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 1.41%/yr vs 4.67%/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 12.08% return, which is significantly lower than CL's 19.42% return. Over the past 10 years, KMB has underperformed CL with an annualized return of 1.41%, while CL has yielded a comparatively higher 4.67% annualized return.
KMB
- 1D
- -1.98%
- 1M
- 7.71%
- 6M
- 15.06%
- YTD
- 12.08%
- 1Y
- -10.67%
- 3Y*
- -2.73%
- 5Y*
- -0.27%
- 10Y*
- 1.41%
CL
- 1D
- 1.05%
- 1M
- 4.20%
- 6M
- 15.18%
- YTD
- 19.42%
- 1Y
- 6.68%
- 3Y*
- 9.39%
- 5Y*
- 4.75%
- 10Y*
- 4.67%
KMB vs. CL - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
KMB Kimberly-Clark Corporation | 12.08% | -19.86% | 11.79% | -7.08% | -1.58% | 9.66% | 0.95% | 24.57% | -2.06% | 9.04% |
CL Colgate-Palmolive Company | 19.42% | -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 0.63, 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 | 0.63 |
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 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:
$36.57B
CL:
$74.59B
KMB:
$5.93
CL:
$2.59
KMB:
18.59
CL:
36.03
KMB:
3.21
CL:
9.31
KMB:
2.22
CL:
3.62
KMB:
20.44
CL:
517.54
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 | -0.70 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.97 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 0.95 | 1.07 | -0.12 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.36 | 0.40 | -0.76 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -0.54 | 0.71 | -1.25 |
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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% | -16.97% | -12.63% |
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 | -20.85% | -10.70% | -10.15% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -8.87% | -11.24% | +2.37% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 19.95% | 9.53% | +10.42% |
Volatility
KMB vs. CL - Volatility Comparison
Kimberly-Clark Corporation (KMB) has a higher volatility of 8.57% compared to Colgate-Palmolive Company (CL) at 6.68%. 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 | 8.57% | 6.68% | +1.89% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 18.18% | 17.28% | +0.90% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 26.79% | 22.18% | +4.61% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 20.52% | 18.99% | +1.53% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 21.19% | 19.82% | +1.37% |
Dividends
KMB vs. CL - Dividend Comparison
KMB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.61%, more than CL's 2.24% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CL Colgate-Palmolive Company | 2.24% | 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 | 4.61% | 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 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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%.
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%.
Frequently Asked Questions
KMB and CL have a correlation of 0.63, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
KMB has higher volatility (8.57%) compared to CL (6.68%). In terms of maximum drawdown, KMB dropped -36.97% vs CL's -58.91%.
CL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.30 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.
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