Kimberly-Clark Corporation (KMB) vs Microsoft Corporation (MSFT)
MSFT leads on 9 of 16 compared metrics, though KMB is the cheaper stock.
A side-by-side comparison of Kimberly-Clark Corporation and Microsoft 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).
KMB
Kimberly-Clark Corporation
$102.29Consumer Defensive
MSFT
Microsoft Corporation
$390.74Technology
Total return — KMB vs MSFT
growth of $100 · last 30yKMB +195.9%MSFT +4981.1%MSFT compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
KMB MSFT
KMB vs MSFT: by the numbers
- •MSFT is the larger company ($2.90T vs $33.95B market cap).
- •KMB trades at the lower earnings multiple (16.06 vs 23.26 P/E).
- •MSFT converts more revenue to profit (39.34% vs 12.81% net margin).
- •MSFT grew revenue faster over the past five years (14.75% vs -2.61% CAGR).
- •KMB pays the higher dividend yield (4.97% vs 0.91%).
Which is better, KMB or MSFT?
Metric tally: KMB 7 · MSFT 9It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueKMB(lower P/E)
GrowthMSFT(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeKMB(higher dividend yield)
QualityMSFT(higher ROIC)
Valuation
| Metric | KMB | MSFT |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 16.06● | 23.26 |
| Forward P/E | 13.49● | 20.12 |
| P/S ratio | 2.06● | 9.14 |
| P/B ratio | 18.98 | 7.02● |
| PEG ratio | — | 2.34 |
| EV / EBITDA | 13.26● | 14.60 |
| FCF yield | 7.56%● | 2.51% |
Profitability
| Metric | KMB | MSFT |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 35.86% | 68.31%● |
| Operating margin | 13.27% | 46.80%● |
| Net margin | 12.81% | 39.34%● |
| ROE | 117.98%● | 30.22% |
| ROIC | 17.62% | 21.63%● |
Dividends
| Metric | KMB | MSFT |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 4.97%● | 0.91% |
| Payout ratio | 83.55% | 25.99% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | KMB | MSFT |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | -2.61% | 14.75%● |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | -2.50% | 18.68%● |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 3.38% | 6.27%● |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | -0.94% | 9.56%● |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, KMB or MSFT?
- It depends on your goal. value: KMB (lower P/E); growth: MSFT (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: KMB (higher dividend yield); quality: MSFT (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, MSFT leads 9 to 7.
- Is KMB or MSFT cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, KMB is cheaper: KMB trades at a 16.06 P/E and MSFT at 23.26.
- Which has grown faster, KMB or MSFT?
- Over the past five years, MSFT grew revenue faster — KMB at a -2.61% CAGR versus MSFT at 14.75%.
- Does KMB or MSFT pay a bigger dividend?
- KMB yields 4.97% and MSFT yields 0.91% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is KMB or MSFT more profitable?
- MSFT runs the higher net margin — KMB at 12.81% versus MSFT at 39.34%.
- Which has been the better investment, KMB or MSFT?
- Over the past 10-year, MSFT delivered the higher annualized total return — KMB at 1.05% versus MSFT at 23.98%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Kimberly-Clark P/E ratioMicrosoft P/E ratioKimberly-Clark dividend yieldMicrosoft dividend yieldKimberly-Clark ROEMicrosoft ROEKimberly-Clark operating marginMicrosoft operating marginKimberly-Clark revenue growthMicrosoft revenue growthKimberly-Clark free cash flowMicrosoft free cash flow
Kimberly-Clark & Microsoft appear in these rankings
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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.