Estee Lauder Companies (EL) vs Unilever (UL)
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 Unilever (UL) over the past year, gaining 1.9% versus a loss of 7.6%. Over five years, UL leads with a +2.2% price change compared with -70.6% for EL. Unilever is the larger company by market cap ($131.32 billion vs $34.22 billion), about 3.8 times the size.
On valuation, Unilever trades at a lower forward P/E (15.9x vs 24.1x for Estee Lauder Companies). Unilever offers the higher dividend yield (3.09% vs 1.48%).
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 | EL | UL |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $94.45 | $60.98 |
| Market cap | $34.22B | $131.32B |
| 1-day change | +1.17% | +0.30% |
| YTD return | -9.81% | -6.76% |
| 1-year return | +1.91% | -7.61% |
| 5-year return | -70.56% | +2.25% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 188.90 | 12.32 |
| Forward P/E | 24.08 | 15.94 |
| EPS (TTM) | $0.50 | $4.95 |
| Dividend yield | 1.48% | 3.09% |
| Annual dividend | $1.40 | $1.89 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $15.05B | — |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +5.05% | — |
| Net income (latest FY) | $182.00M | — |
| Gross margin | 75.50% | — |
| Operating margin | 5.18% | — |
| Net margin | 1.21% | — |
| 52-week high | $121.64 | $74.98 |
| 52-week low | $66.22 | $54.75 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -22.35% | -18.67% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +13.65% | +17.07% |
| Average volume | 2.95M | 3.94M |
| Shares outstanding | 247.82M | 2.15B |
| Employees | 37,950 | 93,731 |
| Sector | Consumer Discretionary | Consumer Discretionary |
| Industry | Package Goods/Cosmetics | 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
- Unilever is about 3.8 times larger than Estee Lauder Companies by market value ($131.32B vs $34.22B).
- Estee Lauder Companies trades at a higher earnings multiple (188.9x vs 12.3x trailing P/E).
- Unilever offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (3.09% vs 1.48%).
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
About Unilever
UL stock →Unilever PLC operates as a fast-moving consumer goods company in the Asia Pacific, Africa, the Americas, and Europe. It operates through four segments: Beauty & Wellbeing, Personal Care, Home Care, and Foods.
Consumer Discretionary · Package Goods/Cosmetics · 93,731 employees
EL vs UL FAQ
Which is bigger, Estee Lauder Companies or Unilever?
Unilever (UL) is larger, with a market capitalization of $131.32B compared with $34.22B for Estee Lauder Companies (EL).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, EL or UL?
EL returned +1.91% over the past 12 months, compared with -7.61% for UL (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, EL or UL?
UL has the lower trailing P/E at 12.3, 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, Estee Lauder Companies or Unilever?
Unilever has the higher yield at 3.09%, compared with 1.48% for Estee Lauder Companies.
Are Estee Lauder Companies and Unilever in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Package Goods/Cosmetics industry within the Consumer Discretionary sector.