Colgate-Palmolive (CL) vs Unilever (UL)
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 Unilever (UL) over the past year, gaining 10.2% versus a loss of 7.6%. Over five years, CL leads with a +14.4% price change compared with +2.2% for UL. Unilever is the larger company by market cap ($131.32 billion vs $69.52 billion), about 1.9 times the size.
On valuation, Unilever trades at a lower forward P/E (15.9x vs 21.3x for Colgate-Palmolive). Unilever offers the higher dividend yield (3.09% vs 2.40%).
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 | UL |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $87.21 | $60.98 |
| Market cap | $69.52B | $131.32B |
| 1-day change | -0.05% | +0.30% |
| YTD return | +10.36% | -6.76% |
| 1-year return | +10.24% | -7.61% |
| 5-year return | +14.37% | +2.25% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 34.33 | 12.32 |
| Forward P/E | 21.28 | 15.94 |
| EPS (TTM) | $2.54 | $4.95 |
| Dividend yield | 2.40% | 3.09% |
| Annual dividend | $2.09 | $1.89 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $20.38B | — |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +1.40% | — |
| Net income (latest FY) | $2.13B | — |
| Gross margin | 60.11% | — |
| Operating margin | 16.22% | — |
| Net margin | 10.46% | — |
| 52-week high | $99.33 | $74.98 |
| 52-week low | $74.55 | $54.75 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -12.20% | -18.67% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +12.77% | +17.15% |
| Average volume | 4.75M | 3.94M |
| Shares outstanding | 797.17M | 2.15B |
| Employees | 33,600 | 93,731 |
| Sector | Consumer Discretionary | Consumer Defensive |
| Industry | Package Goods/Cosmetics | Household & Personal Products |
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
- CL has outperformed UL by 17.8 percentage points over the past year.
- Colgate-Palmolive trades at a higher earnings multiple (34.3x vs 12.3x trailing P/E).
- The two companies sit in different sectors: Colgate-Palmolive in Consumer Discretionary and Unilever in Consumer Defensive.
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 Unilever
UL stock →Unilever PLC operates as a fast-moving consumer goods company in the Asia Pacific, Africa, the Americas, and Europe. It operates through four segments: Beauty & Wellbeing, Personal Care, Home Care, and Foods.
Consumer Defensive · Household & Personal Products · 93,731 employees
CL vs UL FAQ
Which is bigger, Colgate-Palmolive or Unilever?
Unilever (UL) is larger, with a market capitalization of $131.32B compared with $69.52B for Colgate-Palmolive (CL).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, CL or UL?
CL returned +10.24% over the past 12 months, compared with -7.61% for UL (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, CL or UL?
UL has the lower trailing P/E at 12.3, 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 Unilever?
Unilever has the higher yield at 3.09%, compared with 2.40% for Colgate-Palmolive.
Are Colgate-Palmolive and Unilever in the same industry?
No. Colgate-Palmolive is in the Consumer Discretionary sector, while Unilever is in Consumer Defensive.