KMB vs. CL
KMB (Kimberly-Clark Corporation) and CL (Colgate-Palmolive Company) are both stocks. Both operate in the Household & Personal Products industry within the Consumer Defensive sector. Over the past 10 years, KMB returned 1.21%/yr vs 5.07%/yr for CL. At a 0.47 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.
Performance
KMB vs. CL - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, KMB achieves a 5.74% return, which is significantly lower than CL's 17.14% return. Over the past 10 years, KMB has underperformed CL with an annualized return of 1.21%, while CL has yielded a comparatively higher 5.07% annualized return.
KMB
- 1D
- 3.43%
- 1M
- 6.29%
- YTD
- 5.74%
- 6M
- 6.56%
- 1Y
- -16.21%
- 3Y*
- -5.03%
- 5Y*
- -0.81%
- 10Y*
- 1.21%
CL
- 1D
- 3.11%
- 1M
- 0.90%
- YTD
- 17.14%
- 6M
- 15.80%
- 1Y
- 5.72%
- 3Y*
- 8.37%
- 5Y*
- 5.03%
- 10Y*
- 5.07%
KMB vs. CL - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
KMB Kimberly-Clark Corporation | 5.74% | -19.86% | 11.79% | -7.08% | -1.58% | 9.66% | 0.95% | 24.57% | -2.06% | 9.04% |
CL Colgate-Palmolive Company | 17.14% | -10.98% | 16.57% | 3.78% | -5.44% | 2.08% | 27.17% | 18.60% | -19.19% | 17.88% |
Correlation
The correlation between KMB and CL is 0.62, 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 | 0.62 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.63 |
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 KMB and CL shifts across timeframes, from 0.47 (all time) to 0.67 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
Fundamentals
KMB:
$34.64B
CL:
$73.61B
KMB:
$5.93
CL:
$2.58
KMB:
17.54
CL:
35.45
KMB:
3.03
CL:
9.16
KMB:
2.09
CL:
3.56
KMB:
19.29
CL:
507.66
KMB:
$16.54B
CL:
$20.80B
KMB:
$5.93B
CL:
$12.49B
KMB:
$3.07B
CL:
$3.92B
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Return for Risk
KMB vs. CL — Risk / Return Rank
KMB
CL
KMB vs. CL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Kimberly-Clark Corporation (KMB) and Colgate-Palmolive Company (CL). 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.
| KMB | CL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.89 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -1.23 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 0.90 | 1.06 | -0.16 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.55 | 0.31 | -0.86 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -0.83 | 0.50 | -1.33 |
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Drawdowns
KMB vs. CL - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum KMB drawdown since its inception was -36.97%, smaller than the maximum CL drawdown of -58.91%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for KMB and CL.
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Drawdown Indicators
| KMB | CL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -36.97% | -58.91% | +21.94% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -29.60% | -18.64% | -10.96% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -34.06% | -29.05% | -5.01% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -34.06% | -29.05% | -5.01% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -34.06% | -29.05% | -5.01% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -25.33% | -12.41% | -12.92% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -8.86% | -11.24% | +2.38% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 19.68% | 11.38% | +8.30% |
Volatility
KMB vs. CL - Volatility Comparison
Kimberly-Clark Corporation (KMB) has a higher volatility of 9.70% compared to Colgate-Palmolive Company (CL) at 8.77%. This indicates that KMB's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than CL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| KMB | CL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 9.70% | 8.77% | +0.93% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 17.37% | 17.30% | +0.07% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 26.13% | 21.81% | +4.32% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 20.32% | 18.85% | +1.47% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 21.13% | 19.77% | +1.36% |
Dividends
KMB vs. CL - Dividend Comparison
KMB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.89%, more than CL's 2.29% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CL Colgate-Palmolive Company | 2.29% | 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 | 4.89% | 5.00% | 3.72% | 3.88% | 3.42% | 3.19% | 3.17% | 3.00% | 3.51% | 3.22% | 3.22% | 2.77% |
Financials
KMB vs. CL - Financials Comparison
This section allows you to compare key financial metrics between Kimberly-Clark Corporation and Colgate-Palmolive Company. 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
KMB vs. CL - Profitability Comparison
KMB - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 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 - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 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 - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 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 - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 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 - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Kimberly-Clark Corporation reported a net income of 521.00M and revenue of 4.16B, resulting in a net margin of 12.5%.
CL - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Colgate-Palmolive Company reported a net income of 646.00M and revenue of 5.32B, resulting in a net margin of 12.1%.
Frequently Asked Questions
KMB and CL have a correlation of 0.62, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
KMB has higher volatility (9.70%) compared to CL (8.77%). In terms of maximum drawdown, KMB dropped -36.97% vs CL's -58.91%.
CL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.26 vs -0.62), 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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