CL vs. ITW
CL (Colgate-Palmolive Company) and ITW (Illinois Tool Works Inc.) are both stocks. CL operates in Household & Personal Products (Consumer Defensive), while ITW operates in Specialty Industrial Machinery (Industrials). Over the past 10 years, CL returned 4.44%/yr vs 12.18%/yr for ITW. Their 0.32 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship.
Performance
CL vs. ITW - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with CL having a 17.64% return and ITW slightly higher at 17.95%. Over the past 10 years, CL has underperformed ITW with an annualized return of 4.44%, while ITW has yielded a comparatively higher 12.18% annualized return.
CL
- 1D
- -0.33%
- 1M
- -1.01%
- 6M
- 2.33%
- YTD
- 17.64%
- 1Y
- 11.61%
- 3Y*
- 8.52%
- 5Y*
- 5.29%
- 10Y*
- 4.44%
- ALL TIME*
- 10.28%
ITW
- 1D
- 1.15%
- 1M
- 6.68%
- 6M
- 11.20%
- YTD
- 17.95%
- 1Y
- 14.94%
- 3Y*
- 6.96%
- 5Y*
- 7.33%
- 10Y*
- 12.18%
- ALL TIME*
- 13.71%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $438.38M | $416.63M | $459.32M | |
| $528.12M | $430.35M | $385.52M |
CL vs. ITW - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CL Colgate-Palmolive Company | 17.64% | -10.98% | 16.57% | 3.78% | -5.44% | 2.08% | 27.17% | 18.60% | -19.19% | 17.88% |
ITW Illinois Tool Works Inc. | 17.95% | -0.43% | -0.97% | 21.56% | -8.46% | 23.60% | 16.42% | 45.60% | -22.10% | 38.92% |
Correlation
The correlation between CL and ITW is 0.31, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.31 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.28 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.34 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | 0.34 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 5, 1987 | 0.32 |
Fundamentals
CL:
$73.06B
ITW:
$82.56B
CL:
$2.53
ITW:
$11.03
CL:
36.15
ITW:
26.01
CL:
9.34
ITW:
4.31
CL:
3.50
ITW:
5.04
CL:
311.74
ITW:
28.46
CL:
$21.05B
ITW:
$16.47B
CL:
$12.72B
ITW:
$7.27B
CL:
$3.68B
ITW:
$4.64B
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Return for Risk
CL vs. ITW — Risk / Return Rank
CL
ITW
CL vs. ITW - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Colgate-Palmolive Company (CL) and Illinois Tool Works Inc. (ITW). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.
Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.
| CL | ITW | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.17 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.25 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.10 | 1.14 | -0.04 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.69 | 0.86 | -0.17 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 1.37 | 1.76 | -0.39 |
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Drawdowns
CL vs. ITW - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum CL drawdown since its inception was -58.91%, which is greater than ITW's maximum drawdown of -54.90%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CL and ITW.
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Drawdown Indicators
| CL | ITW | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -58.91% | -54.90% | -4.01% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -16.97% | -17.44% | +0.47% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -29.05% | -20.63% | -8.42% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -29.05% | -28.05% | -1.00% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -29.05% | -37.85% | +8.80% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -12.03% | -3.03% | -9.00% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -11.24% | -9.83% | -1.41% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 8.47% | 8.50% | -0.03% |
Volatility
CL vs. ITW - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Colgate-Palmolive Company (CL) is 7.62%, while Illinois Tool Works Inc. (ITW) has a volatility of 8.35%. This indicates that CL experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ITW based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| CL | ITW | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 7.62% | 8.35% | -0.73% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 17.78% | 16.82% | +0.96% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 22.53% | 21.70% | +0.83% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 18.97% | 21.42% | -2.45% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 19.87% | 23.88% | -4.01% |
Dividends
CL vs. ITW - Dividend Comparison
CL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.30%, more than ITW's 2.24% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CL Colgate-Palmolive Company | 2.30% | 2.61% | 2.18% | 2.40% | 2.36% | 2.10% | 2.05% | 2.48% | 2.79% | 2.11% | 2.37% | 2.25% |
ITW Illinois Tool Works Inc. | 2.24% | 2.53% | 2.29% | 2.07% | 2.30% | 1.91% | 2.17% | 2.30% | 2.81% | 1.71% | 1.96% | 2.23% |
Financials
CL vs. ITW - Financials Comparison
This section allows you to compare key financial metrics between Colgate-Palmolive Company and Illinois Tool Works Inc.. You can select fields from income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements to easily visualize and compare the financial health of both companies.
Total Revenue: Total amount of money received from sales and other business activities
CL vs. ITW - Profitability Comparison
CL - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Aug 2026, Colgate-Palmolive Company reported a gross profit of 3.30B and revenue of 5.36B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 61.5%.
ITW - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Aug 2026, Illinois Tool Works Inc. reported a gross profit of 1.90B and revenue of 4.30B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 44.1%.
CL - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Aug 2026, Colgate-Palmolive Company reported an operating income of 1.02B and revenue of 5.36B, resulting in an operating margin of 19.0%.
ITW - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Aug 2026, Illinois Tool Works Inc. reported an operating income of 1.15B and revenue of 4.30B, resulting in an operating margin of 26.7%.
CL - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Aug 2026, Colgate-Palmolive Company reported a net income of 693.00M and revenue of 5.36B, resulting in a net margin of 12.9%.
ITW - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Aug 2026, Illinois Tool Works Inc. reported a net income of 815.00M and revenue of 4.30B, resulting in a net margin of 19.0%.
Frequently Asked Questions
CL and ITW have a correlation of 0.31, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
ITW has higher volatility (8.35%) compared to CL (7.62%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CL dropped -58.91% vs ITW's -54.90%.
ITW currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.69 vs 0.52), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.
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