CL vs. T

Last updated Jul 21, 2026

CL (Colgate-Palmolive Company) and T (AT&T Inc.) are both stocks. CL operates in Household & Personal Products (Consumer Defensive), while T operates in Telecom Services (Communication Services). Over the past 10 years, CL returned 4.55%/yr vs 2.10%/yr for T. At a 0.31 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

CL vs. T - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Colgate-Palmolive Company (CL) and AT&T Inc. (T). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, CL achieves a 18.45% return, which is significantly higher than T's -7.04% return. Over the past 10 years, CL has outperformed T with an annualized return of 4.55%, while T has yielded a comparatively lower 2.10% annualized return.

CL

• 1D: -0.56%
• 1M: 3.33%
• 6M: 10.74%
• YTD: 18.45%
• 1Y: 8.51%
• 3Y*: 8.51%
• 5Y*: 4.73%
• 10Y*: 4.55%
• ALL TIME*: 10.30%

T

• 1D: 0.64%
• 1M: 2.62%
• 6M: -2.84%
• YTD: -7.04%
• 1Y: -13.37%
• 3Y*: 20.93%
• 5Y*: 7.13%
• 10Y*: 2.10%
• ALL TIME*: 9.35%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

CL vs. T - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
CL Colgate-Palmolive Company	18.45%	-10.98%	16.57%	3.78%	-5.44%	2.08%	27.17%	18.60%	-19.19%	17.88%
T AT&T Inc.	-7.04%	13.97%	44.08%	-2.74%	5.76%	-8.09%	-21.37%	45.55%	-22.25%	-4.01%

Correlation

The correlation between CL and T is 0.31, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.31
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.29
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.31
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.32
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 19, 1984	0.31

Fundamentals

Market Cap CL : $73.56B T : $152.52B
EPS CL : $2.59 T : $3.05
PE Ratio CL : 35.53 T : 7.19
PEG Ratio CL : 9.18 T : 0.30
PS Ratio CL : 3.57 T : 1.25
Total Revenue (TTM) CL : $20.80B T : $125.65B
Gross Profit (TTM) CL : $12.49B T : $105.41B
EBITDA (TTM) CL : $3.92B T : $54.70B

Return for Risk

CL vs. T — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

CL

CL Risk / Return Rank: 55
CL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
CL Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
CL Omega Ratio Rank: 50
CL Calmar Ratio Rank: 58
CL Martin Ratio Rank: 56

T

T Risk / Return Rank: 22
T Sharpe Ratio Rank: 19
T Sortino Ratio Rank: 19
T Omega Ratio Rank: 20
T Calmar Ratio Rank: 29
T Martin Ratio Rank: 23

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

CL vs. T - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Colgate-Palmolive Company (CL) and AT&T Inc. (T). 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	T	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.38	-0.57	+0.95
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.71	-0.67	+1.38
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.08	0.92	+0.16
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.50	-0.46	+0.97
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	0.90	-1.03	+1.94

CL vs. T - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CL Sharpe Ratio is 0.38, which is higher than the T Sharpe Ratio of -0.57. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CL and T, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

CL vs. T - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CL drawdown since its inception was -58.91%, smaller than the maximum T drawdown of -64.15%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CL and T.

Drawdown Indicators

	CL	T	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-58.91%	-64.15%	+5.24%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.97%	-28.89%	+11.92%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-29.05%	-28.89%	-0.16%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.05%	-32.01%	+2.96%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-29.05%	-42.35%	+13.30%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-11.42%	-21.57%	+10.15%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.24%	-15.74%	+4.50%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	9.45%	12.94%	-3.49%

Volatility

CL vs. T - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Colgate-Palmolive Company (CL) is 7.69%, while AT&T Inc. (T) has a volatility of 9.59%. This indicates that CL experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than T based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	CL	T	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.69%	9.59%	-1.90%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.58%	19.91%	-2.33%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.48%	23.72%	-1.24%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.05%	24.38%	-5.33%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.86%	23.92%	-4.06%

Dividends

CL vs. T - Dividend Comparison

CL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.28%, less than T's 6.58% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CL Colgate-Palmolive Company	2.28%	2.61%	2.18%	2.40%	2.36%	2.10%	2.05%	2.48%	2.79%	2.11%	2.37%	2.25%
T AT&T Inc.	6.58%	4.47%	4.87%	6.62%	6.66%	8.46%	7.23%	5.22%	7.01%	5.04%	4.51%	5.46%

Financials

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both CL and T in my portfolio?

CL and T 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.

Which is riskier, CL or T?

T has higher volatility (9.59%) compared to CL (7.69%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CL dropped -58.91% vs T's -64.15%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

CL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.38 vs -0.57), 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.