimberly-Clark ROEEstée Lauder Companies operating marginKimberly-Clark operating marginEstée Lauder Companies revenue growthKimberly-Clark revenue growthEstée Lauder Companies free cash flowKimberly-Clark free cash flow
Estée Lauder Companies & Kimberly-Clark 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 August 4, 2026.