Colgate-Palmolive CompanyCL
NYSE•Consumer Defensive•Household & Personal Products
Colgate-Palmolive Company, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells consumer products in the United States and internationally. It operates through two segments: Oral, Personal and Home Care; and Pet Nutrition. The Oral, Personal and Home Care segment offers toothpaste, toothbrushes, mouthwash, bar and liquid hand soaps, shower gels, shampoos, conditioners, deodorants and antiperspirants, skin health products, dishwashing detergents, fabric conditioners, household cleaners, and other related items. This segment markets and sells its products under the Colgate, Palmolive, Darlie, elmex, hello, meridol, Sorriso, Tom's of Maine, EltaMD, Filorga, Irish Spring, Lady Speed Stick, PCA SKIN, Protex, Sanex, Softsoap, Speed Stick, Ajax, Axion, Fabuloso, Murphy, Soupline, and Suavitel brands to a range of traditional and eCommerce retailers, wholesalers, and distributors, as well as dentists and skin health professionals. It also offers pharmaceutical products for dentists and other oral health professionals. The Pet Nutrition segment offers pet nutrition products for everyday nutritional needs under the Hill's Science Diet brand; and a range of therapeutic pet products to help nutritionally support dogs and cats in different stages of health under the Hill's Prescription Diet brand; and a fresh pet food sold to pet specialty and other retailers in Australia under Prime100 brand. This segment markets and sells its products through pet supply retailers, veterinarians, and eCommerce retailers. Colgate-Palmolive Company was founded in 1806 and is headquartered in New York, New York.
Colgate-Palmolive Company (CL) reported trailing twelve months revenue of $20.80B as of March 2026, a 4.3% increase year-over-year. Quarterly revenue reached $5.32B, reflecting continued top-line momentum.
Colgate-Palmolive Company generated $2.09B in TTM net income, with quarterly EBITDA of $1.12B. The operating margin contracted from 21.9% to 18.1%, suggesting rising cost pressures or pricing headwinds.
The spread between operating margin (18.1%) and net margin (12.1%) indicates moderate non-operating costs. Net margin has narrowed from 14.1% a year ago, reflecting increased costs or interest expense.
CL trades at a P/E of 32.9x (a premium multiple) and a P/S of 3.3x. The price-to-book ratio of 474.4x indicates a significant premium over book value.
The company generated $609.00M in free cash flow over the trailing twelve months, a 27.9% increase year-over-year, indicating cash generation ability. The balance sheet shows $16.61B in total assets with $7.94B in long-term debt against $145.00M in stockholders equity for a debt-to-equity ratio of 54.7, a relatively leveraged position. Data based on the most recent quarterly reports.
Competitive analysis based on 21 quarters of fundamental data
Operating margins are positive at ~18.5% on average, but show some variability — pricing power may be sensitive to market conditions.
Consistently high ROE averaging 1408.9% suggests a durable competitive advantage and efficient capital allocation.
Free cash flow is consistently positive and growing — a hallmark of a capital-light business that can self-fund growth.
Revenue shows resilience with 5 of 7 quarters posting growth — demand is generally stable but has seen some soft patches.
Data-driven red flags and warnings across 21 quarters
Operating margins dropped 28.5% over recent quarters — a sharp decline suggesting serious cost or pricing challenges.
FCF covers net income by -3.4x on average — earnings are well-supported by cash generation.
D/E ratio is 54.7 — dangerously high. The company is heavily leveraged and vulnerable to rising rates or cash flow dips.
Revenue is stable or growing over recent quarters — demand appears durable.
Free cash flow is consistently positive — the business self-funds without external capital reliance.
Shares decreased 2.1% — net buybacks are reducing shares outstanding and boosting per-share value.
Quarterly standardized metrics.
Stock price and market valuation
Revenue and earnings growth across quarters
Assets, cash, debt, and leverage
Price multiples and return ratios
Operating efficiency and return metrics
Free cash flow, earnings quality, and capital allocation