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 1.74%/yr vs 4.44%/yr for CL. Their 0.47 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship.
Performance
KMB vs. CL - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, KMB achieves a 11.19% return, which is significantly lower than CL's 17.64% return. Over the past 10 years, KMB has underperformed CL with an annualized return of 1.74%, while CL has yielded a comparatively higher 4.44% annualized return.
KMB
- 1D
- -0.80%
- 1M
- -4.72%
- 6M
- 12.19%
- YTD
- 11.19%
- 1Y
- -12.23%
- 3Y*
- -1.48%
- 5Y*
- -0.50%
- 10Y*
- 1.74%
- ALL TIME*
- 10.90%
CL
- 1D
- -0.33%
- 1M
- -3.48%
- 6M
- 2.33%
- YTD
- 17.64%
- 1Y
- 12.06%
- 3Y*
- 8.52%
- 5Y*
- 5.29%
- 10Y*
- 4.44%
- ALL TIME*
- 10.28%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $438.38M | $416.63M | $459.32M | |
| $325.44M | $393.74M | $451.43M |
KMB vs. CL - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
KMB Kimberly-Clark Corporation | 11.19% | -19.86% | 11.79% | -7.08% | -1.58% | 9.66% | 0.95% | 24.57% | -2.06% | 9.04% |
CL Colgate-Palmolive Company | 17.64% | -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 0.64, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.64 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.65 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.67 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | 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:
$36.28B
CL:
$73.06B
KMB:
$5.93
CL:
$2.53
KMB:
18.44
CL:
36.15
KMB:
3.19
CL:
9.34
KMB:
2.20
CL:
3.50
KMB:
20.28
CL:
311.74
KMB:
$16.54B
CL:
$21.05B
KMB:
$5.93B
CL:
$12.72B
KMB:
$3.07B
CL:
$3.68B
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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 | -0.82 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -1.12 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 0.97 | 1.10 | -0.13 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.27 | 0.69 | -0.96 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -0.39 | 1.37 | -1.77 |
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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 | -21.48% | -12.03% | -9.45% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -8.89% | -11.24% | +2.35% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 20.31% | 8.47% | +11.84% |
Volatility
KMB vs. CL - Volatility Comparison
Kimberly-Clark Corporation (KMB) has a higher volatility of 8.53% compared to Colgate-Palmolive Company (CL) at 7.62%. 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 | 8.53% | 7.62% | +0.91% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 18.63% | 17.78% | +0.85% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 27.16% | 22.53% | +4.63% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 20.63% | 18.97% | +1.66% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 21.25% | 19.87% | +1.38% |
Dividends
KMB vs. CL - Dividend Comparison
KMB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.65%, more than CL's 2.30% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CL Colgate-Palmolive Company | 2.30% | 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 | 4.65% | 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 Aug 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 Aug 2026, Colgate-Palmolive Company reported a gross profit of 3.30B and revenue of 5.36B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 61.5%.
KMB - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Aug 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 Aug 2026, Colgate-Palmolive Company reported an operating income of 1.02B and revenue of 5.36B, resulting in an operating margin of 19.0%.
KMB - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Aug 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 Aug 2026, Colgate-Palmolive Company reported a net income of 693.00M and revenue of 5.36B, resulting in a net margin of 12.9%.
Frequently Asked Questions
KMB and CL 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 (8.53%) compared to CL (7.62%). In terms of maximum drawdown, KMB dropped -36.97% vs CL's -58.91%.
CL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.52 vs -0.30), 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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