CL vs. KMB
CL (Colgate-Palmolive Company) and KMB (Kimberly-Clark Corporation) are both stocks. Both operate in the Household & Personal Products industry within the Consumer Defensive sector. Over the past 10 years, CL returned 4.67%/yr vs 1.72%/yr for KMB. At a 0.47 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.
Performance
CL vs. KMB - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, CL achieves a 18.17% return, which is significantly higher than KMB's 14.34% return. Over the past 10 years, CL has outperformed KMB with an annualized return of 4.67%, while KMB has yielded a comparatively lower 1.72% annualized return.
CL
- 1D
- 1.35%
- 1M
- 3.12%
- 6M
- 14.61%
- YTD
- 18.17%
- 1Y
- 5.57%
- 3Y*
- 9.51%
- 5Y*
- 4.73%
- 10Y*
- 4.67%
KMB
- 1D
- 2.26%
- 1M
- 9.89%
- 6M
- 17.81%
- YTD
- 14.34%
- 1Y
- -8.86%
- 3Y*
- -2.10%
- 5Y*
- 0.16%
- 10Y*
- 1.72%
CL vs. KMB - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CL Colgate-Palmolive Company | 18.17% | -10.98% | 16.57% | 3.78% | -5.44% | 2.08% | 27.17% | 18.60% | -19.19% | 17.88% |
KMB Kimberly-Clark Corporation | 14.34% | -19.86% | 11.79% | -7.08% | -1.58% | 9.66% | 0.95% | 24.57% | -2.06% | 9.04% |
Correlation
The correlation between CL and KMB is 0.64, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.64 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.64 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.67 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.67 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 17, 1984 | 0.47 |
The correlation between CL and KMB shifts across timeframes, from 0.47 (all time) to 0.67 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
Fundamentals
CL:
$73.81B
KMB:
$37.31B
CL:
$2.59
KMB:
$5.93
CL:
35.65
KMB:
18.96
CL:
9.21
KMB:
3.28
CL:
3.58
KMB:
2.26
CL:
512.15
KMB:
20.85
CL:
$20.80B
KMB:
$16.54B
CL:
$12.49B
KMB:
$5.93B
CL:
$3.92B
KMB:
$3.07B
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Return for Risk
CL vs. KMB — Risk / Return Rank
CL
KMB
CL vs. KMB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Colgate-Palmolive Company (CL) and Kimberly-Clark Corporation (KMB). 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 | KMB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.60 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.81 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.05 | 0.95 | +0.10 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.26 | -0.36 | +0.62 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 0.46 | -0.53 | +0.99 |
Loading charts...
Drawdowns
CL vs. KMB - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum CL drawdown since its inception was -58.91%, which is greater than KMB's maximum drawdown of -36.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CL and KMB.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| CL | KMB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -58.91% | -36.97% | -21.94% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -16.97% | -29.60% | +12.63% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -29.05% | -34.06% | +5.01% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -29.05% | -34.06% | +5.01% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -29.05% | -34.06% | +5.01% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -11.63% | -19.25% | +7.62% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -11.24% | -8.87% | -2.37% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 10.04% | 19.94% | -9.90% |
Volatility
CL vs. KMB - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Colgate-Palmolive Company (CL) is 7.00%, while Kimberly-Clark Corporation (KMB) has a volatility of 8.21%. This indicates that CL experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than KMB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| CL | KMB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 7.00% | 8.21% | -1.21% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 17.88% | 18.09% | -0.21% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 22.17% | 26.74% | -4.57% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 18.98% | 20.49% | -1.51% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 19.81% | 21.18% | -1.37% |
Dividends
CL vs. KMB - Dividend Comparison
CL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.27%, less than KMB's 4.52% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CL Colgate-Palmolive Company | 2.27% | 2.61% | 2.18% | 2.40% | 2.36% | 2.10% | 2.05% | 2.48% | 2.79% | 2.11% | 2.37% | 2.25% |
KMB Kimberly-Clark Corporation | 4.52% | 5.00% | 3.72% | 3.88% | 3.42% | 3.19% | 3.17% | 3.00% | 3.51% | 3.22% | 3.22% | 2.77% |
Financials
CL vs. KMB - Financials Comparison
This section allows you to compare key financial metrics between Colgate-Palmolive Company and Kimberly-Clark Corporation. 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. KMB - Profitability Comparison
CL - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jul 2026, Colgate-Palmolive Company reported a gross profit of 3.23B and revenue of 5.32B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 60.6%.
KMB - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jul 2026, Kimberly-Clark Corporation reported a gross profit of 1.53B and revenue of 4.16B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 36.9%.
CL - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jul 2026, Colgate-Palmolive Company reported an operating income of 1.16B and revenue of 5.32B, resulting in an operating margin of 21.7%.
KMB - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jul 2026, Kimberly-Clark Corporation reported an operating income of 753.00M and revenue of 4.16B, resulting in an operating margin of 18.1%.
CL - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jul 2026, Colgate-Palmolive Company reported a net income of 646.00M and revenue of 5.32B, resulting in a net margin of 12.1%.
KMB - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jul 2026, Kimberly-Clark Corporation reported a net income of 521.00M and revenue of 4.16B, resulting in a net margin of 12.5%.
Frequently Asked Questions
CL and KMB have a correlation of 0.64, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
KMB has higher volatility (8.21%) compared to CL (7.00%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CL dropped -58.91% vs KMB's -36.97%.
CL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.20 vs -0.40), 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.
Find the right allocation for CL and KMB
Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Optimizer