Clorox (CLX) vs Estee Lauder Companies (EL)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 7, 2026.
Summary
Estee Lauder Companies (EL) has outperformed Clorox (CLX) over the past year, gaining 1.9% versus a loss of 31.8%. Over five years, CLX leads with a -49.6% price change compared with -70.6% for EL. Estee Lauder Companies is the larger company by market cap ($34.22 billion vs $9.94 billion), about 3.4 times the size.
On valuation, Clorox trades at a lower forward P/E (13.2x vs 24.1x for Estee Lauder Companies). Clorox offers the higher dividend yield (6.05% vs 1.48%). Clorox converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 11.4% versus 1.2%.
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 | CLX | EL |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $82.21 | $94.45 |
| Market cap | $9.94B | $34.22B |
| 1-day change | -1.57% | +1.17% |
| YTD return | -18.47% | -9.81% |
| 1-year return | -31.77% | +1.91% |
| 5-year return | -49.64% | -70.56% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 17.09 | 188.90 |
| Forward P/E | 13.24 | 24.08 |
| EPS (TTM) | $4.81 | $0.50 |
| Dividend yield | 6.05% | 1.48% |
| Annual dividend | $4.97 | $1.40 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $7.10B | $15.05B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +0.16% | +5.05% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $810.00M | $182.00M |
| Gross margin | 45.23% | 75.50% |
| Operating margin | — | 5.18% |
| Net margin | 11.40% | 1.21% |
| 52-week high | $128.90 | $121.64 |
| 52-week low | $79.12 | $66.22 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -36.22% | -22.35% |
| Analyst consensus | hold | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +21.14% | +13.65% |
| Average volume | 2.90M | 2.96M |
| Shares outstanding | 120.93M | 247.82M |
| Employees | 9,200 | 37,950 |
| Sector | Consumer Discretionary | Consumer Discretionary |
| Industry | Specialty Chemicals | 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
- Estee Lauder Companies is about 3.4 times larger than Clorox by market value ($34.22B vs $9.94B).
- EL has outperformed CLX by 33.7 percentage points over the past year.
- Estee Lauder Companies trades at a higher earnings multiple (188.9x vs 17.1x trailing P/E).
- Clorox offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (6.05% vs 1.48%).
- Clorox is more profitable, keeping 11.4 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 1.2 cents for Estee Lauder Companies.
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
About Estee Lauder Companies
EL stock →The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. manufactures, markets, and sells skin care, makeup, fragrance, and hair care products worldwide.
Consumer Discretionary · Package Goods/Cosmetics · 37,950 employees
CLX vs EL FAQ
Which is bigger, Clorox or Estee Lauder Companies?
Estee Lauder Companies (EL) is larger, with a market capitalization of $34.22B compared with $9.94B for Clorox (CLX).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, CLX or EL?
EL returned +1.91% 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, CLX or EL?
CLX has the lower trailing P/E at 17.1, versus 188.9 for EL. 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, Clorox or Estee Lauder Companies?
Clorox has the higher yield at 6.05%, compared with 1.48% for Estee Lauder Companies.
Are Clorox and Estee Lauder Companies in the same industry?
Both are in the Consumer Discretionary sector, but in different industries: Specialty Chemicals for Clorox and Package Goods/Cosmetics for Estee Lauder Companies.