Columbia Sportswear (COLM) vs Ralph Lauren (RL)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 7, 2026.
Summary
Ralph Lauren (RL) has outperformed Columbia Sportswear (COLM) over the past year, gaining 11.2% versus a gain of 8.6%. Over five years, RL leads with a +204.0% price change compared with -41.2% for COLM. Ralph Lauren is the larger company by market cap ($21.52 billion vs $2.89 billion), about 7.4 times the size.
On valuation, Columbia Sportswear trades at a lower forward P/E (13.5x vs 17.2x for Ralph Lauren). Columbia Sportswear offers the higher dividend yield (2.12% vs 1.04%).
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 | RL |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $56.53 | $361.14 |
| Market cap | $2.89B | $21.52B |
| 1-day change | -1.60% | -2.04% |
| YTD return | +2.61% | +2.13% |
| 1-year return | +8.65% | +11.20% |
| 5-year return | -41.25% | +204.02% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 14.76 | 22.76 |
| Forward P/E | 13.50 | 17.22 |
| EPS (TTM) | $3.83 | $15.87 |
| Dividend yield | 2.12% | 1.04% |
| Annual dividend | $1.20 | $3.74 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | — | $8.11B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | — | +14.63% |
| Net income (latest FY) | — | $941.10M |
| Gross margin | — | 69.87% |
| Operating margin | — | 14.53% |
| Net margin | — | 11.60% |
| 52-week high | $69.06 | $421.60 |
| 52-week low | $47.47 | $306.55 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -18.14% | -14.34% |
| Analyst consensus | hold | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +23.53% | +23.69% |
| Average volume | 668.57K | 629.65K |
| Shares outstanding | 51.19M | 37.70M |
| Employees | 9,620 | 15,600 |
| Sector | Consumer Discretionary | Industrials |
| Industry | Apparel | Garments and Clothing |
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
- Ralph Lauren is about 7.4 times larger than Columbia Sportswear by market value ($21.52B vs $2.89B).
- Ralph Lauren trades at a higher earnings multiple (22.8x vs 14.8x trailing P/E).
- Columbia Sportswear offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (2.12% vs 1.04%).
- The two companies sit in different sectors: Columbia Sportswear in Consumer Discretionary and Ralph Lauren in Industrials.
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 Ralph Lauren
RL stock →Ralph Lauren Corporation designs, markets, and distributes lifestyle products in North America, Europe, Asia, and internationally. The company offers apparel, including a range of men's, women's, and children's clothing; footwear and accessories, which comprise casual shoes, dress shoes, boots, sneakers, sandals, eyewear, watches, fashion and fine jewelry, scarves, hats, gloves, and umbrellas, as well as leather goods comprising handbags, luggage, small leather goods, and belts; home products, such as bed and bath lines, furniture, fabric and wall coverings, lighting, dining, floor coverings, decorative accessories, and giftware; and fragrances.
Industrials · Garments and Clothing · 15,600 employees
COLM vs RL FAQ
Which is bigger, Columbia Sportswear or Ralph Lauren?
Ralph Lauren (RL) is larger, with a market capitalization of $21.52B compared with $2.89B for Columbia Sportswear (COLM).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, COLM or RL?
RL returned +11.20% 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 RL?
COLM has the lower trailing P/E at 14.8, versus 22.8 for RL. 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 Ralph Lauren?
Columbia Sportswear has the higher yield at 2.12%, compared with 1.04% for Ralph Lauren.
Are Columbia Sportswear and Ralph Lauren in the same industry?
No. Columbia Sportswear is in the Consumer Discretionary sector, while Ralph Lauren is in Industrials.