Columbia Sportswear (COLM) vs Gildan Activewear (GIL)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 7, 2026.
Summary
Columbia Sportswear (COLM) has outperformed Gildan Activewear (GIL) over the past year, gaining 8.6% versus a loss of 32.4%. Over five years, GIL leads with a +12.8% price change compared with -41.2% for COLM. Gildan Activewear is the larger company by market cap ($7.64 billion vs $2.89 billion), about 2.6 times the size.
On valuation, Gildan Activewear trades at a lower forward P/E (7.6x vs 13.5x for Columbia Sportswear). Gildan Activewear offers the higher dividend yield (2.30% 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 | GIL |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $56.53 | $41.26 |
| Market cap | $2.89B | $7.64B |
| 1-day change | -1.60% | -1.10% |
| YTD return | +2.61% | -33.94% |
| 1-year return | +8.65% | -32.36% |
| 5-year return | -41.25% | +12.76% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 14.76 | 31.50 |
| Forward P/E | 13.50 | 7.58 |
| EPS (TTM) | $3.83 | $1.31 |
| Dividend yield | 2.12% | 2.30% |
| Annual dividend | $1.20 | $0.95 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | — | $3.62B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | — | +10.66% |
| Net income (latest FY) | — | $398.88M |
| Gross margin | — | 31.22% |
| Operating margin | — | 17.13% |
| Net margin | — | 11.02% |
| 52-week high | $69.06 | $73.70 |
| 52-week low | $47.47 | $39.93 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -18.14% | -44.02% |
| Analyst consensus | hold | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +23.53% | +98.74% |
| Average volume | 668.57K | 1.50M |
| Shares outstanding | 51.19M | 185.19M |
| Employees | 9,620 | 75,000 |
| 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
- Gildan Activewear is about 2.6 times larger than Columbia Sportswear by market value ($7.64B vs $2.89B).
- COLM has outperformed GIL by 41.0 percentage points over the past year.
- Gildan Activewear trades at a higher earnings multiple (31.5x vs 14.8x 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
About Gildan Activewear
GIL stock →Gildan Activewear Inc. manufactures and sells various apparel products.
Consumer Discretionary · Apparel · 75,000 employees
COLM vs GIL FAQ
Which is bigger, Columbia Sportswear or Gildan Activewear?
Gildan Activewear (GIL) is larger, with a market capitalization of $7.64B compared with $2.89B for Columbia Sportswear (COLM).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, COLM or GIL?
COLM returned +8.65% over the past 12 months, compared with -32.36% for GIL (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, COLM or GIL?
COLM has the lower trailing P/E at 14.8, versus 31.5 for GIL. 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 Gildan Activewear?
Gildan Activewear has the higher yield at 2.30%, compared with 2.12% for Columbia Sportswear.
Are Columbia Sportswear and Gildan Activewear in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Apparel industry within the Consumer Discretionary sector.