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 September 13, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
EL
The Estée Lauder Companies Inc.
$93.52Consumer DefensiveDelayed quote: Sep 18, 2026, 12:04 PM EDT
KMB
Kimberly-Clark Corporation
$97.90Consumer DefensiveDelayed quote: Sep 18, 2026, 12:04 PM EDT
Total return — EL vs KMB
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10yEL +25.2% (+2.3%/yr)KMB +15.1% (+1.4%/yr)EL compounded faster over this window
EL KMB
EL vs KMB: by the numbers
- •EL is the larger company ($33.82B vs $32.50B market cap).
- •KMB trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (16.65 vs 187.04 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •KMB converts more revenue to profit (11.80% vs 1.21% net margin).
- •Both shrank revenue over the past five years; EL's decline was smaller (-1.48% vs -2.69% CAGR).
- •KMB pays the higher dividend yield (5.20% vs 1.44%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | EL | KMB |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 187.04 | 16.65 |
| Forward P/E | N/A | 13.20 |
| P/S ratio | 2.25 | 1.96 |
| P/B ratio | 8.89 | 18.57 |
| EV / EBITDA | 25.17 | 14.41 |
| FCF yield | 3.89% | 5.41% |
Profitability
| Metric | EL | KMB |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 75.50% | 36.69% |
| Operating margin | 5.18% | 12.38% |
| Net margin | 1.21% | 11.80% |
| ROE | 4.78% | 111.71% |
| ROIC | 2.97% | 12.46% |
Dividends
| Metric | EL | KMB |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 1.44% | 5.20% |
| Payout ratio | 280.00% | 86.73% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | EL | KMB |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | -1.48% | -2.69% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | -42.44% | -2.50% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | -15.16% | -8.19% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | -20.75% | -2.75% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, EL or KMB?
- KMB has the lower trailing P/E: EL trades at 187.04 and KMB at 16.65. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, EL or KMB?
- Neither grew: over the past five years both shrank revenue, with EL's decline the smaller — EL at a -1.48% CAGR versus KMB at -2.69%.
- Does EL or KMB pay a bigger dividend?
- EL yields 1.44% and KMB yields 5.20% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is EL or KMB more profitable?
- KMB runs the higher net margin — EL at 1.21% versus KMB at 11.80%.
- How have EL and KMB total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, EL delivered 2.34% and KMB delivered 1.32% 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 September 13, 2026.