Columbia Sportswear (COLM) vs Carter's (CRI)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 7, 2026.
Summary
Carter's (CRI) has outperformed Columbia Sportswear (COLM) over the past year, gaining 12.0% versus a gain of 8.6%. Over five years, COLM leads with a -41.2% price change compared with -67.1% for CRI. Columbia Sportswear is the larger company by market cap ($2.89 billion vs $1.19 billion), about 2.4 times the size.
On valuation, Carter's trades at a lower forward P/E (8.8x vs 13.5x for Columbia Sportswear). Carter's offers the higher dividend yield (3.08% vs 2.12%).
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 | COLM | CRI |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $56.53 | $32.45 |
| Market cap | $2.89B | $1.19B |
| 1-day change | -1.60% | -4.08% |
| YTD return | +2.61% | +0.06% |
| 1-year return | +8.65% | +12.01% |
| 5-year return | -41.25% | -67.09% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 14.76 | 6.05 |
| Forward P/E | 13.50 | 8.79 |
| EPS (TTM) | $3.83 | $5.36 |
| Dividend yield | 2.12% | 3.08% |
| Annual dividend | $1.20 | $1.00 |
| 52-week high | $69.06 | $44.44 |
| 52-week low | $47.47 | $27.15 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -18.14% | -26.98% |
| Analyst consensus | hold | — |
| Avg. price target upside | +23.53% | — |
| Average volume | 668.57K | 1.27M |
| Shares outstanding | 51.19M | 36.71M |
| Employees | 9,620 | — |
| Sector | Consumer Discretionary | Consumer Discretionary |
| Industry | Apparel | Apparel |
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
- Columbia Sportswear is about 2.4 times larger than Carter's by market value ($2.89B vs $1.19B).
- Columbia Sportswear trades at a higher earnings multiple (14.8x vs 6.1x trailing P/E).
About Columbia Sportswear
COLM stock →Columbia Sportswear Company, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the design, development, marketing, and distribution of outdoor, active, and lifestyle products in the United States, Latin America, the Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Canada. It provides apparel, accessories, and equipment for hiking, trail running, snow, fishing, hunting, and outdoor activities.
Consumer Discretionary · Apparel · 9,620 employees
COLM vs CRI FAQ
Which is bigger, Columbia Sportswear or Carter's?
Columbia Sportswear (COLM) is larger, with a market capitalization of $2.89B compared with $1.19B for Carter's (CRI).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, COLM or CRI?
CRI returned +12.01% over the past 12 months, compared with +8.65% for COLM (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, COLM or CRI?
CRI has the lower trailing P/E at 6.1, versus 14.8 for COLM. 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, Columbia Sportswear or Carter's?
Carter's has the higher yield at 3.08%, compared with 2.12% for Columbia Sportswear.
Are Columbia Sportswear and Carter's in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Apparel industry within the Consumer Discretionary sector.