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 -2.61%.

Does EL or KMB pay a bigger dividend?

EL yields 1.65% and KMB yields 4.95% 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 12.81%.

Which has been the better investment, EL or KMB?

Over the past 10-year, KMB delivered the higher annualized total return — EL at 0.47% versus KMB at 0.96%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. (EL) vs Kimberly-Clark Corporation (KMB)

KMB leads on 11 of 14 compared metrics.

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 June 20, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

The Estée Lauder Companies Inc.

$30.67B

$84.81Consumer Defensive

KMB

Kimberly-Clark Corporation

$34.04B

$102.56Consumer Defensive

Total return — EL vs KMB

growth of $100 · last 30y

EL +795.6%KMB +198.7%EL compounded faster

EL KMB

EL vs KMB: by the numbers

•KMB is the larger company ($34.04B vs $30.67B market cap).
•KMB is profitable (12.81% net margin) while EL runs a net loss (-1.67%).
•EL grew revenue faster over the past five years (0.17% vs -2.61% CAGR).
•KMB pays the higher dividend yield (4.95% vs 1.65%).

Which is better, EL or KMB?

Metric tally: EL 3 · KMB 11

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

GrowthEL(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)

IncomeKMB(higher dividend yield)

QualityKMB(higher ROIC)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

Metric	EL	KMB
P/E ratio	—	16.10
Forward P/E	26.63	13.53●
P/S ratio	2.09	2.07
P/B ratio	7.76●	19.03
EV / EBITDA	27.69	13.29●
FCF yield	4.15%	7.54%●

Profitability

Metric	EL	KMB
Gross margin	73.40%●	35.86%
Operating margin	7.56%	13.27%●
Net margin	-1.67%	12.81%●
ROE	-6.21%	117.98%●
ROIC	6.44%	17.41%●

Dividends

Metric	EL	KMB
Dividend yield	1.65%	4.95%●
Payout ratio	—	83.55%

Growth (annualized)

Metric	EL	KMB
Revenue CAGR (5Y)	0.17%●	-2.61%
EPS CAGR (5Y)	-25.98%	-2.50%●
FCF CAGR (5Y)	-12.95%	3.38%●
Total return CAGR (5Y)	-20.94%	-0.73%●

Frequently asked

Which is better, EL or KMB?: It depends on your goal. growth: EL (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: KMB (higher dividend yield); quality: KMB (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, KMB leads 11 to 3.
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 -2.61%.
Does EL or KMB pay a bigger dividend?: EL yields 1.65% and KMB yields 4.95% 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 12.81%.
Which has been the better investment, EL or KMB?: Over the past 10-year, KMB delivered the higher annualized total return — EL at 0.47% versus KMB at 0.96%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Go deeper

Full EL analysis Full KMB analysis Interactive comparison tool

Dig into the metrics

Estée Lauder Companies P/E ratio Kimberly-Clark P/E ratio Estée Lauder Companies dividend yield Kimberly-Clark dividend yield Estée Lauder Companies ROE Kimberly-Clark ROE Estée Lauder Companies operating margin Kimberly-Clark operating margin Estée Lauder Companies revenue growth Kimberly-Clark revenue growth Estée Lauder Companies free cash flow Kimberly-Clark free cash flow

Estée Lauder Companies & Kimberly-Clark appear in these rankings

Highest Dividend Yield Stocks Dividend Aristocrats Highest ROE Stocks Highest FCF Yield Stocks

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 20, 2026.