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 0.87%/yr vs 4.75%/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 2.23% return, which is significantly lower than CL's 13.60% return. Over the past 10 years, KMB has underperformed CL with an annualized return of 0.87%, while CL has yielded a comparatively higher 4.75% annualized return.
KMB
- 1D
- -2.01%
- 1M
- 2.76%
- YTD
- 2.23%
- 6M
- 3.37%
- 1Y
- -17.83%
- 3Y*
- -6.09%
- 5Y*
- -1.36%
- 10Y*
- 0.87%
CL
- 1D
- -0.91%
- 1M
- -2.14%
- YTD
- 13.60%
- 6M
- 13.57%
- 1Y
- 3.57%
- 3Y*
- 7.27%
- 5Y*
- 4.47%
- 10Y*
- 4.75%
KMB vs. CL - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
KMB Kimberly-Clark Corporation | 2.23% | -19.86% | 11.79% | -7.08% | -1.58% | 9.66% | 0.95% | 24.57% | -2.06% | 9.04% |
CL Colgate-Palmolive Company | 13.60% | -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:
$33.49B
CL:
$71.39B
KMB:
$5.93
CL:
$2.58
KMB:
16.96
CL:
34.38
KMB:
2.93
CL:
8.88
KMB:
2.02
CL:
3.45
KMB:
18.65
CL:
492.33
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 | -0.86 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -1.18 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 0.89 | 1.04 | -0.16 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.60 | 0.19 | -0.80 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -0.91 | 0.31 | -1.22 |
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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 | -27.81% | -15.05% | -12.76% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -8.86% | -11.24% | +2.38% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 19.63% | 11.37% | +8.26% |
Volatility
KMB vs. CL - Volatility Comparison
Kimberly-Clark Corporation (KMB) has a higher volatility of 9.21% compared to Colgate-Palmolive Company (CL) at 8.18%. 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 | 9.21% | 8.18% | +1.03% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 17.09% | 17.25% | -0.16% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 25.95% | 21.63% | +4.32% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 20.26% | 18.81% | +1.45% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 21.11% | 19.77% | +1.34% |
Dividends
KMB vs. CL - Dividend Comparison
KMB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.05%, more than CL's 2.36% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CL Colgate-Palmolive Company | 2.36% | 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 | 5.05% | 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 (9.21%) compared to CL (8.18%). In terms of maximum drawdown, KMB dropped -36.97% vs CL's -58.91%.
CL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.17 vs -0.69), 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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