Colgate-Palmolive (CL) vs e.l.f. Beauty (ELF)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Colgate-Palmolive (CL) has outperformed e.l.f. Beauty (ELF) over the past year, gaining 10.2% versus a loss of 25.3%. Over five years, ELF leads with a +260.7% price change compared with +14.4% for CL. Colgate-Palmolive is the larger company by market cap ($69.52 billion vs $6.20 billion), about 11.2 times the size, while e.l.f. Beauty is growing revenue faster (+24.6% vs +1.4%).
On valuation, Colgate-Palmolive trades at a lower forward P/E (21.3x vs 27.2x for e.l.f. Beauty). Colgate-Palmolive pays a dividend yielding 2.40%, while e.l.f. Beauty does not currently pay one. Colgate-Palmolive converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 10.5% versus 1.6%.
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 | ELF |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $87.21 | $105.03 |
| Market cap | $69.52B | $6.20B |
| 1-day change | -0.05% | +2.18% |
| YTD return | +10.36% | +38.12% |
| 1-year return | +10.24% | -25.30% |
| 5-year return | +14.37% | +260.68% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 34.33 | 105.03 |
| Forward P/E | 21.28 | 27.17 |
| EPS (TTM) | $2.54 | $1.00 |
| Dividend yield | 2.40% | 0.00% |
| Annual dividend | $2.09 | $0.00 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $20.38B | $1.64B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +1.40% | +24.59% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $2.13B | $26.32M |
| Gross margin | 60.11% | 70.72% |
| Operating margin | 16.22% | 4.50% |
| Net margin | 10.46% | 1.61% |
| 52-week high | $99.33 | $147.00 |
| 52-week low | $74.55 | $48.82 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -12.20% | -28.55% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +12.77% | -0.03% |
| Average volume | 4.75M | 1.94M |
| Shares outstanding | 797.17M | 59.01M |
| Employees | 33,600 | 849 |
| Sector | Consumer Discretionary | Consumer Discretionary |
| Industry | Package Goods/Cosmetics | Package Goods/Cosmetics |
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 11.2 times larger than e.l.f. Beauty by market value ($69.52B vs $6.20B).
- CL has outperformed ELF by 35.5 percentage points over the past year.
- e.l.f. Beauty trades at a higher earnings multiple (105.0x vs 34.3x trailing P/E).
- Colgate-Palmolive offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (2.40% vs 0.00%).
- Colgate-Palmolive is more profitable, keeping 10.5 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 1.6 cents for e.l.f. Beauty.
- e.l.f. Beauty grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+24.59% vs +1.40%).
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 e.l.f. Beauty
ELF stock →e.l.f. Beauty, Inc., a beauty company, provides cosmetics and skin care products worldwide.
Consumer Discretionary · Package Goods/Cosmetics · 849 employees
CL vs ELF FAQ
Which is bigger, Colgate-Palmolive or e.l.f. Beauty?
Colgate-Palmolive (CL) is larger, with a market capitalization of $69.52B compared with $6.20B for e.l.f. Beauty (ELF).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, CL or ELF?
CL returned +10.24% over the past 12 months, compared with -25.30% for ELF (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, CL or ELF?
CL has the lower trailing P/E at 34.3, versus 105.0 for ELF. 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 e.l.f. Beauty?
Colgate-Palmolive pays a dividend yielding 2.40%, while e.l.f. Beauty does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Colgate-Palmolive and e.l.f. Beauty in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Package Goods/Cosmetics industry within the Consumer Discretionary sector.