Colgate-Palmolive (CL) vs Clorox (CLX)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 7, 2026.
Summary
Colgate-Palmolive (CL) has outperformed Clorox (CLX) over the past year, gaining 11.0% versus a loss of 31.8%. Over five years, CL leads with a +15.1% price change compared with -49.6% for CLX. Colgate-Palmolive is the larger company by market cap ($69.52 billion vs $9.94 billion), about 7.0 times the size.
On valuation, Clorox trades at a lower forward P/E (13.2x vs 21.3x for Colgate-Palmolive). Clorox offers the higher dividend yield (6.05% vs 2.40%). Clorox converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 11.4% versus 10.5%.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | CL | CLX |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $87.21 | $82.21 |
| Market cap | $69.52B | $9.94B |
| 1-day change | -0.05% | -1.57% |
| YTD return | +11.10% | -18.47% |
| 1-year return | +10.97% | -31.77% |
| 5-year return | +15.13% | -49.64% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 34.33 | 17.09 |
| Forward P/E | 21.28 | 13.24 |
| EPS (TTM) | $2.54 | $4.81 |
| Dividend yield | 2.40% | 6.05% |
| Annual dividend | $2.09 | $4.97 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $20.38B | $7.10B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +1.40% | +0.16% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $2.13B | $810.00M |
| Gross margin | 60.11% | 45.23% |
| Operating margin | 16.22% | — |
| Net margin | 10.46% | 11.40% |
| 52-week high | $99.33 | $128.90 |
| 52-week low | $74.55 | $79.12 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -12.20% | -36.22% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | hold |
| Avg. price target upside | +12.77% | +21.14% |
| Average volume | 4.74M | 2.90M |
| Shares outstanding | 797.17M | 120.93M |
| Employees | 33,600 | 9,200 |
| Sector | Consumer Discretionary | Consumer Discretionary |
| Industry | Package Goods/Cosmetics | Specialty Chemicals |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- Colgate-Palmolive is about 7.0 times larger than Clorox by market value ($69.52B vs $9.94B).
- CL has outperformed CLX by 42.7 percentage points over the past year.
- Colgate-Palmolive trades at a higher earnings multiple (34.3x vs 17.1x trailing P/E).
- Clorox offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (6.05% vs 2.40%).
About Colgate-Palmolive
CL stock →Colgate-Palmolive Company, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells consumer products in the United States and internationally. It operates through two segments: Oral, Personal and Home Care; and Pet Nutrition.
Consumer Discretionary · Package Goods/Cosmetics · 33,600 employees
About Clorox
CLX stock →The Clorox Company manufactures and markets consumer and professional products worldwide. It operates through four segments: Health and Wellness, Household, Lifestyle, and International.
Consumer Discretionary · Specialty Chemicals · 9,200 employees
CL vs CLX FAQ
Which is bigger, Colgate-Palmolive or Clorox?
Colgate-Palmolive (CL) is larger, with a market capitalization of $69.52B compared with $9.94B for Clorox (CLX).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, CL or CLX?
CL returned +10.97% over the past 12 months, compared with -31.77% for CLX (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, CL or CLX?
CLX has the lower trailing P/E at 17.1, versus 34.3 for CL. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, Colgate-Palmolive or Clorox?
Clorox has the higher yield at 6.05%, compared with 2.40% for Colgate-Palmolive.
Are Colgate-Palmolive and Clorox in the same industry?
Both are in the Consumer Discretionary sector, but in different industries: Package Goods/Cosmetics for Colgate-Palmolive and Specialty Chemicals for Clorox.