Clorox (CLX) 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
Kimberly-Clark (KMB) has outperformed Clorox (CLX) over the past year, losing 21.1% versus a loss of 31.8%. Over five years, KMB leads with a -27.6% price change compared with -49.6% for CLX. Kimberly-Clark is the larger company by market cap ($31.98 billion vs $9.95 billion), about 3.2 times the size, while Clorox is growing revenue faster (+0.2% vs -2.1%).
On valuation, Kimberly-Clark trades at a lower forward P/E (12.9x vs 13.3x for Clorox). Clorox offers the higher dividend yield (6.04% vs 5.28%). Kimberly-Clark converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 12.3% versus 11.4%.
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 | KMB |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $82.30 | $96.16 |
| Market cap | $9.95B | $31.98B |
| 1-day change | +0.11% | -0.33% |
| YTD return | -18.47% | -4.37% |
| 1-year return | -31.77% | -21.13% |
| 5-year return | -49.64% | -27.64% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 17.11 | 18.97 |
| Forward P/E | 13.25 | 12.88 |
| EPS (TTM) | $4.81 | $5.07 |
| Dividend yield | 6.04% | 5.28% |
| Annual dividend | $4.97 | $5.08 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $7.10B | $16.45B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +0.16% | -2.13% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $810.00M | $2.02B |
| Gross margin | 45.23% | 36.01% |
| Operating margin | — | 14.29% |
| Net margin | 11.40% | 12.29% |
| 52-week high | $128.90 | $123.09 |
| 52-week low | $79.12 | $92.42 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -36.15% | -21.88% |
| Analyst consensus | hold | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +21.01% | +20.50% |
| Average volume | 2.89M | 3.88M |
| Shares outstanding | 120.93M | 332.58M |
| Employees | 9,200 | 36,000 |
| Sector | Consumer Discretionary | Consumer Discretionary |
| Industry | Specialty Chemicals | 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
- Kimberly-Clark is about 3.2 times larger than Clorox by market value ($31.98B vs $9.95B).
- KMB has outperformed CLX by 10.6 percentage points over the past year.
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 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
CLX vs KMB FAQ
Which is bigger, Clorox or Kimberly-Clark?
Kimberly-Clark (KMB) is larger, with a market capitalization of $31.98B compared with $9.95B for Clorox (CLX).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, CLX or KMB?
KMB returned -21.13% 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 KMB?
CLX has the lower trailing P/E at 17.1, versus 19.0 for KMB. 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 Kimberly-Clark?
Clorox has the higher yield at 6.04%, compared with 5.28% for Kimberly-Clark.
Are Clorox and Kimberly-Clark in the same industry?
Both are in the Consumer Discretionary sector, but in different industries: Specialty Chemicals for Clorox and Containers/Packaging for Kimberly-Clark.