Colgate-Palmolive (CL) vs Kimberly-Clark (KMB)
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 Kimberly-Clark (KMB) over the past year, gaining 10.2% versus a loss of 21.1%. Over five years, CL leads with a +14.4% price change compared with -27.6% for KMB. Colgate-Palmolive is the larger company by market cap ($70.23 billion vs $32.51 billion), about 2.2 times the size.
On valuation, Kimberly-Clark trades at a lower forward P/E (13.1x vs 21.5x for Colgate-Palmolive). Kimberly-Clark offers the higher dividend yield (5.20% vs 2.37%). Kimberly-Clark converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 12.3% 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 | KMB |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $88.10 | $97.74 |
| Market cap | $70.23B | $32.51B |
| 1-day change | +1.02% | +1.31% |
| YTD return | +10.36% | -4.37% |
| 1-year return | +10.24% | -21.13% |
| 5-year return | +14.37% | -27.64% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 34.69 | 19.28 |
| Forward P/E | 21.50 | 13.09 |
| EPS (TTM) | $2.54 | $5.07 |
| Dividend yield | 2.37% | 5.20% |
| Annual dividend | $2.09 | $5.08 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $20.38B | $16.45B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +1.40% | -2.13% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $2.13B | $2.02B |
| Gross margin | 60.11% | 36.01% |
| Operating margin | 16.22% | 14.29% |
| Net margin | 10.46% | 12.29% |
| 52-week high | $99.33 | $123.09 |
| 52-week low | $74.55 | $92.42 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -11.31% | -20.59% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +11.63% | +18.55% |
| Average volume | 4.74M | 3.88M |
| Shares outstanding | 797.17M | 332.58M |
| Employees | 33,600 | 36,000 |
| Sector | Consumer Discretionary | Consumer Discretionary |
| Industry | Package Goods/Cosmetics | Containers/Packaging |
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 2.2 times larger than Kimberly-Clark by market value ($70.23B vs $32.51B).
- CL has outperformed KMB by 31.4 percentage points over the past year.
- Colgate-Palmolive trades at a higher earnings multiple (34.7x vs 19.3x trailing P/E).
- Kimberly-Clark offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (5.20% vs 2.37%).
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 Kimberly-Clark
KMB stock →Kimberly-Clark Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and markets personal care products in the United States. It operates in two segments, North America and International Personal Care.
Consumer Discretionary · Containers/Packaging · 36,000 employees
CL vs KMB FAQ
Which is bigger, Colgate-Palmolive or Kimberly-Clark?
Colgate-Palmolive (CL) is larger, with a market capitalization of $70.23B compared with $32.51B for Kimberly-Clark (KMB).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, CL or KMB?
CL returned +10.24% over the past 12 months, compared with -21.13% for KMB (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, CL or KMB?
KMB has the lower trailing P/E at 19.3, versus 34.7 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 Kimberly-Clark?
Kimberly-Clark has the higher yield at 5.20%, compared with 2.37% for Colgate-Palmolive.
Are Colgate-Palmolive and Kimberly-Clark in the same industry?
Both are in the Consumer Discretionary sector, but in different industries: Package Goods/Cosmetics for Colgate-Palmolive and Containers/Packaging for Kimberly-Clark.