Household & Personal Products
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PG vs CL
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Household & Personal Products
PG vs CL — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Household & Personal Products | Household & Personal Products |
| Market Cap | $348.90B | $74.73B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $86.72B | $20.80B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $12.72B | $2.09B |
| Gross Margin | 50.3% | 60.1% |
| Operating Margin | 23.2% | 21.2% |
| Forward P/E | 21.7x | 24.5x |
| Total Debt | $35.46B | $7.99B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $9.56B | $1.29B |
PG vs CL — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | Jul 20 | Jul 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Procter & Gambl… (PG) | 100 | 113.9 | +13.9% |
| Colgate-Palmolive C… (CL) | 100 | 121.0 | +21.0% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: PG vs CL
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
PG carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and long-term compounding.
- Dividend streak 56 yrs, beta -0.07, yield 2.7%
- 115.6% 10Y total return vs CL's 52.2%
- Lower volatility, beta -0.07, Low D/E 67.8%, current ratio 0.70x
CL is the clearest fit if your priority is growth exposure.
- Rev growth 1.4%, EPS growth -25.1%, 3Y rev CAGR 4.3%
- 1.4% revenue growth vs PG's 0.3%
- +2.3% vs PG's -4.3%
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | 1.4% revenue growth vs PG's 0.3% | |
| Value | Lower P/E (21.7x vs 24.5x) | |
| Quality / Margins | 14.7% margin vs CL's 10.0% | |
| Stability / Safety | Lower D/E ratio (67.8% vs 21.9%) | |
| Dividends | 2.7% yield, 56-year raise streak, vs CL's 2.4% | |
| Momentum (1Y) | +2.3% vs PG's -4.3% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | 12.3% ROA vs PG's 10.0%, ROIC 43.4% vs 20.1% |
PG vs CL — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
PG vs CL — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
Evenly matched — PG and CL each lead in 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
PG is the larger business by revenue, generating $86.7B annually — 4.2x CL's $20.8B. Profitability is closely matched — net margins range from 14.7% (PG) to 10.0% (CL).
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $86.7B | $20.8B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $21.9B | $5.0B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $12.7B | $2.1B |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $15.0B | $3.8B |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +50.3% | +60.1% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +23.2% | +21.2% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +14.7% | +10.0% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +17.3% | +18.1% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +7.4% | +8.4% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +5.8% | -5.9% |
Valuation Metrics
PG leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 22.9x trailing earnings, PG trades at a 35% valuation discount to CL's 35.5x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, PG's 16.1x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than CL's 16.4x.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $348.9B | $74.7B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $374.8B | $81.4B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 22.94x | 35.51x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 21.68x | 24.54x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | 4.10x | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 16.09x | 16.36x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 4.14x | 3.67x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 7.01x | 207.53x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 24.84x | 20.56x |
Profitability & Efficiency
CL leads this category, winning 7 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
CL delivers a 2.7% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $3 in annual profit, vs $24 for PG. PG carries lower financial leverage with a 0.68x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to CL's 21.88x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), CL scores 6/9 vs PG's 5/9, reflecting solid financial health.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +23.8% | +2.7% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +10.0% | +12.3% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +20.1% | +43.4% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +23.0% | +41.6% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 5 | 6 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.68x | 21.88x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $25.9B | $6.7B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $9.6B | $1.3B |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $35.5B | $8.0B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 487.21x | 12.31x |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
CL leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in CL five years ago would be worth $12,584 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $12,405 for PG. Over the past 12 months, CL leads with a +2.3% total return vs PG's -4.3%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors CL at 8.5% vs PG's 3.4% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +6.8% | +21.6% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | -4.3% | +2.3% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +6.2% | +29.3% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +24.0% | +25.8% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +115.6% | +52.2% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +3.4% | +8.5% |
Risk & Volatility
CL leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
CL is the less volatile stock with a -0.12 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than PG's -0.07 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. CL currently trades 94.0% from its 52-week high vs PG's 89.3% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | -0.07x | -0.12x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $167.25 | $99.33 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $137.62 | $74.55 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +89.3% | +94.0% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 57.7 | 66.3 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 6.4M | 4.7M |
Analyst Outlook
PG leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates PG as "Buy" and CL as "Hold". Consensus price targets imply 6.5% upside for PG (target: $159) vs 2.8% for CL (target: $96). For income investors, PG offers the higher dividend yield at 2.69% vs CL's 2.41%.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Hold |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $159.00 | $96.00 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 52 | 45 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +2.7% | +2.4% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 56 | 53 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $4.02 | $2.25 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +1.9% | +1.6% |
CL leads in 3 of 6 categories (Profitability & Efficiency, Total Returns). PG leads in 2 (Valuation Metrics, Analyst Outlook). 1 tied.
Custom Comparison: PG vs CL
Compare on any lens — Growth, Value, Income, or pick from 130+ individual metrics.
PG vs CL: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is PG or CL a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Colgate-Palmolive Company (CL) is the stronger pick with 1.
4% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 0. 3% for The Procter & Gamble Company (PG). The Procter & Gamble Company (PG) offers the better valuation at 22. 9x trailing P/E (21. 7x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate The Procter & Gamble Company (PG) a "Buy" — based on 52 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.
02Which has the better valuation — PG or CL?
On trailing P/E, The Procter & Gamble Company (PG) is the cheapest at 22.
9x versus Colgate-Palmolive Company at 35. 5x. On forward P/E, The Procter & Gamble Company is actually cheaper at 21. 7x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — PG or CL?
Over the past 5 years, Colgate-Palmolive Company (CL) delivered a total return of +25.
8%, compared to +24. 0% for The Procter & Gamble Company (PG). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: PG returned +115. 6% versus CL's +52. 2%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
04Which is safer — PG or CL?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Colgate-Palmolive Company (CL) is the lower-risk stock at -0.
12β versus The Procter & Gamble Company's -0. 07β — meaning PG is approximately -41% more volatile than CL relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, The Procter & Gamble Company (PG) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 68% versus 22% for Colgate-Palmolive Company — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — PG or CL?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Colgate-Palmolive Company (CL) is pulling ahead at 1.
4% versus 0. 3% for The Procter & Gamble Company (PG). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: The Procter & Gamble Company grew EPS 8. 1% year-over-year, compared to -25. 1% for Colgate-Palmolive Company. Over a 3-year CAGR, CL leads at 4. 3% annualised revenue growth. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.
06Which has better profit margins — PG or CL?
The Procter & Gamble Company (PG) is the more profitable company, earning 19.
0% net margin versus 10. 5% for Colgate-Palmolive Company — meaning it keeps 19. 0% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: PG leads at 24. 3% versus 21. 3% for CL. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — CL leads at 60. 1%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.
07Is PG or CL more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, The Procter & Gamble Company (PG) trades at 21.
7x forward P/E versus 24. 5x for Colgate-Palmolive Company — 2. 9x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for PG: 6. 5% to $159. 00.
08Which pays a better dividend — PG or CL?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
The Procter & Gamble Company (PG) offers the highest yield at 2. 7%, versus 2. 4% for Colgate-Palmolive Company (CL).
09Is PG or CL better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Colgate-Palmolive Company (CL) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β -0.
12), 2. 4% yield). Both have compounded well over 10 years (CL: +52. 2%, PG: +115. 6%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.
10What are the main differences between PG and CL?
Both stocks operate in the Consumer Defensive sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.
These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.