Kimberly-Clark (KMB) vs Unilever (UL)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Unilever (UL) has outperformed Kimberly-Clark (KMB) over the past year, losing 7.6% versus a loss of 21.1%. Over five years, UL leads with a +2.2% price change compared with -27.6% for KMB. Unilever is the larger company by market cap ($133.02 billion vs $32.42 billion), about 4.1 times the size.
On valuation, Kimberly-Clark trades at a lower forward P/E (13.1x vs 16.1x for Unilever). Kimberly-Clark offers the higher dividend yield (5.21% vs 3.05%).
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 | KMB | UL |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $97.47 | $61.77 |
| Market cap | $32.42B | $133.02B |
| 1-day change | +1.03% | +1.30% |
| YTD return | -4.37% | -6.76% |
| 1-year return | -21.13% | -7.61% |
| 5-year return | -27.64% | +2.25% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 19.22 | 12.48 |
| Forward P/E | 13.06 | 16.14 |
| EPS (TTM) | $5.07 | $4.95 |
| Dividend yield | 5.21% | 3.05% |
| Annual dividend | $5.08 | $1.89 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $16.45B | — |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | -2.13% | — |
| Net income (latest FY) | $2.02B | — |
| Gross margin | 36.01% | — |
| Operating margin | 14.29% | — |
| Net margin | 12.29% | — |
| 52-week high | $123.09 | $74.98 |
| 52-week low | $92.42 | $54.75 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -20.81% | -17.62% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +18.88% | +15.65% |
| Average volume | 3.88M | 3.92M |
| Shares outstanding | 332.58M | 2.15B |
| Employees | 36,000 | 93,731 |
| Sector | Consumer Discretionary | Consumer Discretionary |
| Industry | Containers/Packaging | 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 4.1 times larger than Kimberly-Clark by market value ($133.02B vs $32.42B).
- UL has outperformed KMB by 13.5 percentage points over the past year.
- Kimberly-Clark trades at a higher earnings multiple (19.2x vs 12.5x trailing P/E).
- Kimberly-Clark offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (5.21% vs 3.05%).
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
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
KMB vs UL FAQ
Which is bigger, Kimberly-Clark or Unilever?
Unilever (UL) is larger, with a market capitalization of $133.02B compared with $32.42B for Kimberly-Clark (KMB).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, KMB or UL?
UL returned -7.61% over the past 12 months, compared with -21.13% for KMB (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, KMB or UL?
UL has the lower trailing P/E at 12.5, versus 19.2 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, Kimberly-Clark or Unilever?
Kimberly-Clark has the higher yield at 5.21%, compared with 3.05% for Unilever.
Are Kimberly-Clark and Unilever in the same industry?
Both are in the Consumer Discretionary sector, but in different industries: Containers/Packaging for Kimberly-Clark and Package Goods/Cosmetics for Unilever.